Club meeting
The monthly meeting of the Aodh Ruadh Club Executive takes place this Thursday at 9pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. All committee members are asked to attend.
Football
Aodh Ruadh returned to winning ways on Saturday as they saw off Naomh Bríd on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-8 in Father Tierney Park. The visitors enjoyed their best periods of play over the first 30 minutes. However they could only add four points in the second half as Aodh Ruadh tightened up and when David McGurrin found the net at the three-quarter mark the writing was on the wall for the Páirc Naomh Bríd outfit. Best for Aodh Ruadh on the night were Colm Kelly who anchored the defence brilliantly, and Conor Patton, Damian Cleary and Pauric Patton who got through an ocean of work in midfield. Up front every single man in the attack gave a great account of themselves. We have a full match report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
The reserves put the horror show at Buncrana behind them on Saturday evening with a double scores victory over neighbours Naomh Bríd. The hosts were dominant throughout, but only managed to hold a slender half-time lead having conceded two sloppy goals to give the visitors hope. The opening points came from Oisin Rooney, Christopher ‘Spanny’ Goan and Daniel Warnock. Those were soon followed by a David Finnerty goal before Naomh Bríd opened their account. Stephen Walls got them started with a free which they followed up with a bundled goal from McClay after a mix up in the Aodh Ruadh defence to leave the scores at 1-3 to 1-1 mid-way through the half. A Barry Mulligan free followed by another Goan point and one from PJ Gillespie extended the hosts lead to five points before yet another defensive mix up led to an own goal bringing Naomh Bríd back into the game. Mickey McNeely added the final score of the half to leave the score at 1-6 to 2-1 at the break. The second half saw Aodh Ruadh in more uncompromising form and two James Kelly shimmied goals either side of a Darren Gethins major pushed them well out in front. Second half points from Oisin Rooney, Daniel Warnock, Gary Carty and Val Murray saw the Ernesiders easing to victory and able to empty the bench with the final score reading 4-10 to 2-4 in favour of the hosts. We should have an extended match report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org over the course of the week.
No senior league fixtures scheduled this weekend with All-Ireland Round 4B qualifier and All-Ireland minor quarter-final games against Cork in Croke Park on Saturday taking centre stage. We wish the very best of luck to Peter Boyle and his senior county colleagues and to our representatives on the minor squad, Nathan Boyle, Shane McGrath and Oisin Rooney, plus Mick McGrath in the back room team as they bid to take another step to All-Ireland honours.
The under 12s entertained Derrygonnelly in Páirc Aoidh Ruadh on Saturday morning and gave a good account of themselves against the Fermanagh opposition. We have pictures from the inter-county clash up on aodhruadh.org. There are two tournaments left for under 12s this season – the Bakery Cup and the Willie Rogers. The Willie Rogers tournament will be on Saturday August 6th with details for the Bakery Cup to follow. There will also be the indoor competition over the winter, but the regular training sessions on Mondays and Fridays have now concluded for the year.
The under 10s had an action packed Saturday with the annual Mick Shannon under 10 tournament being staged in Father Tierney Park and Páirc Aoidh Ruadh. We were pleased to welcome teams from Naomh Bríd and Bundoran and with over 30 players Aodh Ruadh fielded three teams. The senior competition was a very entertaining and hard fought affair with Naomh Bríd reaching the decider with victories over Aodh Ruadh and Bundoran. The host’s victory over Bundoran saw them setting up a final rematch with the Ballintra / Laghey men. The final was an enthralling spectacle with both sides giving it absolutely everything before the final whistle saw an Odhran Gillespie point separating the sides and Aodh Ruadh crowned Mick Shannon champions with captain Eoin Doogan hoisting the Mick Shannon trophy. In the junior competition the two Aodh Ruadh teams gained victories over a brave Bundoran side before meeting in the decider. After another clinker of a final the honours were shared when a last gasp score leveled the game and the respective captains, Dara O’Mahoney and Cillian Slevin, jointly lifted the Mick Shannon shield. The presentations also saw Darragh Gallagher of Naomh Bríd picking up the award for player of the senior tournament, while Jack McCadden took that award in the junior section. Many thanks as ever to our parents and guardians who once again put on a great spread of food upstairs in the Aras for all the attendees. Thanks also to our refs on the day and Ken Monaghan who looked after the administration. We have pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. Under 10 training continues this Friday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
The under 8s have a blitz against Bundoran this Thursday at 7pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. Players are to be up for 6.30pm and we ask our parents / guardians to help with the post match catering with sandwiches, buns or similar. Under 8 training continues this Friday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh and is followed by the presentation of results of our second skills test and medals for the category winners. The third and final skills test will take place at the end of September or start of October.
