Meeting
The monthly meeting of the club executive takes place this Thursday in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8.30pm. All committee members are asked to attend.
Football
Aodh Ruadh did well to overcome a determined Fanad Gaels side in Father Tierney Park to record their eighth win in succession over league and championship. Aodh Ruadh played into a stiff breeze in the first half and trailed 0-2 to 1-4 at the break, however Ballyshannon pushed on in the second half and a four minute spurt of five points as the game moved into its final ten minutes proved decisive. David McGurrin finished with 1-4 to his credit, but he contributed a lot more to the team around the park. Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward again managed exchanges up front astutely. In midfield Conor Patton and Eamonn McGrath soldiered well, although in Michael Sweeney they had a serious opponent to contend with. The defence were in magnificent form with Michael Ward, Damian Cleary and Callum O’Halloran, although again, it must be said Fanad’s Seamus Friel was a serious threat. We have a full report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
The reserves had an entertaining contest with Fanad, but in the end the honours were shared with the final scoreline Aodh Ruadh 0-8 Fanad Gaels 1-5. The result leaves Aodh Ruadh in fifth place in Senior Reserve Division 3, but just three points behind table toppers Buncrana. All still to play for. We will have pictures and a report from the game on aodhruadh.org over the course of the week.
David McGurrin who scored 1-4 against Fanad Gaels at the weekend
This Saturday Aodh Ruadh will be chasing a ninth successive win when they travel to take on Letterkenny Gaels. The senior game is at 7.30pm, with the reserve game the curtain raiser at 6pm.
The under 14’s league campaign ended against Termon on Sunday evening. A big physical Termon team had too much for the Ballyshannon lads and were leading by 3-10 to 1-2 at the break. Aodh Ruadh put in a much improved second half, but were unable to make much headway in cutting the deficit and it finished 7-16 to 6-5 in favour of the northern side. Overall it was a great effort by the boys. Senan Rooney did the lion’s share of the scoring for Ballyshannon, hitting four goals while Jake Foley also hit the net. Further out the pitch Eugene Doherty, Martin McGlynn and Shane Brady all put in good shifts while Matt Gillespie did well in nets. There is no under 14 training this week. See the notes next week for details of the revised training schedule.
The under 12s travelled to Fintra on Saturday evening and scored two wins. The Reserve team won 4-12 to 0-14 and the seniors made it three wins out of three by overcoming Killybegs 1-14 to 0-4. Fair play to both keepers Aaron Cullen and Fionn Gallagher who kept the clean sheets and all the lads who all played really well. Half back Shane Delahunty deserves a special mention for his awesome display of honest to God football. The side’s next fixture is in Father Tierney Park against Saint Naul’s on Wednesday 1st June. Training continues as usual on Mondays and Fridays from 5.15pm to 6.30pm.
Aodh Ruadh under 10s travelled to Ardara for a blitz last Saturday. Communions saw the squad travel slightly depleted, but still fielding 24 players. The lads faced off against sides from Ardara and Fanad Gaels and there was a very high standard of football on display The lads gave a good account of themselves and enjoyed their day of football. They will be pulling on the jersey again this Saturday when Melvin Gaels and another team to be confirmed will be the guests in Father Tierney Park for a blitz. Players are to be up for 10.30am with first game throwing in at 11am. We ask that parents / guardians to help out on the refreshments front by supplying a loaf of sandwiches, tray of buns or similar to help feed all present on the day. Also, we would appreciate if parents / guardians could lend a hand in the kitchen.
Under 10, under 8 and under 6 training continues as usual this Friday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Páirc Aoidh Ruadh.
Ladies
Realt Ruadh had two goals to spare on Ardara on Sunday. They got two early points against a defensive Ardara formation, but the visitors hit an unanswered four points to lead by the end of the first quarter. Realt Ruadh made some positional switches which helped swing the game back to the hosts and they repaid Ardara’s scoring spurt with interest to go in leading 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval. Ardara had the advantage of the wind in the second half and hit the first four scores to move back into the lead. Realt Ruadh responded with a rapid attack which saw Sarah Patton teeing up Elaine Dorrian for a fantastic goal. Ardara answered with a goal of their own, but Realt Ruadh hit back hard with Elaine Dorrian and Roisín McGloin both raising green flags. Danika Doherty also sent over a fine point to seal a deserved six point win over last year’s intermediate champions. Well done to both teams on serving up an entertaining first league game of the season. Next week Realt Ruadh play Convoy in Bundoran in the Shield competition.
Under 14 training as usual on Tuesday and Thursday at 5.45pm.
