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Sligo defeat Fermanagh in NFL

Fermanagh got off to a very shaky start in Brewester Park on Sunday in their Division 3 clash with Sligo and despite showing some bite after the break they never looked like challenging this confident Sligo side.

There were patches of good play from the Erne men and for periods they were winning the majority of the kick outs but they will have to ask themselves why they began with so little confidence against another Div 3 side in their home ground.

The chances that were presented to the Ulster side, and there were a few, were often fluffed like when Ryan Jones found himself in a one on one position with Philip Greene and only had a point for his efforts. That was at 28 mins and a similar chance was blasted wide at 13 mins.

Sligo were missing chances too and should have been out of sight of their opponents a lot sooner but a Colm McGee long distance point which he followed up with a converted 45 added to David Kelly’s opening score set the Yeat’s men up nicely. Alan Costello found David Kelly with a superb pass at the twenty three minute mark and Kelly was quick to place the ball in Charlie Harrison’s path.

The defender reinvented his role and placed the ball in the top corner of the Fermanagh net. The home side began to find their range and recorded four more points before the break but Sligo kept in touch and the sides went in 1-09 to 0-5.

The first fifteen minutes after the break showed a much more purposeful Fermanagh side which seemed to be winning the midfield battle and with Daryl Keenan and Rory Gallagher scoring some nice points it appeared as if they intended to make a game of it.

The wind was taken out of the Erne men’s sails however when a high Tony Taylor kick landed in the square and was punched home by Colm McGee. The goal was soon annulled by a Rory Gallagher point and a goal from a penalty. The penalty score gave the Fermanagh crowd new heart although the Sligo contingent were still debating why it was awarded when a Charlie Harrison David Kelly move resulted in Alan Costello raising the green flag at 59 minutes.

That score had been preceded by a Mark Breheny point and the game fizzled to a conclusion with the faint hopes of a Fermanagh revival in tatters.

Sligo gave an exhibition of point taking as the game wound down and turned over Fernmanagh attacks on several occasions but the Erne men’s woes began in a woeful start from which they never recovered despite some gallant efforts.

Report from the Sligo GAA PRO

Harps to host youth international this Friday

The Boys U18 Schools International team will play host to Scotland on Good Friday (2 April) at Finn Park, Ballybofey in Ireland’s penultimate fixture of their Centenary Shield campaign (KO 7pm).

Dave Archbold’s team clinched victory over a determined Welsh outfit last week which saw them claim a valuable three points.

Archbold will be hoping the momentum gained from this crucial win will be carried forward on Friday as they face Scotland in a must win game for the Irish.

Scotland are venturing well in the campaign with two games played which sees them a point ahead of Ireland. The Scots drew 1-1 to Northern Ireland away and a nail-biting encounter with the Welsh saw them gain a narrow 3-2 victory at home.

Ireland had a nervous start to their season’s campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. The lads regrouped and found some form as they travelled to Wales to secure their first points in the competition.

Archbold is well away of the threat posed by the tartan army with their impressive performance in the Centenary Shield thus far. The Irish only drew with the Scots last season and will be looking for the experienced players to raise their game on Friday as they face their toughest test yet.

Gary Shaw, Jason Dwane, Robbie Benson and Tomas Boyle all performed well last week and will be hoping to continue their winning ways.

The Irish will be strengthened by the fact that they can call upon the services of their outstanding auxiliary players when required. This was very evident in the Welsh game when Daragh Walshe, Stephen Chambers, Tom O’Halloran and Barry O’Mahony were all introduced in the second half and all performing exceptional well.

Archbold will have a difficult decision to make as he prepares to announce his starting eleven ahead of the big match. All eighteen playing are fighting for the opportunity to start which is a huge plus for their manager.

Manager, Dave Archbold stated: “The lad’s commitment has been second to none throughout the season and we’re hoping that they give 100% when called upon against Scotland”.

Sean Brosnan who was drafted into the squad for the Welsh game will remain with the team having impressed the manager with a gallant performance. The Castleisland native played an influential role in Ireland’s victory over the Welsh having scored the only goal of the game to keep Ireland’s title hopes alive.

Ireland are definitely optimistic of their title aspirations. Assistant Manager, Ollie Horgan said: “We need this win and the team are well aware that a victory on Friday will set our title hopes back on track”.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and England are currently top of the leader board on 4 points each however Scotland and England have a game in hand.

