Football
It was heartbreak for the Aodh Ruadh under 21s in MacCumhaill Park on Monday afternoon. They had the better of a helter skelter first half to go in leading 2-8 to 1-9. However the Ernesiders only added 1-2 over the course of the second half while Gaoth Dobhair registered ten points, a break away goal with the last kick of the game putting an unfair gloss on the scoreline for the Gaeltacht men. The final score was 3-10 to 2-19, but the pain of defeat will be exacerbated by the knowledge that victory was within grasp. The dismissal of Cian Mulligan on a second yellow with nine minutes left to play should have signalled a turning point in the game, but forced passes in the final third were ultimately to cost Aodh Ruadh dearly. Heartbreak unconfined for anyone from the banks of Erne come the final whistle. Nevertheless it was a highly enjoyable game for the neutrals as Aodh Ruadh insisted on playing the game the way it should be played. The lads can take heart from the knowledge that there are surely bigger days ahead for this group of Aodh Ruadh players. Colm Kelly was fantastic, as effective in front of the opposition goals as he was in front of his own. Jason Granaghan once again showed himself to be a precise, tidy and confident footballer. Niall Harley gave a towering display in midfield with Darren Gethins not far behind. Philip Patton was excellent, especially in the first half and his second point was worth the admission itself. David McGurrin gave it his absolute utmost and, without being overly partial about it, surely he must be on the county radar now. We have a full report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. The under 21s made the final courtesy of an emphatic victory over Naomh Conaill in Ardara on Friday evening. The opening stages were evenly enough fought with the sides swapping early points and Glenties just edging exchanges before a second Philip Patton point took Aodh Ruadh in front, 0-4 to 0-3. However after 13 minutes Shane McGrath played in David McGurrin and the Abbey Isle man made no mistake for the first goal of the game. It might have been early in the match, but the writing was already on the wall for Naomh Conaill as Aodh Ruadh cut loose over the remainder of the first half. Niall Harley got a quick point after that opening goal before Shane McGrath showed his soccer teckers to backheel in a ball squared across the face of goal by Philip Patton. McGrath added a point shortly after to put the Ernesiders eight clear with barely a quarter played. A third goal from Eamonn McGrath arrived after he made a charge in from midfield and with McGurrin adding another two points and Daniel Warnock also splitting the posts James O’Donnell’s men were 3-8 to 0-4 to the good at the break. Aodh Ruadh eased back on the scoring in the second half, but the result was never in doubt, Oisin Rooney and David McGurrin got early points before Naomh Conaill got what was already merely a consolatory goal. McGurrin landed a free before Nathan Boyle also got his name on the score sheet. Another point for McGurrin saw him finish on 1-6 for the game while the last say went to Darren Gethins with a fine point as Aodh Ruadh secured a 3-16 to 2-6 semi-final victory.
The third week of play in the Bakery Cup took place last Thursday with some great action on show again. The first match saw Eugene Doherty’s side losing their first game of the league stages to Senan Rooney’s outfit on a scoreline of 9-2 to 4-3. In the second game Mark McGlynn’s side made it two wins on the bounce after having the better of exchanges and running out 8-5 to 4-3 victors against Shane Brady’s team. With a lot of players away over Halloween the cup takes a break this week. We will have semi-final and final details in next week’s notes.
The under 12 Ballyshannon Shoe Company indoor league starts in the new hall at Coláiste Cholmcille this Friday from 6pm to 8pm. Teams will be revealed on the night and the first round of games are used let players get used to the rules of the indoor game and to determine if we need to reallocate players to even the teams out. After that we play a full round of games for league points, with the league being played to a conclusion on Friday 11th November. Because we will be in the hall for two hours each night there will be a charge of €4 per head to cover the cost of the hall. Medals and trophies presented afterwards to all players.
The second week of play in the under 10 Ballyshannon Shoe Company winter league took place last Friday. Team C captained by Finn Coady recorded their second win of the competition with victory over Team A captained by Micheal Keown. Team C only had a point to spare at the end of a great game of football. In the second game Team D captained Morgan McNamee’s won against Team B captained by Eoin Doogan to register their first points of the group stages. This week Team B captained by Eoin Doogan play Team C captained by Finn Coady at 6.45pm. At 7.15pm Team A captained by Micheal Keown play Team D captained by Morgan McNamee. This is the last round of group game with semi-final coming up the following Friday evening. All players are to bring €1 to cover cost of lights and wear weather appropriate clothing.
