Aodh Ruadh GAA Notes
Aodh Ruadh showed commendable grit to take full points from Burt on Saturday evening with a 0-10 to 0-11 win just sealed deep into injury time with a long range place kick from Peter Boyle.
The first half started with the homesters getting the better of the play, but Aodh Ruadh worked their way back into the match with points from David Dolan, Anthony Boyle and Diarmaid McInerney making it a draw game at half-time, 0-7 apiece. At the break there was a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning thrown into the mix for good measure. Eamonn McGrath got the first score of the second half, but the Inishowen men reasserted themselves once more to take a two point lead. Again patience was a virtue for the Ernesiders in a game where massed defences and treacherous conditions didn’t exactly make for free-flowing football. Diarmaid McInerney hit two close range frees to tie things up for a second time before Boyle stepped up to smash the size five over the dixie with almost six minutes of added time gone. We have a team sheet and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
The reserves returned to winning ways with a double scores away victory over Burt, 0-14 to 0-7 in a game where discipline wasn’t what it might have been from either side. Aodh Ruadh were quickest out of the traps, racing into a 0-4 to no score lead, but Burt came back to narrow the margin to a point. As the game moved into the second quarter Ballyshannon pushed on again to establish a three point half time lead. The pattern was repeated in the second half, with the visitors forging ahead and Burt doing their level best to reel them back in. However Aodh Ruadh remained in control through to the final whistle and consigned the Hibernian Park outfit to their first defeat of the season. Fine performances across the pitch for the Ernesiders, with Anthony Coughlan clearly enjoying the freedom around lar na páirce, with Michael McNeely providing the legs. There was a lot of solid defensive work especially from Calum ‘Cookie’ O’Halloran, Ryan Patton and Ciaran Slevin. Up front Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward was a great point man, ably supported by Dermot Slevin. We have pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org
The weekend’s results see Aodh Ruadh sitting on top of the division three and division three reserve tables. They will aim to maintain that momentum this weekend when they host fellow promotion-chasers Naomh Columba in Father Tierney Park this Saturday evening. The reserve game is at 6pm followed by the senior game at 7.30pm.
The under 14s enjoyed a good, but hard fought 4-13 to 2-11 win in their away game against Ardara on Wednesday evening. The Aodh Ruadh men played their best football in the first half against a very strong breeze with Dylan Gallagher, Michael McKenna and Owen Doherty all in fine attacking and helping the visitors to a three point half time lead. The first 15 minutes of the second half saw the Ernesiders lying back expecting a strong wind advantage to do the work for them and the Ardara men drew level for the first time in the game. With some great defensive work from Tiarnan Flood Dolan, Pauric Keenaghan and Senan Rooney the Ballyshannon lads found the Ardara goal once again and finished the game very strong giving them an eight point advantage at the final whistle. The next outing is away to Four Masters on Wednesday evening in a must win game to keep their championship hopes alive. Throw in at Tír Chonaill park is 7.15pm and we’d like to see a good showing of Ballyshannon support down to that one.
It has been a busy few days for the under 12s. They were in Enniskillen on Saturday where they won the plate competition. Check out the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page for some pictures from Brewster Park. Then they braved biblical weather conditions on Monday evening to travel to Dungloe. Aodh Ruadh came from the Banks with a 3-3 to 1-9 draw against a fancied home town outfit. The next assignment for Aodh Ruadh is another trip, this time to Mountcharles next Monday where the senior game will be throwing in at 6.30pm. Training on Wednesday evening at 6.15pm and on Saturday at 10.45am.
Aodh Ruadh under 10s travelled to Killybegs for a blitz last Saturday. The seniors got two good wins in their games against Killybegs and Bundoran, playing some super football in the process. Meanwhile the juniors also gave a good account of themselves in their matches against Killybegs, Bundoran and Pettigo. The Aodh Ruadh team that travelled to Fintra was: Ronan Barron, Danny Breen, Conor Cleary, Oisin Daly, Padraig Daly, Shane Delahunty, Darragh Flood Dolan, Michael Doogan, JJ Doran, Jack Gallagher, James Gallagher, Aaron Horan, Niamh Hughes, Eoghan Kelly, Art Mag Fhionnghaile, Lorc Mag Fhionnghaile, Grainne Maguire, Aoibheann McGarrigle, Shane McGloin, Cian McKenna, Ronan McKenna, Cillian Meehan, Aaron Neilan, Aonghus Sweeny, Aidan Sweeny, David Roper, Drew Ryan and Kerry Ryan. Many thanks to Killybegs for an enjoyable and well organised competition. Training on Wednesday at 6.30pm.
The first under eight skills test of the year took place at training last Friday. There was a very high standard on the day and all ran off very smoothly thanks to the help of parents who marked at the various stations. We will have results for all players at this Friday’s training with medals for the top scores. Training at the usual time of 6.30pm.
Under 6 training continues this Friday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh at 6.30pm.
