Aodh Ruadh GAA Notes
Football
The trip to Glencolumbkille brought mixed results for Aodh Ruadh last Saturday. ![Aodh Ruadh]()
The seniors were comprehensively beaten by a very highly motivated Naomh Columba outfit, 2-15 to 0-5 the final score. Cathal Maguire was on the scene and we have his pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. The reserves fared rather better, romping to their second win of the season with a glut of goals at Páirc na nGael. It ended Naomh Columba 0-9 Aodh Ruadh 7-5. Again, we have Cathal Maguire’s pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
Aodh Ruadh face Carndonagh in Father Tierney Park this Saturday. The reserve game throws in at 5.30pm and is followed by the seniors at 7pm.
Aodh Ruadh minors took a sizeable support down the road with them to Ardara on Sunday afternoon, and while they showed a number of flashes of brilliance, they came out on the wrong end of a 1-10 to 1-5 scoreline. Ballyshannon started well, hitting three points before Ardara made their first impact on the score board, with one effort from Shane McGrath an especially fine score. Ardara then fought their way back into the tie and, despite a cracking goal from the boot of Oisín Roper, they went in with the lead at the interval. The first half pattern was replicated in the second, with the Ernesiders getting off to a good start only for Ardara to get back on top with a five point cushion at the final whistle. Aodh Ruadh could take a number of positives from the game. The team held their shape well and played some excellent football, with some great kicking, movement and tackling. Defensively, Colm Kelly and Eddie Lynch engineered a number of turnovers, while Daniel Warnock was very sound in the backline. Kevin Warnock was in good form between the sticks too. Elsewhere, it was another energy-packed performance from Ryan McKenna while Oisín Rooney was introduced in the second half and dealt well with the rough and tumble that came his way. Next up for the minors is a trip to Donegal town to play Four Masters this Wednesday, 9th April. Throw in 6.30pm.
The under 14s have a undeserving, disappointing performance in the game against Saint Naul’s on Friday evening in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. They looked tired from the start, probably as a direct result of four games in eight days. The side never came near to playing to their capabilities. Saint Naul’s dominated from the start, leaving the Aodh Ruadh lads playing catch up for the duration of the match. Best for Aodh Ruadh on the night was captain Dylan Gallagher leading by example and Senan Rooney with his never-say-die attitude. If there was anything good to take out of this game it was the performance of substitutes Ciaran Hodgins, Donagh McGowan, Niall Monaghan, Mark Gettins and Joe Danagher all having great games when introduced. The final scoreline was Aodh Ruadh 0-8 Saint Naul’s 4-10. The next outing for the lads is away to Ardara on Wednesday night with the throw in at 6.30pm.
Under 12 training continues as usual this Saturday from 11am to 12 noon in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh and Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
The under 10s have a challenge game this Saturday at 11am in the Park against Erne Gaels. All players to be up to the park for 10.30am. Midweek training takes place on Tuesday night this week from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Under 8 and under 6 training continues in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh this Friday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Hurling
Well done to Donegal on claiming the NHL Division 3A final title, especially our five representatives on the panel, Paul Sheridan, Stephen Sheerin, Ciaran Kilgannon, Chris Kilgannon and Paul Hughes. The Ulster League clash with Sean Treacey’s was rescheduled for this Saturday at 1pm in Garvaghey. The team will be leaving park at 10.45am. The seniors weren’t inactive last weekend either, travelling to Mayo outfit Tooreen for a worthwhile and testing challenge. The homesters, reigning Mayo senior champions, won 1-18 to 1-7, but there were a lot of pleasing displays from the Ernesiders.
On Thursday last the under 14s played Four Masters in a challenge game in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. In a much improved performance from their previous game against St Eunan’s, they ran out easy winners. They are back in league action this Thursday as they make the trip to the traditional home of Donegal hurling to take on Burt.
The minors opened the defence of their league title with a trip to Killygordon last Thursday. On a very heavy pitch the lads took a while to get into their stride against a determined Setanta team, but the longer the game went on the more the Ballyshannon men took control and ran out convincing winners. This week they are in action against Burt in Father Tierney Park.
