Drumaness win Mickey Donnelly Chariey Shield

8 August 2012

DRUMANESS Mills fittingly won the inaugural Michael Donnelly Charity Shield at a sun-kissed Meadowvale on Saturday afternoon.

Michael, a former Newcastle and District League referee and secretary, was a one-club man as a player with Drumaness Mills and the large crowd who attended Saturday’s event in aid of the Chest, Heart and Stroke Society was testament to his popularity.

Thirty-two teams entered Saturday’s competition, organised by Michael’s family, and things ran like clockwork throughout a hectic afternoon with the sun shining from start to finish.

The teams were divided into eight sections with two teams from each group going through to the knock-out stages.

After a series of intense battles, John Burns’ Castlewellan, Barry Reid’s Sluggers, Michael Donnelly’s Mickey’s Mob, Dessie Campbell’s Drumaness Mills, Conor Wash’s Real Sosobad, Dee Murray’s Murray’s Mints, Brendan Teer’s Europspar, Marty Murphy’s Five, Mourne Rovers, Killough IIs, The Looney Bins, Killough firsts, the Runners-Up and Paddy Kelly’s made it through to the last 16.

After the first round of knock-out games, Killough firsts took on Paddy Kelly’s, Castlewellan faced Killough seconds, Murray’s Mints faced Marty Murphy’s Five and Drumaness Mills took on the Sluggers.

All three Killough’s teams made it through to the semi-finals and were joined by a strong Drumaness side. The Mills then beat Marty Murphy’s Five to set-up a mouth-watering showdown with a young Killough outfit in the final.

However, an experienced Drumaness side had too much strength for Killough and goals from Gavin McEvoy (2) and Sean McQuoid secured a brilliant win for the Mills. Conor Doyle netted a consolation goal for Killough.

Clare Black, Michael’s daughter, presented the Shield to Drumaness manager Dessie Campbell and brother Michael thanked all those who had made the day such an outstanding success.

At the minute, almost £3,00 has been raised by Saturday’s 5-a-sides and the auction and raffle held in Drumaness Social Club on Saturday night.

• The Donnelly family would like to thank the committee of Drumaness Mills FC, especially Nigel Strain, Lawrence Clarke and George Gillespie, the teams who turned up and played the tournament in a sporting manner, referees, Brian Jess, Anthony Walsh, Ossie Gelston, James Kirk, Conor Stewart and Colin Dickson.

All the spectators and club patrons who attended both the football and charity night in the club, local businesses who contributed prizes, barbecue food etc and a final big thanks to our friends and extended family from whom no request was too big to accommodate.

All in all it was a day that Mickey would have enjoyed and one that the family are very flattered and proud to be associated with.

Finally, a special mention from our friends and family for the speedy recovery of Sean Milligan from Newcastle who is recovering from surgery in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, following a dislocated ankle and broken leg.

He is expected to be released from hospital later in the week

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