Ladies
Aodh Ruadh hosted an enjoyable blitz on Saturday in Father Tierney Park with teams attending from Killybegs, Saint Naul’s, Four Masters and Bundoran. The Aodh Ruadh team played very well, growing in confidence as the day went on. Pulling on the white and green for Ballyshannon were: Eva Breen, Ella Clancy, Alicia Clyne, Chloe Connolly, Mary Kate Finnegan, Aisling Gallagher, Ciara Gallagher, Danielle Gallagher, Laoise Kelly, Síofra Hughes, Ciara Lynch, Bridin Maguire, Laoise McGee, Sorcha McGonigle, Caitlin McLaughlin, Katie McMullin, Ruth McNulty, Danielle Masterson-Burrows and Leah O’Brien. We have some pictures from the day’s action up on aodhruadh.org.
Hurling
Aodh Ruadh put in their best performance of the year to date to take a 4-12 to 2-8 victory over Warrenpoint from Garvaghey in the Ulster Táin League. Most of the damage was done in a ten minute purple patch just before half time when the inside forward line of Peter Horan, Chris Kilgannon and Declan Browne caught fire. They blasted Ballyshannon to 4-6 to 1-5 half time lead. The Ernesiders took their foot off the pedal somewhat in the second half and the two goals conceded were both preventable, but overall it was a very pleasing team performance from Aodh Ruadh. Apart from the full forward line Conor McNeely worked his socks off at half forward, while out at midfield Paul Sheridan was calmness itself and made economical use the ball throughout. There will be no club action this week with Donegal facing Down at noon in the senior Ulster hurling championship quarter-final in Clones on Sunday. Aodh Ruadh will be represented by Paul Sheridan, Chris Kilgannon, Ciaran Kilgannon, Paul Hughes and Stephen Sheerin on the Donegal panel. That game will be the curtain raiser to the Tyrone Monaghan match.
Congratulations and well done to Brendan Gillespie and Oisín Rooney who have been selected for the Ulster GAA Phoenix Academy 2014. This is a residential camp to be held at University of Ulster, Jordanstown on the 30th June and 1st July, where the top under 16 hurlers from throughout Ulster are brought together for a training camp in preparation for games against Galway and Connacht later in the summer. It’s a great honour for the two lads and the club to be selected for this Academy.
Things are quiet on the playing fields at the moment due to the state exams, but the under 12 and under 16 leagues are beginning on 26th June when both teams are in action against MacCumhaill’s.
Training as normal for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon. We’re very encouraged by the large numbers we have training at under 8 and under 10 level and to see how well they’re improving since the start of the season. We would like to see more numbers turning out at under 12 so come along and try your hand at our great ancient game you’ll be surprised at the fun to be had.
Cash for Clothes
Cash for Clothes for the month of June the Aodh Ruadh Juvenile Hurling Committee are having their annual Cash for Clothes fund-raising collection. We’re collecting unwanted clothing in good condition, shoes, belts and handbags, we’re also collecting blankets, sheets, curtains once they’re bagged separately. This is a good chance to clean out your wardrobes and help us raise funds for the promotion and development of underage hurling in Aodh Ruadh. Contact any of the following who will arrange collection of your unwanted clothing etc Tara Keenaghan 086-3331903, Fionnuala Gillespie 087-6668634 and John Rooney 086-2587793.
Fantasy race for Sam
After a massive six games in the championship this weekend, there is a lot of movement on the leaderboard this week. Despite all the movers though, no one has been able to shift Gerry Gallagher and his team of Belleek Boys from the top. He has amassed 74 points. Hot on his heels is John Patton Jr and his team of Yes Patsy with 71 points along with Pat Gruddy and his team Mayo This Time also on 71 points. Philip Patton and his team County Colours are in joint fourth place along with John Kennedy and his team Tilly Lad, both on 67 points. High score of the week goes to Michael Melly and his team The Kop Kids with a total of 44 points. (Armagh-10, Mayo-10, Waterford-5, Kildare-10, Tubridy-6, Brosnan-3). At the opposite end of the table, we have Dan Warnock and his team Dan’s Your Man in last place with 13 points. A further point up the road on 14 is Sean O’Mahoney and his Rathmore Rebels. We then have four players on 17 points. Jim McGrath with I’d Say So, Shane McLoone with Young Boys Of Sound, Rebecca Patton with Legal Eagles and Pearse O’Neill with Best Cones Around. As always the leader board is available every Tuesday on aodhruadh.org, as well as Ballybookies, The Bridgend Bar, Owen Roe’s Bar and upstairs in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh.
Lotto
Congratulations to Liam McGowan of Clyhore who won the €9,300 Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot last Sunday. The numbers drawn were 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 and 16. Next draw is in Dicey Reilly’s on Sunday at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €1,000 so get out there and buy your ticket; if you’re not in, you can’t win!
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra this Saturday is: SENIOR FOOTBALLERS.
The lotto team for Kernan’s Spar this Saturday is: LADIES.
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