It will be anxious times for Ireland as Scotland and England face off against each other on 23 April. A week later will see Ireland away to England on 30 April in Burton Albion in the final game of the Centenary Shield.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND PANEL: Marty McGinty (Deele College), Josh Byrne (De La Salle), Brian Nolan (St Paul’s CC), Nathan Murphy (Colaiste Ris); Jason Dwane (St. Peter’s College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Daryl Horgan (St. Enda’s College, Galway), Barry O’Mahony (Summerhill College), Sean Skelly (St. Joseph’s Fairview), Tom O’Halloran (Athlone CC), Daragh Walshe (St. Kieran’s College), Sean Brosnan (St. Patrick’s SS, Castleisland) , Niall Cooney (Templeogue College), Gary Shaw (Patrician SS) Stephen Chambers (St. Fintan’s), Jake Carroll (Confey CC, Leixlip), Hugh Douglas (St. Brendan’s College), Robbie Benson (Marist College)

MANAGEMENT: Dave Archbold, Manager (Palmerstown Community School), Ollie Horgan, Assistant Manager (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Hugh Colhoun, Coach (St. Laurence College, Loughlinstown), Ian Carry, GK Coach (FAI Schools Development Officer), Mickey McGlynn (Physiotherapist), Dr. Aidan Colmain (Doctor)

Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe

The banking recapitalisation plan announced today contains explicit
provisions targeted directly at supporting our enterprise sector and
freeing up credit for small to medium-sized businesses, according to the
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD.

Speaking in the Dáil this evening on a motion in support of the
Government’s actions on the Irish financial system, Minister O’Keeffe said
the banking sector will be required to lend to the SME sector as part of
the recapitalisation plan.

‘Under the terms of today’s recapitalisation plan, Bank of Ireland and
Allied Irish Banks will be required to make available more than €3 billion
in new SME lending to include working capital this year and next year.

‘This figure will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as the needs of the
economy change.

‘The two banks must each produce a plan that includes a sectoral and
geographic breakdown of how they intend to divide up this new lending.

‘As part of his remit, the credit reviewer, John Trethowan, will assess
these plans following which the Government will decide whether further
action on sectoral targets is required.

‘In addition, the two banks will need to make available €20 million each
for seed capital to be provided to Enterprise Ireland-supported ventures
and to make up to €100 million each available for environmental, clean
energy and innovation funds.

‘That is in addition to the €100 million each made available in accordance
with the previous recapitalisation scheme.

‘The two banks will be requited to commit resources to work with Enterprise
Ireland and the Irish Banking Federation to develop sectoral expertise in
the modern growth sectors of the economy.

‘They will be required to explore with Enterprise Ireland and the Irish
Banking Federation how best to develop the range of banking services that
Irish SMEs trading internationally will need and to develop expertise and
bring forward new credit products in areas where expected cash flow, rather
than property or assets, is the basis for business lending.

‘I welcome the formal establishment of Mr Trethowan as credit reviewer to
provide for an independent review of decisions by participating
institutions to refuse or withhold credit to SMEs, farm enterprises and
sole traders.

‘This facility should afford individual businesses an opportunity for
third-party review of bank refusals to grant credit.

‘Participating institutions are required to comply with the recommendation
of the reviewer or explain why this would not be appropriate.

‘Statistical outcomes for each bank will be made public.

‘These measures and more reinforce the Government’s commitment to
supporting businesses, especially SMEs – a key priority for me as Minister
for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.

He said the Government’s plan will restore our banks to fit-for-purpose
institutions that can support economic development and the growth of
enterprise.

‘Our actions today are necessary for the longer term economic stability of
our nation which has been recklessly undermined by irresponsible property
lending practices and corporate sector greed,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.

Aer Arann

Aer Arann marked the first departure of its Donegal to Glasgow International Airport service on Sunday.
 
Replacing the previous Glasgow – Prestwick service, the service will operate three days per week initially, increasing in frequency to four days per week from May 22th. Fares start from €39 one way including taxes.
 
Welcoming the first departure Aer Arann Corporate Affairs Director Andrew Kelly said: “We are delighted to begin our direct service to Glasgow International from Donegal. There has been a positive response from passengers, with booking numbers stronger than this period last year and we look forward to even further growth when the increased frequency begins in May”.
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Donegal Airport’s Managing Director, Anne Bonner also welcomed the first departure saying: The direct route to Glasgow International is excellent news for Donegal passengers. It opens up a whole new catchment area. We will be working closely with Aer Arann to promote and advertise Donegal to the Scottish tourism market and have now doubt that this route will grow from strength to strength.
 
Sunday also marked the first departure of the new Aer Arann and Aer Lingus Franchise flights. Under the brand ‘Aer Lingus Regional’ the franchise will operate 12 routes from Cork and Dublin to the UK, including seasonal routes to La Rochelle in France and Jersey in the Channel Islands.
 
Glasgow Airport is situated just eight miles west of Glasgow City and offers passengers convenient access to both the city centre and surrounding destinations and a recently announced £25 million investment will enhance the passenger experience at the airport.
 
For further details on schedule times, great value special offers and to make a booking visit www.AerArann.com