Executive meeting
The monthly meeting of the Aodh Ruadh club executive takes place this Thursday, 30th May, in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8.30pm. All committee members are asked to attend or forward apologies to Emma Gaughan.
Football
Naomh Bríd showed the greater grit and hunger to take the points in a keenly contested division three derby in Father Tierney Park last Sunday.
Aodh Ruadh’s attack found it difficult getting any change out of a committed Ballintra defence. Donagh McIntyre did finally manage to find an opening and he cracked home his goal well to keep the homester’s in the game at the break, albeit trailing 1-2 to 0-7.
In the second half Ballyshannon found the going no easier in the second half and Ballintra made the fewer mistakes, in what was an error strewn game, to secure the win.
Peter Boyle was called upon to make two acrobatic saves which stopped Naomh Bríd getting out of sight, while Michael Ward was in good form defensively and Ryan Patton showed striking bravery on more than one occasion.
Up front David Dolan fought the good fight throughout. We have a full match report, team sheets and pictures up on aodhruadh.org.
Aodh Ruadh reserves delivered an accomplished second half performance to secure an impressive 2-8 to 0-7 win over their neighbours up the N15.
The first half was played in a steady downpour, with the lighter Aodh Ruadh side struggling to get any traction and going in at the break trailing 0-4 to 0-5. Indeed, the Ernesiders had an excellent rearguard action led by the gutsy Niall Murray, ably assisted by Bréanainn Drummond, to thank for not being further behind.
The rain eased off over the break and the slightly less horrible weather seemed to play in Ballyshannon’s favour and they went on to fashion a well-deserved win with a gutsy display.
Defensively Aodh Ruadh were very sound from one to seven, with Niall Murray deserving of special mention for his appetite for the hard challenge.
Anthony Coughlan got the score the game, finishing an excellent team move for the homester’s second goal.
Jamie McDonald was excellent throughout. We have a full match report, team sheet and pictures on aodhruadh.org.
Aodh Ruadh look set to return to division three league action this weekend when we are down to host Saint Naul’s. Full fixture details will follow in an addendum.
Hard luck to our representatives on the Donegal minor team Eamonn McGrath and Colm Kelly on their loss to Tyrone last Sunday.
We have a selection of photos of the lads as they lined out for the county plus scenes from the day’s action in Ballybofey last Sunday up on aodhruadh.org.
The under 16s first action of the year takes place this Saturday, 1st June as the club hosts its annual PJ Roper tournament. Attending this year are reigning champions Saint Enda’s Glengormley, Dromore from Tyrone, Grange of Sligo, Four Masters and Bundoran.
Aodh Ruadh players should be at the park for 10am, with the first games throwing in at 11am.
The under 14s are away to Naomh Conaill for their next outing in Championship Group A. Throw in for that game is 7.30pm in Glenties.
Under 12 training takes place this Wednesday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh at 7pm and also on Saturday morning at 11am.
The lads first game of the season is down to take place on Monday, 3rd June against Bundoran in Father Tierney Park. Throw is 6.30pm for that game.
Under 10 training continues this Friday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh from 6pm to 7pm.
Under 6 and under 8 training continues this Friday, 31st May from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in Father Tierney Park this week.
The under 8s first blitz takes place in Donegal Town this Saturday 1st June, with Dungloe and Four Masters also taking part.
Games are expected to get under way at 12 noon. We will need assistance with transport to this game.
All players, along with anyone available to drive to the blitz, are asked to assemble at Father Tierney Park at 11am this Saturday morning.
Play your part
As the season approaches its height, there is much to be done in the club in many different ways if we want to reach the goals we set for ourselves.
We ask that parents and guardians of children playing underage football please take the time to read the short letter on aodhruadh.org about what aims are, what we need to do to meet them and how you might be able help, It is only with the Aodh Ruadh community pulling together that we can really go places.
Hurling
This Wednesday, May 29th Aodh Ruadh are in senior hurling league action when they host Setanta in Father Tierney Park. Throw in is at 7.30pm.
The minor final against Buncrana has been rescheduled for Thursday, 27th June.
Our under 14s suffered a disappointing defeat away to Saint Eunan’s in the league last Thursday. The lads didn’t show the required work rate and lost out on a 3-5 to 2-2 score line.
Hopefully the boys will learn it is a team game and everyone has to play their part and not leave all the work to three or four individuals.
They are now in a play off with a number of other teams for the semi-finals it’s hoped to have details of these play offs in the coming days.
We hosted an under 8 blitz on Sunday morning with Setanta, Four Masters and Drumcliffe travelling to Father Tierney Park.
Our youngest team played five games in total all of which were very well contested, they drew two games and lost the other three quite narrowly. All the teams had a great mornings hurling and had great fun, thanks to all the parents who helped with the catering as always nobody left Aras Aoidh Ruaidh hungry.
