Club Meeting
The monthly club executive meeting takes place this Thursday, 25th May at 9pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. All committee members are asked to attend.
Football
Well done to Peter Boyle, Eamonn McGrath and the Donegal seniors on a comfortable Ulster Championship victory over Antrim. Hard luck to Sean Taylor and the minor team on just being pipped by the Saffrons.
Aodh Ruadh are back in league action this Sunday when we welcome Buncrana to Father Tierney Park. The reserves get us going at 1.30pm with the senior game throwing in at 3pm.
The division 1 under 14s had a highly entertaining free flowing clash with Dungloe in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh last Wednesday. Aodh Ruadh were on top for much of the 60 minutes, but Dungloe mounted a fine comeback to leave it jittery at the end as the Ernesiders secured a 6-12 to 6-9 victory. Man of the match for Aodh Ruadh was Ryan Keenaghan whose smart football play a big role in the win. Also shining for the hosts were Cian Rooney and Marty McGarrigle up front and Aaron Cullen between the posts who pulled off some really outstanding, and ultimately match-winning stops. Jake Foley also enjoyed some nice spells of football. The team followed that up with an impressive 10-9 to 1-11 victory over a weakened Killybegs side in Father Tierney Park on Monday evening. Conor Foy played very well in defence while Daire Gallagher was his usual assured self at corner back. Midfielder Corey Ryan is growing with every game while Séimí Campbell was excellent at half forward, showing well for the ball, laying on scores, and getting on the score sheet himself with some well taken efforts. Get well soon to Ryan Keenaghan who sustained a head injury in the match. The division 2 team had less luck in their game on Monday, sinking to a 7-17 to 2-3 defeat in Dunkineely. The division one side are back in action this Friday, 26th May when they travel to take on Four Masters for a top of the table clash, while the division two side entertain Naomh Bríd / Pettigo in Father Tierney Park, both games at 7.30pm. Under 14 training continues this Wednesday at 5.45pm.
The under 12 Division 1 team enjoyed a comprehensive 6-11 to 2-5 win against Saint Naul’s in Father Tierney Park last Friday. The Division 2 team had a tough outing in Dunkineely also on Friday where they lost 9-7 to 1-6. Nevertheless this young Aodh Ruadh team battled bravely, with Tommy Clyne working very hard and Killian Bradshaw proving effective out the pitch. Training continues on Wednesday and Friday from 5pm to 6.15pm. All sides have games next Monday. The division 1 side and reserves are away to Killybegs, with the division 2 side away to Pettigo.
The under 10s are playing Grange on Wednesday evening. We are travelling for this game, meeting at park at 6pm to be in Grange for 6.30pm. There will be no training this Friday as we have our first blitz at home on Saturday with Bundoran, Saint Naul’s and Four Masters coming to Father Tierney Park. Games will start at 11am sharp we need to have all players up for 10.15am as we are getting a team photograph taken before games. Could parents please bring a loaf of sandwiches, tray of buns or similar to help with refreshments. We would also appreciate if some parents could help out behind the hatch. Under 10 training on Mondays from 6.15pm to 7.15pm
The under 8s are travelling to Grange this Wednesday, 24th May. Parents / guardians are asked to have players at the Grange pitch for 6.45pm. Under 6 and under 8 training continues this Friday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. The under 8 session runs from 6.15pm to 7.15pm. The under 6 session runs from 6.15pm to 7pm.
Ladies
There will be a Ladies Committee Meeting this Wednesday at 8.30pm.
Commiserations to our county representatives Sarah Jane Keon, Orla Keon, Aoibhinn McGarrigle, Emer O’Brien, Katie O’Brien, Lucy McGlynn and Aine Hill. Silverware eluded them at Maghera last Saturday, but we are proud to have these players wearing the county colours with pride and pushing for provincial honours.
There will be a meeting and fitness test on Sunday, 28th May for players interested in playing under 16 ladies football this year. Players to be togged out and ready at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh for 6pm for the fitness element. Meeting will take place afterwards in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh and should conclude by 7.30pm.
The under 14 girls had a busy week of things starting with a trip to Sligo to take on Calry Saint Joseph’s. It was a good work out for the full panel with Niamh Hughes, Lauren McHugh and Ella Clancy, all performing well. On Sunday evening they entertained a determined Saint Naul’s side in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh for their latest league fixture. Aodh Ruadh did really well against the breeze, going in leading 5-4 to 1-4, a number of players came in over the course of the second half and helped see Ballyshannon to a 6-9 to 5-5 victory. Sarah Jane Keon and Caoimhe Hughes-O’Brien were in exceptional form up front, with Katie O’Brien, Aoibhinn McGarrigle and Emer O’Brien also among the scorers. In midfield Lucy McGlynn and Ella Clancy worked hard, while in defence Orla Keon, Ciara Caldwell and Caoimhe McCauley all did well. Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5.45pm.
The girls have learned their fixtures for Féile na nÓg at the end of June. They are in Division 3, Group B. Also in the group are Aghadrumsee of Fermanagh, Clonee of Wexford our host club in Cavan, Drumlane. The group fixtures are as follows.
