Football
After an extended break, Aodh Ruadh returns to league action this Sunday when they travel to Burt. The reserve game is at 1.30pm and is followed by the seniors at 3pm.
The under 21s travel to Buncrana on Tuesday evening for the first round proper of the A championship. Throw in at Scarvey is at 7pm as the Ernesiders look to build on an impressive preliminary round win over Glenswilly.
Under 16 training at 7pm this Wednesday.
The under 14s travelled to Fintra for the first leg of their semi-final against Killybegs on Monday evening. Ballyshannon played some of their best football of the season in the first half to go in trailing by just 1-7 to 2-2 at half-time. In the second half the hosts kicked on despite the Ernesiders best effort to run out 2-18 to 3-4 victors. Goalkeeper Ryan McDonald had his best game of the year making a string of magnificent saves in a man of the match performance. Adam Clarke was in outstanding in defence and continues to impress with his authoritative football. JJ Goan and Tiernan Dolan also worked hard and did well in support. The midfield pair of Shane Gillespie and Senan Rooney were excellent in the first half and showed improved distribution. Harry Howarth did really well at half-forward while the full forward line gave a great account of themselves. Odhran McGarrigle played a stylish game hitting the net with Aodh Ruadh’s first goal. Adam Rami worked hard and steady throughout while Eoin Doherty hit a well-taken goal and a point in the first half. After two visits to Fintra this season, Aodh Ruadh now get to host Killybegs in Father Tierney Park in the championship semi-final second leg this Friday, throw-in 7pm. The lads have a great record at home this season and will be looking forward to the challenge. A big showing of Ballyshannon support would be much appreciated for this big game. Training this Wednesday at 7pm. We will be mixing with the under 16s for a full pitch game after, so a full turn out of players is expected.
Training continues this Friday for the under 8s and under 6s from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
Hurling
This Saturday sees Aodh Ruadh return to senior hurling championship action in Father Tierney Park when they host Burt at 7.30pm.
Our under 12s suffered defeat away to Setanta on Thursday night last. it was a closely fought game with never more that the puck of a ball between two evenly matched teams. The final score was 2-5 to 1-5 in favour of the Killygordon men. The boys have a difficult game at home to Burt this Thursday.
On the same night the under 16s suffered their first defeat of the year against Saint Eunans in Father Tierney Park. We were never able to match the physically stronger Letterkenny men. Their ability to score goals was the major difference between the teams. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough lads willing to put in the effort to match Saint Eunan’s and far too often lads were willing to stand back and let others do the work for them. Credit to the lads who kept battling away throughout the game. The final score was Saint Eunan’s 5-5 Aodh Ruadh 0-4. We face a very difficult game this Thursday as we travel to Burt to take on a very strong home team who are second in the league.
Donegal under 21s lost out to Mayo in the All-Ireland B quarter-final in Letterkenny on Saturday. It was a game that Donegal could have won. They had 11 missed opportunities from frees which proved very costly in the end as they lost out to the Westerner’s on a 1-14 to 1-6 score line. We had four representatives on the starting 15, Ciaran Rami, Oisin Rooney, Conor McNeely and Eddie Lynch (0-1) with Rory Cullen coming on in the second half. It was a disappointing end to a season which saw Donegal win the inaugural Andrew O’Neill Cup, one promising factor for Donegal hurling is the fact that 11 of the starting 15 is underage next year.
The underage hurlers annual trip to Croke Park takes place this Sunday as we head up to see what promises to be very a very exciting clash between Tipperary and Galway in the All-Ireland senior semi-final. We will also be there for the two minor semi-finals between Kilkenny and Galway and Tipperary against Dublin. The bus will be leaving the Market Yard at 8.15am sharp. For any information regarding this trip contact John Rooney 086-2587793.
Sports career programme
Donegal GAA, have partnered with Tech North West Skillnet to launch a sports programme open to all job seekers starting in September 2015. The course will be aimed at those seeking a career in a sport related field. The course is limited to 12 participants and all course participants must be unemployed – this would include recent graduates, former business owners or those longer term unemployed currently on the live registrar. In addition to a four week work placement in a sport related environment (physiotherapy clinic, gym, leisure centre, etc.) the participants will undertake 12 days training. This training can be broken into two distinct strands:
1. Job seeking: to include topics such as interview skills, CV preparation, mock interviews, communication and presentation skills etc
2. Coaching / healthy lifestyle: to include GAA accredited coaching courses, child protection, basic first aid, sports psychology etc
What’s in it for prospective participants?
– An opportunity to gain (at no cost) GAA accredited coaching qualifications, basic first aid qualification, a certified child protection course and a range of coaching skills from qualified tutors.
– You will learn invaluable job seeking skills and an opportunity to spend 4 weeks working in a sport related environment of your choice.
– Donegal tracksuit and polo shirt for all participants.
– Previous course participants have successfully secured employment with their placement company, have embarked on additional 3rd level training in their area of interest. All have enjoyed the course and have indicated that it has helped them to find employment.
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and the course is strictly limited to 12 participants. A shortlist will be retained if course is over subscribed. Anyone interested in securing a place on the course should email course co-ordinator Stephen Friel (Stephen@frielconsulting.com)
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.
Abbey Centre Bingo
The Winner of last week’s €400 jackpot was Anne Mitchell of Tullaghan. Anne also brought home our spot prize, Winnie, after checking on 42, so double congrats to her! Bingo as usual at the Abbey Centre this Friday at 9pm. The summer snowball now stands at €575 on 51 numbers or less. Books priced at just €10.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €6,900. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 4, 12, 14, 16 and 18. In the lucky dip €20 went to John Mitchell, Tullaghan; Ron Sennett, c/o Pat’s Bar; Mikey Gahan, Tír Chonaill Street; Mary Donagher, Erne Dale Heights; and Rita McGullion, Belleek.. Next draw in Dorrian’s with a Jackpot of €7,000 on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra 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 11th Aug
