Pat Malaniff RIP
On Saturday afternoon Aodh Ruadh learned of the sad passing of our friend Pat Malaniff. As a mark of respect the club will perform a guard of honour ahead of his funeral mass in Saint Joseph’s, The Rock, assembling at his home at 11.15am on Tuesday morning. Aodh Ruadh extend our sincerest sympathies and condolences to the Malaniff family on their loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Club meeting
The monthly club executive meeting takes place this Thursday, 31st July at 8.30pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. All committee members are asked to attend.
Football
The under 16 Southern Minor Board league semi-final between Aodh Ruadh and Naomh Conaill takes place on Friday 1st August in Father Tierney Park, throw in at 7.30pm. We hope to see a large showing of home town support out to get behind the lads in this big game for the club.
Aodh Ruadh put in a strong showing in the Southern Minor Board under 15 Óg Sport finals in Donegal town last Saturday. Ballyshannon won their opening game against Dungloe 3-5 to 4-10. They then had a good battle with Bundoran losing by 8-5 to 3-5. Then Aodh Ruadh beat Naomh Bríd 7-4 to 1-11 in the final round robin game. That series of results was sufficient to see Ballyshannon through to the semi-finals as best runner up after the group stages. The Ernesiders then faced Kilcar in the semi-final where the men from in through eventually prevailed by the odd point in a 5-6 to 6-2 scoreline. Kilcar then proceeded to defeat Ardara by a point in the final. The Aodh Ruadh Óg Sport squad was Conall Sweeny, Ronan McMullin, Cian McGloin, Matteo Rivenna, Paddy McCaffrey, Michael McKenna, Shane Dorrian, Pauric Keenaghan, Dylan Gallagher and Sean Taylor. The lads deserve huge credit for the way they played across the whole day. They fought to the bitter end and really did the club proud with their attitude and determination. The day was a great developmental experience for this group of players. We have some pictures from the day’s activities up on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page.
The under 12s travelled to Kinlough last Wednesday evening for a challenge match with Melvin Gaels. A great game of football was played by both teams in wet and difficult conditions. Very little separated the sides during the game, but at the final whistle Aodh Ruadh edged the game 3-12 to 3-10. The following squad travelled – Bridín Maguire, David Doherty, Kyle Murray, Daire Warren, Eugene Doherty, Daire Gallagher, Daniel Dolan, Matt Gillespie, Shane Duffy, Colm McGloin, Cian Rooney, Jake Foley, Kyle McCaffrey, Frankie McGinley, Corey Ryan and Conal Bradshaw. We play Four Masters in the league in Donegal Town next Wednesday evening 30th July. All players meet at Father Tierney Park at 5.15pm sharp. Don’t forget club shorts, socks and mouth guards. We are looking for parents to assist with travel arrangements to the match. Please contact manager to confirm availability to drive. Training continues on Saturday morning from 10.45am till noon.
In a change from the usual arrangements, under 10 training takes place on Tuesday, 29th July at 6.00pm. The under 10s will be travelling to Donegal town this Saturday 2nd August for a series of games with Four Masters. We will be looking for parents/guardians to assist with transport. All players and parents/guardians able to help with transport are asked to assemble at Father Tierney Park. We will be departing Ballyshannon at 10.00am. Games will be getting under way at 11am in Tír Chonaill Park.
Father Tierney Park and Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh played host an excellent under 8 blitz on Saturday morning. Teams from Bundoran, Four Masters and Saint Naul’s were in attendance with a high standard of football on display from all the young footballers. Many thanks to the Aodh Ruadh parents / guardians who once again excelled themselves with a great spread of food upstairs afterwards. Thanks also to our match officials Aidan Murray and Niall Murray who ensured the games were all played in a good spirit. The 25 young players who pulled on the Aodh Ruadh jersey on the day were: Killian Bradshaw, Barry Campbell, Eoin Cassidy, Tommy Clyne, Ronan Delahunty, Eoin Doogan, Liam Doogan, Stephen Doran, Cormac Finnegan, James Gallagher, Joshua Gallagher, Tom Holland, Donagh Kelly, Michael Keown, Hugh Óg Maguire, Jack McCadden, Cian McDonald, Ted O’Donnell, Garvey Meade, Tom Murphy, Conor O’Mahoney, Daire O’Mahoney, Cillian Slevin, Darragh Summerville and James Ward. We have some pictures from the blitz up on aodhruadh.org.
Under 8 and under 6 training continues this Friday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh at 6.30pm.
