Jackie McDermott
We laid Jackie McDermott to rest on Sunday after funeral mass in St Joseph’s. Jackie was a much loved character in the club and the attendance at the funeral and the steady stream of mourners who made their way to the wake house over the days since his passing last Thursday bear testament to the affection in which he was held. A true legend who wore club and county jerseys with distinction, Jackie was son of the famed John ‘Dodger’ McDermott, a link going back to the foundation of the Aodh Ruadh. He won a Donegal senior football championship medal in 1951 championship went on to manage numerous Aodh Ruadh sides to underage titles. He also managed county minors and under 21s. Off the pitch his ready smile and playful wit made him a much loved member of the club and local community. Our thoughts are with his wife Bernie, son Tommy, daughter-in-law Maura and granddaughter Aoife at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Club meeting
The monthly club executive meeting takes place this Thursday, 28th May in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8.30pm. All committee members are asked to attend.
Football
Aodh Ruadh got their intermediate championship ambitions off to the ideal start with a two goal victory over Buncrana, the final scoreline 2-8 to 0-8. Best for the hosts were Eamonn McGrath in defence, deputising for Damien Cleary, with Nathan Boyle and Cookie O’Halloran also distinguishing themselves in a hard working shift. Johnny Gethins increasingly dominated in the second half and helped Ballyshannon over the line. Up front Diarmaid McInerney’s fine form this season continued undimmed with another effective 60 minutes. Shane McGrath finished with 1-2 and had a particularly fine first half while Sticky Ward soldiered well in the solo role up front. We have a full report and pictures from the game up aodhruadh.org.
Championship started for the reserves at home to Buncrana on Sunday evening. It was the visitors however who came with much more intent on winning the game, which was immediately evident from the throw in as they got off to a powerful start with Kevin Treacy hammering into the net after only two minutes. Anthony Coughlin got the reserves off the mark with a routine free which was followed by a Nicky Sheerin point. That was as close as the sides would get as Buncrana stormed into a commanding lead. It was 2-6 to 0-4 at the break, the other Aodh Ruadh scores coming from Coughlin and Dermot Slevin. It was got worse in the second half as the Inishowen men streaked away, Aodh Ruadh losing on a final score of 0-10 to 4-10. We have an extended report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
Aodh Ruadh now have a week off. The next fixture will be on Sunday June 7th when we host Naomh Colmcille in Father Tierney Park. The reserve game will throw in at 1.30pm, followed by the reserves at 3pm.
Congratulations to Nathan Boyle who has been invited into the Donegal minor panel.
Aodh Ruadh under 14s had their first home game of the league on Monday evening. They entertained table-toppers Ardara and, building on a good display against Killybegs the last day out, the lads battled with huge discipline, team ethic and bravery throughout the 60 minutes. Level 1-3 to 0-6 at half time, Aodh Ruadh led the visitors for a good spell during the second half. Ardara got a late goal and tagged on a few points to put a gloss on the scoreline for them making it 2-5 to 2-12, but that couldn’t detract from a display of immense heart from the Ernesiders. There were a number of candidates for man of the match with Eugene Doherty, Adam Clarke and Shane Gillespie among the front-runners. Our scores came from Shane Gillespie (1-2) Odhran McGarrigle (1-1) Jack McCaffrey (0-1) and Harry Howarth (0-1). We hope to see a good turnout at training this Wednesday at 6.30pm.
The Aodh Ruadh under 12s had their first home game of the season last Wednesday and earned a good victory over Dungloe. Combined with victory the first day out against Glenties this puts the team top of the table. The development team also had a good clash with the visitors. Aodh Ruadh now host Saint Naul’s this Wednesday in Father Tierney Park at 6.30pm, players to be at the park for 5.45pm. All players should ensure they have club socks and shorts.
Under 10 and under 12 training continues on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm and Mondays from 6pm to 7pm.
The under 8s started their season with an enjoyable blitz up in Derrygonnelly yesterday. Our players did well in their first competitive games and show good promise for the rest of the season. Thanks to Derrygonnelly for the blitz and the grub after. Our team on the day was Max Roper, Sean Maguire, Shea Winters, Sean O’Neill, Stephen Doran, Jayden McGrath Clyne, Gareth Brennan, Fodhla Sheerin, Eoghan Gallagher, Dara O’Mahoney, Cian Cleary, Colm Morrow, Sadhbh Hughes, Che Barron, Toirleach Hughes, Sam Davitt, Ethan McGowan, Daithí Sheerin, Eoin Cassidy, Joseph Gibbons and Cádhla Dolan. Thanks also to all the parents for their help with the transport. Training continues this Friday for the under 8s and under 6s from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
Congratulations to all our underage players who received their First Holy Communion over the past couple of weekends.
There will be a Bord na nÓg meeting this Tuesday, 26th May in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8.30pm. All managers and committee members are asked to attend.
Hurling
Our minors lost out to old rivals Buncrana in the Minor A league final on Wednesday last in MacCumhaill Park. Despite opening the scoring we never got to grips with the much stronger Buncrana lads, disappointingly we saved our worst performance of the season for the final, only a handful of our lads performed like they could and we never had the belief in ourselves that we had all season. We were behind at half time 2-10 to 0-4, we began the second half brightly getting a goal and a point, we fought well throughout the second half but had left ourselves too much to do and could not create enough scoring chances. Final score Buncrana 3-15 Aodh Ruadh 2-5. This squad have put in a huge effort all year, only having the minimum of players for all games throughout the season, they owe nothing to anyone and were very disappointed with their own display in the final. They play Burt away in the championship on 2nd July and already the lads focus is on that and they know they have a lot of work to do for that game. Many thanks to our loyal parents who drove the lads to the game and supported them throughout the game and most importantly stood with them at the presentation at the end, their support over the years means a lot to the lads and management.
On Thursday our under 14s made the long trip to Dungloe to take on the strong amalgamation of Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair in the B league semi-final, despite losing the lads put in one of their best performances of the season. Dungloe hit us for a couple of early goals and had 2-1 on the score board before Aodh Ruadh opened their scoring. Goal scoring was the difference in this game with the Gaeltacht men getting four and their goalie pulling off some great saves at the other end to deny the Ballyshannon men. These two sides met in Father Tierney Park the previous week when there was 20 points between them and Aodh Ruadh failed to score, the lads restored a bit of pride on Thursday night with a score line of 4-7 to 0-8. Next up is the championship semi-final at home to Setanta on 4th June.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Tue 26th May