The under 12 girls travel to Glencolumbcille this Wednesday to play Naomh Columba. We are taking a bus for this one and will be leaving the park promptly at 5pm. Players to be up for 4.50pm. There is a charge of €5 per person on bus and we should have room for parents / guardians who want to come and support. We will also have our training tops available for distribution on Wednesday. These are €13.50 and we’ll need payment on delivery if this has not already been made. There will be no training this Thursday, but we will be training as usual at 10am on Saturday. We need to get Duck Race cards back this week, so we’d appreciate if you could bring those along on Wednesday or Saturday.
The under 10 girls travelled to Ardara last Saturday for their first blitz of the year. They played three games and had great fun. The Aodh Ruadh team who lined out were Cádhla Dolan, Lauren Foy, Orlaith Gallagher, Sadhbh Hughes, Nessa Mitchell, Marija Njegic, Jessica O’Mahoney, Aimee Roper, Dairín Sweeny, and Aoife Travers. Many thanks to Ardara for their hospitality on the day.
Under 8 and under 10 training continues at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Mondays from 6-7pm.
The Duck Race will take place this Saturday, 28th May at 3pm. Players are asked to have their cards completed and returned over the course of the week. There will be a whole heap of chocolate goodies to be won on the day so come a long and enjoy the quack.
Hurling
The under 14s travelled to the Cross on Tuesday last to take on top of the table Setanta. We were unable to match the commitment of the Killygordon lads who were really up for the game. A number of our players had played in the Southern Minor Board under 14 football final the previous night and it was clear to see they were still feeling the effects of that game. In the end Setanta’s ability to get goals proved the difference and the they won on a scoreline of 7-12 to 4-7. Thanks to the parents who drove the lads to the game. Your support is much appreciated. Next up for the lads is the league semi-final at homethis Thursday to a strong amalgamated Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair outfit. Throw-in is at 7pm and all support would be most welcome for this young squad.
On Sunday the first all county under 8 and under 10 blitz took place in the Centre of Excellence in Convoy. Aodh Ruadh had 19 under 8s and were the only club to field two teams at the blitz at that age. Each team had four games and both teams won all their games. It’s great to see the improvement in the lads from last season and their hard work at training is certainly paying off.
We were missing a number of under 10s due to other commitments but the seven lads who travelled did well and won all three of their games. Weather conditions were atrocious, so great credit to all the young hurlers who played their hearts out on such a terrible morning. Many thanks to all the parents who drove the children to the blitz and gave them great encouragement.
The under 12s continued their preparations for the upcoming league with a good win on Sunday morning against our neighbours, Erne Gaels.
Well done to Adam Rami and Eoin Doherty who lined out for the County under 15 development squad at the Ulster Blitz in Garvaghey on Saturday and to Senan Rooney and Nathan Owens-Kelly who played for the county under 14s at the same blitz. All the lads did very well. It is great to see these lads representing the club at this level.
Our Clothes Collection finished on Monday and was a great success, many thanks to all who contributed to it.
Training for all age groups as usual on Sunday at 12 noon.
Let’s play darts
This Friday May 27th Seán Óg’s will host a darts exhibition with Jelle Klaasen. The proceeds will go towards extensive surface repair works required at Father Tierney Park. Tickets priced €5 are available via adult team managers and from key club personnel. Contact Tom Daly, David McLoone or Conal Gallagher for information or tickets for this important club fund-raiser. Club members are especially asked to show their support for this event
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week’s €400 bingo jackpot was won by Danny Goan of Ballyshannon. It’s Big Bingo time again with the May big bingo this Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre, with a massive €2,700 prize fund including the €1,000 jackpot game. Books are priced at €15/€8, or get the book and a half deal for just €20.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €4,600. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 17. In the lucky dip €20 went to Anne and Eamonn Maguire, Cloghore; Mary Egan, West Port; Rossa McCosker; John Prunty; and The McIntrye Family, The Mall. Next draw is on Sundayin The Lantern Bar with a Jackpot of €4,700 on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra Saturday is: RESERVE FOOTBALLERS.
Ten years ago…
Aodh Ruadh minors recorded an impressive win against Dungloe in Father Tierney Park last Tuesday week. A well-honed team performance saw the Ballyshannon team rattle up a score of 2-18 to 1-06. The marksmanship was such that Aodh Ruadh recorded only four wides in the whole game. Stephen McGrath and Dermot McInerney, who notched up 0-6 from play, were among the leading performers. There were also excellent footballing displays from Jason Kane, Nickey Sheerin and PJ McGee.
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.
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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.
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John Hughes
PRO
Aodh Ruadh CLG
Ballyshannon
County Donegal
H: 071-9852843
M: 087-6431805
