Managing at the top level now a largely thankless task

Donegal are likely to be without Eoghan Bán Gallagher for Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final group stage clash with Kerry at Croke Park.

Alan Foley Just under a year ago Patrick McBrearty trundled out of MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey on crutches after his Donegal team-mates had squandered a four-point lead against Tyrone to miss out on a place in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

The woman credited with being the driving force behind the Irish National Youth Ballet for the last 13 years has died unexpectedly, while on holidays in Lanzarote.

Here's your morning bulletin.

Regardless of how the CCCC occasionally surprises us, with Ballybofey or Omagh unlikely to host an All-Ireland semi-final in this or any foreseeable lifetime, this is a big as it gets — or will ever get — in the north-west.

Our writers reflect on this weekend's action... 

Donegal came through something of a must-win to give themselves a fighting chance of Division 1 survival at Kildare’s expense at Ballyshannon.

Sleeping Beauty at Cork Opera House: 4/5

Alan Foley’s tribute to Pat Shovelin, goalkeeping coach to Donegal’s senior footballers.

James Berkery learned his craft in Cork, and is now making waves in London, writes Esther McCarthy

Saturday’s farewell performance of The Dying Swan will see the curtain fall on Monica Loughman’s career as a dancer, writes Jo Kerrigan. 

It’s 25 years since Alan Foley created Cork City Ballet. Today it’s firmly established in the city’s cultural landscape, writes Ciara McDonnell.

Alan Foley is the artistic director of Cork City Ballet, and also runs the Alan Foley Academy of Dance. He is directing the forthcoming production of Giselle at Cork Opera House, from November 10-12.

Cork City Ballet is to seek patronage from sponsors to sustain its work beyond the current production of Swan Lake, having received only €7,000 in grant money this year towards its efforts.

Swan Lake testifies as one of the gold-standard markers of ballet history.

RORY KAVANAGH’S autobiography ‘Winning’ will be on sale from October.

As President Michael D Higgins continued his West Cork visit yesterday, one thought struck you: This might be the best spoken-word tour the county has seen for many a year.

A man who harassed a woman for nine months had been hearing voices warning him he would be menaced by evil spirits if he disobeyed them, a court has heard.

A few weeks ago I got talking to a manager of a county football team. His team had made good progress playing a fine attacking style of football but in recent games had come unstuck against extreme massed defences, writes Kieran Shannon.

A former boxer-turned entrepreneur is part of a team which is stepping into the ring to revive one of Cork’s best-loved music venues.

Ballet dancers have to be stronger than GAA players yet exude the physical perfection of a model says Ailin Quinlan who went along to Cork City Ballet’s rehearsals of ‘The Nutcracker’

ALL Alan Foley ever wanted to do was to dance. 

International ballet star Erina Takahashi is in Cork for The Nutcracker, writes Jo Kerrigan

Every winter, for the past 21 years, Cork City Ballet has held a gala performance so audiences can see guest stars of international fame and higher quality.

Cork City Ballet’s artistic director, Alan Foley, recently announced a long-cherished ambition: a full-time dance college opening in Sept 2014.

Cork City Ballet: 21st Anniversary Gala, Cork Opera House

Lucia Lacarra tells Jo Kerrigan how she was inspired to be a ballerina by a little wind-up jewellery box.

Cork City Ballet has come a long way since its foundation, as evidenced by the fact that international stars are willing to accept invitations to perform here.

Two new charges were brought yesterday in the case against a man accused of attempting to set fire to a pregnant woman working at a pharmacy in Cork.

It’s champagne time for the country’s top chefs who made the grade in one of the most exclusive culinary and hospitality clubs in the land — the 100 Best Restaurants and 100 Best Places to Stay in Ireland.

THERE’S something brilliantly plucky about the snowdrop.

A pharmacy employee who is seven months’ pregnant had petrol thrown on her face by a man who then lit toilet paper which he threw in her direction, it was claimed yesterday.

Corkman Darragh O’Leary tells Irene Feighan how his love of dance led to a life-changing experience at the London Olympics

WHEN Cork City Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty opens at Cork Opera House on Thursday, it’s probably safe to say the majority of the audience will be women.

My introduction to dancing was following my sister to a class. She fled and I stayed.

The Sleeping Beauty was always Joan Denise Moriarty’s favourite show. As Cork City Ballet prepare to produce it in November, Jo Kerrigan talks to Alan Foley about its particular magic

Sixty-one years ago, Mayo kids were told to get used to the feel of the Sam Maguire.

Despite losing Arts Council funding, Cork City Ballet’s Alan Foley is refusing to give up on his dream, says Jo Kerrigan

Joan Denise Moriarty:Ireland’s First Lady of Dance