On Saturday the Donegal minors completed their division one Ulster Minor League campaign with a trip to Middletown to take on Armagh, an understrength Donegal team battled gamely for most of the match. They were only one point behind at half time, but an eight minute spell midway through the second half where they conceded three goals was to prove very costly. The final score line of 4-10 to 0-12 in favour of the Orchard men was not a true reflection of the game. Donegal performed well in division one this year and the focus is now on their clash with Derry in the Ulster Championship at the end of May. Eddie Lynch and Ciaran Rami started for Donegal, Oisín Roper and Dónal Sweeny came on during the second half, Brendan Gillespie was also on the match day squad, unable to take their place in the starting 15 due to injury were Eugene Drummond and Oisín Rooney.
The eighth annual Hurl-a-Thon took place in the Mercy Hall on Saturday and, just like all the previous ones, it was a great day of fun for all the family, as young and old played their part. The action started bang on 10am with the under 8s taking to the floor and for the next 12 hours the sliotar flew around the Mercy Hall, every ball was vigorously contested and all our teams battled hard throughout the day. There were great crowds in the hall all day adding to the excitement during the games. As is now the norm for this event one of the highlights of the day was the Mothers v Daughters game. For the second year in a row the mothers team comprising of experienced players Jean Sheerin, Tara Keenaghan, Eleanor Rooney, Bernie Kelly, Mary Anderson and debutants Sinead Ayres and Lorraine Ryan had a comfortable victory over the younger ladies team of Orlaith Gillespie, Meabh Rooney, Bronagh Kelly, Roisín Daly, Ciara Gillespie and Alannah Ryan. Later it was the turn of the older males to take to the floor as Pat Faherty led his team of Stephen Sheerin – on the eve of winning an NHL division three league medal with Donegal, Peter Horan, Chris Kelly and debutant Kieran Barron to a controversial victory due in no small part to their pressurising young referee Caelán Drummond throughout the game over Frankie Sheerin’s team of Alan Sweeney. Michael Ayres, Kevin Loughlin and John Rooney.
Well over 100 players took part on the day, and great credit goes to the brilliant mothers of our young hurlers who catered for everyone throughout the day. The ladies manned the kitchen and prepared beautiful food for all to enjoy during the day. Since the inception of this event we’ve had great support from the local community and again this year it was no different, special thanks to Kieran Barron for all the sweeties and goodies, we all gave up Lent for the day, William Doogan for all the drinks, Mary Matthews Shannon’s Corner for her sandwiches and generous donation, Eleanor McCosker of Centra for her beautiful soup and as always Kernan’s Spar for providing generous amounts of tea bags, milk and other goodies that ensured the tea flowed all day.
There are a lot of people to be thanked for making this day such a success, Aodh Ruadh Juvenile Hurling Committee, all the coaches present on the day who reffed the games, kept the teams picked ensuring that the action was non-stop. Thanks to all the mothers who brought food and helped out in the kitchen all day, thanks to Ronan Matthews and Tara Keenaghan for all their photography work, to Thomas Gallagher of the Donegal Democrat for covering this event and Daragh Cox of Ocean FM sport for promoting the Hurl-a-Thon. Tara’s pictures can be seen on aodhruadh.org, while Ronan Matthew’s gallery is up on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page. Many thanks to Coláiste Cholmcille for use of the Mercy Hall and Michael Donagher for all his help on the day. Finally thanks to all our underage hurlers and their parents who showed up on Saturday, to all the lads who went out with their sponsor cards looking for money in these difficult times, thanks to all the people who sponsored them and for their continued support of our efforts promoting underage hurling in the club. Aside from the fundraising element of the Hurl-a-Thon there is no price that can be put on the enjoyment our young hurlers get annually from the Hurl-a-Thon and as we left the Mercy Hall on Saturday night after over 12 hours of hurling already the youngsters were asking when is the next Hurl-a-Thon on, Roll on 2015 for the ninth edition of this fun event.
Club Hoodies
There will be a distribution session for club hoodies this Wednesday from 7.45pm to 8.45pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. If anyone isn’t able to make the sessions let me know and I will make alternative collection arrangements. This is also an opportunity for people who might have missed out on the first order to get a look at the real thing and see if they would fancy one. We already have a few requests in, so a second order is pencilled in for the end of April.
