Environment Minister Mark H Durkan acknowledges the encouragement from the spectators.

Photos: JOE BOLAND (North West Newspix)

Freddy Sittuk celebrates his win.

Thousands have taken to the streets of Derry to cheer on the participants in the second SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon.

As expected pre-race favourite, Kenyan Freddy Sittuk, took first place in a time of  2.25,44, a new course record, to claim the first prize of £1,500.

Ann Carroll on her way to winning the ladies’ race.

However, he missed out on a £1,000 bonus – put by the organisers – by 47 seconds.

Speaking minutes after crossing the line, Sittuk said he was delighted to win describing the course as “tough” and “hilly,” which may explain why his time was over seven minutes slower than the 2.18.30 he posted in winning the Belfast Marathon earlier this year.

Sittuk, a training partner of Olympic 10,000 metre and 5,000 metre champion Mo Farrah, was 12 minutes ahead at the half-way stage and  had extended that by a further four minutes in finishing ahead of Letterkenny AC’s Pauric McKinney who came second in a time of 2.51.34.

City of Derry runner James Crampsey claimed third spot in a time of 2.43.45.

Dubliner Ann Curley won the ladies race in 2.57.51.

City of Derry’s Marina Campbell came second in 3.08.16 with Lifford AC’s third in 3.11.12.

Christy McMonagle broke the Irish record for an over-70s runner.

Veteran City of Derry athlete Christy McMonagle smashed the Irish record for an over 70s runner by three minutes.

Competitors were greeted at the finish line by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Foyle MP Mark Durkan and the city’s Mayor, Cllr Martin Reilly.

Mr McGuinness described the event as an “outstanding success” stressing local charities were to benefit from over £250,000 raised through sponsorship.

City of Derry’s Irish Junior Cup team qualified for the matchplay stages of the competition at the regional qualifying held at Portsalon yesterday.

It is their third successive time to make  this stage of the competition.

Brian Long, Graham Hepburn, Cormac McKeone, Robert Simpson and Graham Robb, captained astutely by Robbie Kennelly, played very steady golf on the day to finish in third place.

The home club were the leading qualifiers as was expected with near neighbours Rosapenna taking the second spot with Buncrana in fourth place.

The team scores were 308, 313, 317 and 320 respectively

City of Derry play their first match against Rosapenna at Portsalon with the match provisionally set for Friday, 13 June next.

Portsalon will play Buncrana at a neutral venue.

Stephen McKeegan (4) played the round of his life to record a winning 42 pts in the Samaritans Open played at Prehen yesterday.

An incredible 37 strokes was all Stephen needed to play the last 11 holes, a run that yielded no less than six birdies, a truly outstanding feat.

John Morrow (22) was back on the podium after a lengthy break, his 41 points securing second place on a tie break from third placed Peter Deans (25).

Strabane golfer Richard Godfrey (13) was best of the visitors with 38 points on a count back.

Ladies branch secretary Christine Mitchell (28) recorded a fine 40 points to win the ladies section.

Back in form Kathleen O Doherty scored 37 points for second place on a break of tie.

There are eight races down for decision on tonight’s greyhound racing card at Brandywell Stadium in Derry.

The runners are (first race 8.00pm):

Race 1 (300 yards): 1, Chez Nous; 2, Isthatus; 3, Sugarland Alice; 4, Equity Row; 5, Rough Twilight; 6, Any Chance.

Race 2 (300 yards): 1, Sticky Sail; 2, Chase My Shadow; 3, Fernhill Flow; 4, Inishowen Merc; 5, Drumabey Suarez; 6, Butterbridge Lar.

Race 3 Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint (300 yards) 1, Eden Jim; 2 Leahs Bolt; 3, Ballard Charlie; 4, Battle Born; 5, Tango Barry; 6, Alien Eyes.

Race 4 (500 yards): 1, Untangle; 2, Go Diva Go; 3, Mineola Maccool; 4, Dynamo Millar; 5, Doctor Bill; 6, Madigans Sammy.

Race 5 Bill McKinney Memorial 500 (500 yards): 1, Ardnasool Kagawa; 2, Farley Rumble; 3, Canaska Miner; 4, Westminster Cash; 5, Donford Jane; 6, Wilma.

