Connacht Schools Senior Cup Final
Summerhill College (Sligo) 18, Garbally College (Ballinasloe) 19
THERE was no fairytale ending for Summerhill College as they were narrowly edged out – by a single point – after an epic Connacht Schools Senior Cup final at The Sportsground, Galway, by Garbally College, who picked up their 45th provincial title.
A garda investigation is ongoing into an armed robbery at a Sligo shop at the weekend.
The Centra store at Maugheraboy was held up by a man who threatened staff with what gardai said was described as a handgun.
The robbery happened at roughly 10.30pm on Sunday night last.
For the full story, see today’s Sligo Weekender newspaper. In stores now.
The Bishop of Elphin Dr Kevin Doran has apologised for any offence caused by comments made during an appearance on Newstalk this week.
Bishop Doran appeared on the station’s Breakfast programme in a segment focusing on the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum where a wide range of issues were discussed.
Among his controversial claims, which received international backlash, was comparing homosexuality to down’s syndrome and spina bifida because “it would be wrong to suggest that everything that happens, happens because God intended it. If that were the case, we’d be talking about a very different kind of God”.
Bishop Doran is a strong advocate for the No vote and he believes that the use of the term ‘marriage equality’ is misleading.
“It is [misleading] in the sense that what people are campaigning for is not marriage because by definition a same-sex relationship includes some elements such as love, care, affection and long-term commitment but it doesn’t include procreation and produce one of the essential dimensions of marriage,” he said.
“If you look at cultures that are older than any of the main religions, part and parcel of the reason for marriage concerned children,” he added.
Dr Doran also claimed that the redefinition of marriage will also result in the redefinition of parenthood and that gay couples with children are not “necessarily parents”.
“They are not parents. They may have children, but you see this is the point, people who have children are not necessarily parents.”
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin also echoed the widespread reaction towards the comments by re-iterating his criticism of “church leaders or self-appointed church spokespersons” who use language which is “insensitive and over judgmental”.
The Archbishop refused to comment on whether Bishop Doran still had his confidence following Monday’s interview.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of today’s Sligo Weekender newspaper. In stores now.
ST Angela’s staff began their strike action this week.
The staff of the college held a press conference on Tuesday, at Sligo’s Clarion Hotel in conjunction with the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) while picketers protested outside the college.
At the press conference posters read “Why Don’t NUIG talk to us?” and “Is it because we are women?”.
The issue surrounding the staff’s industrial action has arisen from the alleged demotion of staff from University Lecturer to University Teacher, in a proposed amalgamation with NUI Galway.
The St Angela’s staff have been further angered since they claim that NUI Galway have failed to engage with the TUI.
A statement given by NUIG said “it is not the intention of NUI Galway to negotiate or enter into collective agreements with any trade union that is not currently recognised by the University.”
Gerry Quinn, the TUI President chaired Tuesday’s press conference for St Angela’s staff.
He pledged “further strike action will follow as required if needs are not met.”
Mr Quinn said that he and his colleagues “exhausted all other avenues” before pursing industrial action.
Annette Dolan, the Deputy General Secretary, said that “they [NUIG] refuse to talk to the TUI.”
“All our lecturers wish to be equal. These measures will be a demotion for the vast majority of our members [in St Angela’s], the vast majority of whom are women, and NUIG have a particular record in regards to women.”
The theme of demotion was also taken up by Lisa Winters O’Donnell, the TUI branch Secretary for St Angela’s.
“St Angela’s have experienced, full qualified lecturers. NUIG want to demote a mainly female staff without consultation,” she said.
Dr Brian O’Boyle, the Branch chair for St Angela’s TUI accused NUIG of breaching staff’s rights.
“There is a bigger issue here. Public servants and all workers have a basic right to have representation from their union. Other workers will see this and know that it is wrong,” he said.
Support and solidarity was also given from some members of Sligo County Council who were present at the press conference on Tuesday. Sinn Féin TD Michael Colreavey also pledged his support to the St Angela’s staff.
“I have a strong union background and I am also anxious to see top quality education in the north west. I will be behind you 100%,” Deputy Colreavey said.
Independent Cllr Declan Bree pointed to the council’s representative on the board at NUIG as a possible aid to the St Angela’s staff.
“You certainly have our support across the political spectrum. Sligo County Council has a representative on the board at NUIG along with Mayo and Leitrim. We can speak out that level. You can be assured of our support,” Cllr Bree commented.
Meanwhile the proposed amalgamation (and status of lecturers as teacher) was set to be signed on March 31.
Considering the industrial action taken by staff, this is now set to be implemented between March 31 and the Autumn semester at St Angela’s.
The only show in town this week for current affairs aficionados was of course Tonight with Vincent Browne.
Vincent, on the crest of a wave following his telling Jerry Beades of the New Land League to “shut up”, was in Sligo this week for “The People’s Debate” ahead of the forthcoming general election.
