Posted online: May 17th, 2007

GAA cash bonanza

By Chris Ashmore
Donegal’s Ulster Senior Football Championship clash at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey on Sunday, May 27th is set to break all records for gate receipts at the venue.
With a crowd in the region of 18,000 plus expected, the revenue from ticket sales is likely to break the €300,000 mark.
“This is an Ulster Council fixture and it gets all of the money,” Donegal Co. Board Treasurer, Charlie Cannon confirmed.
However, he pointed out that the Ulster Council puts considerable sums back into the game.
Indeed, the recently installed floodlights at MacCumhaill Park – that cost in excess of €100,000 – were funded by the Ulster Council which is also contributing towards pitch enhancements and other works at the Ballybofey ground.

Porter puts on the brakes

Lifford biker Raymond Porter has announced his retirement from Road racing having competed in Saturday’s Superbike Race at the North West 200 where he finished a disappointing 25 th. Despite his confidence going into the race Porter has decided to hang up his leathers. It was in 2006 when the Donegal man had his best season with seven race wins and 14 second places.
A statement from his sponsors McAdoo racing cited the reason for the decision was “due to the extremely dangerous nature of the sport”.
The 30-year-old was a former 600cc winner at the North West and also took a podium place at the Isle of Man TT.
“Knowing what Raymond has been through in recent months we fully respect his decision and wish him every success in his future life away from the sport” the statement read.
“Road racing is much too dangerous to ask a rider to go out and compete at any level, let alone win international road races, when he isn’t fully focused and committed,” added the statement from the Cookstown-based team.
Porter had been due to compete at this year’s TT.