Football
Aodh Ruadh’s meeting with Naomh Columba was postponed due to a death in Glencolumcille. The club extends its condolences to Naomh Columba on their loss. Our adult sides are due to return to competitive action next Sunday when we host Termon in Father Tierney Park, reserves throwing in at 1.30pm followed by the seniors at 3pm.
Best of luck to Peter Boyle, Eamonn McGrath and the Donegal seniors in the All-Ireland qualifiers this against Galway on Saturday in Sligo’s Markievicz Park at 7pm. That game will now be a double header with the All-Ireland C Hurling Final between Donegal and Sligo with that game throwing in at 4pm. Our own Ciaran Rami, Eddie Lynch, Oisin Rooney and Conor Kennedy are in the squad with Kevin Loughlin in the back room team, so please go along early and lend your support.
Well done to Val Murray’s Donegal Masters on getting their championship campaign off to winning start against a Leitrim / Longford combination last Wednesday night in Ballinamore. They won 1-15 to 0-9 with Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward landing a point and Packie McGrath also playing his part in the victory. Their next game is on Wednesday week, at home to Tyrone. The Red Hands also got their campaign off to a winning start, defeating Antrim in their opening game.
The under 16 squad will resume collective training on Wednesday, 2nd August at 7pm.
Aodh Ruadh will be taking part in the under 15 Óg Sport seven-a-side tournament this Saturday in Donegal Town. Games start at 11am and all players are to be at the Four Masters grounds for 10.30am.
The under 14s maintained their fine momentum of recent weeks with a 4-12 to 4-4 county quarter-final victory over Saint Eunan’s in Father Tierney Park on Friday evening. Aodh Ruadh built a match-winning lead in the middle of the first half after there was little between the sides in the opening ten minutes. Midway through the opening half Gerald McGloin’s lads hit 1-5 without reply to take a 2-7 to 1-1 advantage. Aaron Neilan led the way for the winners hitting the second goal and also added a point while Marty McGarrigle chipped in with two. The impressive Ryan Keenaghan was also on the score sheet as they went in at the break with the hosts leading 2-7 to 1-3. Ballyshannon then turned the screw early in the second half when Marty McGarrigle found Danny Breen with a great ball across the goal and Breen netted. A fourth goal supplied by Marty McGarrigle with time running out meant the game was as good as over as Aodh Ruadh led 4-10 to 2-4. Saint Eunan’s finished well, but the Ernesiders deservedly booked their place in the county semi-finals with an eight point victory at the final whistle. Apart from Aaron Neilan and Marty McGarrigle, Aodh Ruadh also had strong performers in the full back line, Kyle Murray, Ryan Keenaghan and Cian Rooney, while Aaron Cullen made a number of good saves. Next up for Aodh Ruadh is a county semi-final against Gaoth Dobhair this Friday, 21st July. Venue and time are yet to be confirmed, so keep an eye on Aodh Ruadh CLG on Facebook for updates on that front.
Well done to the Aodh Ruadh under 12 reserve team who won the C final at the county finals day blitz in MacCumhaill Park on Saturday. The seniors topped their group, getting the better of Saint Eunan’s, Muff and Naomh Conaill. That set up a county final against Donegal Town, who had beaten Glenswilly, MacCumhaill’s and Malin in their group. The Ballyshannon boys played their hearts out, but lost out to a strong Four Masters team on the day. All in all it was a great day of football.
Father Tierney Park was a hive of activity on Saturday as the Mick Shannon under 10 tournament took centre stage. Teams from Ardara, Derrygonnelly and Grange took part, with the tournament played across three grades for the first time. The cup competition saw Aodh Ruadh face Grange in their first game, winning by three points. They then lost to Ardara by two points, a result which saw the hosts needing a win in their last game to make the final. They successfully defeated Derrygonnelly by a point in a close-fought match to set up a rematch with Ardara in the cup decider. The Ernesiders successfully applied the lessons learned from the round robin stages to win the Mick Shannon Cup by three points. It was a great team performance in the final right across the pitch and there was great jubilation as joint captains for the day Barry Campbell and Dara McGloin, raised the Mick Shannon trophy. There was consolation for Ardara though with Eoghan McNelis picking up the player of the tournament award. Aodh Ruadh’s shield competition started with a one point loss to Grange, before the side bounced back with good wins against Ardara and Derrygonnelly. The final saw Aodh Ruadh and Grange facing off again and, just like the Cup decider, it was the Ernesiders who learned more from the group stages, going on to win by four points. Killian McPhelim was the victorious captain with Aodh Ruadh’s Alan Vaughan selected as player of the tournament. The plate competition was an innovation this year and the final was contested by Derrygonnelly and Grange. In the end it was Saint Molaise Gaels who took the plate, with their own Ryan Lang also claiming the plate player of the tournament accolade. That wrapped up a tournament which was played to an exceptionally high standard. Thanks to Ardara, Derrygonnelly and Grange for making it such an enjoyable day of football. Many thanks to Sylvester Maguire, Cian Barden, Patrick Gillespie, Sean Taylor and Raymie Granaghan who all reffed on the day. And, as ever, thanks to the Aodh Ruadh parents / guardians who put on such a great spread of grub for all the players after their exertions. We have pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. Saturday’s success followed on an excellent trip to Sligo to take on Saint John’s last Wednesday. Aodh Ruadh travelled with 24 players and won both games with both sides playing some good football. Under 10 training continues on Monday and Friday at from 6.15pm to 7.15pm. The team’s next blitz is in Ballintra on Saturday, 29th July.
