Double delight for Donegal
What an afternoon for Donegal in Croke Park it was! Aodh Ruadh extends their congratulations to everyone involved in the senior and minor panels on what is an outstanding and historic achievement. Well done in particular to Niall Harley and Colm Kelly and Aodh Ruadh hurler Jamie Brennan on booking their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals with an epic 1-12 to 1-11 victory over Dublin. Well done also to Mick McGrath, Anthony McGrath and Gary Walsh who are involved in the back room team. Of course we can’t forget John Duffy who is playing a valuable role in Jim McGuinness’s back room team. Congratulations all round and the very best of luck in the weeks to come. There is no news on ticket arrangements just yet, but we will be doing our best to keep members informed. There will be an open training day and press event this coming Saturday afternoon with further details to be announced over the course of the week. We should have some shots from the day’s craziness up on aodhruadh.org over the course of the week.
Aodh Ruadh is Up For The Match
Aodh Ruadh will be staging a chat night ahead of the All-Ireland final with Joe Brolly and Kevin Cassidy heading up the bill in Dorrian’s Imperial Hotel on Thursday, 18th September. We will be bringing you announcements of more big name guests and event details in coming days. Tickets will available before the end of the week in Shannon’s Corner, Pearse O’Neill’s and McCosker’s Centra.
Family Fund-raiser
Some funds are required to complete the fitness trail and provide a Hurling/Rebound Wall for youth coaching of all Gaelic games at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. Tom Daly is co-ordinating a small fund-raiser to meet some of the costs of these works. The ‘Family Fund-Raiser’ is a simple format where a family hosts ten people at a meal in their home for a donation of €20 each. To participate you host your table on a day which suits you or before Saturday September 6th and make a return of €200 on September 8th. Each person who participates and makes a €20 donation will be entered in a draw for two stand tickets for the 2014 All-Ireland final and double room and dinner for two in the Croke Park Hotel on Saturday, September 20th, the night before the final. Further details are available from Tom Daly or email ftdaly@hotmail.com. Aodh Ruadh supporters living away from Ballyshannon are particularly welcome to participate.
Football
The seniors eventually returned to action on Saturday evening following an unwanted seven week summer break, their last game being the win over Burt when they visited the Park on July 12th. Aodh Ruadh had to overcome a tricky first half, having gone in trailing back 1-1 to 0-7. They turned on the style in the second half to run out 1-12 to 1-9 winners. There were strong performances from all the lads in the second half, with the hard work of Mickey Dolan, Eamonn McGrath and James O’Donnell catching the eye. We have an excellent match report and selection of pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org
Aodh Ruadh reserves got the points after Red Hugh’s were only able to field 11 players for the curtain-raiser last Saturday. The sides decided to play a game anyway, with a few Ballyshannon lads pulling on Red Hugh’s jerseys to help take the Killygordon men up to a full compliment. It was an entertaining match, played in a good spirit, with the Aodh Ruadh lads on the Red Hugh’s team playing suspiciously well. In any event Aodh Ruadh won on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-8. We have some pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
The under 21s face Saint Eunan’s in O’Donnell Park in the under 21 A championship quarter-final on Tuesday 2 September, throw in is at 7pm. Talking to the Aodh Ruadh lads ahead of this they are in determined form so we hope to have a good showing of Ballyshannon support down at this one.
The under 16s went down to a heavy loss in their first round first leg tie against Naomh Conaill in Father Tierney Park. The lads now face the prospect of having to get a win in Glenties next Monday, 8th September in order to keep their championship hopes alive.
Captains and fixtures have been announced for the 2014 Bakery cup. Details are as follows.
Teams
Captain – Evan McTernan
Shane Gillespie, Damian Webber, Donagh McGowan, Colm McGloin, Jake Foley, Ciaran Hodgins, Mitchell McLoughlin, Dáire Warren, Calum Ayres, Cian Barden, Eugene Doherty, JJ Goan, Adam Rami & Aaron Peach.
Captain – Michael McKenna
Senan Rooney, Frankie McGinley, Ryan McDonald, Mark Gettins, Jack McSharry, Corey Ryan, Shane Brady, Daniel Dolan, Kyle Murray, Adam Clarke, Kyle McCaffrey, Mark McGlynn, Harry Howarth & Owen Doherty
Captain – Pauric Keenaghan
Tiernan Flood-Dolan, David Doherty, Conal Bradshaw, Jack Melly, Dáire Gallagher, Joe Danagher, Daniel Byrne, Shane Duffy, Jack McCaffrey, Aaron Duffy, Matt Gillespie, Cianan Roper, Mark Gallagher & Caolán Flood-Dolan
Captain – Dylan Gallagher
JC McGarrigle, Adam Hoey, Conor Foy, Calum Doherty-Craig, Rory Gettins, Luca Rivenna, Niall Monaghan, Nathan Kelly, Diarmuid Flood-Dolan, Cian Rooney, Marty McGarrigle, Odhrán McGarrigle, Philip Cassidy & Odhrán Kennedy
Fixtures
September Saturday 13th – Training (Get to know your team)
September Wednesday 17th – Round 1
Evan McTernan V Michael McKenna
Pauric Keenaghan V Dylan Gallagher
September Saturday 20th – Round 2
Evan McTernan V Pauric Keenaghan
Michael McKenna V Dylan Gallagher
September Wednesday 24th – Round 3
Evan McTernan V Dylan Gallagher
Pauric Keenaghan V Michael McKenna
September Saturday 27th – Semi-Finals
First V Fourth
Second V Third
October Sunday 5th FINAL.
