Ulster final
All the best to Niall Harley and Colm Kelly as they go for glory this Sunday in the Ulster Minor final. Good luck too to Aodh Ruadh hurler Jamie Brennan who is also on the squad, and also to Mick McGrath who is involved in the back room team. Of course best wishes also go to the Donegal senior team as they prepare to take on Monaghan in the showpiece on Sunday.
Football
Aodh Ruadh made light of a greasy surface and tricky ball-handling to emerge with their second win over tough Inishowen opposition in as many weeks. They saw off the challenge of Burt on a scoreline of 4-8 to 1-6 in Father Tierney Park and secured another two important points for the promotion push. It was a real team effort from Aodh Ruadh. Defensively Ciron Whoriskey was in very assertive mood, while Johnny Gallagher was show-casing all the best aspects of his game. Conor Patton and Eamonn McGrath became progressively more dominant as the game went on, while the midfield partnership of Ronan McGurrin and James O’Donnell were in control throughout. Up front David McGurrin finished the game with 2-2 to his credit and his contribution was a big factor in the Ballyshannon win. David Dolan’s ball winning qualities were once again in evidence, and he set up a number of scores, as well as finishing with two points. There is a full match report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
Aodh Ruadh are on a break from league action this weekend.
The under 16s delivered an exceptional second half performance against Naomh Conaill in Father Tierney Park last Wednesday to take the points. Five points behind at half time Aodh Ruadh really turned on the style to eventually run out 4-13 to 2-7 victors. The midfield pairing of Nathan Boyle and Oisín Rooney were key to the win. Boyle in particular put in as fine an individual display of football as has been seen at any level in the club for a number of years, an audacious penalty crowning the performance. Rooney’s strong fielding was combined with intelligent off-loading to devastating effect. Conal Sweeny, Oisín Kerr and Dan Warnock covered well as Naomh Conaill tried vainly to counter with limited success in the second period. Up front Michael McKenna, Shane Dorrian and Dylan Gallagher again went well for the Ernesiders.
That success was replicated on Monday evening when Aodh Ruadh made the long trip to Dungloe and came back with a 3-18 to 2-9 victory under their belts. Ballyshannon went six points up in the early exchanges and by half-time the margin was pushed out to 0-12 to 0-4 in favour of the Ernesiders. A notable characteristic of this team is their work-rate, focus and commitment for the full 60 minutes, and they brought that to bear in the second half as they eased away from Dungloe. It was another excellent team performance to reflect upon. Daniel Warnock put in a good evening’s work, foraging two goals from wing back. The third goal came from Dylan Gallagher, and he ultimately finished the night with 1-3 to his credit. The move of the game saw Nathan Boyle put a precision ball into the path of Garreth Sheerin which was then swept over the bar with great élan. Elsewhere Cáelán Drummond got two good points from full forward while Ryan McKenna, Oisín Rooney and Conal Sweeny all covered a serious amount of ground over the course of the game.
The under 16s will conclude their league programme with the rescheduled clash against Naomh Muire this Friday 18th July, throw in at 7.30pm.
The annual Willie Rogers under 12 tournament was staged on Saturday with five teams taking part, Derrygonnelly Harps, Melvin Gaels, Glencar / Manorhamilton, Killybegs and Aodh Ruadh. The Ballyshannon lads were slow to start, but improved as the day progressed. However they were unable to make the knock-out stages of the competition. Derrygonnelly won all their round robin games to reach the final and Glencar / Manorhamilton played some great football to join them in the decider. The Fermanagh and Leitrim sides fought bravely and made for a very good final with nothing between the teams until the last few minutes. Then Derrygonnelly found an extra kick and hit a goal and two points to win by five. The day was notable for the great support from parents from all clubs attending. Many thanks to the parents / guardians of our kids who provided food and refreshments for everybody and looking magnificently in the Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. Many thanks also to the Rogers Family for coming up and presenting medals to both teams and the cup to Derrygonnelly Harps. Thanks to the referees who made sure everything ran smoothly on the day. Finally thanks to all the players who represented their clubs so well. The Aodh Ruadh panel were: Bridín Maguire, Matt Gillespie, Kyle Murray, Daire Gallagher, Calum Ayres, Daniel Dolan, Colm McGloin, Mark McGlynn, Philip Cassidy, Daire Warren, Harry Howarth, Jake Foley, Cian Rooney, Kyle McCaffrey, Conor Foy, Diarmaid Dolan, Adam Hoey, Nathan Owens-Kelly, Shane Duffy, Cian Barden, Mitch McLoughlin, Frankie McGinley and Conal Bradshaw. Under 12s are back training Wednesday 6.15pm to 7.30pm and Saturday 10.45pm to 12 noon this week.
The under 10s will be travelling to a blitz in Dunkineely this Saturday 19th July. The other teams competing will be Naomh Ultan, Four Masters and Bundoran. We will be looking for parents to assist with transport to this game. All players and parents able to help with transport are asked to assemble at Father Tierney Park. We will be departing Ballyshannon at 9.45am. Games will be getting under way at 11am in Killybegs. Training as usual on Wednesday at 6.30pm.
Under 8 and under 6 training continues this Friday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh at 6.30pm.
Hurling
Aodh Ruadh went into championship action against a very physical Setanta outfit in Father Tierney Park last Wednesday. The Killygordon men clearly had a superior understanding of the difference between league and championship and got stuck in from off. The visitors were 0-3 to 1-5 up at half time and delivered the same sort of intensity in the second period to run out 0-5 to 2-10 winners. It was a game where Aodh Ruadh lost many of the individuals battles with Cian Dolan and Jack Matthews among the few who could feel they came out on top. The management will be looking for senior players to reflect on what went wrong in this match and make those lessons count in the remaining games this season. Aodh Ruadh have a massive game this Saturday in Garvaghey at 5.30pm when they face Ards outfit Ballela in the Ulster Táin League. A win in this game will put Ballyshannon in with a great shout of earning promotion to division two, so Saturday will represent an excellent opportunity to apply the lessons so sorely learned against Setanta.
