Dundalk striker Maguire to miss Shamrock Rovers game after Ireland U-21 call-up

Maguire after signing for Dundalk at the end of July

Dundalk striker Sean Maguire is set to miss the club’s crunch clash away to Shamrock Rovers on Friday October 9^th after being named in Noel King’s Irish U-21 squad today.

The former West Ham star, who bagged his first goal for the club against Sligo Rovers earlier this month, was named in the provisional 22 man squad for the U-21 UEFA Euro 2017 qualifier at home to Lithuania and away to Italy next month.

After two matches Ireland are joint top of Group 2 following back-to-back wins over Andorra and will host Lithuania in the RSC in Waterford on the same day as the Rovers game in Tallaght, albeit at the earlier time of 5.45pm.

The squad will then travel to Vicenza to take on Italy on Tuesday October 13^th which means Maguire should be back at Oriel Park for Dundalk’s clash with Galway Utd three days later.

Broadhurst controversially denied gold medal in Italy

Dundalk boxer Amy Broadhurst had to settle for a silver medal at the European Youth and Junior Championships in Assisi in Italy yesterday.

The 17-year-old was controversially adjudged to have been beaten on a split decision to Valery Manchak of the Ukraine in the 57kg final.

The Dealgan Boxing Club featherweight won the first two rounds and held a 20-18, 19-19, 20-18 lead but took a standing count after being caught on the ropes in the third. She also controversially took a count in the fourth. However, many observers believed that when the ref stopped the action, that Manchak, who was clearly rocked by two big shots to the head, was going to take a count.

However, the ref, incredulously, gave Broadhurst a count.
 The final scores were 38-38,38-38 and 39-37 to Manchak and when it went back to the judges the Ukrainian champion got the verdict with the decision being booed by the crowd.

Check out a video of the count above.

Broadhurst and Garvey to represent Ireland boxing team in Italy

Amy Broadhurst celebrates a victory in Hungary last year

Local boxers Amy Broadhurst and Orla Garvey will be representing Ireland in the European Youth and Junior Women’s Championships in Italy this weekend.

Both girls are members of the Dealgan Boxing Club with Amy set to compete in the Youth category and Orla in the junior category.

The Irish team fly to Assisi on Saturday and are wished all the best.

Katie appeals for support to help her and Dundalk rider Eve reach Paralympic Games

Eve McCrystal and Katie-George Dunlevy

Irish Paralympic cyclist  Katie-George Dunlevy is appealing for financial support to help her achieve her dream of qualifying and being a top medal contender at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

The visually impaired cyclists rides on the back of a tandem, with Dundalk woman Eve McCrystal her pilot.

Katie’s father hails from Mountcharles in Donegal and she competed in the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where she gained three fifth places and a seventh.

She is confident that she can get amongst the medals in Ro but admits that funding is tight.

“As a UK-based athlete, my funding from the Irish Sports Council doesn’t go far. I have to pay for flights to and from Ireland, my own bikes, specialist equipment and maintenance. I also have to pay for regular physiotherapy, sports massage, a strength and conditioning coach and yearly gym membership.

“I am looking for sponsorship to enable my pilot Eve McCrystal from Dundalk and myself compete on a level playing field with the other medal contenders. Eve has to continue working full-time to support her family. Because of this she cannot make all training camps, competitions and get the recovery she needs. This is a great concern of mine, as without my pilot I cannot achieve my full potential.”

Katie said that financial support would enable the pair to get together more often to train and race.

The pair are currently ranked second in the world on the Union Cycliste Internationale website and recently returned from the Paracycling World Cup in Italy with two bronze medals in the time trial and the road race.

Eve is the sister of another well-known local cyclist, Bryan McCrystal.

If you would like to support Katie call 0044 7743 027 004 or email kgdcycling@hotmail.com

Dundalk man to appear on new TV3 quiz show ‘The Lie’

Jim (left) and Craig on the set of The Lie

Dundalk man Craig Colgan is set to appear on TV3’s new quiz show ‘The Lie’ later this month.

The Lie is a general knowledge game with no questions. The twist is all you have to do is spot the lie.

A series of statements are given and you have to spot which one is untrue, for example, that Paris is the capital of Italy.

Craig will be appearing on the show on Friday February 21^st alongside his PayPal work colleague Jim Daly, who hails from Craigavon.

Be sure to tune in at 8pm that night to see how he gets on.

Dundalk kickboxer Catherine is new world champion

Catherine Brady, left, is a World Champion for the third time

Dundalk has a new world champion after local kickboxer Catherine Brady claimed gold at the WKC Championships in Italy last week.

Catherine, a previous world champion in 2001, 2009 and 2011, beat Italy’s Cristiana Farin in the final of the women’s point fighting under 50kg event.

Well done to Catherine, who hails from Pearse Park and is a member of the Kobra Kan Kickboxing Club.

Fundraiser planned for local samurai

 

A fundraising event has been planned for the Four Seasons Hotel in Carlingford on Thursday October 17th in aid of the local samurai martial arts students, who will be competing in the WKA World Championships in Italy at the end of October.

Local musicians Henry Mac and The New Originals will be performing on the night, with finger food also being served. Tickets, priced €10 or €15 on the night, are available from the Four Seasons or from sensei Alan Halpin.

Blackthorn shoes back on sale in Dundalk

Jim McDonnell and Conor Connolly with two of the Blackthorn shoes that are on sale in Tony McDonnell Menswear in Earl Street

Blackthorn Shoes are back on sale in Dundalk, 12 years on from the company’s closure in 2001.

The iconic brand was established by the Connolly family in 1970 and was a major employer in the town for a number of years

The Blackthorn range is now produced in Italy using only top quality materials.

Tony McDonnell Menswear in Earl Street currently have six styles in stock.

Conor Connolly is pictured above with Jim McDonnell showing two of the styles available. Drop in to the store to see the full range.