Football
Aodh Ruadh secured a massive win on Saturday evening when they recorded a 5-8 to 0-12 victory over Naomh Columba in Father Tierney Park. The result is a major fillip to the club’s promotion drive as games start to run out. Goals were the key and with a 3-7 to 0-5 cushion at half-time testament to a dominant performance in the opening 30. The second half was rather more tightly fought, with Ballyshannon only managing to add 2-1, but by that stage Naomh Columba’s prospects of catching Aodh Ruadh were considerably reduced. David McGurrin was man of the match for the Ernesiders. His precision football was a pure joy to behold. There was a lot of drive from defence with Johnny Gallagher, Ciron Whoriskey and Conor Patton as often in the opposition’s half as their own. Kerry Ryan was dominant in the middle of the pitch and made four vital interceptions to disrupt Naomh Columba attacking movements. Up front the physicality and accuracy of Ronan McGurrin, Pauric Patton and David Dolan proved too much for Glen to deal with. We have a full match report from the game and pictures up on aodhruadh.org.
With David Finnerty away getting married Aodh Ruadh were a little under strength for this game. However, while they gave a decent showing for most of this game, they could have few complaints about the final scoreline of 0-14 to 1-14 in favour of Naomh Columba. 16 different players got their names on the score sheet which gives an indication of the end-to-end action served up to the patrons in Father Tierney Park. Aodh Ruadh actually went in at the break leading 0-8 to 0-7 thanks to a lovely Cookie O’Halloran point. However Glen got the goal as the game moved into the final quarter and with time running out it was always going to be an uphill battle after that. Best for Aodh Ruadh on the day were the full back line of Cookie O’Halloran, Ryan Patton and Chris McCabe. Further out the pitch Niall Thomas got on a lot of ball, while up front James Kelly and Sticky Ward worked hard and Nicky Sheerin got himself a nice point. We have pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org
Aodh Ruadh seniors are on the road next weekend into the heart of Inishowen. They will be taking on Carndonagh on Saturday evening at 7.30pm. There is no reserve fixture this weekend.
The under 16s opening game of the season take place next Monday evening in Donegal Town. That clash with Four Master throws in at 7.30pm, Eugene McHale refereeing.
The under 14s played a real rollercoaster of a game in Tír Chonaill park on Wednesday last as they kept their championship dream alive. Aodh Ruadh were on fire in the first half and really gave an exhibition of football, at one point going into a ten point lead. The homesters had that brought back to eight points by half-time, but Ballyshannon still looked in well control. Four Masters came out in the second half with all guns blazing hitting two goals and then pushing into a four point lead. A shell-shocked Aodh Ruadh finally rallied and clawed their way back into game to put a point in it with five minutes to go. The final nerve-shredding five minutes saw the Ernesiders shoot four wides, but then up stepped captain Dylan Gallagher to fire over a magnificent leveler. That point was the icing on the cake of a great performance from Gallagher. Elsewhere Senan Rooney, Shane Gillespie and Michael McKenna were all outstanding, while there were exceptional displays from the two corner backs, Adam Clarke and Adam Rami. Local Sport Donegal carried a substantial gallery of images from the game. Four Masters’ subsequent defeat to Naomh Columba means that they finish the group level on points with Aodh Ruadh and a play-off is now required. That play-off game takes place in Ballintra at 7.15pm this Wednesday, 18th June. We hope to see a substantial Ballyshannon support in Páirc Naomh Bríd to get behind the team. The winner of this match will progress to the regional semi-final against Killybegs.
Our under 12s traveled to Mountcharles on a balmy Monday evening and won both games with the lads playing some decent football. Aodh Ruadh will be hosting Ardara on Tuesday 24th June with the senior game throwing in at 6.30pm. Training on Wednesday evening at 6.15pm and on Saturday at 10.45am. We now have a report from the under 12s shield win in Enniskillen up on aodhruadh.org.
Under 10 training continues on Wednesday at 6.30pm and Saturday at 11pm. We are aiming to host a blitz on Saturday 28th June.