Pick up today’s Sligo Weekender newspaper for a full report of proceedings on the night, including the absence of Fine Gael deputies and the issue of Cancer Services.
In stores now.
Last year’s An Post Tour of Sligo cycle event was worth over €450,000 to the local economy, according to a new report.
The estimated combined spend on accommodation and non accommodation costs of the 2,407 cyclists taking part and their friends and family was €364,551 while an additional spend of €88,000 was incurred in various aspects of the hosting the event.
As a result the total value of the An Post Tour of Sligo 2014 is estimated at €452,551 to the local economy.
The report, ‘Cycling Participation and Economic Benefit of the An Post Tour of Sligo Cycle 2014’, is based on a post event survey of participants conducted by researcher Maire Mc Callion on behalf of Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, which involved 457 respondents.
Minister for State for Sport, Michael Ring and John Treacy Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council were present at the recent launch of the report.
Minister Ring participated in the first An Post Tour of Sligo in 2009 while John Treacy makes the event part of his annual sporting calendar.
Both welcomed the report and in particular the significant economic value for the local economy and tourism benefits associated with the event while also acknowledging the impact of the event in terms of getting people active. The full report can be viewed on www.sligosportandrecreation.ie
Researcher Maire Mc Callion stated: “The An Post Tour of Sligo 2014 was a great celebration of cycling for all ages and attracted cyclists from every county on the island of Ireland and a significant number of overseas visitors with a total of 2,407 on their bikes and Sligo can look forward to what promises to be another successful cycle over the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend”.
Cyclists of all ages and fitness levels can take part in An Post Tour of Sligo 2015 with a choice of distances including 2K Bike Trail/ 10K Hazelwood Spin/ 60K Lough Gill Circuit/ 100K Innisfree Tour/ 160K Ox Mountain Challenge and full details and entry are available on www.tourofsligo.ie
Former Eurovision winner Eimear Quinn will make her performing debut in Sligo on Thursday next, March 19 in the County Sligo Golf Club Male Voice Choir Spring Concert in the Radisson Hotel at 8pm.
Ahead of her performance Eimear talked to the Sligo Weekender about making her long overdue Sligo debut. “Yes, it’s a long over-due performance! Although I haven’t given a concert in Sligo, I do have very fond memories of holidaying there as a child at the Yeats Country Hotel at Rosses Point.” she said.
“It’d be hard to forget such a beautiful place! Of course the scope and breadth of music from Sligo is internationally renowned, from Dervish to Westlife, and the world is a richer place for it.”
The acts she mentioned took music from Irish shores to an international audience, something Eimear herself had done, but are foreign audiences more receptive?
“I do think there is a deep appreciation for Irish influenced music abroad, it seems to have a very instant appeal. But I’m not sure that the appreciation is any less at home. It might just seem a little more remarkable to us that an international audience has such interest, but Irish people are great guardians of their own heritage, and value it well, I feel.”
Eimear will, of course, be performing her Eurovision-winning song “The Voice” on Thursday next, but 19 years on from her Eurovision victory, how does she reflect back on the song and the experience?
“‘The Voice’ is a stunning and powerful song, and it has been one of the greatest gifts of my life that Brendan Graham chose me to sing it, and allowed me to take ownership of it in such a significant way.
“The song, and the experience of singing it for Ireland, took me on a very privileged and unexpected journey, that I would never have otherwise experienced.
“Before being invited to sing for the Eurovision in 1996, I was very set on the path as a classical performer, and suddenly I saw that a performer could be more than one genre. Over time, I’ve realised that a performer has the scope to mould their own sense of music self, and not to be limited to one genre or another at all.”
Eimear will perform alongside the Male Voice Choir and the Sligo Academy of Music orchestras, under the musical direction of Niamh Crowley. Tickets for this concert cost €15 and can be bought from Liber Bookshop or from Sligo Tourist Office, both in O’Connell Street. The funds raised will go to the Donal Parsons Trust and the Rory Gallagher’s Wish To Walk appeal.
Irish TV cameras rolled at Beltra Country Market on Saturday last as Country Markets Ltd. launched their latest publication “Guide to Good Hygiene Practice”.
Sligo MEP Marian Harkin attended the market in Beltra to launch the new publication. And the Beltra Market organisers made it a double celebration by having the MEP officially open the new tearoom.
Claire Ronan of Irish TV brought the cameras along and interviewed several of the Beltra Market regulars as well as customers. Mary Cooper organised a wool and feltmaking workshop and harpist Aine Martin performed at the market to raise funds for the UCD Nicaraguan Volunteer Programme.
A 51 years-old Sligo man was allegedly battered to death with a brick, a London trial was told this week.
A jury at the Old Bailey heard that Philip Steeles was assaulted with a 2.5kg brick, resulting in fatal facial and head injuries.
