Donegal town gets nod for team homecoming

Donegal County Board has moved swiftly and decisively to end any dispute over the county team’s homecoming after the All-Ireland final.

The move follows controversy surrounding applications by two other Donegal towns to host Jim McGuinness and his team after their Croke Park showdown with Mayo on September 23rd.

Representatives from both Letterkenny and Bundoran wrote to the County Board asking to be considered to host any homecoming by the team. Letterkenny Chamber President John Watson had said he thought it was time his town was considered for any homecoming celebrations.

Traditionally, Donegal teams have always returned to Donegal town and celebrated any win at the town’s Diamond area.

Team manager Jim McGuinness slammed the moves saying it was playing into the hands of the Mayo team when supporters should be concentrating on supporting the team.

However the controversy was put to bed yesterday when it was confirmed the players will return to the Diamond in Donegal on the Monday after the final — win, lose or draw.

Four Masters Club spokesman Sean Dunnion confirmed they had been approached by the County Board and were instructed to prepare for the homecoming.

“The county secretary Hugh Martin Ferry contacted us and told us to prepare for a homecoming on the Monday night at 8pm and that is what we will do,” said Dunnion.

“Hopefully that will be with the Sam Maguire Cup. But thankfully this will now put to bed all this speculation and allow the team to knuckle down to the task in hand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Donegal swept the boards at the Ulster All Star awards banquet last night.

Ulster All-Star team: Paul Durcan (Donegal); Paddy McGrath (Donegal), Dan Gordon (Down), Neil McGee (Donegal); Frank McGlynn (Donegal), Karl Lacey (Donegal), Anthony Thompson (Donegal); Ryan Bradley (Donegal), Joe McMahon (Tyrone); Rory Kavanagh (Donegal), Michael Murphy (Donegal), Mark McHugh (Donegal); Jamie Clarke (Armagh), Colm McFadden (Donegal), Conor Laverty (Down).