Knights of St Columbanus with Bishop Donal McKeown. Photos: Geraldine Diver
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22 Oct 2025
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22 Oct 2025
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Convoy Arsenal stalwart Alfie Bates with family members on Saturday at the opening of the Alfie Bates Stand. Photo: Tony Nee via Convoy Arsenal
Convoy Arsenal unveiled the new Alfie Bates stand on Saturday evening - and the east Donegal club will now have a second adult team when the new season kicks off.
Convoy’s reserve side will be one of two new additions to the Donegal Junior League ranks when the action gets underway with Dunfanaghy Youths now set to make the big step up.
A large crowd attended at Orchard Park as the ribbon was cut on the new seated stand, named in honour of the long-time club stalwart who is now the club president.
He was a driving force behind the development at Orchard Park over 25 years and held practically every position all the way from coaching the under-6 team to club chairman.
Convoy Arsenal Chairman Seamus O’Donnell hailed Mr Bates’ endeavours.
“We wouldn’t have what we have today if Alfie had not of been the driving force behind all the projects over the past 50 years,” he said. The club also wished Alfie and his wife, Beatrice, a happy 50th wedding anniversary.
Mr Bates himself thanked the attendance for turning up and paid tribute to past committee members. He spoke of his love of the club and the community as a new era was formally launched.
A match between a Convoy Select and the current Convoy Arsenal senior team kept the gathering entertained.
Convoy Arsenal’s senior team will play in Division 1 of the Sunday League in the 2025/26 season having won promotion from Division 2 last season. The club will now also field a reserve side in the Saturday League.
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Convoy will compete in the Finn Travel Saturday Division Three while Dunfanaghy Youths will enter Division Two of the Sunday League.
The Donegal Junior League season will begin with Brian McCormick Cup games on the weekend of August 30 and 31.
The League start dates are Saturday and Sunday September 20 and 21.
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