Football
This Sunday sees Aodh Ruadh commence their intermediate championship campaign. They host Buncrana in the first round game in group one, a group which also contains Saint Naul’s and Naomh Colmcille. Throw in at Father Tierney Park is at 3pm. The reserves will be getting their championship challenge under way against the same opposition at 1.30pm.
Congratulations to minor county player Philip Patton and the three Aodh Ruadh mentors, Mick McGrath, Gary Walsh and Anthony McGrath on their 1-11 to 0-8 victory over Tyrone in the Ulster Minor Football Championship Preliminary Round on Sunday. Commiserations to Shane Ward, Benji Drummond and Greg Sweeney on Leitrim’s 1-13 to 0-8 loss to Galway in the Connacht championship.
The under 16s league campaign for 2015 came to an close after a 3-15 to 1-7 defeat against Killybegs in the divisional semi-final. The writing was on the wall at half time when Killybegs were up 2-11 to 0-1. A second half improvement helped put a few scores on the board but Killybegs were the much the better team on the night. The next outing for this team will be the championship against Four Masters in mid-July.
The under 14s travelled to Killybegs last Wednesday. After a tough day at the office against Glenties the week before, they delivered a dramatically improved performance despite losing on a scoreline of 3-11 to 3-4. Best for Aodh Ruadh on a beautiful day for football were Adam Clarke, who delivered his second excellent performance in succession, and his defensive partner Aaron Duffy. Shane Gillespie and Eoin Doherty worked themselves like dogs in midfield. David Doherty was excellent on his introduction as a second half sub and Donagh Mac Gabhann worked hard up front. Gillespie finished with 2-2, Doherty with 0-2 while Harry Howarth got a cracker of a goal coming up along the endline. We hope to have a challenge arranged for this Wednesday, further details to follow on Tuesday via text. Training on Saturday at 6.30pm, game against Ardara on Monday, 25th April. Throw in for that is 6.30pm, players to be at the park for 5.45pm.
The Aodh Ruadh under 12s host Dungloe this Wednesday in Father Tierney Park at 6.30pm.
Under 10 and under 12 training continues on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm and Mondays from 6pm to 7pm.
Aodh Ruadh under 8s have their first blitz of the season this Saturday. We are travelling to Derrygonnelly and will need parents/guardians to assist with transport to the game. Assemble at Father Tierney Park for 9.45am, departing the park at 10am. Training continues this Friday for the under 8s and under 6s from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
Hurling
The under 14s finished off their league campaign at home on Thursday night against Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair. They suffered a heavy defeat against the strong Gaeltacht amalgamation. The game was close at half time but it was one way traffic in the second half and we were well beaten. It was a disappointing end to the league section, and leaves us with a very difficult game this Thursday in the under 14 B league semi-final where we have to make the long trip to Gaoth Dobhair to take on the Gaeltacht lads.
This Wednesday the Minor A league final takes place in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey. It’s a repeat of last year’s final where we play our old rivals Buncrana. Our squad have done very well to make this final, we had no sub for any of our five league games. That notwithstanding Aodh Ruadh won all those games. The lads have trained diligently since March. We are up against the current Ulster Shield winners, a team laden down with county players. It will prove a very difficult challenge, but this particular bunch of lads will give it everything they have. Games between these two clubs have been very close since we first clashed in the under 14 final in 2009. There have been some great battles along the way since, a mutual respect has developed between both clubs and hopefully Wednesday’s final will be another great game. Throw in is at 8pm and we call for a good showing of Ballyshannon support in MacCumhaill Park.
This Sunday sees the start of the all-county blitzes for the under 8s and under 10s. They will be held monthly at the Centre of Excellence in Convoy. Details will be circulated during the week.
Best wishes to all the boys and girls making their First Holy Communion this Saturday hopefully they all have a great day.
Training every Sunday at 12 noon for all underage groups. For any information required in relation to underage hurling please contact John Rooney 086-2587793.
Club kit
We now have official club shorts available to order. They are O’Neill’s, so top quality kit. Kids sizes (24 and 26) cost €18, while adult sizes (28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38) cost €22. We’ll have samples available and images on aodhruadh.org. Contact Chris Kelly on 0868813553 to place your order. Our navy blue soft shell jackets are also back on sale. We now have three youth sizes available. Ages 7-8 priced €40; ages 9-10 priced €40; and ages 11-12 priced €45. All jackets will have the Aodh Ruadh and GAA crests, plus the child’s initials on the sleeve. We are also able to order Ladies soft shell jackets with pink Aodh Ruadh crest and GAA logo. We are also selling adult jackets. You can check out samples of the shorts and jacket on aodhruadh.org. For further details call Chris on 0868813553.
Mental Health Talk
Four Masters are hosting a free talk on supporting young people’s mental health on Thursday 21st May. The event commences at 8pm in the Abbey Hotel and parents and managers welcome.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €5,700. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 12. In the lucky dip €20 went to: Ursula Malaniff, The Rock; Elaine Gallagher, Kinlough; Celine McGrath, Erne Dale Heights; Ron Sennett c/o Pat’s Bar; James Bradshaw Erne Dale Heights. Next draw in Pat’s Bar with a Jackpot of €5,800 on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra this Saturday is: SENIOR FOOTBALLERS.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Tue 19th May