Race 6 Bill McKinney Memorial 500 (500 yards0: 1, Amigan Bazz; 2, Canaska Swank; 3, Rockview Wood; 4, Obadiah; 5, Sunrise Rumble; 6, Inishowen Queen.

Race 7 (300 yards): 1, Kitty’s Taffy; 2, Greenville Dove; 3, Clady Star; 4, Ardnasool Rio; 5, Ballyliffin Boy; 6, Drumcrow Harvey.

Race 8 Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint (300 yards): 1, Farrah Hedges; 2, Nobodys Baby; 3, Saberry; 4, Black Trooper; 5, Doonadior; 6, Oghill Hack.

Play continues in City of Derry Golf Club’s 42nd Open Week with the Kelly Fuels Open today (Monday), with the ladies playing over 13 holes.

Tomorrow sees the River Inn Bar and Restaurant sponsored Open.

The Everglades (Hastings) Hotel are the sponsors of the Wednesday Open and Thursday’s Open will be hosted by the City Hotel.

Campsie Paper Company once again are sponsoring the very popular Mixed Foursomes on Friday and the final sponsored competition of the week will be the O’Doherty Brothers Open on Saturday.

The ladies will also play 13 holes on Wednesday and Thursday with Saturday’s competition over the full course.

Tee times are available on the club’s website http://cityofderrygolfclub.com or by telephoning 02871311496.

Derry’s hurlers turned round a four point half-time deficit to defeat Donegal by four points in O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny yesterday.

Trailing at the break by 1-06 to 1-02, Derry turned the came in their favour when they scored 2-02 in the first nine minutes of the second period, the goals coming from  Ciaran Steele and Sean Quinn.

Donegal have only themselves to blame as they missed a number of golden opportunities to put the game beyond the visitors at the end of the first half, during which they hit 10 wides.

Derry’s Prionsias Burke opened the scoring before two pointed frees from Tom Clare put Donegal in front.

Donegal bagged the game’s opening goal when Aaron McCauley finished superbly past Conor Owens ahead of Derry’s Fintan McGurk finding the back of the net.

Eddie Lynch, McAuley and Jack O’Loughlin put over points for Donegal before the break.

Derry came out all guns blazing at the start of the second period, scoring 2-2 in the first nine minutes to take a four point lead.

Donegal fought back with points from O’Loughlin, Sam Doherty, Stephen Doherty and Oisin Rooney but Burke (2) and Quinn saw Derry over the winning line..

Scorers

Derry: P Burke 0-5f, S Quinn, C Steele 1-1 each, F McGurk 1-0, D Cartin 0-1.

Donegal: A McCauley 1-1, T Clare 0-4f, J O’Loughlin (2 ’65′s, f) 0-3, E Lynch, Stephen Doherty, Sam Doherty, O Rooney 0-1 each.

Donegal: D Fitzpatrick; A Stokes, K McGrath, C Rami; C O’Grady, J O’Loughlin, E Drummond; P Nelson, J McBride; Sam Doherty, Stephen Doherty, E Lynch; A McCauley, T Clare, S Curran. Subs: O Rooney for Curran (37); C Griffin for Clare (43).

Derry: C Owens; M Lynch, P Turner, O Doey; G Farren, C Quinn, J Mullan; S O’Neill, S Quinn; P Burke, J McGlinchey, F McGurk; J Grant, C Steele, D Cartin. Subs: B Laverty for McGlinchey (16), F O’Kane for McGurk (41).

Referee: N Mullaney (Monaghan).

City of Derry golfer Chris Ross.

City of Derry Golf Club’s Chris Ross has reached the final of the highly prestigious Sky Sports televised Trilby Tour competition.

Chris was defeated in a play- off over three holes for an out right win in the semi-final by former professional footballer, Paul Llewellan.

However Paul, a six-handicapper, still qualifies for the final to be played at the St. Pierre Golf Club in Wales in mid-October.

You can keep up with his progress on Sky Sports during the next few weeks and months.

Kelly Fuels Open Stableford winners at City of Derry Golf Club’s Open Week with Bob McKimm (club Captain), from left, Eamonn McCOurt (4th), Cormac McKeone (3rd), Billy Hutchman (winner), Graham Cummings (2nd) and Tom McClintock (5th)

A one-two finish by two visitors was the story of the day in the Kelly Fuels sponsored Open Stableford at Prehen yesterday.

