Football
The Aodh Ruadh AGM took place on Sunday in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. There were over 30 present as we looked back on a successful 2016 and made plans for the coming season. With promotion to division 2 for the senior footballers, an under 21 county final appearance, an impressive haul of underage silverware in football, hurling and ladies, it was as good a year to look back on as the club has had in some time. Detailed reports were submitted by all sub-committees and those were followed by an address from Club President, Owen Roe O’Neill. He looked back over the year and made the astute point that we should measure success first and foremost by participation and enjoyment. He praised the dedication and commitment of all involved in club activities over the course of the year as well as those who promoted our games in the local national schools and in Coláiste Cholmcille. He spoke about his great pride in seeing players from the club representing Donegal. He congratulated the Park Committee on another year of impressive work on the Rock providing first rate facilities. The President concluded his address by remembering all those associated with the club in any way who had passed away over the course of 2016. Chairman Gerard Ferguson, made a brief address before the AGM proceeded to the election of officers with the following posts being filled. Patrons: Father Ó Fearrai and Father F Fee; President: Owen Roe O’Neill; Vice Presidents: Peter Conlon, PJ Buggy, John Magee, John Murphy, Alan Kane and Billy Finn; Chairman: Gerard Ferguson; Secretary: Lisa McTernan; Assistant Secretary: Ronan Drummond; Treasurer Catherine McKee; Assistant Treasurer: Sean O’Mahoney; PRO: John Hughes; Oifigeach na Gaeilge: Sean O’Mahoney; Substitute County Board Delegate: John Travers; Health and Well-being Officer: Gerard Ferguson; Child Protection Officer: John Travers; Director of Coaching: Brian Roper. Also elected on to the committee were Jim Kane, Diarmaid Keon, Dinny Loughlin, Betty McIntyre, Louie Boyle, Mike Lynch, Terence McShea, Sylvester Maguire, John Keon, Mick McGrath, Ronan Drummond, Kevin Loughlin, Peter McKenna, Maurice McLaughlin and Peter Boyle.
The Park Committee AGM was also held at the club AGM, with the following officer posts being filled. Chairman: Tom Daly; Secretary: Conal Gallagher; Assistant Secretary: Peter Conlon; Treasurer: David McLoone; Bingo Treasurer: Cathal Gallagher; PRO: Michael Daly.
Motions were then considered with the following motions being passed: Motion three on reducing the fee for under 12 membership to €15; motion five on managers being present to submit reports to monthly club meetings; and Motion six on officers not able to attend meetings being required to forward a report to the committee. The following motions were left over to the first meeting of the incoming committee in January: Motion one concerning lotto prizes; Motion two relating to the extension of the Realt Ruadh senior ladies amalgamation arrangement; and Motion four on the creation of a committee to oversee finance. Motion seven on having the full 26 man panel present for all pre-match activities at inter-county games was to be put forward for consideration at County Convention 2017.
Aodh Ruadh looked back over a year of underage football in the Abbey Centre on Saturday afternoon, with a little help from county legend Michael Murphy. The theatre was packed when Michael entered to a rapturous reception. The first half of the evening saw a reflection on each team’s year. All players present received medals to recognise their exertions all year on behalf of Aodh Ruadh. There were also county medals for the girls under 12 and under 13 teams and the boys under 12 reserve county champions and under 12 Southern Divisional champions.
After that compere Michael Daly put Michael through his paces, that saw Neil McGee, Brian Roper and a few other getting a fair touch of the Glenswilly maestro’s tongue.
Following that we were in to the individual awards for each grade. The under 13 ladies were up first. Players’ player of the year was Caitlin McGarrigle, Manager’s player of the year was Ella Clancy, most improved player of the year was Eilish Gallagher. Next up were the under 16 girls. Players’ player of the year was Saoirse McDevitt, Manager’s player of the year was Mary Flora Scott, most improved player of the year was Andrea McGlynn. They were followed by the under 12 girls. Players’ player of the year was Katie O’Brien, Manager’s player of the year was Emer O’Brien, most improved player of the year was Cara Davitt.
Then it was the turn of the boys teams, starting with the under 8s. Players’ player of the year was Corey Sheridan, Manager’s player of the year was Joe Gibbions, most improved player of the year was Fionn Hartin. Next up were the under 10 boys. Players’ player of the year was Barry Campbell, Manager’s player of the year was Killian Bradshaw, most improved player of the year was Matthew Fox. They were followed by the under 12 boys. Players’ player of the year was Aaron Cullen, Manager’s player of the year was Shane Delahunty, most improved player of the year was Séimí Campbell. Then it was on to the under 14 boys. Players’ player of the year was Kyle Murray, Manager’s player of the year was Mark McGlynn, most improved player of the year was Nathan Owens-Kelly. We had the under 16 boys after that. Players’ player of the year was Shane Gillespie, Manager’s player of the year was Michael McKenna, most improved player of the year was Odhran McGarrigle. The final awards of the evening went to the under 18 boys. Players’ player of the year was Shane McGrath, Manager’s player of the year was Jason Granaghan, most improved player of the year was Patrick McCaffrey.
