Club meeting
The monthly club executive meeting takes place this Thursday in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8.30pm. All committee members are asked to attend.
Football
Congratulations to the Donegal team and management on winning the county’s ninth ever Ulster title. To win from the preliminary round hasn’t been done too often. To do it with an average score per game of 2-18 must surely be an even rarer feat. We now look ahead to the Super Eights where we hope they can push on again. Those who wish to show their support for the county are invited to get an official Donegal GAA supporters car sticker from Pearse O’Neill’s. These are priced €20 with all proceeds going to the running of county teams.
Aodh Ruadh’s next outing in the league is away to Glenswilly this Sunday, senior game at 3pm, preceded by the reserves at 1.30pm.
Minor training continues on Mondays from 6.30pm to 7.45pm.
The under 14s are all set for Féile this weekend. Prior to the off on Friday, the squad are hosting a night on Wednesday at 7pm for team sponsors, especially the Sandhouse Hotel. The team are heading for the St Joseph’s club in Louth on Friday afternoon with the bus leaving promptly at 12 noon. Also in Aodh Ruadh’s group are Belfast outfit Lámh Dhearg and the Naomh Fionnbarra / Lann Léire combination from Louth. The next assignment for the team in the league is after their return from Féile. They are down to travel to Glenties to take on Naomh Conaill on Monday, 2nd July.
The under 11 boys have a game against Melvin Gaels in Kinlough on Thursday at 6.30pm. Players to be in Kinlough for 6pm.
Last Saturday we hosted the annual under 10 Mick Shannon Tournament. Saint Naul’s attended with one team, Saint Mary’s Sligo brought two teams, Ardara had two teams, and Aodh Ruadh fielded three teams.
Aodh Ruadh was captained by Max Roper in the cup. They won two out of their three group games and went into the final. They played extremely well as a team unit with Bobby Melly excellent in goals. Having met Saint Mary’s already and lost they knew the Sligo lads were very hard opposition. It was end to end in the final with Saint Mary’s coming out just the right side, although it was not without a great effort and fight by the lads.
We had two teams in the shield competition. The Aodh Ruadh Shield B team was captained by Aaron McLoone. Sean Maguire in goals was excellent and all the lads played their hearts out. The best game of the day probably was the third / fourth place play off against Ardara. It was level at half and full time. The lads pulled away in extra time to win with great spirit. Daragh McCready was excellent over the four games.
The Aodh Ruadh Shield A team was captained by Cole Connolly with a top drawer game by Jaden McGrath Clyne in goals. Aodh Ruadh A won all three games and played Saint Mary’s in the final. The Sligo boys were hard opposition, but we were up by two at half time. The lads pushed on and won well. All four games were highly entertaining for all on the sidelines.
Seamus Roper thanked all the clubs for travelling, for help from the referees and the parents / guardians for making food and helping out upstairs in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. He then presented Cole Connolly with Mick Shannone Shield and the Aodh Ruadh lads with their winners medals. He then presented the Mick Shannon cup to St Mary’s, Sligo.
Under 10 training continues on Wednesday and Friday at 7.15pm.
Ladies
The under 16s have training this Thursday at 7.30pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
The under 14s focus is now all on Friday and the trip to Féile. We meet at the Park at 11.15am with the bus leaving promptly at 11.30am. The girls first game will be against Ratoath at their home grounds at 5.45pm. Our second game will follow at 7.15pm against Saint Brigid’s of Roscommon. After that it is back to our host club, Blackhall Gaels, for the evening. We play Blackhall Gaels on Saturday morning at 10.45am before progressing to the knock out stages of the competition. We wish the girls all the very best for the weekend and hope they enjoy the full Féile experience which is about a lot more than just the football.
Under 12s training takes place on Wednesday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Rossnowlagh Beach between the Sandhouse Hotel and the Surf Shop. Girls who are taking part in the blitz this Saturday are to meet in the Park for 10.30am. As usual, can parents / guardians bring some food and snacks for everyone participating.
Under 10 girls have a game this Tuesday against Four Masters. Players to be in Donegal town for 6.30pm.
Hurling
The under 16s opened their league campaign on Thursday last with a trip to Letterkenny Gaels. Aodh Ruadh were well on top and won convincingly, but the lads know there will be much tougher battles in the weeks ahead.
The under 12s begin their league campaign this Thursday with a trip to Saint Eunan’s.
Well done to Mickey McCann and the Donegal senior squad on claiming the Nicky Rackard Cup in Croke Park on Saturday. They now go on to play in the Christy Ring Cup in 2019. Unfortunately Aodh Ruadh had no involvement with the squad, but hopefully that will change in the not too distant future.
Training for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon. All are welcome from 5 years upwards. For any information contact John Rooney on 086-2587793.
Summer Camp
The 27th annual Aodh Ruadh Summer Camp returns on Monday, 2nd July and runs to Friday, 13th July. There’s loads to do with football, hurling, swimming, rounders, obstacle courses and plenty of other fun and games. Each week of the camp concludes with a sports day on Friday. The camp runs from 10am to 3pm and is open to all children from 6 to 14 years-of-age. Apart from being great fun, the camp represents excellent value. The cost per week is €70 per child. Family concessions are as follows: €120 for two children; €170 for three children; and €200 for four children. Children should bring a packed lunch as no one will be allowed to leave the camp during the day.
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week’s €400 bingo jackpot was won by Sheena Newell of Ballyshannon, whilst the stand up game prize of €140 was won by Maeve Conway of Cliffoney. The summer snowball had no winner so rises to €275 this week. The June Big Bingo takes place this Friday at the Abbey Centre at 9pm. With the increased Big Bingo prizes, the €1,000 super jackpot must be won every month! Books cost €15 or a book and half special deal for €20, with a €3,000 prize fund up for grabs.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €1,700. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 4, 8, 9, 11 and 16. In the lucky dip €20 went to Pearse McCusker, Donegal Road; Jim McGrath, Dunmuckrim; Mai Kelly, West Rock; Sean O’Rourke, Clyhore; and Mary McElwaine, Cashelard. Next draw is in McGinley’s Bar with a jackpot of €1,800 on Sunday at 8.30pm. Tickets are now available in the following outlets: Seán Óg’s, O’Donnell’s, 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 bingo in the Abbey Centre. You have to be in it to win it!
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra on Saturday is: SENIOR FOOTBALLERS.
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.
