There was a magnificent performance from Packie McGrath’s seniors as Aodh Ruadh took the replay win against Milford in MacCumhaill park on Saturday evening. Diarmaid McInerney has been in great form all season and he delivered once again on Saturday as he hit seven points, five from frees. There were goals from Johnny Gethins and David McGurrin as Ballyshannon dictated the exchanges for long stretches, despite strong challenges from Milford in the first and final quarters. We have a full match report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh. org. The win now sets up the biggest game for the club in some time, an intermediate championship semi-final meeting with neighbours Bundoran this Saturday. The game takes place in Tir Chonaill Park, Donegal Town at 4pm, and we need hardly tell our faithful readers that a large and vocal Ballyshannon support would be very much appreciated!
Enniskillen Gaels came out on top in the PJ Roper under 16 tournament which was staged on Sunday. Enniskillen Gaels, Killybegs and Aodh Ruadh were in Group 1 with Ardara, Bundoran and Four Masters in Group 2. The seedings after the group stages saw Enniskillen Gaels v Bundoran in the Cup final, Ardara v Killybegs in the Shield final and Four Masters v Aodh Ruadh in the Plate final. The winners of the respective finals were Enniskillen Gaels, Killybegs and Donegal Town. Many thanks to referees Shane Toolan, Sylvester Maguire, Val Murray, Eamonn McGrath and especially Callum O’Halloran who took charge of four games. Thanks also to Lisa McTernan and Johnny Gallagher who spent the day taking care of all aspects of organisation. Thanks to the teams and managers from Ardara, Killybegs, Enniskillen, Bundoran and Four Masters. A final shout out to families and Spar who supplied food and drinks for the occasion and Brian Roper who presented the PJ Roper cup to Enniskillen Gaels.
The Frank O’Neill Cup semi-finals throw-in at 5.15pm this Friday. They will be followed immediately by the final on the top pitch in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh with the Presentation Party afterwards in the Aras. We will have pictures from the earlier rounds of the competition up on aodhruadh.org later in the week.
There is an under 13 game this Wednesday against Four Masters in Father Tierney Park. All players to be up at the park for 5pm.
The Mick Shannon under 10 tournament took place in Ballyshannon on Saturday. As ever the tournament drew a high grade of competition and was keenly contested. Ardara, Grange and Glencar Manorhamilton all travelled with two team each. Grange were up first for the hosts in round one of the group stages. Grange were the reigning Mick Shannon champs, but Aodh Ruadh battled well and edged the verdict by two points. Next up were Ardara and this was a game where our defence of Shane Delahunty, Aidan Sweeney and Finn Gallagher really came into their own, thwarting the green and gold attack at every opportunity to see the Ernesiders to a double scores win. The last game of the round robins was against Glencar Manorhamilton. The Leitrim men provided tough opposition in the first half but Aodh Ruadh came good in second half with a more canny display of football. That trio of wins set up a final against Grange and again it was a very competitive encounter where the back line had to be disciplined. In the end a magnificent performance from the midfield pairing of Ryan Daly and Eoghan Kelly helped swing the tie in Ballyshannon’s favour and with it the Mick Shannon cup. Aodh Ruadh’s attack of Aengus Sweeney, Drew Ryan and Shane McGloin were in fine form throughout the competition and Jack Gallagher caught the eye with his cool and composed brand of football. Elsewhere James Gallagher and Cian McKenna worked their socks off and mopped up a sight of break ball. Aodh Ruadh were well served by keeper Michael Doogan who pulled out a few super stops and used his kick outs well. Joint captains Ryan Daly and Drew Ryan collected the Mick Shannon trophy to great jubilation from players and supporters alike. The junior side played their hearts out throughout, but despite earning a good win came up against some impressive visiting sides. Ardara and Grange contested the junior final with Grange taking victory there. Many thanks to the refs on the day Stephen Ward, Gerard Ferguson, Conor Patton and Niall Murray and thanks as always to the parents for the magnificent spread of food. Thanks also the fantastic crowd up who turned up on the day to cheer the Ballyshannon boys on. We have pictures from the tournament up on aodhruadh.org.
The under 8s wrapped up their season in style with a super blitz in Corofin. The lads had 80 minutes of great competitive football at the Belclare facilities of the All-Ireland club champions. There was a great standard of play and the organisation was excellent with the Aodh Ruadh players delivering some of their best football this season. The lads had great craic on the way to and from Galway and also enjoyed getting the opportunity to have their picture taken with the Andy Merrigan trophy. Thanks to Ciaran Lynch and all at Corofin who looked after us so royally on the day. The management would like to thank the players for all their hard work this year and especially the parents for their help with transport, catering at blitzes and whole hearted support all year long. We have some pictures from the trip up on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page.
Hurling
The curtain came down on the under 8 and under 10 season on Sunday morning at a very enjoyable all-county blitz at the Centre of Excellence in Convoy. We had 25 under 8s at the blitz, the biggest number by far of any club on the day. We fielded three teams, each of them getting seven games. All the teams did very well winning the majority of their games. There has been a huge improvement in this squad since the start of the season in March. They are very dedicated and committed and they all did very well on Sunday and were delighted to be presented with their medals after the blitz by Donegal and Setanta forward Bernard Lafferty. We have some pictures from the blitz up on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page. About half of this squad will be moving up to under 10 next season and are well fit to make the step up. Hopefully all will keep practising over the winter and we look forward to seeing all back again in March 2016.