Hurling
On Thursday last our under 16s travelled to Letterkenny to play Saint Eunan’s. We were short a number of players due to holidays and injuries the game was played at 14-a-side. On a very hot evening it was hard on the lads with no subs, but they gave it their all. Goals were the difference in this game as the strong Saint Eunan’s team were able to find the net easier and ran out convincing winners 9-8 to 3-9, credit to our 14 players who never let the heads drop and battled away to the end. This Thursday the under 16s are at home to Letterkenny while the under 12s make the trip to Setanta.
On Friday the annual game between Ulster under 16s and Galway under 15s took place at the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Ballyhaunis, Mayo. Aodh Ruadh were represented on the Ulster squad by Brendan Gillespie and Oisín Rooney. Unfortunately due to injury Brendan could play no part in the game. Oisín was the only the Donegal player to start on the Ulster A team and was one of only three players not from Antrim or Down to make the starting 15. He scored two goals as Ulster were very unlucky to lose a great game 2-19 to 2-18. It was a great experience for both lads to have been selected for the Ulster Squad and to have attended the Elite Camp in Jordanstown and three training sessions since. We have some shots of the lads up on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page.
The fourth all-county blitz for under 8s and under 10s took place in Convoy on Sunday, once again Aodh Ruadh had the largest number of players at this blitz as they had 26 under 8s and 16 under 10s. The under 8s entered 3 teams and they all played seven games with varying degrees of success, showing great improvement since the start of the season and more importantly all had lots of fun. The under 10s continued their rich vein of form as they won all of their six games. Many thanks to all the parents who drove the players to the blitz, your support is much appreciated.
The fourth annual Peter O’Keefe took place in Ballyshannon on Saturday 19th July. This year’s tournament was organised by Ulster GAA assisted by Aodh Ruadh Juvenile Hurling Committee and without doubt it was the best tournament yet and a fitting tribute to the late Peter. Seven teams took part in Saturday’s competition Sligo (holders), Mayo, Roscommon, Derry, Tyrone, Donegal and South Ulster – a combination team from Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh. Donegal played South Ulster in their opening game and had a convincing win, they lost their second game to a very physical Roscommon team. They played their best hurling of the day in their third game against Sligo they turned over a four point deficit at half time to run out convincing winners. The host county topped their group due to their superior scoring difference. That set up a final against a very impressive Derry team. Donegal matched Derry in the early exchanges before the fresher Derry team, who only played two group games, ran out convincing winners. There was some great hurling played throughout the day. After the hurling Peadar O’Keefe presented the Peter O’Keefe cup to the winning Derry captain. The tournament is now firmly established on the Ulster hurling calendar. The Ulster GAA Hurling Committee has plans to make it a bigger tournament in 2015. Aodh Ruadh were represented on the Donegal team by Oisín Rooney (captain) Brendan Gillespie and Kieran Daly with all three lads playing very well.
Ladies
Aodh Ruadh senior ladies second leg intermediate championship tie against Ardara was postponed as mark of respect to the Malaniff family.
The under 12 girls wrapped up their year with a blitz in Killybegs. Well done girls on a promising season. Alicia Clyne, Chloe Connolly, Síofra Hughes, Laoise Kelly, Ciara Lynch, Caitlin McLaughlin, Ruth McNulty, Bridín Maguire, Danielle Masterson-Burrows and Leah O’Brien. We have some shots from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
Fantasy race for Sam
Despite only two games at the weekend, we have a new leader this week in the form of Johnny Patton and his team, Yes Patsy. He has a total of 189 points. Hot on his heels is John Keon and his of team Lakeside Lads with 188 points with Last week’s leader Barry Travers and his team, Still The Greatest Reserve, on 187 points. In fourth place this week is Philip Patton and his team, County Colours, on 184 while Pat Gruddy and his team, Mayo This Time, round out the top five on 183 points. High score of the week goes to Trevor O’Mahoney and his team, Coolsense. He scored 23 points this week. Cork-10, Galway-10, Martin-3. With only six points separating the top five places, it will ensure a competitive run to the end of the competition. 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.
Weddings bells
Best wishes to our senior hurling manager Kevin Loughlin who is marrying Charlene Curran this Saturday in Garrison.
Training field back in action
The training field at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh has now reopened for use following the completion of repair works.
Bingo
The July Big Bingo Jackpot was shared between Helen Lawne of Cluain Barron, and Ciaran Patton of Creevy, taking home €400 each. As Ballyshannon hosts the annual folk and traditional music festival, bingo this Friday will be held at Coláiste Cholmcille. First game at 9pm. Books priced at €10 for a full book, €5 for half book.
Lotto
The lotto draw has been deferred as a mark of respect to the Malaniff family.
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By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Tue 29th Jul
