Saint Patrick’s Day
This year the theme of Aodh Ruadh’s participation in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade will be the 60th Anniversary of the Bakery Cup. All Bord na nÓg and players and Juvenile hurlers are invited in the parade this Friday. Players to assemble at Gaelscoil Éirne at 1.40pm. Jerseys will be provided. Parents / guardians can collect players at the Market Yard after the parade.
Time to get your membership sorted
In order to facilitate payment of club membership there will be a registration session on Wednesday evening in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Club membership for 2017 is now due and registration forms and fees need to be submitted by the March 31st deadline. Membership can be paid to Gerry Ferguson at Ferguson’s Jewellers. Players can also download registration forms from aodhruadh.org and submit this along with the relevant fee directly to their manager. Registration sessions will be organised for teams over the coming weeks and it is essential all players are signed up club members.
Football
The last time Aodh Ruadh played division two football was 31 October 2010, when Fanad Gaels consigned them to the third tier. It has been a long wait since then, but Ballyshannon finally returned to the second division on Sunday, and did so with a bang. The Ernesiders overturned a 0-7 to 0-3 half-time deficit to run out 0-11 to 0-10 with Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward rolling back the years and David McGurrin rattling over 0-6. Eamonn McGrath was also outstanding as a gutsy second half performance gave Ballyshannon victory and a precious two away points in the season opener. We have a full match report and pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
Rather less luck for the reserves who were on the wrong end of a 2-19 to 0-3 scoreline against an impressive Ardara second string. The opening exchanges were positive as the Erne men looked to have control of the middle third and spurned a few chances before Anthony Coughlin opened the scoring account for 2017 with a nicely taken left foot free to put Aodh Ruadh in front. However, once the hosts found their feet after 10 minutes they pulled level and soon pulled out of sight, taking full advantage of the wind and playing with much more pace and intensity. The score was 1-8 to 0-1 before Spanny Goan scored a nice point just before the break. Despite the wind advantage in the second half Aodh Ruadh could not get into their stride and Ardara kept the score board ticking over and added a second goal late on. A well taken point by Emmet Cheshire was the sole score of the half for the visitors, leaving the homesters 19 point victors. A lot to be done to be competitive at this level. We have pictures and a team sheet from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
The loss of three key players to injury during the game was the main factor in Coláiste Cholmcille bowing out of the All-Ireland semi-final in Breffni Park 3G pitch. The Ballyshannon college exited the competition to Presentation De La Salle, Bagenalstown on a scoreline of 1-15 to 2-10. Dean Carroll exited the fray after 20 minutes, while a dislocated finger ended Conall Sweeny’s involvement just before half-time. Then with the winning post in sight and three points ahead, Nathan Boyle suffered a back injury with 10 minutes left. After an absorbing first 30 minutes Coláiste Cholmcille trailed by 0-8 to 1-6, a Danny Doyle goal giving the Carlow side the edge. The Ernesiders turned on the style in the third quarter with a penalty from Dylan Gallagher and another major from Cian McGloin netting to give them a four point lead with 44 minutes played. The loss of Nathan Boyle was a body blow though and Bagenalstown hit four late points on the spin to book their All-Ireland final ticket. Outstanding for Coláiste were Shane McGrath, Sean Taylor, Cian McGloin, Conal Sweeney and Nathan Boyle. A tough one to take, but in capturing an Ulster title the lads can rest assured they have more than done the town proud. Coláiste Cholmcille team: Sean Taylor; Cian McGloin, Robbie Ryan, Shane Gillespie; Conal Sweeny, Jason Granaghan, Cáelán Drummond; Matthew McClay, Dean Carroll (0-2, 1f); Ryan McKenna, Shane McGrath (0-3, 2f), Michael McKenna (0-2), Dylan Gallagher (1-0), Oisin Rooney, Nathan Boyle (0-3, 1f). Subs: Seamus Keogh for Carroll 20m; Cathal McSharry for McClay 24m; Patrick McCaffrey for Sweeny 28m; Shane Dorrian for Boyle 49m; Matthew McClay for Drummond 59m.
