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.Plate Semi-finals
All 3 youth teams contested in the plate semi-final at home today, with the 14's and 18's facing Clogher Valley and the 16's taking on Virginia.
After nervous times regarding Clogher's bus, their 14's took a bright start against the demons. Despite having a forward in the sin-bin, our 14's fought back hard, missed conversions proving crucial in their defeat.
The 18's had taken a good lead against their Clogher counterparts, with yet more tries ran in through the backs. A missed drop-goal attempt in the first half could have changed the outcome as they lost by just 3 points.
But the success story out of the day, came from the under-16's. Playing into the sun against a Virginia side with a few potential Ulster youth's, they tirelessly worked the ball in the forwards, with Bruce Vial at No.7, both Props Thomas Rice and Captain Cillian Byrne both stealing ball and driving through. Some touch kicks were a bit loose but in the second half, after immense pressure, Center Anthony Byrne broke the Virginia line inside his own half and, although clearly injured, he ran the rest of the pitch to touch down under the posts. Out-half Donnagh McIntyre slotted the conversion to make it 7-0 and was unlucky with a penalty. The score stayed the same until the end and now these lads must go on to win the final, hopefully in Ravenhill on 9th of April.
Support on the sidelines was quite good today in the great weather, please come and support our 16's in the final!
Posted by Tom 19/3/05
.Under 17
All of the Youth teams have made it through to the Semi-finals of the Plate Competition
The Under-14's had a good away win at Omagh while the Under-16's were left without competition for the sixth week running after CYMS failed to show. The Under-18's settled a score with Armoy, the team who knocked last years 16's out of the cup, at home by 27-5 with some exciting displays again from Declan Gallagher, Eoghan McNeill, Conal O'Callaghan and the returning duo of Conal McGinley and Donal Byrne.
Fixtures have yet to be decided.
Posted by Tom 6/3/05
A Donegal Demons Under-17 select team took the field against Stranorlar Sunday last.
Both Teams enjoyed the good weather and this showed in the quality rugby on display. Eoghan McNeill, an Ulster Under-18 winger, operating and reveling in his Full-Back role blitzed the Stranorlar defense, twice scoring tries of high class, running from deep to score in the corner and later pressurizing Out-half Joe McGinley to steal and touchdown under the posts. Donegal's first try came through prop forward Shaun McGill, who's running put some backs to shame. He powered through the despairing cover after a pass from Cillian Byrne (who wore both color shirts) and ran under the posts.
Missing Ireland second-row Donal Byrne, and No.8 Ivan Corrigan, the returning Conal O'Callaghan gave a fine display in the back row alongside Ciaran Tully. Both made some dazzling runs and belting tackles. Good runs from Pete-so Cannon and Declan Gallagher could have warranted tries but Stranorlar showed some of the little training they had was paying off.
Along with Cillian, another Demon turned out for Stranorlar, Jim Scully played for his native town and held up well against the team he'll be turning out for next Saturday!
Some of the Letterkenny contingent in the Stranorlar line up guided the team with their No.8 showing how to hit hard, Out-half Joe McGinley however controlled nearly all their good play.
Posted by Tom 28/2/05
.Donal Byrne
Donal Byrne has been selected to start at 2nd row against Italy
more...
Posted by Tom 11/12/2004
Donal Byrne continues his rise through the rugby ranks by being included in the 25 man Ireland Under-19 panel
.trip to Ravenhill
The entire Demons set up travelled to Belfast to watch Ulster take on Stade Francais at Ravenhill and they witnessed another great European Cup moment at Ulster h.q.
After missing the opening score by the French, the Demons landed and soon after Ulster scrum-half Kieran Campbell scampered through the middle of the pitch to cross the line for a try. As nearly always, Campbell's half-back partner David Humphreys slotted the conversion and soon after chipped in a penalty.
In the second half, after some very nervy moments and a Stade penalty, Humphreys managed a drop goal, and to add a bit more salt in French wounds ran home an incredibly high paced move which saw him out on the wing, leaving 4/5 men on the ground before touching down, much to the delight of the crowd and players, particularly Gary Longwell who thought he'd plant a nice peck on David.
Ulster ran out winners at Ravenhill, but lets not forget that our Under-14's (appropriately) ran out 14-0 victors against Clogher Valley.
The Under-16's came through with a 28-5 victory with Saoirse McCarthy, Ciaran Tully (2 tr) and Cillian Byrne (1 tr) all leading by example with Niles Nicholls weighing in with the other try, all were converted by Out-half Donnagh McIntyre.
The Under-18's started brightly with a try from Eamonn Melly out wide and Eoghan McNeill on the other side. Unfortunately, they could not resist Clogher pressure, playing with 13 players each left gaps all over, and ended up 22-12 down.
.cup defeat
Demons are out of the cup after losing to Monaghan away.
U-14's were well beaten but put up a good fight in parts
U-16's were up against a strong side who blitzed from the start
U-18's fell by just 3-0 and can feel very aggrieved with the referee and his decisions in a hot tempered finale
Posted by Tom 04/12/2004
.Ballyshannon youth merger
Ballyshannon youths have teamed up with the Demons to aid their progress against the big teams of Ulster. They will attend trainings and matches as Donegal players
Posted by Tom 28/11/2004
After playing Clogher Valley, the Demons will travel to Ravenhill to see how its done as Ulster take on Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup.
Parents are welcome, check with mentors or phone one of the numbers on our contact page
Posted by Tom 27/11/2004
.emerald rugby roadshow
On Wednesday, Emerald Rugby Magazine brought South African Coach, and former Leicester Tigers Hooker, Pierre Durant, to Glenties Comprehensive School for some special training.
Pierre coached pupil's from all years, boys and girls along with a select few boys who made the journey from Killybegs and one from Kilcar. Despite the damp conditions a good time was had by all and magazine editor Manus Lippin kindly donated all the equipment used on the day to the school.
That evening, demons training was re-scheduled to allow the forwards to get advice and new techniques from Pierre on scrums and line-outs. Of course the coaches got a bit of a master class and it was the 1st time females took part in a training session with the U-14's.
Posted by Tom 18/11/2004
.byrne for Ireland
Donal Byrne has been included in the 45-man Irish youth squad
Posted by Tom 16/11/2004
.nearly there
website complete (nearly!!!) we await player profiles and your feedback as to what you think this site is missing
We also want to hear of any difficulties you have with e.g. site layout/design
Posted by Tom 20/10/2004
© 2004- D.T.R.F.C. & Tom Cranley
