Football
Urris didn’t travel last week so our seniors and reserves had no game last weekend. Adult action this weekend focuses on the under 21s county championship quarter-final against Termon on Saturday. Throw-in is at 7.30pm in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey for that one and we’d like to see a big support present to get behind the team as we aim to lay down another marker of our progress back to the county’s top table. That means the seniors and reserves have a free weekend, but it will be spent preparing for the championship on Saturday, 24th September.
Congratulations to Maurice McLaughlin and his back room team of Liam McLaughlin and Philip O’Reilly on steering Erne Gaels to a senior county final in Fermanagh with a 2-11 to 1-6 victory over Roslea.
Aodh Ruadh booked their place in the Southern Minor final with a convincing 4-14 to 0-9 victory over Bundoran in Tirconaill Park last Thursday. Once again Oisin Rooney was the focal point of Ballyshannon’s attack and when he found the net after good work by Jason Granaghan 16 minutes in the writing was on the wall for the Seasiders. Aodh Ruadh already had a three point lead at that stage, Rooney, Shane McGrath (3) and Conal Sweeny all on the mark. By the break the lead was out to 2-8 to 0-4, thanks to a penalty on the stroke of half-time from Nathan Boyle. A goal with the final quarter beckoning killed off the tie. Oisin Rooney broke down a long ball in by Nathan Boyle and Michael McKenna was on hand to finish. A fourth goal engineered by Jason Granaghan was the coup de grace as Peter McKenna’s men sealed a final place against Naomh Conaill. Another fine performance from Oisin Rooney up front as he finished with 1-4, while Shane McGrath registered seven points of Aodh Ruadh’s final tally. Gareth Sheerin was again a good outlet, hitting two points while further back Sean Taylor had another great game between the sticks and Jason Granaghan delivered a typically industrious performance. The Southern Regional final will see Aodh Ruadh back in Tir Chonaill park this Wednesday with Naomh Conaill the opposition. Throw-in down in Donegal town is 6pm and with silverware on the line we hope to see a big support down there to encourage the lads as we know it means a lot to both players and management.
Our under 16s have training this Friday at 5.30pm as they continue preparations for their first round first leg championship game against Killybegs which is down for this Sunday 18th September.
Aodh Ruadh under 13s came out on the wrong end of a 4-6 to 2-7 scoreline against Killybegs last Friday. It wasn’t for want of trying by a determined Erneside outfit though with the woodwork being thoroughly tested. Matt Gillespie was outstanding in goals for Ballyshannon while Colm McGloin got through a mountain of work in the back line and Kyle Murray was a class act at centre half back. Corey Ryan went well in midfield while up front Marty McGarrigle was excellent at centre forward and Ryan Keenaghan was very lively in the forward line. Next up for the under 13s is the visit of Naomh Conaill to the Park this Friday at 6.30pm. Training continues this Wednesday at 5pm.
Our under 9 squad took part in an excellent blitz at Four Masters last Saturday. Some 16 teams took part and Aodh Ruadh reached the quarter-final after beating Glenfin and Enniskillen Gaels. We lost to eventual winners Ardara and runners-up Buncrana. The team who took part were Barry Campbell, Eoin Cassidy, Ben Daly, Cádhla Dolan, Liam Doogan, Stephen Doran, Orlaith Gallagher, Oran Gillespie, Donagh Kelly, Rían McCauley, Dara McGloin, Killian McPhelim, Garvey Meade, Bobby Melly, Ted O’Donnell, Dara O’Mahoney and Jessica O’Mahoney. Thanks to Pauric Harvey of Four Masters for the kind invitation and a well-run tournament. Thanks also to Séimí Campbell, Cian McKenna and Matt Gillespie for helping out with team on the day.
This Friday will see the under 8s competing in our third and final skills competition of the season. On Friday 23rd September it will be training as usual with our outdoor season ending on Saturday 24th September with a blitz. After that there will presentations to all players as well as medals and trophies for our skills test champions, followed by a bit of an oul disco. We then take a one week break before we finish the season with our indoor league in the new hall at Coláiste Cholmcille which runs from 6pm to 8pm on Fridays 7th and 14th October.