The evening was a great success with Michael Murphy superb ambassador for the game in every regard. The respect and appreciation all present had for him was palpable. Michael Daly did a great job of keeping the evening ticking along nicely. Thanks are due to the Bord na nÓg and Ladies officers and managers who pulled the event together. Thanks to the Abbey Centre for making their wonderful facility available and to Chris Dykes and Martin Ferris for assisting with the technical aspects of the evening. We are also very grateful to those in charge of the switch on of the Christmas lights for keeping everything to time and allowing the under 13 girls, who were switching them on with the help of the under 12 Erne Wanderers boys, as well as the many underage footballers present to hightail it up to the Abbey Centre for the awards evening.
Finally a very special thanks to all the players who lined out for Aodh Ruadh all year and turned up on the evening and behaved themselves so well, helping to make it an event to remember. Thanks also to the parents who lifted and laid all year, helped out with refreshments, did lotto shifts, bought gear and generally supported Aodh Ruadh any way they could. It is hugely appreciated and we look forward to going out and doing it all over again in 2017!
We have just shy of 300 pictures from the evening up on aodhruadh.org.
Hurling
The Juvenile Hurling Committee held their AGM on Tuesday last. There was a disappointing crowd present. We reflected on 2016, a year that saw county titles at under 12 and under 16 return to the club along with the under 14 Féile B title. We were also delighted to see the completion of the hurling wall. All managers gave detailed reports of their activities for 2016. Going forward we face a lot of difficulties concerning shortage of playing numbers and adults willing to help, but all involved are willing to put in the hard work to keep underage hurling alive in Aodh Ruadh. The following officers and managers were elected on the night. Chairperson, John Rooney; Vice Chairperson, John Larkin; Secretary, Denis Daly; Assistant Secretary Lorraine Duffy; Minor management, Peter Horan, John Rooney and Mike Lynch; Under 16 management, John Rooney, Peter Horan and Mike Lynch; Under 14 management, Denis Daly; Under 12 management to be appointed in January 2017. Anyone interested is asked to contact John Rooney; Under 10 management, Peter Horan and Gregory Gallagher; Under 8 management John Rooney and Pauric Keenaghan.
Our under 12s travelled to Letterkenny on Sunday for a trip to Arena 7 as a reward for their great efforts all year. Well done to Denis Daly who organised the trip and thanks to all the parents who helped out on the day.
Our annual quiz takes place in Owen Roe’s on Thursday 15th December, it’s always a great nights fun and craic hope to see you all there.
Ladies
The Donegal LGFA Development Officer has booked two coaching courses for early in the New Year, with dates and venues to be confirmed. The first is a LGFA Level One coaching course. This is a two day course with a six week break between day one and day two. Both days must be completed to gain LGFA Certification. This course has a minimum 12 and maximum of 20 places available. The second course is a LGFA FUNdamentals Coaching one day course. This course has a minimum 12 and maximum of 20 places available. Anyone wishing to take on these courses is asked to notify Willie Scott on 087-9538516, wsargyll@gmail.com. We need to book early to ensure places on both courses.
Our next generation of stars is a workshop aimed at coaches working with players from under 6 to under 10. This workshop will be a practical guide for coaches working in their clubs and will help them deliver a FUNdamentals programme in their own clubs. The workshop is expected to run on Wednesday 25th January from 7.30pm to 9pm, with the venue to be confirmed. This workshop will be delivered by the Ulster LGFA Development Officer Ciaran Murtagh. It is a practical indoor session where a squad of under 10 and under 12 girls will be put though a short session and games demonstrations. Donegal LGFA need to get a fix on the number of coaches likely to take part before they decide to go ahead with the workshop. With this in mind anyone with an interest in attending is asked to notify Willie Scott on 087-9538516, wsargyll@gmail.com.
We were remiss last week in failing to salute the under 12 girls who were selected for the 2004 county development squad. Aine Hill, Katie O’Brien, Emer O’Brien, Lucy McGlynn and Aoibheann McGarrigle all made the panel. In truth there are a good number of other Aodh Ruadh players who would be very worthy of places on the panel, but we have to recognise that a club getting five players onto any county squad is great and rare achievement in itself.
Scór na nÓg
There was no luck for Amy Carney in the Scór na nÓg county final held in Glenfin on Sunday. She improved on her performance from the semi-final with another splendid performance of the William Allingham poem Abbey Assaroe. However the depth of talent in the county is immense and Amy just came up short on the night. Many thanks to her parents who drove her down.
Next up is the turn of Scór Sinsear, the semi-final will be taking place in early February and any interested parties are asked to contact Sean O’Mahoney.
It’s back
‘Wreckreational’ football will return next week. A WhatsApp group is being set up to establish numbers and most suitable day and time for a regular session. If you’d like to dust off the old boots or your just looking to keep things ticking over on the off season and get some exercise just let John, David or Alan know and we’ll add you to the group.
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week’s €400 jackpot was won by Damian McGurn of Bundoran. There was no winner of the winter snowball so it now stands at €325 on 46 numbers or less. Bingo as usual at 9pm on Friday at the Abbey Centre. Books cost just €10 for 11 games. The Christmas bumper bingo will take place on Friday 16th December at the Abbey Centre with a massive prize fund plus lots of festive spot prizes.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €7,400. The winning numbers drawn were 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 17. In the lucky dip €20 went to McIntyre’s Bar; Una Bonner, Assaroe View; Gerry Quickley, Dunkineely; Maureen McBride and Ann Marie Dolan, c/o Seán Óg’s; and Hazel Travers, Cluain Barron. Next draw is in Owen Roe’s with a jackpot of €7,500 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: JUVENILE HURLERS.
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.