Best of them was Billy Hutchman (13), from Faughan Valley, whose 41 points gave him the victory, although his 6,5 finish had him worrying right to the final card and that was returned by Graham Cummings (9) from Dunfanaghy.

Graham finished 5,5 to record 40 points and second place on a tie break from Cormac McKeone (6) who had an unfortunate double bogey at the last hole that cost him dearly.

Eamonn McCourt (9) had another great round scoring 39 points with 22 on the back nine and fourth place on tie break from Tom McClintock (11) who had to be content with fifth place also on a tie break.

Kealan Quigg (+1) scored 36 points to win the gross on a count back.

Loren Smallwoods (14), from Faughan Valley. was best of the ladies returning 23 points over 13 holes.

This week’s numbers in the  Derry City Lotto are:

2 — 13 — 16 — 22

Prize: £2,050

Telephone Derry City Office on (028) 71373111.

Congratulations to club chairman, Mark Higgins who completed the Walled City Marathon last Sunday.

Mark ran the marathon to raise money for the Foyle Hospice in memory of his late mother and Colmcillle’S esteemed and popular former club treasurer, Isobel.

He was accompanied on the way by a number of Colmcille’ players who ran relays to show their support.

The club’s senior team suffered a narrow league defeat to Magilligan last weekend, losing out by one goal.

Manager, Brian Duffy, said that while disappointing, the team had been decimated by injuries, exam pressures and work commitments.

Next up for the seniors is a home game against Ardmore this Sunday.

All senior squad members should report to Templemore sports complex for 2.30pm on Sunday.

The club minors had an excellent 4.14 to 3.9 victory over Tir na nOg last week.

The minors have a break next week but are back in action the following week with a game against Banagher.

Training for the club’s underage girls’ team continues at St Columb’s College on Wednesday nights at 7.00pm. Players should bring boots for training on the grass pitches.

A number of Doire Colmcille kit bags are available for purchase at £20 each.

Further details from club chairman, Mark Higgins.

Training times and venues for all Doire Colmcille club teams for the coming months are as follows:

Underage training has now moved outdoors at St Columb’s College.

Under 8-12, St Columb’s College, Thursdays 7-8pm and Saturdays 11am-12.30pm.

Nursery Group, St Columb’s College, Thursdays 6.15 – 7pm.

Players should bring boots, waterproof jacket, water and £2.

Doire Colmcille are keen to welcome new players.

Anyone interested should just turn up and make themselves known to any of the club coaches.

Indoor training has now finished at St Cecilia’s for the summer.

Under-14, St Columb’s College 3G pitch, Saturdays, 11am to 12.30pm.

Under-16s, St Columb’s college 3G pitch, Saturdays, 11am to 12.30pm and Brooke Park indoor, Tuesdays, 8pm to 9pm.

Under-18s, Tuesdays and Thursdays, St Columb’s College (7pm).

Seniors, Tuesdays and Thursdays, St Columb’s College (7pm).

The club is open to anyone wishing to become involved in Gaelic games in any capacity.

Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Doire Colmcille club secretary, Paul Crocker at secretary.doirecolmcille.derry@gaa.ie or by phone on 07732713968.

With the World Cup just around the corner, TV Licensing is reminding businesses in Derry to be licensed ahead of a summer of sport.

Whether it’s football, tennis, athletics, or cycling, sports fans in Derry are all set to enjoy a summer of sport playing out live on their TVs, laptops, tablets and smartphones.

So TV Licensing is asking businesses and business owners to make sure they are correctly licensed ahead of a massive summer of televised sport and providing a helpful Workplace Viewing Guide to clarify how staff or customers can watch live TV at work and be correctly licensed.

The World Cup in Brazil kicks off the bumper sporting summer as hosts Brazil play Croatia in the opening fixture on 12 June at 9.00pm (GMT).

But it will be the early group stage kick-offs at 5pm (GMT) which may see Derry workers downing tools early to sit in front of the canteen TV or opening a live streaming service on their desk PC to catch the match.