The minors are the first underage side in league action when they travel to Dungloe this Saint Patrick’s Day for a noon throw-in. Good luck to all involved for this tie and the season ahead.
Under 16 training continues this Wednesday at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh from 1.45pm to 2.45pm. There will be a challenge game against Four Masters on Friday, Saint Patrick’s morning at 10.30am at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. All players to be on the pitch for 10am. It is essential all players have submitted registration forms and fees before Friday’s challenge.
Under 14 training commences next Monday, running from 6.15pm to 7.30pm and Wednesday from 6.15pm to 7.30pm. The Bakery Cup competition starts at the beginning of April so we need to see good numbers at training to ensure all players are allocated to teams appropriately.
Under 12 training continues this Friday at 5pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
This Saturday there will be an internal under 10 blitz at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh (Munday’s). All players to be ready action at 12 noon.
Indoor training take a break this Friday for under 6s, 8s and 10s due to the Saint Patrick’s celebrations.
Ladies
Aodh Ruadh ladies are having a bag pack fund-raiser in SuperValu, Bundoran on Saturday 18th March between 9am and 5pm. This money is needed to equip each team with footballs, cones, bibs and buses, when needed. Aodh Ruadh ladies starts at under 6 and field at under 8, under 10, under 12, under 14, under 16, minors and seniors. We are looking for volunteers to help on the day. Parents of players from under 6 up to under 12s and girls from under 14s upwards can help. Please text Patricia Hill on 0876874389 if you can give some of your time. Any time you can contribute would be gratefully appreciated.
Under 14 girls training takes place this week on Tuesday at 5.30pm and Saturday at 11am. Could everybody ensure that they get membership paid.
Hurling
The minor hurlers are due to open their league campaign at home this Saturday against Letterkenny Gaels in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, at 5pm.
Underage hurling continues this Sunday at 12 noon for all age groups. Numbers have been very encouraging so far this season.
Youth disco
Surely the social highlight of the St Patrick’s weekend, the Aodh Ruadh Ladies Teenage Disco returns to the Breesy Centre, Cashelard on Thursday, 16th March. The night runs from 8pm to 10pm and following the success of our pre-Christmas disco there is sure to be an even bigger crowd out this time round. Tickets priced €7 are available in Coláiste Cholmcille or you can also pay on the door.
NFL Programme
Any business interested in taking an advert in the match programme for the Donegal v Monaghan NFL programme should contact Michael Daly, David McLoone, Conal Gallagher or Tom Daly. All club committee members are asked to assist with sourcing advertisements.
What’s the story Rory?
Advance notice of a great night of comedy to look forward to in the Bridgend on Saturday 22nd April. Aodh Ruadh CLG presents Rory’s Stories, along with the hilarious Frankie O’Donnell and Jon Dunt for a night of laughter and craic. This is strictly ticket only as space is limited, so buy early. Tickets are on sale now in Pearse O’Neill’s, Ferguson’s Jewellers, Kernan’s Spar or from Packie McGrath on 087-9794696.
Bingo
Last week’s €400 jackpot was shared, with Kathleen Flanagan taking half the share to Belleek. The stand up round was won by Majella Gettins of Finner, collecting the prize pot of €130. There was no winner of the winter snowball so it rolls up to €675 on 49 numbers or less. Saint Patrick’s day Bingo this Friday will be held at Coláiste Cholmcille due to the drama festival taking place at the Abbey Centre. Books priced at just €10. See you Friday night at 9pm.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €1,900. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 3, 4, 6, 16 and 18. In the lucky dip €20 went to Mary Conlon, Cornhill; Una Bonner, Assaroe View; Margaret Campbell, Camlin; Aaron Cullen; and Jimmy Rafferty, Tonragee. Next draw is in McGinley’s with a jackpot of €2,000 on Sunday 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 on Saturday is: SENIOR 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.