The under 8s had an enjoyable blitz in Killybegs on Saturday. Aodh Ruadh travelled with 14 players, fielding two teams of seven, with each team getting three games. Naomh Bríd, Saint Naul’s and Killybegs also contested the blitz. There was plenty of end to end action and great performances by all players. Special guest Jack Buggy came all the way from Wexford and caught the eye, showing the apple doesn’t land far from the tree. Under 8 training continues as usual on Friday 28th July at 6.15pm.
Ladies
Aodh Ruadh are back in championship action on Sunday 23rd July. Having won their first leg at home, we wish them the best of luck as the travel to take on Gaoth Dobhair in at Magheragallon for their second leg tie.
The minors will be taking on Saint Naul’s in Father Tierney Park on Monday 17th July at 7pm. It would be great to see a good crowd up to cheer the girls on.
The under 16s had their opening league game against Saint Eunan’s last Thursday in Father Tierney Park. Playing with the aid of the breeze in the first half, Aodh Ruadh had the bulk of the play and created plenty of scoring chances. Ana Keon got the side’s first point early on, quickly followed by a Brídín Maguire 45. Eunan’s got a point, but Aodh Ruadh answered with scores from Sara Jane Keon, Alicia Clyne and Brídín Maguire (2). A goal for the Letterkenny girls going into the second quarter lifted them and they went on to level the game at 0-6 to 1-3. However the Shamettes responded well and after a fine drive through by Cáit Gillespie, Brídín Maguire was on hand to palm home past the Eunan’s keeper. Maguire added a free as half-time closed in to send the sides in at 1-7 to 1-4 at the break. Ballyshannon couldn’t get their game going with anywhere near the same fluency in the second half and Saint Eunan’s used the breeze well to score readily. Despite 1-1 from Brídín Maguire and a well constructed and taken point by Leah O’Brien for Aodh Ruadh, the Letterkenny girls ran out 2-9 to 6-12 winners. The Ernesiders had good displays from Eilish Gallagher in nets, Aisling Gallagher, Tia McFarland and Aideen Walsh in defence and from the half back line of Síofra Hughes, Caitlin McGarrigle and Ella Clancy. Ana Keon and Andrea McGlynn worked tirelessly in the middle of the park. Up front Brídín Maguire, Leah O’Brien and captain for the day, Cáit Gillespie all did well. We have pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. Under 16 training continues on Thursday at 7.45pm and Sunday at 7.30pm. Their next game is away to Moville on Saturday, 29th July at 3pm.
An under 8 and under 10 blitz will take place in the park this Monday 17th July from 6.30pm. Ardara, Kinlough and Saint Mary’s, Sligo will be in attendance. As we have always been treated so well at away blitzes, we ask parents to help out on the night with refreshments for the children in the club house. If each family could supply some sandwiches, biscuits, buns or similar it would be greatly appreciated.
Hurling
The under 12s travelled to O’Donnell Park on Thursday to take on Saint Eunan’s. In a close game the Letterkenny lads ability to hit the net proved the difference and they ran out winners 4-3 to 2-3.
Our under 16 team opened their league campaign at home to Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair also on Thursday evening. We fielded a very young team. Despite only having 12 players the lads played their hearts out. They led until mid way through the second half when the physically stronger Gaeltacht amalgamation began to get on top. A couple of late goals turned the game and they ran out winners 6-10 to 3-9. Our numbers are very small at the age group and it’s going to be a tough season for the lads, but they’re up for the challenge. We have pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. They are away to Buncrana this Thursday.
Training as normal for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon.
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week’s jackpot prize of €400 was won by Frank Breslin of Glenties. The stand-up prize of €150 was shared three ways. There was no winner of the snowball so it rolls up to €300 on 46 numbers or less. Bingo as usual on Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre with a €2,000 prize fund, books priced only €10.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €3,700. The winning numbers drawn were 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 17. In the lucky dip €20 went to Sarah Ferguson, The Rock; Ronan Matthews; Kathleen Lawless, Dunmuckrim; Niamh Duffy, Kinlough; and Mrs McKenna, The Port. Next draw is in The Lantern with a jackpot of €3,800 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.
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