Thanks to all who helped organise the blitz and referees Kerry Ryan, Eddie Lynch jr and John Rooney.
Training for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon. Under 8s and under 10s are especially welcome.
Ladies
Senior ladies football is on a break for the duration of the Leaving Certificate examinations. The next assignment for Aodh Ruadh looks like being Kilcar on Saturday 16th June.
The under 12 and under 14 girls training continues on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5.45pm.
Under 8 and under 10 girls training continues on Wednesday from 6-7pm and the under 10 girls have a second session on Mondays also from 6-7pm.
Fantasy race for Sam 2013
After Donegal’s great win in the real race for Sam 2013, we now have joint leaders in the Fantasy race for Sam 2013. Gerry Curran’s Cluain Barron FC with 35 points this week (London-10, Kerry-10, Louth-10, Cooper-5) has seen him join Majella Gethins’ Queen of the Hill at the top of the leader board with both on 56 points.
Eugene Loughlin’s Gum Shield Utd is one point further back with last week’s leader Cailin McInerney’s Portonians back in fourth and Mick Melly’s King of the Hill rounding off the top 5 for this week. Every entrant has now scored, although Bobby Murphy and his Chunky Chips and Steven Perry’s Eire Og both had to rely on Padraig McGoldrick’s solitary point from a free for London in their epic win over Sligo to remove the duck egg from beside their name.
Indeed London’s win over Sligo had one entrant cheering as loud as he did for Donegal’s win over Tyrone, as he realised 10 points were coming his way. Gerald McGloin’s North West Heat has two points thank to Adrian Marren’s two points in the same game, while Janet Loughlin’s Broughin Lane Utd and Gregory Sweeney’s Milky Kid have a grand total of three points.
With another four games this weekend, there will sure to be more changes at the top and the bottom. The leader board is be available every Tuesday in the Bridgend Bar, Owen Roes and Ballybookies, of course we also publish the leader board weekly on aodhruadh.org.
Céilí
Little Angels school will be hosting a céilí, old time barn dance in the Rock Hall, Ballyshannon on Saturday 1st June at 9.30pm. Music by The Assaroe Céilí Band. Supper Served. Admission €8.
Yes we can
The next collection for our aluminium fund raiser takes place on Saturday 1st June from 12 noon to 1pm. All other scrap metal is welcome at this session. For any information in relation to this campaign please contact John Rooney 086-2587793 or Kieran Drummond 086-2368295.
Fun run
Donegal Creameries 5K Fun run / jog / walk in aid of Special Olympics Ireland takes place at Crossroads, Killygordon on Tuesday 28th May 2013 at 7pm.
Register via e-mail at dc5kfun@gmail.com or register at Donegal Creameries up to 6.30pm on Tuesday.
Entry fee of €5 payable on registration which includes entry into a prize draw. Refreshments will be served.
Creevy are county champions
The boys of Creevy National School took home county honours from Glenswilly on Monday.
They defeated Whitecastle and Kilmacrennan to take the county title. Creevy played Whitecastle in the first game.
They conceded an early goal, but Creevy showed great character to come back to win by five points. That win meant that victory in the game against Kilmacrennan would see the school crowned county champions.
Creevy started well and midway through the second half were leading by 0-4 to 0-2. However, they were hit with a sucker punch when Kilmacrennan hit the net. It took Creevy a few minutes to recover from the blow, but they got a point to close the gap to the minimum before Michael McKenna hit a goal, quickly followed by a point. Kilmacrennan didn’t give up though and got a goal at the death, but Creevy were good value for their win.
The Creevy National School team were: Aaron Duffy; Paul Diver, Adam Clarke; Pauric Keenaghan, Cianán Roper; Shane Gillespie, Michael McKenna; Emmett Wade, Daragh Ward; Liam O’Sullivan, Diarmuid McFadden. The side were managed by Jamie Timoney and school principal Dara McDaid.
Comhghairdeas Cór Craobhaigh
Congratulations to Cór Craobhaigh and Angela and Niamh Currid on coming fourth of 14 choirs in the Community Games national finals staged in Athlone last Saturday. There was strong underage Aodh Ruadh representation in this choir.
Lotto
There was no winner of the €3,900 Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot last Sunday. The numbers drawn were 1, 4, 5, 9, 11 and 14. In the lucky dip €20 each went to: The Dive Club, c/o Bridgend; Rosina Gillen, The Knather; Olivia Magee, Assaroe View; Mark Cleary, Abbey Garage; and Megan Kane.
Next draw is in McIntyre’s Bar on Monday at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €4,000 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: JUVENILE HURLERS.
The lotto team for Kernan’s Spar this Saturday is: SENIOR HURLERS.