Less than two weeks later all eyes will once again be on Wimbledon as Andy Murray looks to defend the title he won last year when he broke the 77-year wait for a men’s British winner.

A fortnight of live television coverage from the iconic courts at the All England Club begins on 23 June.

The day before Wimbledon concludes, live TV coverage of the world’s greatest cycle race begins as the Tour de France gets under way.

From 5 July for three gruelling weeks, reigning champion Chris Froome will be out to defend his title against team mate and former winner Sir Bradley Wiggins.

And from the 23 July to 3 August, the Commonwealth Games will be taking place in Glasgow with many 2012 London Olympic medallists vying to add to their awards.

Fans can expect over 300 hours of live networked programming and over 1,300 hours of live action via up to 17 digital streams.

Mark Sterling, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said wth so much sport on free-to-air television this summer, employers in Derry might be tempted to bring TVs in to the workplace so their staff can catch all the live sporting action as it happens.

He added: It’s important businesses know the law around live TV being shown in the workplace.

“A TV Licence is required if anyone – staff or customers – watches or records TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether on a TV, tablet, computer or any other type of equipment.

“I would recommend business owners and managers visit tvlicensing.co.uk/businessinfo and download the Workplace Viewing Guide for display in a prominent part of the workplace, so it’s clear when a licence is needed.

“Your licence for your home address covers you to watch live TV on any equipment away from your address as long as it is powered by batteries.”

He concluded:”If you plug it in to the mains, you need to be covered by a licence at the place you are using it – nnless you are in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat.”

The Derry “LondonDerry” Doire claimed fifth spot in Race 13 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race when it sailed into New York, a week ahead of the fleet’s departure for Derry.

The Derry entry is on 106 points, ten behind third placed OneDLL in the overall leaderboard.

Skipper Sean McCarter is hoping to get on the podium when the fleet arrives in Derry between 21 and 23 June, where a week long LegenDerry Martime Festival has been organised one of the highlights being a open air concert by the legendary Beach Boys.

Looking ahead to the trans Atlantic race, Sean said: “There are still a lot of points on the board and we have seen how Henri Lloyd came in on this one winning the extra points.

“If you can manage that on the next race them you can expect to jump a position or two on the leaderboard, so I can imagine there will be a lot of teams looking to do that.”

Results from tonight’s greyhound racing meeting at Brandywell Stadium in Derry were:

Race 1 (300 yards): 1, Sugarland Alice 5/2; 2, Isthatus 1/1 fav. Time: 17.40. Distance: a short head.

Race 2 (300 yards): 1, Butterbridge Lar 2/1; 2, Chase My Shadow 5/2. Time: 17.28. Distance: a neck.

Race 3 Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint, round one, heat one  (300 yards) 1, Eden Jim 3/1; 2, Tango Barry 3/1. Time: 17.06. Distance: 2.5 lengths.

Race 4 (500 yards): 1, Untangled 6/4 fav; 2, Go Diva Go 3/1. Time: 28.56. Distance: a length.

Race 5 Bill McKinney Memorial 500, round one, heat one (500 yards): 1, Canaska Miner 2/1 fav; 2, Ardnasool Kagawa 5/2. Time: 28.72. Distance: half a length.

Race 6 Bill McKinney Memorial 500, round one, heat two (500 yards): 1, Amigan Bazz 2/1; Rockview Wood 2/1. Time: 28.62. Distance: 11 lengths.

Race 7 (300 yards): 1, Drumcrow Harvey 6/4 fav; 2, Kittys Taffy 3/1. Time: 16.84. Distance: a length.

Race 8 Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint, round one, heat two (300 yards): 1, Saberry 6/4 fav; 2, Doonadior 2/1. Time: 17.02. Distance 3.5 lengths.

City of Derry Spartan Alan Bogle.

City of Derry AC athlete Alan Bogle has  added  the Balearic (Mountain Running) Cup to is trophy cabinet by winning the Balearic (Mountain Running) Cup, a 17k (incorporating 1,000m of ascent) mountain race on island of Mallorca.

Bogle, who enjoyed an outstanding victory at the recent British Championship held in Newcastle (County Down), enjoyed an exciting tussle at the front with local athlete Toni Marti, before gaining the edge on a tough technical descent in the final kilometre to claim a notable victory in 1.28.29.