At under 10 we had 13 players, again the largest club that attended the blitz the lads performed very well winning four of their five games and drawing the remaining one. The most encouraging thing about this squad is the fact that the majority of them are under 9, again these lads are very committed and have trained every Sunday since March. Like with the under 8s we really appreciate the support we get from the parents. We attended all the county blitzes this season, five in total and the parents transported the lads there every month. This support is much appreciated.
Next Sunday sees Aodh Ruadh host the annual Aodh Ó Dálaigh under 12 tournament. This tournament has been going since 1982 and is always a great day’s hurling. Again this year we’ve some quality teams. From Antrim we welcome Cushendall and Loch Mor Dal gCas; Tuam and Abbeyknockmoy travel up to us from Galway and Keady from Armagh will be present, while Drumcliff make the short trip from Sligo. Play starts at 11am and all are welcome to what should be a great days hurling to honour one of Aodh Ruadh and Donegal’s greatest Gaels.
Ladies
Aodh Ruadh under 13s earned a good win against Four Masters in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Monday evening. The Donegal Town side started well, but a goal from Roisín Daly gave the hosts a shot in the arm and they took control of proceedings to lead the tie by a goal at the break. Aodh Ruadh forged ahead in the second half and goals from Aisling Gallagher and Bridín Maguire helped them run our 3-10 to 2-5 winners. It was a real team performance from the Shamettes with some strong performances from Caoimhe Keon in the engine room, Síofra Hughes at centre back, shot-stopper Caitlin McGarrigle and Eimear O’Brien who worked really hard in attack.
The bingo team need YOUR help
The bingo team are requesting help from any volunteers happy to give up a couple of hours on the occasional Friday night, as the workload is falling on the shoulders of just a few. Anybody willing to help should contact David McLoone at 087-7760172, Conal Gallagher at 086-2112812, or Patsy Quinn at 087-1724940.
Schools coaching
Our coaching programme for boys and girls attending the six local primary schools has resumed. Team managers in Bord na nÓg, the Ladies committee and Juvenile Hurling Committee are encouraged to maintain contact with Hurling Coach Peter Horan and Football Coaches Brian Roper and Val Murray so that the link between the schools programme and young people coming into the club’s underage teams is maintained and developed. Anyone who meets the criteria for joining a CES Scheme and who has an interest in coaching hurling in our local schools from the beginning of 2016 should contact Tom Daly.
Grounds work in Father Tierney Park
There may be some limitations on the availability of the Father Tierney Park this week as the programme of pitch surface improvements which is being undertaken by our own workforce, in association with Prunty Contracts, continues. Peter Conlon will have the up-to-date position.
Advertise in Father Tierney Park
The Club wishes to review and update the advertising hoardings at the Father Tierney Park. Each member of the Club Committee is asked to sell one hoarding before November 10th. Details will be provided to club committee members in the coming week. Any business or organisation wishing to take a hoarding can make direct contact with of the club’s Park and Development Committee Officers, Tom Daly, John Magee, Conal Gallagher, David McLoone or Peter Conlon.
Abbey Centre Bingo
The winner of the September Big Bingo jackpot of €800 was Teresa Patterson of Cluin Barron. Bingo as normal this Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre. This week sees the return of the Game 7 snowball, starting at €200 on 48 numbers. Books priced at just €10.
Coaching jobs
CLG Dhún na nGall are seeking to recruit two full time coaches (one year contract, with possible extension) to work within the Primary, School sector and within Clubs to deliver coaching and Games Development. The coach will be responsible for delivering the physical literacy and GAA specific skills to a variety of age groups. The coach will be required to work closely with the Ulster GAA and Donegal County Committees and will focus on existing schools network, as well as clubs in their respective regions. They will be expected to work during school time and in addition some unsocial hours are required to develop after school opportunities through school / club links and in the summer camps programme. Applicants should note that they will be required to demonstrate that they meet the following requirements at the time of submitting their application.
1. Hold a GAA Award 1 in either Football or Hurling (at time of interview).
2. Have at least one year full-time experience (or part-time equivalent) of coaching children in a school, club, summer scheme or teaching practice environment within the last three years.
3. Garda Vetting and Child Protection also applies
Please forward CV to: Coaching Officer Anthony Harkin, Ballymaleel Letterkenny Co Donegal. Closing date for submission of applications is Friday 2nd October at 5pm.
Mental health event
Connect Mental Health is a three day mental health awareness event that will take place from Thursday October 8th to Saturday October 10th in South Donegal. The date is significant with the event planned to coincide with World Mental Health Day, October 10th. There is a great programme of events planned with people like Easkey Britton and Breifne Earley coming to Coláiste Cholmcille to speak, a range of events taking place at the Abbey Centre and the Breesy Centre in Cashelard and speakers like Bressie, Oisín McConville and Ciaran McLoone also speaking in venues across south Donegal. Go to http://www.connectmentalhealth.ie/ for full details of the programme of events.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €1,300. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 3, 4, 10, 11 and 16. In the lucky dip €20 went to Caroline Patton, The Mall; M. O’Kane, Trillick; Lisa McTernan; John Hughes, Bundoran Road; and Declan Cleary. Next draw in The Bridgend with a Jackpot of €1,400 on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra this Saturday is: LADIES.
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 Sun 4th Oct
