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The Donegal Democrat Archive - 1954

January 15, 1954 edition
On Sunday next the Annual General Meeting of the Ballyshannon Gaelic Park Committee and the Aodh Ruadh Hurling and football club will be held in the Market House at 12 O'clock (noon).
January 22, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon looks forward to Park opening.
Tremendous work done in 1953.
With the opening date now only a few months off Ballyshannon Gaelic Park Committee at their Annual General Meeting in the Market House on Sunday decided on an all-out drive to have the essential work completed in good time for the opening.
Mr. H. Daly presiding welcomed the club members and thanked them for their attendance, but expressed disappointment that a larger number of supporters were not present in view of the fact that this would be the most important year in the history of the GAA in the Town.

Election of officers.
The following officers and committee were elected
Honorary officers- Rev M. McElory, Saint Joseph's. Rev J.J. Haughey C.C St. Patrick's.
Chairman M. Melly
Vice chairman F. O'Neill
Treasurers J. McDermott, M. Slevin. Secretary P. O'Neill.
Assistant Secretary H. Daly.
Committee: S. O Domhnaill, P. Biggey, J. Kerrigan, P. McIvor, B. Gallagher, S. Slevin, Jack Gallagher, Jim Gallagher, J. Mc Guinness, A. O'Gorman.

It was announced at the conclusion of the meeting that the Annual General Meeting of the Aodh Ruadh Hurling and Football Club will be held on Sunday week.
February 5, 1954 edition
The Ban Rule explained to Ballyshannon Youth.
Stand up for your Principles Appeal.
The duty of the youth of the Town to remain true to the national games and traditions and to show a more lively attitude in the defence of their principles, coupled with a restatement of the reasons the association had in imposing and maintaining the Ban of the foreign games and a warning that any member who wavered in his allegiance could no longer take part in their activities were the key points of speeches made at the Annual General Meeting of the Aodh Ruadh Hurling and Football Club in the Market House Ballyshannon on Sunday.