Under 10 training will be at the usual time of 6.30pm this Wednesday. This Saturday we will be travelling to the Southern Minor Board finals blitz in Ardara. Full details will be supplied at training on Wednesday evening, so it is essential we get a full attendance at this session.
The second under 8 skills test of the year takes place at this Friday’s training. Just to remind players of the four stations so they can be practicing ahead of the test. 1: Hand pass between poles off left and right. 2: Pick up and solo off left and right. 3: Kick pass between poles off left and right. 4: Point score and goal score. There will also be a mark for speed around the course. Training at the usual time of 6.30pm. We will need some parents / guardians to help out with marking at stations, so if you are free we’d love to have your help.
Under 6 training continues this Friday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh at 6.30pm.
Hurling
Aodh Ruadh were defeated 6-17 to 1-5 by MacCumhaill’s in the championship last Saturday. That puts result Aodh Ruadh definitively out of the championship reckoning, with only a dead rubber against Saint Eunan’s remaining to be played.
On Thursday last we had the replay of the Minor Hurling Championship final. Replays normally don’t live up to the first game, but this one was different, as the replay was equally as good a game. On an atrocious night it’s a credit to both teams that they put on such a great display of whole-hearted hurling full of commitment and passion. Aodh Ruadh played with the aid of a strong breeze in the first half, but unfortunately didn’t use it to their advantage. There was nothing between the teams when mid-way through the half Aodh Ruadh suffered two bad blows. Brendan Gillespie had to leave the play due to injury and Buncrana scored a fortunate goal direct from a 65. Aodh Ruadh finished the first half strongly but went in trailing at half time 1-6 to 0-5. The weather got worse with the rain getting heavier and the wind rising, but both teams battled away in front of a large enthusiastic crowd. The Ballyshannon lads needed a goal and we nearly got it midway through the second half, but the Buncrana goalie pulled off a brilliant save. Our lads never gave up and two points in injury time for Buncrana put a gloss on the final score line which read 1-11 to 0-7 in favour of the Inishowen men. There was disappointment all round for our lads, but they should be very proud of their achievements this year losing the league final by two points and going to a replay in the Championship final, considering we were missing a number of our main players due to other sporting commitments. We had a very young squad with only two players over age next year. There is no shame losing to a very strong Buncrana team where every one of their 15 players play for the county under 15s, under 16s or minors. Thanks to all our supporters who braved such terrible conditions at a venue which wasn’t suitable for such a prestigious game. The officials who fixed the game for this venue with a pitch not lined, no proper dressing rooms, no shelter for subs or supporters showed very little respect to both teams and their supporters.
On the same night our under 12s lost to Saint Eunan’s in Letterkenny. The majority of this team is under 10, they tried very hard, but their difficulty in getting scores was the difference between the teams, as the table topping Letterkenny lads ran out winners 2-9 to 1-1. They are at home to Letterkenny Gaels this Thursday evening.
The under 16s play Carndonagh this Thursday in the championship, venue to be confirmed.
On Saturday the All-Ireland blitzes took place in Newry. We were well represented in all the squads and three All-Ireland medals were earned by Aodh Ruadh players. The Donegal under 15s entered the under 16 C competition. They drew with South Ulster in their opening game, beat Leitrim in the next game and they claimed the title beating Longford in the final, a result which saw Conal Sweeney, Stephen Anderson and Paddy McCaffrey winning All Ireland medals.
The under 14s took part in the B competition where the standard was very high. They played Derry, Roscommon and Westmeath losing all three games, but gaining invaluable experience and an insight into the skills needed to play at that level. We were represented on that squad by Pauric Keenaghan, Aaron Peach and Liam Sullivan.
The under 16s were also competing in the B competition and again they met opponents of a higher standard in the form of Down and Kildare and lost both games. They were unfortunate to lose to Sligo by a point in their last game. We were represented on this squad by Oisín Rooney who captained the team and Kieran Daly. Brendan Gillespie was unable to take his place due to injury.
All our players gained great experience playing at this level and well done to them all on making the various squads.
Fantasy Sam
After the All-Ireland final line-ups have been completed, it is John Patton Jr and his team, Yes Patsy, who have an almost unasailable lead over the chasing pack on 285 points. Although we all know what can happen to huge odds-on favourites after last weekend’s game in Dublin! In second place is Karol Foley and her team, Biggest Losers, on 248, with Barry Travers and his team, Still The Greatest Reserve, on 244 points. In fourth place is Paul McLoone and his team, Abbey Utd, with 237 points followed in fifth place by John Keon and his Lakeside Boys on 233 points. 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
The big bingo jackpot was shared between Marie Ward, Legaltion €400 and Mary Butler, Erne Dale Heights €400. Bingo as usual this Friday at the Abbey Centre, €10 full book, €5 half book. See you there!
Farewell Father Frank
Aodh Ruadh extends our best wishes to Club Patron Father Frank McManus as he departs Saint Joseph’s for his new posting in Ederney.
Lotto
There was no winner of the Aodh Ruadh Lotto Jackpot of €2,100. Next week’s draw is for a jackpot of €2,200. Check aodhruadh.org for details of the winners of this week’s luck dip prizes and venue for next week’s draw tomorrow evening.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra this Saturday is: LADIES.
The lotto team for Kernan’s Spar this Saturday is: SENIOR FOOTBALLERS.
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.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Tue 2nd Sep