Friday 23rd June
Aodh Ruadh v Clonee @ Aghadrumsee, 4pm
Aghadrumsee v Aodh Ruadh @ Aghadrumsee, 5pm
Saturday 24th June
Drumlane v Aodh Ruadh @ Drumlane, 10am
Quarter-final game @ Venue TBC, 3.30pm
Sunday 25th June
Semi-finals @ Bailieborough, 12 noon
Final @ Kingscourt, 3.30pm.
The under 12 girls have a challenge against Naomh Bríd / Pettigo on Tuesday, 23rd May, at 5pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. This Saturday the team will be on their travels to Red Hugh’s for a blitz. Players are to be at the venue in Killygordon for 11am.
Girls under 8 and under 10 training continues in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Mondays from 6.15pm to 7.15pm.
Hurling
Saint Eunan’s were unable to field against Aodh Ruadh last Friday so the Ernesiders got the points for that one without a sliotar struck in anger. The seniors next assignment is a jaunt to Garvaghey this Saturday where they take on Saint Fechin’s in their first game of the 2017 Ulster Táín League Division 2 at 4pm.
On Thursday last the minors made the long trip to Carndonagh for their final league game. Due to study commitments and injuries only 12 players could make the trip. Knowing they had to win to make the A League Final the lads began the game with real purpose and ran out convincing winners. The lads showed great dedication making this trip, leaving Ballyshannon at 5pmand returning at 11pm. Such commitment is to be much admired and a testament to this particular group of players.
On the same night the under 14s travelled to Letterkenny Gaels and lost by the minimum on a scoreline of Letterkenny Gaels 2-6 Aodh Ruadh 3-2. They have qualified for the B League Final this Thursday against Saint Eunan’s.
On Sunday the minors played Buncrana in the Minor A League Final at Setanta’s pitch in the Cross. This was always going to be a big ask for the lads. Unfortunately we were against a strong breeze and the hill in the first half and the lads never got a foothold in the game. Buncrana, showing all the skills that had them going for a four-in-a-row of league titles, punished every mistake by our young team in the first half and led at half-time by 5-10 to 0-2. The boys had only the bare 15 and tiredness was setting in, but they put in a great effort in the second half, actually winning it leaving the full time score Buncrana 6-16 Aodh Ruadh 1-9. Buncrana were deserving and convincing winners, but the brilliant second half performance put in by our lads was great to see and they never gave up. Starting out in our first game of the league with only 11 players our target this year was to field for all games, but the lads exceeded all expectations winning five of their seven league games and qualifying for the A League Final. There is a break now for the state exams and hopefully we will be out in the championship in early July. We would like to thank our loyal supporters who gave the lads great support during a difficult game and throughout the season and for bringing the lads to the game. It was very disappointing to see there were no linesmen or umpires for such an important game, this lack of respect shown to both clubs and hurling in general was disappointing and doesn’t reflect well on those tasked with looking after our games and players.
Training continues as normal on Sunday.
Oifigeach na Gaeilge
Aodh Ruadh are appointing Oifigeach na Gaeilge Youth Officers to help with a few initiatives to promote the use of Irish in the club. This could be individuals or a group of two or three people aged 18 or younger. They need to have an interest in Irish and are prepared to play a support role in two or three projects. This is a nice opportunity for anyone interested in building their CV, using social media, gaining project management experience or further study of Irish. For more information contact Alan Sweeny on 086-8052816.
Cash for Clothes
We’ve had a great response to our clothes collection and as a result we’re keeping it going for the month of May. Thanks to all who have donated clothes so far. For any information regarding this campaign or to arrange collection of clothes contact any of the following Lorraine Duffy 087-6874393, Denis Daly 086-3269550, Sabrina Brosnan 087-9287965 or John Rooney 086-2587793.
Summer Camp
A date for those plotting out their summer diaries. The annual Aodh Ruadh Summer Camp returns on Monday, 3rd July and runs to Friday, 14th July.
A Funny Kind Of Day
Ballyshannon Drama Society presents John McIntyre’s hilarious comedy A Funny Kind Of Day at the Abbey Arts Centre. There will be showings at 8.30pm nightly on 23rd, 24th, 25th and 27th May. All tickets are €10 on opening night. For the remainder of the run tickets are priced €12 or €10 on concession. Group rates are available and tickets can be booked by calling 071-9851375.
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week’s €400 jackpot was won by Isla Rose McTernan of Ballyshannon. Gareth Brennan took the last man standing prize of €150, his second in a month. There was no winner of snowball so it now stands at €925 on 51 numbers or less. This Friday is the May Big Bingo, with a massive €3,700 prize fund including the €1,000 jackpot game. Books cost just €15 or get the book and a half special for €20! First game at 9pm at the Abbey Centre.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €2,900. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 18. In the lucky dip €20 went to Sarah Ferguson; Patricia Downey, Erne Street; Hazel Travers Cluain Barron; Margaret McCauley, Mulleek; and TJ O’Mahoney. Next draw is in the Dorrian’s Hotel with a jackpot of €3,000 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: 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.