Park/Development Committee
Team Managers/sub-committees are reminded to put forward possible Tournament or Blitz dates as soon as possible to Peter Conlon to improve co-ordination of these events within the club and to ensure that adequate playing fields and changing rooms are available for each event.
A decision will be made over the next ten days about the re-seeding of the training field at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh which has suffered from heavy traffic during the flood-lit training sessions over recent months.
Any local businesses wishing to advertise on the Electronic Message Board for all of Aodh Ruadh’s home senior football games this season should make contact directly with Park/Development Committee Officers – Michael Daly, Conal Gallagher, David McLoone or Tom Daly.
Thanks to those who helped to prepare the grounds and who came along to work at last Saturday’s All-Ireland D Colleges Final between Our Lady’s, Belmullet and Saint Josephs High School, Crossmaglen. Belmullet proved to be the stronger team on the day but the young Crossmaglen side, who had held out for a draw previously, pushed them all the way. Cathal Maguire was on hand to capture some shots of the action, check them out on aodhruadh.org.
Suicide awareness workshop
On Monday 14th April Aodh Ruadh will host a safeTALK workshop from 7-10pm in Aras Aodh Ruadh. The target group within the club are administrators, managers, coaches and any person who would interact frequently with teenagers and young adults. Anyone who would like to participate is welcome. This programme prepares participants to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resource. A certificate on suicide alert will be issued to each participant. Please confirm your attendance by texting 0863039610 before Wednesday 9th April.
Operation Ballyshannon
April is National Spring Clean month and following on from previous year’s success and as part of the Backing Ballyshannon initiative, Operation Ballyshannon will be held on Saturday 12th April in conjunction with the on-going work of the Ballyshannon Regeneration Group.
This one-day spring clean blitz will focus in on some problem areas and improve the physical appearance of the town. Everything from painting, power-washing, weeding, strimming, planting flowers and litter collection will be organised on the day.
We are asking local builders, painters, carpenters, labourers, sporting and community groups, business people, local schools and the general public to come out and give this one day to your town and instill some civic pride in the community.
Work will commence at 10 am. If you would like to take part please contact Ballyshannon Town Council on 071-9858270 or email mdaly@donegalcoco.ie to register. Meeting point on Saturday morning at 9.30 a.m. will be Ballyshannon Town Council Offices, Abbeyview. Gloves, bags, high visibility jackets and so on. will be supplied. Please bring along your own tools if possible. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Ballyshannon is set in an idyllic setting which looks out over the Erne estuary and has panoramic views of nearby mountains. Be proud of the town you live in, this is your chance, your town needs you, so please give it this one day. Taking part will really make a difference, so why not come out for a while on Saturday morning to help in some way with this clean up. We promise you’ll enjoy it!
If you are unable to come out on Saturday 12th April, don’t forget the Ballyshannon Regeneration Group meet up every Monday evening at the Bridgend at 6.30pm for weekly clean-ups, everyone always welcome.
Recreational Football
Recreational football returns this Saturday at 7pm after a bit of an early season hiatus. Great craic and excellent value at just €5 for the session. Text or call Alan on 0868052816 if you need any further information.
Aodh Ruadh Bingo
The €800 jackpot at last Friday’s bingo was shared with Aaron Horan being one of the lucky winners. Bingo as usual in the Abbey Centre this Friday at 9pm. Full books €10, Half books €5.
Lotto
There was no winner of the €8,400 Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot last Sunday. The numbers drawn were 2, 4, 7, 13, 14 and 18. In the lucky dip €20 each went to: Noel Cunningham, Cluain Barron; Mary McGee, Roscor; Ron Sennett c/o Pat’s Bar; Benny and Mary Dorrian, Church Street and Eamonn McGrath, Carrickboy. Next draw is in Owen Roe’s Bar on Sunday at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €8,500 so get out there and buy your ticket; if you’re not in, you can’t win!
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra this Saturday is: SENIOR FOOTBALLERS.
The lotto team for Kernan’s Spar this Saturday is: LADIES.