Election of officers.
Hon Patron: Right Rev. Mons J.C McGinley D.D. P.P. V.G. Dean of Raphoe. Hon Vice Presidents Rev M. McElory C.C. Saint Joseph's and Rev J.J. Haughey C.C St. Patrick's.
Chairman: Sean Slevin
Vice Chairman J. McDermott
Treasurer H. Daly,
Assistant Treasurer J. McGuinness
Secretary S.O. Domhnaill O.S Assistant Secretary P. Dorrian,
Committee: Jim Gallagher, Jack Gallagher, J. Kerrigan, J. Murphy, B. Gallagher, P. Biggey, J. Humston
Senior Captain Jim Gallagher,
Vice Captain J. McDermott
Junior Captain J. O'Neill
Juvenile Captain S. McHugh.
February 19, 1954 edition
It is understood that a number of Ballyshannon businessmen have suggested to the Ballyshannon Gaelic Park committee that a traders Cup should be donated by the traders of the Town as a perpetual trophy for an inter-county game in the new park.
April 2, 1954 edition
Tradition prevailed at Glenties
Donegal in Ulster semi-final.
Donegal 1-7 Fermanagh 0-3.
Leading 0-3 to 0-2 at half time Fermanagh failed to come up to expectations at Glenties on Sunday where, true to tradition, Donegal qualified for the senior final of the Ulster junior football championship 1-7 to 0-3. Donegal Team: J. McDermott, J. Gallagher, J. Smith, D. Murray, D. Me Gill, J. Boyle, P. McGeehan, F O'Donnell, M. Regan, J. McGettigan, C. McCauley, S. Breslin, P. Coyle, F. Farrelly, W. Gallagher, H. Coyle.
April 16, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon Park opening.
All-Ireland finalists to oppose Donegal.
With the advent of Summer time, voluntary workers have started to put the finishing touches to Ballyshannon's Gaelic Stadium in preparation for the grand opening on Sunday, May 9th.
April 23, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon juniors win.
On Sunday Ballyshannon juniors defeated Abbey Shamrocks 2-8 to 2-4 in the first round of the county championship. The game was well contested throughout with very little dividing the sides.
Team not listed.
April 30, 1954 edition
Donegal and Monaghan play a draw in Ulster Semi-Final.
Re-Play fixed for Ballyshannon.
While Donegal might be considered somewhat fortunate to set a leveling score in their junior football championship semifinal at Ballybay on Sunday leaving it almost too late to strike accurate shooting form, at Irvinestown, Fermanagh were decidedly unlucky to lose 2-5 to 1-5 in the semi-final of the Dr. McKenna Cup to Derry.
Donegal Team: J. McDermott, J. Gallagher, J. Smith, F. 0' Donnell, D. McGill, J. Boyle, P. McGeehan, H. Coyle, M. Regan, J. McGettigan, D. Murray, A. Rodgers, P. Coyle, F. Farrelly, W. Gallagher.
May 7, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon new Park a remarkable achievement.
Sunday next the date of the blessing and official opening of Donegal's first Gaelic Stadium at Ballyshannon will be Gaeldom's greatest day in a town that for almost half a century has had an unbroken record of service in the ranks of the GAA.
The visit, at full strength, of the All-Ireland finalists and Ulster champions, Armagh to oppose Donegal for the Traders Cup and a set of medals has aroused Donegal for the Traders Cup and great interest over a wide area and, should the weather be fine, it is estimated. that from six to ten thousand people will attend the opening.
May 14, 1954 edition
Father Tierney Gaelic stadium opened in blaze of glory.
In a blaze of glory county Donegal's new stadium, in the Father Tierney Memorial Park was opened at Ballyshannon on Sunday afternoon when almost four thousand people from many parts of Ireland were present to witness the successful culmination of six years of hard work and diligent effort.
The programme published for the opening of Father Tierney Park.
May 21, 1954 edition
Donegal juniors in Ulster final.
Donegal 3-10 Monaghan 1-1. Playing delightful football throughout and exploiting to the fullest, the advantages of the wide open spaces of the Father Tierney Memorial Stadium Ballyshannon on Sunday evening Donegal's junior footballers romped into the Ulster final against Tyrone at Irvinestown on Sunday week with a 3-10 to 1-1 victory over Monaghan.
Donegal Team: J. McDermott, J. Gallagher, S. Smith, F. O'Donnell, D. McGill, J. Boyle, P. McGeehin, M. Regan, H. Coyle, J. McGettigan, S. Breslin, D. Murray, P. Coyle, F. Farrelly, W. Gallagher.
May 28, 1954 edition
Youth gets its chance at Donegal.
Donegal 2-4 Ballyshannon 1-2.
Although defeated by double scores 2-4 to 1-2 by Donegal Town at Tirconaill Park on Sunday in the first round of the County senior football league a young Ballyshannon team that included five minors put up a very good performance against a "new-look" Donegal side that was supplied with several young promising players.
Ballyshannon Team: S. McHugh, T. Gallagher, D. McCormack, J. O'Neill, M. Cooney, J. McDermott, D. Dorrian, Jas Gallagher, M. Regan, T. Loughlin, S. Kane, J. Murphy, M. Curran, D. Kane, M. Ward.
June 4, 1954 edition
Donegal qualify for All-Ireland semi-final.
Over three thousand spectators at Saint Molaise Park, Irvinestown on Sunday were held in throes of excitement throughout the thrill-packed Ulster junior football championship final in which Donegal defeated Tyrone 1-7 to 0-8 to become first provincial title holders of 1954.
J. McDermott played.
June 5 , 1954 edition
Ballyshannon juveniles win at Bundoran.
Ballyshannon 1~5 Bundoran 0-5.
Honours were divided at the Gaelic Park, Bundoran on Sunday where Ballyshannon juniors maintained their winning sequence by defeating the seasiders 1-5 to 0-5 in the first round of the championship.
Sean Kane, Danny Kane, Rev Bro. Raphael were some of the Ballyshannon players.
Full team not listed.
July 9, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon seniors played well.
Fielding a team that included a number of new players including two former Cavan Club players Garda F. Sheridan and Sean Galligan, Ballyshannon proved far too strong for a plucky Pettigo team who, playing against the wind in the second half, seemed to get disheartened to some degree by the homesters mounting scores.
Ballyshannon 2-10 Pettigo 0-2.
Ballyshannon Team: S. Cleary, P. Boyle, D. McCormack, V. Dolan, B. Sheridan, S. Kane, D. Dorrian, J. McDermott, J. Gallagher, S. Galligan, M. Regan, J. Murphy, T. Loughlin, E.J. Gonigle, D. Kane.