The under 12s made the long journey to Carndonagh last Thursday and came away with a convincing win, this is the third win of the campaign for this young team. They are at home this Thursday night to our great Inishowen rivals Buncrana, throw in is at 7pm and all support will be most welcome.
Our under 16s were to play Burt in Father Tierney Park on the same night However, most disappointingly, Burt contacted us just over an hour before throw in to say they weren’t travelling. It is sad for our ancient game that the once all powerful Burt were unable to field for this game.
Another example of how serious the decline of underage hurling is in Donegal was shown on Saturday when MacCumhaill’s contacted us to say they wouldn’t be fielding the following day for the minor championship semi-final in MacCumhaill Park. Underage hurling is in serious decline in Donegal with too many clubs and officials only paying lip service to our ancient game and not willing to put in the hard work necessary to keep our game alive.
The under 16s are making the long trip to Carndonagh this Thursday for what is expected to be a tough battle against the home team.
The fourth annual Peter O’Keefe under 16 Ulster/Connacht tournament takes place in Father Tierney Park and Páirc Aodh Ruaidh this Saturday. Thankfully this year Ulster GAA have taken over the organising of this tournament, assisted by Aodh Ruadh Juvenile Hurling Committee. Play is due to get underway at 11am, teams confirmed are Derry, Tyrone, South Ulster, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Donegal. It is hoped that this year’s tournament will be the best so far and a fitting tribute to the late Peter who was a tireless worker for underage hurling in Aodh Ruadh, Donegal and Ulster. All are welcome for what should be a great day of hurling.
There are a number of inter-county tournaments on this Saturday. Donegal will be fielding teams at under 14, under 15 and under 16 level and Aodh Ruadh will be well represented in each squad.
Thanks to all who supported this year’s annual Cash for Clothes collection for Aodh Ruadh Juvenile hurling it was a great success as we raised €1,100.
Ladies
Aodh Ruadh’s senior ladies came up short against a disciplined Ardara outfit in Father Tierney Park on Sunday morning in their opening intermediate championship tie. Ballyshannon had possession of the ball for long stretches, but only rarely found their way through a massed Ardara rearguard and came out on the wrong side of a 0-7 to 2-4 scoreline. A tough loss to take for Aodh Ruadh and there is an argument that playing with wind advantage in the first half would have made all the difference. Best for the Shamettes was Maeve Liston, who took the tie by the scruff of the neck when the game looked like passing Aodh Ruadh by altogether. Tara Khan did well before being sidelined by a hand injury. Roise Keon was excellent too, battling right to the end and looking very sharp. Grainne McCosker was very adept at reading and robbing Ardara kick-outs. Áine Duffy got on a lot of ball up front and on a different day could have finished with a big haul. We have a full match report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
The under 12s have a blitz in Bundoran this Thursday, 17th July. Bundoran, Saint Naul’s, Killybegs and Four Masters will all be competing. Players are to meet in Gaelic Park in Bundoran for 5.30pm.
Training continues every Monday from 6pm to 7pm for under 8s, under 10s and under 12s. Any girls interested in giving football a try and making new friends will be made more than welcome.
Fantasy race for Sam
After week nine of the fantasy race for Sam 2014, we have a Titanic tussle developing at the top of the leader board. No less than than players sit joint top in first place this week, all on 157 points. We have Gerry Gallagher with his Belleek Boys, John Patton Jr with Yes Patsy, Declan Rooney with Monaghan Utd and Pat Gruddy and his team Mayo This Time. In joint fifth place, only four points off the top of the table on 153 points is Niamh and Pauric McGrath and their team Niamh’s Creevy Playhouse along with Michael Clancy and his team of Clyhore Champs. With two provincial titles on the line this coming weekend, there should be some sorting out done at the top of the leaderboard this time next week. At the opposite end of the table we have Michael Dolan and his outfit, Dolan’s Dragons, taking over at the foot of the table on 50 points. Jim McGrath and his team, I’d Say So are two points furthar up the table on 52, with Patsy Kelly and his team, Return Of The Wallys, on 62. Mark Loughlin and his team, CMH, are on 65, the same score as Lorraine O’Mahoney and her team, Little Fluffy. High score of the week goes to David McCadden and his team, The Big Breakfast, who scored 54 points this week. (Armagh-10, Mayo-20, Tipperary-10, Cillian O’Connor-8, Barry Grogan-6). 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
Winner of the €400 jackpot was John McFadden of Pettigo. Regular bingo continues this Friday at 9pm in the Abbey Centre. The Game Five Summer Snowball is still waiting to be won and now stands at €420 on 56 numbers or less.
Lotto
There was no winner of the €1,400 Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot last Sunday. The numbers drawn were 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15. In the lucky dip €20 each went to: Steven Waved, Wardtown; Marie Gallagher Erne Street; Donagh Keon, Askill; Gerry Gallagher, Belleek; and K McLoughlin Cashelard. Next draw is in the Dicey Reilly’s Bar on Monday at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €1,500 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: BORD NA NÓG.
The lotto team for Kernan’s Spar this Saturday is: RESERVE FOOTBALLERS.
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John Hughes
PRO
Aodh Ruadh CLG
Ballyshannon
County Donegal
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Mon 14th Jul