Ladies
Aodh Ruadh booked their place in the county B final, thanks in large part to a sparkling seven minute spell of football in the second half where they registered 1-5 without reply to leave Urris with too much to do in the final 15 minutes of play. The final score was Aodh Ruadh 2-10 Urris 3-4 in a great win for the girls as they deservedly progressed to the county decider.
Brianna Maher, Bronagh Kelly, Rionach Sheerin and Ana Keon were immense in defence rarely putting a foot wrong. Mary Flora Scott finished with 2-5 to her credit and a was a threat throughout. Cait Gillespie showed plenty of energy while Tara Duffy really rose to the challenge in the closing stages, creating the opening of Roisin Meehan’s insurance score. We have a full match report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. Aodh Ruadh’s opponents in the final will be Termon, and we await final fixture details.
The under 13 Aodh Ruadh girls are also preparing for a county final after a fantastic 4-6 to 2-6 semi-final win over Killybegs in Fintra. Ballyshannon played with the wind in the first half and kept things ticking over with points at regular intervals from Sara Jane Keon (2), Emer O’Brien, Katie O’Brien (2) and Caitlin McGarrigle.
Aodh Ruadh were also unfortunate to have a goal chalked off for square ball. The defence was excellent in that period too, keeping a threatening home attack to two hard-earned points. The Ernesiders faced into the wind for the second half and really knuckled down to the job in hand. Once again Aodh Ruadh were magnificent in defence.
The hosts engineered two good goals in the second 30, but after the second goal the Shamettes restricted the hosts to four points. Up the other end Aodh Ruadh continued to create chances thanks to a remorseless work rate around the middle of the field. One chance saw Aoibheann McGarrigle grounded as she went to pull the trigger on a shot and penalty was the only option for referee John McGlanaghey. Caitlin McGarrigle’s spot kick rattled off the crossbar, but she was alert to the rebound and ran in to flick home the loose ball.
Katie O’Brien then added two more goals, the second a real scorcher of a shot. The insurance score came when Caoimhe Hughes-O’Brien gathered well before laying off to Sara Jane Keon who laced the ball to the back of the net with time all but up.
An excellent victory against a well-drilled and determined Killybegs team. Both sides were fully committed in this game which was played in the best spirit with every ball hard won. Just like the quarter-final replay this was a full team effort, with every player leaving all they had on the pitch. However a special word of mention has to go to goalkeeper Áine Hill who played just a day after her grandfather, Terence McShea, was laid to rest and pulled off two brilliant saves.
Teddy would have been very proud of her. The team were Áine Hill; Ciara Caldwell, Grainne Maguire, Clodagh O’Connor; Lucy McGlynn, Ella Clancy, Eilish Gallagher; Caitlin McGarrigle, Tia McFarland; Katie McMullin, Danielle Gallagher, Sarah Jane Keon; Aoibheann McGarrigle, Katie O’Brien, Emer O’Brien.
Subs Caoimhe Hughes-O’Brien, Lauren McHugh, Lucy Gallagher, Niamh Gallagher, Niamh Hughes, Hannah Gallagher, Laoise Kelly, Dearbhla Hughes-O’Brien, Rachel Patton, Annie Keon, Ciara Gillespie, Lucy Barden and Orla Keon. Aodh Ruadh’s opponents in the final will be Downings, and we await final fixture details. Training on Wednesday at 6pm under lights. and again on Friday at 5.15pm. We will need €2 per session to cover the cost of the lights. Wear appropriate gear for the weather conditions.
Abbey Centre Bingo
The October big bingo jackpot of €800 jackpot was won by Evelyn Sheerin of Mountcharles. The snowball makes a return for winter this Friday, starting at €200. Bingo as usual at 9pm on Friday at the Abbey Centre. Books cost just €10 for 11 games.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €6,900. The winning numbers drawn were 3, 4, 9, 14, 16 and 17. In the lucky dip €20 went to Mikey Gahan, Tirconail Street; Eamon and Anne Maguire, Clyhore; Gareth Brennan, Lawne Park; Josie White, Dunmuckrim; and Una Bonner, Assaroe View. Next draw is in Owen Roe’s with a jackpot of €7,900 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: SENIOR HURLERS.
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