Advance notice of the indoor leagues for the under 10s and under 12s. The under 10 indoor league will be staged in the new hall at Coláiste Cholmcille from 6pm to 8pm on Fridays 21st and 28th October, while the under 12 indoor league will run Fridays 4th and 11th November in the same time slots.
Hurling
The under 16s suffered a heavy defeat at home to a strong Four Masters team on Thursday last. We were missing a number of players due to injury and suspension and the young team found it difficult to come to terms with a very motivated Donegal Town team. Our lads know they are capable of playing better and knowing the character of the team we expect them to come back stronger from this defeat. They’ve still a lot to play for this season.
Our under 12s play Saint Eunans in the eagerly awaited A county final this Thursday in Father Tierney Park, the lads and their manager Denis Daly have put in a lot of work this season and it has seen them go unbeaten throughout the league. Hopefully they can claim the title on Thursday. We haven’t claimed an under 12 A county title for a long number of years and hopefully there will be a large crowd of supporters to cheer on the lads as they attempt to win this coveted title.
On Saturday last three of our under 11s took part in exhibition games at the county senior hurling final on Saturday. The three lads, Michael Doogan, Daire McDevitt and Cathal Menary acquitted themselves very well during the games.
The final under 8 and under 10 all county blitz takes place this Sunday in the Centre of Excellence in Convoy. Details will be circulated during the week.
On Sunday 25th September we host the Aodh Ó Dálaigh under 12 tournament. This event is in existence since 1982 and always provides a great day of hurling to honour the late Hugh Daly, one of Donegal and Ulster’s finest GAA administrators. Teams confirmed so far are Tuam and Abbeyknockmoy of Galway, Easkey from Sligo, Keady of Armagh, Antrim side Loch Mor gCal Dais and ourselves. It promises to be a great day more details next week.
Ladies
The Aodh Ruadh Ladies Cyclothon takes place this Saturday, 17th September from 9am to 4pm. If you are available to cover a slot please contact Eoin O’Moore, Willie Scott or any team manager. And of course, if you’re passing through don’t forget to give generously!
The under 13s pre-season build-up continued with a good work out against a tough Saint Naul’s outfit on Saturday morning. Every player got game time and there were a lot of good displays right across the pitch. Danielle Gallagher, Grainne Maguire, Ciara Caldwell was sound in defence. Caitlin McGarrigle was outstanding in midfield while up front Katie McMullin, Lucy McGlynn, Aoibheann McGarrigle and Annie Keon were all very effective. Naomh Columba will be the guests this Wednesday as the girls entertain Naomh Columba in their opening fixture of the league campaign. Throw-in at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh will be at 6.30pm, all players to be at the park for 5.40pm.
Abbey Centre Bingo
The €400 jackpot was won by Teresa Anderson of Cashelard. There was no winner of the summer snowball so it now stands at €575 on 48 numbers or less. Bingo as usual at 9pm on Friday at the Abbey Centre, with a massive €2,100 prize fund. Books cost just €10 for 11 games.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €6,200. The winning numbers drawn were 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 12. In the lucky dip €20 went to Martin Gahan; Eilis McNeely, c/o The Limit; Michelle & Noelle, c/o The Lantern; Nellie Blake, Parkhill; and Catherine McLoone, Danby. Next draw is in Dorrian’s Hotel with a jackpot of €6,300 on Sunday at 8.30pm. Tickets are now available in the following outlets: Seán Óg’s, The Market House, Dicey Reilly’s, The Limit, Pat’s Bar, The Bridgend, Owen Roe’s, Fin McCool’s, The Lantern, McGinley’s, Pearse O’Neill’s, McCosker’s Centra and Kernan’s Spar and at the weekly and weekly bingo in the Abbey Centre. If not in, you can’t win!
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.
Tags: