Meeting
The monthly club meeting takes place this Wednesday, 26th August in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8.30pm. All committee members are asked to attend.
Football
A barn-storming last 15 minutes in Newtowncunningham saw Aodh Ruadh convincingly put their second round championship tie to bed as they ran out 3-13 to 3-7 victors. Ballyshannon got off to a good start, an early Seamus Kane goal carrying them into a four point lead. Naomh Colmcille dominated the middle half hour though and lead 2-4 to 1-5 at the interval, maintaining that lead early in the second half. A brilliant David Dolan goal turned the tide and from there Aodh Ruadh outscored the hosts 1-5 to 0-1 down the stretch. That victory makes it two wins out of two in group 1 of the intermediate championship and puts Ballyshannon in the driving seat for a place in the knock stages. We have a full match report from the game up on aodhruadh.org with pictures to follow.
Meanwhile Aodh Ruadh’s chances of progression in the reserve championship were dealt a fatal blow when they lost out to Naomh Colmcille in a nine goal game, 5-16 to 4-8 the final score. The reserves struggled to muster a team to travel to Newtowncunningham for their second championship match. Having lost the first match to Buncrana a win here was a must. The visitors, despite having a much weakened team, gave a great account of themselves in the first half keeping the hosts within sight thanks to goals from Anthony Coughlin and Jamie McDonald. However a couple of fortuitous goals saw the hosts go in at the break leading 3-7 to 2-5. The second half however was much less of a contest as the hosts made the most of the numerical advantage and their subs playing against the 14 weary travellers. They slowly extended their lead throughout the half as fatigue set in among the Ernesiders. Further goals from Niall Thomas and a beauty from Dermot Slevin kept some respectability on the final scoreline of 5-16 to 4-8. A very disappointing day for the lads who made the effort to make the trip. We will have pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org later in the week.
Aodh Ruadh are at home this Sunday, 30th August in the championship with Saint Naul’s the visitors to Father Tierney Park, throw-in at 3pm. That is preceded by the reserve championship clash with the same opposition at 1.30pm.
Aodh Ruadh played a big role as Donegal won the Jim McGuigan Ulster under 17 competition on Saturday. They defeated Tyrone 3-10 to 0-9 in the semi-final before beating Monaghan 3-14 to 0-7 in the final. Nathan Boyle captained the side, following in the footsteps of another Aodh Ruadh Donegal captain at this competition, Niall Harley. Shane McGrath played both games, showing well at full forward. Oisin Rooney come on in the final and made a good contribution. Mick McGrath also provided administrative assistance. This is the third year in a row Donegal has won the competition with Aodh Ruadh having substantial involvement in all three wins.
Congratulations to Adam Clarke who won the 58th edition of the Bakery Cup on Wednesday. His side overcame the challenge of Shane Gillespie’s men in the final on a scoreline of 6-6 to 4-4. Adam’s team was Aaron Duffy, Odhran McGarrigle, Conall Bradshaw, Kyle McCafferty, David Doherty, Ryan McDonald, Daire Warren, Mark McGlynn, Philip Cassidy, Adam McGlone, Jack Hourihane and Shane Carty-Fenlon. The win caps a great year for Adam when he played a real leader’s role at centre back in the under 14s. The under 14s hosted Grange for a challenge in the park on Saturday afternoon. It was a relaxed affair with Aodh Ruadh winning well after having previously lost twice to the Sligo side this season.
Under 13 training is now underway on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4.30pm.
There will be under 12 training this Friday at 4.30pm. The Willie Rogers Tournament will take place on Saturday 19th September. With a large attendance of players, mentors and supporters expected a loaf of sandwiches, tray of buns or similar from ALL PLAYERS is absolutely essential. Help will also needed with catering in Aras.
Our under 8s produced their best display of the season on Saturday morning out in Bundoran. They did very well against sides from Bundoran and Naomh Bríd. Many thanks to the Bundoran club for organising the blitz, especially the refs, who were excellent and played the games in the right spirit. The Aodh Ruadh players who took to the pitch in Bundoran were: Anton Duffy, Ben Daly, Bobby Melly, Cádhla Dolan, Che Barron, Cormac Finnegan, Dara McGloin, Dara O’Mahoney, Dáithí Sheerin, Donagh Kelly, Eoghan Gallagher, Eoin Cassidy, Finn Doogan, Garvey Meade, James Gallagher, Joseph Gibbons, Liam Doogan, Oisin Sweeny, Sadhbh Hughes, Sam Davitt, Sean O’Neill, Stephen Doran, Ted O’Donnell, Thomas White and Tomás Keown. Training continues this Friday for the under 8s and under 6s from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
Hurling
Round five fixtures in the hurling championship will take place this Wednesday 26th August at 7pm with Aodh Ruadh hosting Saint Eunan’s in Father Tierney Park.
There was no action on the field last week as the under 12s game with Saint Eunan’s was rearranged and Buncrana didn’t travel for the under 16 game. The under 16s finished fourth in the league and it looks like they’ll face a very difficult game away to Buncrana in the semi-final.
The All-Ireland blitzes take place this Saturday and we hope to have players involved in the under 14, under 15 and under 16 squads.
There is an all-county hurling blitz in Convoy on Sunday for the under 8s and under 10s full details later in week.
Reunion for 1990 Community Games champions
There will be a reunion on Saturday 29th August in Bridgend Bar for the 1990 Donegal and All-Ireland winning Community Games team of Aodh Ruadh. The team who won the county title that year were Stephen Ward, Paul Rafferty, Kenneth McGurren, Martin Gallagher, Sean Maguire, Anthony Sheerin, Gavin Rogers, David Greene, James Shannon, Brendan Boyle, Dermot Fox, David Hoey, Sean Perry, Matthew Hughes, Christy Coughlin, Barry Travers and Jamie McCauley. Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward was captain while Jim Kane was manager. Contact Sean Perry (0879105013) or Jim Kane (0862849425) for further details regarding this event.
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
Last week’s €400 bingo jackpot was shared between Helen Coughlin, Ballyshannon and Patsy Sheerin of Rosinver. The August Big Bingo is this Friday at 9pm in the Abbey Centre with a massive €3,200 prize fund including the €1,000 jackpot game! The summer snowball is now at €625 on 51 numbers or less. Books priced at €15 for a full book, or half books for €8, or get the book and a half special for €20. See you there.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €7,100. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 14. In the lucky dip €20 went to Stephen Ward, Woodlands; John J. McGarrigle, Cashelard; Patricia Worsnop, Corlea; Frances Daly, Abbeylands; and Caroline Finnerty, Parkhill. Next draw in Pat’s Bar with a Jackpot of €7,200 on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra this Saturday is: JUVENILE HURLERS.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Fri 28th Aug