Malachai Lindo (27) is accused of fatally assaulting Mr Steeles, a native of Sligo town who had been living in the Enfield area of London for some time, at Green Street, Enfield, London on September 4, 2014.
For the full story see today’s Sligo Weekender newspaper – in stores now.
IT SLIGO have made a formal submission to the Higher Education Authority for university status on Wednesday (yesterday).
The Sligo institute come under the Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA) along with Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LIT).
The submission by the CUA of an expression of interest is the first of four stages that the three institutes will take on the road to becoming a Technological University.
In a joint statement, the presidents of the three institutes said “the Technological University for the West/North-West will have a focus on building a vibrant and sustainable economic, social and cultural multi-campus environment which will generate and retain graduate talent capable of growing the economic base in the region”.
Coupled with the benefits to IT Sligo and the other institutes, the presidents feel that it will also have benefits economically for the North-West region.
The enhancement of the three institutes and flexibility of education through online courses are seen as two of the main corner stones of the CUA university proposal.
As well as that, the proposed university hopes to attract business networks and development clusters and attract foreign investment to Sligo, Donegal and the North Galway/ Mayo area.
The president of IT Sligo Vincent Cunnane made presentation to members of Sligo County Council about the proposed Technological University. The full report is on page 25 of this paper.
Alan Finn selects the Sligo Rovers team, using a 4-3-3 formation, that he believes should start against Cork City in the opening game of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division this Saturday at The Showgrounds.
Ryan Coulter
Despite playing roughly the same amount of time as Richard Brush throughout pre-season, I can see Coulter being chosen to start the first game between the sticks.
Alan Keane
As tough a selection as any. It feels harsh leaving Gary Boylan out, but the experience of Keane will be needed for an opening game against one of the country’s strongest teams.
Gavin Peers
The wealth of experience that Peers possesses makes him a certain choice. After overcoming a serious injury in the last year, he will be determined to return to top form in his testimonial season.
Stephen Folan
The obvious player to replace the injured Jeff Henderson, a consistent run of form could see him cement his place alongside Peers.
Danny Ledwith
It is difficult to see anyone other than Ledwith playing at left-back. He has expressed his desire to repay his manager’s faith in him, and a solid game against Cork City is as good a place as any to start.
David Cawley
Saturday’s game could mark the beginning of the midfielder’s biggest season yet at The Showgrounds. Cawley has really matured as a defensive midfielder and he will be needed in what promises to be an exciting engine room battle.
John Russell
The fit-again Russell has been working hard in pre-season to retain his place in the starting line-up and a solid display this weekend could ensure that he won’t have to relinquish it any time soon.
Keith Ward
Ward has been impressive throughout pre-season when playing behind the striker and will provide a serious threat from corners and free-kicks.
Steven Beattie
A split decision here – should the Dubliner or Raffaele Cretaro start? Beattie gets the nod because he has especially impressed in pre-season. He likes to run at defences and that could unsettle the visitors.
Sander Puri
Estonian international Puri has the unique advantage of being a player with plenty of ability who the opposition know little about. It will be interesting to see how last year’s Premier Division runners-up go about containing his potential threat.
Dinny Corcoran
Morten Nielsen has done a lot to warrant a starting place, but Corcoran enjoyed a particularly outstanding pre-season in front of goal and that simply cannot go unrewarded. An experienced League of Ireland striker is necessary to test the Cork City defence.
For more analysis and comment on the the start of the new campaign, see this week’s Sligo Weekender.
A 10 years-old Sligo schoolboy has had his head shaved as part of the Irish Cancer Society’s Shave or Dye campaign to support his grandad who has been undergoing treatment for cancer.
Matthew Ballantyne, a pupil at St Brendan’s primary school in Cartron, had his head shaved at the school on Friday last by Anthony Kilcoyne of Salon 2 hairdressing salon.
His mother Gwen explained that the idea had come from Matthew himself.
“His grandad John Ballantyne was diagnosed with leukemia in August last and was in hospital for quite a while undergoing treatment.
“Thankfully he is out of hospital. He is in remission and doing brilliantly and was able to be there for Matthew’s head shave.”
Gwen said that it was the fact that his grandad had to shave his head and beard during the treatment that had inspired Matthew.
“He told me, if Grandad can do it so can I”, she said.
“We are extremely proud of him. It was something he came up with himself and his grandad was delighted when we told him.”
Each year St Brendan’s picks a charity to support during Lent and this year Gwen said they approached the school to see if the Cancer Society’s Shave or Dye campaign could be this year’s charity and they were very supportive.
Gwen said that initially they had hoped to raise €250 but already Matthew’s head shave has raised €876 from family and friends and there will be more to come through the school.
If anyone wants to support Matthew’s effort they can do so through St Brendan’s school or on the website https://www.justgiving.com/Matthew-ballantyne1/