Pettigo juveniles show the way.
In contrast to the senior game the juvenile encounter proved to be a well contested affair in which the balance of exchanges favoured the sprightly well-balanced Pettigo team who, although playing against the breeze in the first half, lead 0-3 to nil at the interval.
Ballyshannon Team: S. Murray, F. Kelly, S. McHugh, M. McGovern, T. Fox, S. Keown, E. McIntyre, L. Masterson, P. McCready, W. McAllister, O.R. O'Neill, F. O'Byrne, S. Ferguson, F. Ward, M. White.

On Sunday night it was a very large crowd who attended the Abbey at the Summer series of ceilithe promoted by the Aodh Ruaidh hurling and football club.
July 23, 1954 edition
Donegal fall to Ballyshannon.
Ballyshannon 1-8 Donegal 1-4.
A moderate attendance at the Fr. Tierney Park On Sunday saw Ballyshannon narrowly defeat Donegal in a keenly contested senior football league game.
Ballyshannon Team: S. Cleary, P. Boyle, D. McCormack, T. Gallagher, Bro Raphael, J. McDermott, D. Dorrian, Kane, B. Sheridan, Sean Galligan, Matt Regan, John Murphy, Loughlin, E.J. Gonigle, Dannie Kane.
July 30, 1954 edition
Pettigo juveniles in divisional final.
Pettigo 1-10 Ballyshannon O-1.
Pettigo juveniles had a clear cat and convincing victory over a lighter Ballyshannon side in the second round of the championship at Pettigo leading 0-4 to 0-1 at half time and winning 1-10 to 0-1 to qualify for the divisional final against Donegal town.
Ballyshannon Team: S. Murray, P. Kelly, S. Mc Hugh, S. Keown, T. Duffy, P. O'Connor, M. White, P. McCready, OR. O'Neill, S. Ferguson, M. McGovern, F. Byrne, W. McAllister, G. McIntyre, S. McDermott.
August 6, 1954 edition
Donegal too good for Ballyshannon (Second round game)
Donegal 2-3 Ballyshannon O-3.
At the old Tirconaill Park, Donegal Town, on Sunday Donegal avenged their first round defeat in the senior championship by a 2-3 to 0-3 win over the Ernesiders thus forcing a play-off by the teams which took place in the Fr. Tierney Memorial Stadium Ballyshannon on Wednesday evening.
Ballyshannon Team: S. Cleary, P. Boyle, D. McCormack, T. Gallagher, B. Sheridan, J. McDermott, S. Galligan, M. Regan, D. Kane, M. Slevin, J. Murphy, T. Loughlin, Referee: J. Harvey.
August 13, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon minors are divisional champions.
Ballyshannon 3-3 Saint NaIl's (Inver) 1-1.
After a closely-contested game in which a moderate standard of football was the order, Ballyshannon retained the South Donegal minor championship title with a 3-3 to 1-1 win over St. Nall's Inver at the Gaelic Park Tanaltallon, on Sunday.
Ballyshannon Team: B. Drummond, S. McMenamin, D. McCormack, P. Drummond, B. Daly, S. McHugh M. McGovern, T. Loughlin, A. McGloin, C. McCready, L. Masterson, M. Cullen, S. Martin, C. Flynn, F. McCready.
September 17, 1954 edition
Luckless injury hit Donegal.
Go under to rugged Kerry in All-Ireland final at Croke Park, Kerry 3-6 Donegal 1-6. Dogged by ill-luck from the opening passages of the gaMcwhen two key players Jim McGettigan and Jim Boyle received severe injuries which led to the retirement of both, a gallant Donegal side went under 3-6 to 1-6 to a rugged Kerry fifteen in the All-Ireland hoMcjunior final 2t Croke Park, on Sunday before an attendance of almost 13,000 spectators.
Donegal Team: J. McDermott, R. Bryson, F. O'Donnell, S. Smith, H. Boyle, P. McGeehan, E. Coyle, H. Regan, J. McGettigan, C. McCauley, D. Murray, P. Coyle, F. Farrelly, W. Gallagher, A. Rodgers, P. Sweeney.
October 8, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon scored eight times and Carrick seven.
Ballyshannon 6-2 Carrick 2-5.
Leading 5-1 to 1-4 at half time against the sun and breeze Ballyshannon coasted to a 6-2 to 2-5 victory over Carrick in the second round of the senior football league at the Fr. Tierney Park Ballyshannon on Sunday.
Ballyshannon Team: S. Cleary, T. Gallagher, S. Kane, J. Jennings, B. Sheridan, J. McDermott, D. Dorrian, Jas Gallagher, P.J. McDermott, S. Galligan, M. Regan, D. Kane, T. Loughlin, J. O'Neill, J. Murphy, S. McHugh.
October 22, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon hurlers in county final.
Better in every respect than the hard-trying opponents Ballyshannon scored a convincing win over Donegal Town in the county final of the senior hurling championship at the Fr. Tierney Park Ballyshannon on Sunday and so qualify to meet Carndonagh in the final.
Ballyshannon Team: J. O'Neill, J. Humston, H. Keehank, K. Cullen, M. Slevin, D. McCarney, L. Masterson, E. Carney, D. Dorian, T. Darcy, S. Power, S. Martin, D. Kane, J. Brennan, P. McCready.
October 29, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon score a double over Donegal.
At the Fr. Tierney Park Ballyshannon on Sunday the Ernesiders scored a double over their old rivals Donegal in the senior County League "Democrat Cup" and juvenile hurling championship
Ballyshannon Team: S. Cleary, T. Gallagher, D. McCormack, J. Jennings, B. Sheridan, J. McDermott, D. Dorrian, P.J. McDermott, James Gallagher, S. Galligan, M. Regan, D. Kane, S. Kane, J. O'Neill.
November 19, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon qualify for the "Democrat Cup"
Ballyshannon 5-4 Pettigo 1-5.
By virtue of victories over Pettigo at Ballyshannon on Sunday Ballyshannon against Pettigo have qualified for the senior County league semi-finalists.
Ballyshannon Team: S. Cleary, T. Gallagher, D. McCormack, J. Jennings, S. Kane, J. McDermott, D. Dorrian, J. McDermott, S. McHugh, S. Galligan, M. Regan, D. Kane, T. Loughlin. J. O'Neill, J. Murphy.
November 26, 1954 edition
Ballyshannon juveniles win first county hurling championship.
Ballyshannon 0-2 Burt 0-0 The old flame, flickering for many years in South Donegal burnt brighter to-day and shows every sign of fanning into a fire unquenchable in the realm of hurling for the most significant factor in the county finals at the Fr. Tierney Park, Ballyshannon on Sunday was the annexing for the first time of the juvenile championship by the Ballyshannon Team which worthily defeated Burt 0-2 to nil after an epic struggle.
Ballyshannon Team: C. Fagan, E. McDermott, L. Masterson, B. Cullen, L. Canning, J. Keown, B. Dorrian, P. McCready, S. McHugh, W. McAllister, H. Garvey, S. Ferguson, R. Cullen, OR. 0'Neill.

Cardonagh 5-3 Ballyshannon 0-0.
The seniors did not do as well as expected they were defeated 5-8 to nil by the polished Carndonagh selection who led 2-4 to nil at half-time.
Ballyshannon Team: J. Carney, H. Humston, M. Cullen, J. O'Neill, M. Slevin, D. McCarthy, L. Masterson, J. Delaney, D. Dorrian, S. Martin, S. Power, E. Carney, P. Moloney, T. Darcy, D. McCartney.
Sub: J. McDermott, for D. McCartney.
December 24, 1954 edition
Donegal disappoint in poor Lagan Cup final.
Armagh 1-5 Donegal 1-1.
The Lagan Cup final of 1954, the last competitive game of the year now drawing to a close, failed to come up to expectations at the Gaelic Park, Coalisland on Sunday where Armagh retained the trophy and earned the right to contest the All-Ireland national league semi-final with a four points victory (1-5 to 1-1) over Donegal.
Donegal Team: J. McDermott, R. Bryson, C. Toland, B. Coyle, J. Boyle, J. Carroll, P. McGeehan, F. Brennan, F. McCready, H. Coyle, H. Boyle, D. Murray, C. Breslin, F. Farrelly, T. Keogan, H.T. Boyle.