Ladies
The under 12 girls break continues this week, but we will be returning to action after the Bank Holiday weekend. Keep an eye on next week’s notes for details. There are plans in train for an under 13 league, with this due to commence at the end of August or beginning of September.
The under 8s and 10s had an enjoyable blitz against Ardara in Father Tierney Park on Monday evening. The under 10s will be out again on Wednesday, 28th July when they have an away fixture. Management will be in touch with details nearer the time. Under 8 and under 10 training has now concluded for the year.
Hurling
Another frustrating result for the senior hurlers as they came up just short against Castleblayney in Father Tierney Park on Saturday afternoon in the Ulster Táín League. The hosts lost out to the Monaghan men by the minimum on a final scoreline of 2-10 to 1-14. The Saturday sees the Ernesiders out again in championship action with the clash against Burt in Father Tierney Park throwing in at 7.30pm.
Congratulations to the Donegal under 21s who retained their All-Ireland C hurling championship crown. Donegal defeated Fermanagh 3-7 to 1-2 in Healy Park last Sunday with Aodh Ruadh hurlers playing their part in the victory. Ciaran Rami started at corner back while Eddie Lynch lined out at corner forward. Matt Ahern and Tommy Gillespie also made appearances from the bench as Donegal kept the Erne men to a solitary second half point. Stephen Connolly was part of the panel too, while Kevin Loughlin was part of the Tir Chonaill management team which oversaw the victory. Donegal will now play Kerry for a chance to play in the under 21 B Championship next year, but will have to travel to the Kingdom for that clash.
The minors played Burt in the Minor B Championship Final in the Centre of Excellence in Convoy last Thursday. As was the pattern all year we were without a number of players on the night, due to a bereavement and injury. That left Aodh Ruadh with a panel of 17 on the night. We were rocked by a Burt goal in the opening minute and it took us about five minutes before we got going and got our first point. By the 10th minute the game was level 1-0 to 0-3. Burt then had a player sent off and as is so often the case the team with 14 men showed the greater determination and desire for the rest of the game. Burt finished the half strongly and led at half time 1-6 to 0-4. The game was played in atrocious weather conditions and the physically stronger Burt lads adapted to these conditions far better than Ballyshannon. Full credit to our young squad, they never gave up, but they never looked like winning as the Burt lads ran out comfortable winners 2-11 to 1-6. That brought the curtain down on a very difficult season for the minors, disappointingly a number of players didn’t make themselves available this year and we were operating all year with a very young squad. On a positive note 14 of the 17 who togged out on Thursday evening are underage again next year. Five lads that were on this year’s squad began hurling in 2006 at under 8. They are now finished their underage hurling career with the club and it’s hoped they’ll progress to senior level. They gave great service to underage hurling in the club over the years. The 5 were Pat Haran, Kieran Daly, Oisin Rooney, Brendan Gillespie and Cian Duffy. Thanks as always to our loyal parents who brought the lads to the game and gave great support in terrible weather conditions, it was much appreciated.
The under 12s continued their great start to the season with an emphatic win over neighbours Four Masters. They were missing a number of players due to the Foyle Cup and it was great to see other players coming in and stepping up to the mark. Thanks to the parents who drove the lads to the game. They are up against Setanta this Thursday in the Cross.
The under 16s play Carndonagh at home in the league on Thursday evening.
Training at 12 noon on Sunday for all age groups.
Abbey Centre Bingo
They say lightening doesn’t strike twice but we can report that the €400 jackpot went to the same home for the second time in three weeks yet again, this time going to Mary McMahon of the Donegal Road. There was no winner of the summer snowball so it now stands at €400 on 46 numbers or less. Due to the Folk Festival being on in the Abbey Centre, this week’s bingo will be held at Coláiste Cholmcille on College Street at the usual time of 9pm on Friday. It will be a normal bingo with a €1,950 prize fund, with books costing just €10 for 11 games. The big bingo for July will be held on our return to the Abbey Centre on August 5th.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €5,500. The winning numbers drawn were 4, 5, 8, 11, 14 and 16. In the lucky dip €20 went to Marie Gallagher, Erne Street; Sean McGee, Creevy; Denis & Gerry Ferguson; Mary Brosnan, Erne Dale Heights; and Maureen Keenaghan. Next draw is in Owen Roe’s with a Jackpot of €5,600 on Monday at 8.30pm. Tickets are now available in the following outlets: Seán Óg’s, The Market House, Dicey Reilly’s, The Limit, Pat’s Bar, The Bridgend, Owen Roe’s, Fin McCool’s, The Lantern, McGinley’s, Pearse O’Neill’s, McCosker’s Centra and Kernan’s Spar and at the weekly and weekly bingo in the Abbey Centre. If not in, you can’t win!
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra 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 Tue 26th Jul