There are eight races on tonight’s greyhound card at Brandywell Stadium in Derry.

Runners are (first race 8.00pm):

Race 1 (300 yards): 1, Final Honcho; 2, Farkland Frosty; 3, Jims Big Blue; 4, Finnside Bolt; 5, Mahoonagh Missy; 6, Sticky Jeb.

Race 2 Managers Select Sprint (300 yards): 1, Hung Jury; 2, Chase My Shadow; 3, Glencloy Beauty; 4, Final Minnie; 5, Sticky Yee; 6, Ardnasool Jumper.

Race 3 Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint (300 yards): 1, Zula Zepplin; 2, Fortmagee Colm; 3, Lixnaw Crest; 4, Gortkelly Blake; 5, Ballymac Regal; 6, Oilean Daktari.

Race 4 Bill McKinney Memorial 500 (500 yards); 1, Cloneen Dynamo; 2, Whiterock Diva; 3, Deerpark Carol; 4, Oghill Revenge; 5, Rising Pikachu; 6, Rileys Choice.

Race 5 McKinney Memorial 500 (500 yards): 1, Deerpark Kitty; 2, Hightown Hill; 3, Conors Talent; 4, Uncle Lez; 5, Wilbrook Mint; 6, Burnpark Angel.

Race 6 Track Bookmakers 500 (500 yards): 1, Local Whitesocks; 2, Rampant Razzle; 3, Mineola Prof; 4, Muckross Pat; 5, Crashball; 6, Altmover Ace.

Race 7 Gatillo Kennels 500 (500 yards): 1, Kirkmoyle Jet; 2, Sniper Cursillo; 3, Velvet; 4, Leahs Rocket; 5, Ballisk Man; 6, Boherash Isfearr.

Race 8 Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint (300 yards): 1, Coldwater Aoife; 2, Gotta Pick Me; 3, Deerpark Youngin; 4, Goodinthehood; 5, Skillful Shane; 6, Monacetta.

Institute celebrate winning the Championship title and promotion to the Premier Division.

Derry club Institute FC, newly promoted to the IFA Premiership, have announced details of their season ticket prices for the 2014-15 season.

The Drumahoe club gained promotion to the top division for the first time in six years in a dramatic final day of the Championship, their 2-0 victory over North West neighbours Limavady United taking Paul Kee’s side up as champions.

Bangor went into the last day knowing a win over Harland and Wolff Welders would won them the title but they could only manage a draw at Clandeboye Park.

Season tickets – priced £120 (adults), £85 (concessionary) and £40 (student) -will be available from Monday, 16 June next, from the Coffee Stop in Drumahoe.

Social Development Minister on the site of the new £12m sports arena at St Columb’s Park in Derry. Included are Derry Deputy Mayor Alderman Gary Middleton, Council officials Noel Munnis, Head of Culture, Leisure & Community Services, Frank Morrison, Project Architect, Stephen Gillespie, Strategic Director. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography

The North’s Social Development Minister has visited the site of the new £12 million sports arena currently being built in the Waterside area of Derry.

Nelson McCausland was accompanied by the city’s Deputy Mayor, Alderman Gary Middleton, during his visit to the development at St Columb’s Park.

Once completed the arena, which was joint funded by the Department of Social Development and Derry City Council, will feature state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

As well as a multi-purpose indoor hall with seating capacity of 2,000, designed to host major sports and cultural events, the arena will feature a fully equipped modern fitness suite, a strength and conditioning area, a purpose built sports development and athlete support services area, a 25 metre swimming pool with a moving floor alongside a separate children’s pool and two new outdoor synthetic five-a-side pitches.

An 18-year-old Derry man was returned for trial when he appeared at a preliminary enquiry at Derry Magistrates Court this morning charged with robbing a woman in the city earlier this year.

Shane Kavanagh, of Chamberlain, is charged with robbing the woman of approximately £50 cash on 7 January last.

He is further charged with having a knife in the Day to Day Convenience Store at Sevenoaks in the Waterside on the same date.

Defence solicitor, Paddy McDermott, accepted his client had a case to answer.

Kavanagh was returned for trial on continuing bail to appear at Derry Crown Court  on 26 June next.