Football
The Aodh Ruadh seniors went into the lion’s den otherwise known as Páirc Naomh Bríd on Saturday evening and came away with two hard won league points. They had to fight every inch of the way for them. Aodh Ruadh went in trailing at the break by 0-8 to 0-5. A David McGurrin goal and free leveled matters in the second half at 1-8 to 0-11, but Naomh Bríd pushed on again and they lead by two points with time all but up. Then up stepped Kerry Ryan to stab home the goal which handed Ballyshannon victory with the last kick of the ball. That win now takes Ballyshannon seven points clear at the top of division three as they made it ten wins from ten with promotion edging ever-closer to Aodh Ruadh’s grasp. We have a full match report up on aodhruadh.org with some cracking pictures also going live on that page over the course of the week.
The reserves made the short trip to neighbours Naomh Bríd with a small, yet strong enough squad which included a welcome return to action for Niall McCready. The hosts enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges keeping a narrow lead early on. The opening scores for the visitors came from Anthony Coughlin and Cian Dolan, keeping the score at 0-3 to 0-2. Aodh Ruadh then hit a purple patch in the middle third of the half as two solid free kicks from Murray followed by another Coughlin point and one from McCready had the vistors in a commanding position. However, a recurrence of a shoulder injury ended Murray’s involvement in the game and allowed momentum switch back to Naomh Bríd. The hosts went on to score a further two points and also saw a fortuitous effort for point drop short into the top corner of the net to leave Naomh Bríd leading by 1-4 to 0-6 at the break. The hosts added the next two scores with Chris Goan responding for Ballyshannon with a short free kick. Naomh Bríd then hit a sucker punch. With the Erne men pressing high upfield a point attempt dropped short only for the hosts to turnover and break downfield to bury a goal past Warnock to stretch their lead to five. This increased to six before Aodh Ruadh really sparked into life for the half, with a goal from Cian Dolan along with points from Coughlin and another from Spanny Goan bringing the game back to a single score at 2-9 to 1-9 with five minutes to play. However, the Erne men couldn’t get enough possession in the final stages and it was Naomh Bríd who finished the stronger adding the final two points, with most of their damage being done by Shane Rooney at full forward. Best for Aodh Ruadh was Cian Dolan who had a good outing in midfield and took his scores well. Chris McCabe was solid in defence and PJ Gillespie carried a lot of ball and linked play well. Niall McCready showed no signs of a player intent on hanging up the boots just yet. We wish Aiden Murray a speedy recovery from his latest shoulder ordeal and no doubt he soon be back to at least bark the orders from the sideline. We will have team details and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org over the course of the week.
There will be another break in adult action until after the Ulster semi-finals between Donegal and Monaghan. The next club games are scheduled for Saturday 2nd July when we are down to travel to second placed Buncrana. In the meantime we wish Peter Boyle, Nathan Boyle, Shane McGrath, Oisin Rooney and the Donegal senior and minor teams all the very best as they take on Monaghan for Ulster final places this Saturday in Breffni Park. Minors throw-in at 5pm followed by the seniors at 7pm.
The under 12 seniors lost out in the last game of the league stages to a quality Dungloe outfit. This gives the northern lads home advantage in the Divisional Final which will take place on July 2nd. Aodh Ruadh has also qualified for the County Finals day on July 9th. This will see the county semi-finals and final played on the same day. Both these finals include senior and reserve games. There will be training as usual on Friday from 5.15pm to 6.30pm.
The under 8s travel to Glenties for a blitz this Saturday. Throw in for the games is 11am. We will need assistance with transport from parents / guardians. We will be meeting at the park at 9.25am to arrange lifts for any players who need them and departing for Glenties at 9.40pm.
Under 10, under 8 and under 6 training continues as usual this Friday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Páirc Aoidh Ruadh. There will also be under 10 training this coming Monday between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.
The underage footballers will be filling their Euroshot Challenge cards over the coming weeks as the days count down to the big event on Saturday July 10th. Please support generously.
Ladies
The monthly Ladies committee meeting takes place Tuesday at 8.30pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. All committee members are asked to attend. We would especially welcome parents and volunteers who would be able to help out with our under 16 team this year.