The results from the first under eight skills test of the year were distributed at training last Friday. The top five standings were: 1st: Finn Coady; 2nd: Tom Murphy; 3rd: Tommy Clyne; 4th: James Monaghan; and 5th: Killian Bradshaw. The crucial thing for players to understand is that the first skills test is a benchmark which tells them where their skills are at right now and allows management to target our coaching over the rest of the season. We will be doing a second skills test at the end of the season and this will tell the players how far they have come across the course of the year. The main awards after that test will go to the players who have managed the biggest improvement in their score across the year. The purpose of empowering players with the full breakdown of their scores for the skills test is to let them know the areas where they did well and where they can improve ahead of the final skills test. There are some shots from last Friday’s session up on aodhruadh.org. Training at the usual time of 6.30pm this Friday.
Under 6 training continues this Friday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh at 6.30pm.
Hurling
Aodh Ruadh are back in Ulster Táin league division three this action this Sunday. They are away to Garvaghey to take on Louth outfit Mattock Rangers at 6pm.
Creevy National School made a welcome return to Cumann na mBunscol competition last Thursday. They were beaten by Tooban National School in Convoy. Creevy put on a great show against this famed school which is the main nursery for Burt. A very young Creevy team, which contained only two sixth class boys, battled hard throughout and lost a great game 8-2 to 4-4. Despite losing the lads showed great character fighting right to the end. It is hoped that some of the lads will now start hurling with Aodh Ruadh. Creevy’s return to competition is very welcome and is a result of Aodh Ruadh’s coaching initiative and the work being done at underage hurling in the club.
Well done to under 12 hurler Declan Breslin who represented Creevy National School at the INTO mini game at half time in the Donegal v Down Ulster Hurling Championship quarter-final in Clones on Sunday. Declan played very well and did school and club proud.
Under 12s and under 16s start their league campaigns next Thursday against MacCumhaill’s.
Under 8s and under 10s have their next all-county blitz in Convoy on Sunday 29th June. Training has been going well at these age groups.
Ladies
Our under 12s didn’t have a blitz at the weekend, but are training hard for the next blitzes. These will be away blitzes and are coming up on 28th June and 5th July. Thanks again to all the parents who helped with the refreshments when we had our home blitz, to our refs on the day, Sylvie, Terence McShea and Eoin O’Moore. We hope Roisín Daly, who sustained a broken finger, is recovering well and send her all our best wishes.
Best of luck to our under 14s who are in a play-off game against Termon in Killygordon this evening at 7pm.
Summer camp
Aodh Ruadh Summer Camp 2014 runs on Monday 7th July-11th July and Monday 14th July-18th July.
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
This week sees the ‘other’ Gerry Gallagher – Ardara Forever – take over the top spot with 81 points. I’m sure if he wins the competition, there will be a cup of tea taken to celebrate. Hot on his heels is Michael Clancy’s Clyhore Champs on 80 point, with last week’s leader, the ‘other’ Gerry Gallagher and his Belleek Boys in third place on 75 points. John Magee makes his first appearance of the year in the top five with fourth spot on 72 points. We have three teams then in joint fifth place all on 71 points. John Patton Jr with Yes Patsy, Pat Gruddy and Mayo This Time and Cailin McInerney’s The West Porters. In joint last place this week, we have Pearse O’Neill and his Best Cones Around and Jim McGrath’s I’d Say So. Both are on 17 points. Michael Dolan and the Dolans Dragon are on 18 points and Dan Warnock with Dan’s Your Man is on 19 points. Shane Drummond and his Coolcholly Crew is a point further up the road on 20 points. Joint high score of the week with 27 points scored goes to Eugene Loughlin (Monaghan-10, McManus-6, Newman-11) along with Niamh and Pauric McGrath (Monaghan-10, Clare-10, McManus-6, Tubridy-1). 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.
Bingo
Bingo continues this Friday night in The Abbey Centre at 9pm sharp, books priced at €10 for a full book, €5 for half book. Winner of last week’s €400 jackpot was Helen Lawne of Cluain Barron. The Game Five Summer Snowball continues to grow and now stands at €340 on 52 numbers or less.
Lotto
There was no winner of the €1,000 Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot last Sunday. The numbers drawn were 5, 6, 10, 12, 15 and 16. In the lucky dip €20 each went to: Catriona Mullaney, Mullinasole; Marie Gallagher, Erne Street; Patton Family c/o Pat’s Bar; Ciara Boyle and Anthony Gallagher c/o Pearse’s; and John McFadden, Pettigo. Next draw is in Owen Roe’s on Sunday at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €1,100 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: JUVENILE HURLERS.
The lotto team for Kernan’s Spar this Saturday is: SENIOR FOOTBALLERS.
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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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By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Tue 17th Jun