Play-offs in the north mean we still are unsure of when the under 14 county semi-final will be scheduled. Under 14 training will take place on Tuesday at 5.45pm. There will be a challenge match against Grange on Wednesday at 7pm. We are travelling to Grange for this one and we will need assistance with transport to the game. We are meeting at the park for 5.40pm and departing at 5.50pm.
The under 12 girls training reverts to their usual times this week of Thursday 6pm and Saturday 10am. The county finals blitz has now been rescheduled for Saturday, July 16th.
Under 8 and under 10 training continues at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Mondays from 6-7pm.
Hurling
On Tuesday last we had the presentation of gear to the under 14 squad travelling to the Féile na nGael National Finals. We are grateful to the three main sponsors who came on board for this tournament and we were delighted that all the sponsors attended this event. Club Chairman Gerard Ferguson addressed the crowd and wished the lads a successful tournament. Juvenile Hurling Chairman John Rooney spoke of the history of Féile na nGael and of how this is Aodh Ruadh’s third time to qualify for the festival of hurling following on from 2010 and 2012. The Juvenile Hurling Committee are very grateful to Kevin Loughlin, Loughlin Heating and Plumbing who sponsored tops and T-shirts for the squad, Liam Gallen of Mr G’s who sponsored bags for the lads and Philip Rooney of PK Motors who sponsored a new set of jerseys for the team. Other sponsors who made donations to the trip acknowledged on the night were Ballyshannon Credit Union and TSB Bank Sligo. We will have pictures from the presentations up on aodhruadh.org over the course of the week.
Bright and early on Friday morning our under 14 squad made the long trip to Carrick-on-Suir on the Waterford / Tipperary border for their opening games in Féile na nGael. We stopped in Tullamore on the way down for a puc about and a hearty breakfast. We landed in Carrick-on-Suir and made our way to Davin Park, named in honour of the first GAA President Maurice Davin to take on the home side, Carrick Davin’s. It was great to see a number of the parents present when we arrived and also former Aodh Ruadh player and coach Denis Doherty and his wife Ethel who made the trip from Cork to support the lads which was much appreciated. The lads hit the ground running and ran out worthy winners on a 1-9 to 1-2 scoreline. It was a good opening performance after such a long trip. The only worry in this game was a dangerous and reckless tackle on our captain Senan Rooney which left him with a sore shoulder. We were in action straight away against Ballyvarley from Down. It was a very close game but a couple of lucky goals for the Down lads proved the difference as they ran out winners 3-3 to 1-2. We knew we were well able to compete at this level and as we made our way back to Fethard we had already achieved our target of one win over a Tipperary team.
The welcome we got from the Fethard club on our arrival was unbelievable and our team and supporters were all fed and watered as we got to meet the host families. The squad had an enjoyable table quiz with their hosts and at the end of the quiz all the lads received a back pack containing a base ball hat, sliotar and grip. So we came to the end of a long day and the lads headed off to their host families.
Saturday morning saw us in action against our hosts Fethard. Unfortunately our inspirational captain Senan Rooney could play no further part in this tournament due to his shoulder injury. We were no match for the strong Fethard team, but battled as best we could, coming out on the wrong side of a 6-9 to 0-0 scoreline. We were on the road again as we headed for Carrick-on-Suir to take on Saint Saviour’s from Waterford in the Shield quarter-final. It was a hard fought team, but our young squad couldn’t physically match the Waterford lads and lost out 4-8 to 2-1. While the lads were disappointed they can they be very proud of how they performed for such a young squad containing seven under 12s. We made our way back to Fethard and supported our hosts in the cup semi-final against Ferrybank from Waterford, Fethard enjoying a comfortable win. Again that night Fethard catered for our team and supporters with a beautiful barbecue. There was an abundance of food and new friendships were made with our Tipperary hosts. John Rooney presented Fethard Juvenile Chairman Mike O’Mahoney with a lovely piece of Belleek Pottery while the Fethard man presented Rooney with a lovely framed photograph of both teams taken after their game earlier in the day. There was a disco then and our lads had a great time with their hosts and it was great to see how well the lads got on together.
Sunday morning saw us heading to 11am mass in Fethard where Fr Tom Breen gave the lads a great welcome to the Church, as mentor Pauric Keenaghan remarked it was like Italia 90 when Jack Charlton brought his squad to meet the Pope. From Fethard it was on to Thurles. Despite the terrible weather conditions the lads enjoyed the atmosphere in the town before the game, visiting Hayes Hotel and the GAA Museum. We then headed to Semple Stadium for the Munster semi-final between Tipperary and Limerick. After the game the lads got to meet a number of players from both teams and had a good walk about this famous stadium. We set off for Ballyshannon stopping off in Roscommon for tea and arriving home at 11.30pm. All tired and exhausted but full of memories of a brilliant trip to Tipperary, we hope our new friends in Fethard will take up our invitation to come visit us in Ballyshannon where we will attempt to return their hospitality. Check out the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page where you can find a great selection of pictures from the trip.
On Saturday the Donegal minors bowed out of the Ulster Minor Championship to Armagh losing 3-14 to 3-7. Stephen Anderson was our lone representative on the team and scored 1-2.
We were delighted to have a shooting session on the new hurling wall before heading off to Féile on Thursday evening we wish to thank and acknowledge Aodh Ruadh Park Committee for all their support with this project which is sure to be of great benefit to current and future generations of hurlers in the club.
The under 12 and under 16 leagues are due to start this week with the under 12s heading to Carndonagh on Friday and the under 16s at home to Letterkenny Gaels on Thursday. These games will be confirmed during the week.
Training as normal at 12 noon on Sunday for all age groups.
Aodh Ruadh Summer Camp
The 25th Aodh Ruadh summer camp takes place during the first two weeks of July. Week 1 runs from Monday 4th to Friday 8th July. Week 2 runs from Monday 11th to Friday 15th July.Each week the camp will cater for all ages from 6 to 14, boys and girls. Activities include skills training, fun and games, football, camogie, rounders, hurling and swimming. Applicants should bring a packed lunch as no one will be allowed to leave the camp during the day. The camp runs from 10am to 3pm. Cost per week. One child €70; Two children €120; Three children €170; Four children €200. For further information contact Sylvester Maguire 086-0532495.
Ice Cream Fun Day
We would encourage a big crowd to come out and support the Ice Cream Fun Day and Coffee Morning in aid of Down’s Syndrome and Creevy National School at the Breezy Centre, Cashelard this Sunday from 11am to 2pm. There will be all the usual fun and games plus a bouncy castle. There will be a raffle with prizes including a Cara Pharmacy hamper, meal for two in the Sandhouse Hotel, and family swims for Finn Valley Leisure Centre.
Raise a cup for MND
The Larkin family would like to thank the great crowd who came out to support the coffee morning in Kilbarron House last Saturday and raised a great sum for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Congrats Emma
Congratulations to our erstwhile club secretary, Emma Gaughan and her husband Aidan on the newest addition to the family, Patrick.
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week’s bingo jackpot of €400 was won by Mary Roper of Creevy. There was no winner of the summer snowball so it now stands at €275 on 45 numbers or less. This Friday is the June Big Bingo, with a bumper prize fund of nearly €2,900, including the €1,000 jackpot game so make sure you come along for your chance to win
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €5,000. The winning numbers drawn were 2, 7, 9, 14, 16 and 18. In the lucky dip €20 went to Jimmy McGee, Roscor; Emma O’Neill, c/o Owen Roe’s; Olivia Magee Assaroe View; Joan Gallagher, West Port; and John McFadden, Pettigo. Next draw is on Sunday in Dorrian’s Hotel with a Jackpot of €5,100 on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra Saturday is: JUVENILE HURLERS.
You can receive the club notes by e-mail every Tuesday morning. To subscribe, enter your details on the website, www.aodhruadh.org, or e-mail your request to info@aodhruadh.org.
This is the weekly e-mail newsletter from Aodh Ruadh GAA Club. If you have received it in error, please contact us at info@aodhruadh.org.
Follow us on the social media
Facebook: Aodh Ruadh CLG
Twitter: @aodhruadh.
Tags: