Jim ‘The Natch’ Gallagher
Monday morning saw Ballyshannon lay to rest one of its most storied sons, Jim ‘The Natch’ Gallagher. 
They came from far and wide to St Patrick’s church, Ballyshannon, to pay tribute to the Coolcholly man, and with good cause.
He captained Aodh Ruadh to the 1951 championship crown, a 1-6 to 1-5 victory over St Eunan’s, before going on to a glittering career with St Joseph’s, becoming a driving force with the legendary Ballyshannon Bundoran combination.
He played on the Donegal senior team in the 1940s and 50s, making his debut aged just 16.
He was also captain when Donegal won their first major trophy, the Dr Lagan Cup in 1952.
Later he would captain the county when they first played at Croke Park.
The Natch was also a renowned warrior with Ulster in the Railway Cup and his selection for the province was a vindication of his status as one of the finest exponents of the game of his generation.
An Ballyshannon man to marrow and an ardent apostle of Aodh Ruadh, the club’s fortunes were always close to his heart.
He succeeded the late lamented Sean Slevin senior as club President and his addresses at the annual club dinner dances in recent years clearly showed age had dimmed none of his passion for Aodh Ruadh.
The club extends their sincerest sympathy to his daughter Fiona, sons Eunan, Brian and Turlough, his grandchildren and a large extended family on their loss.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
A full obituary will follow on aodhruadh.org later in the week.
Club AGM
The Aodh Ruadh AGM will take place this Sunday 8th December at 3pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh.
All club members, and indeed anyone with an interest in Gaelic games and culture in Ballyshannon, are warmly invited to attend as we reflect on the year past and plan for 2014.
One motion has been received for consideration at AGM. To establish a family membership – Juvenile hurling committee.
Football
Aodh Ruadh are the under 21 B champions of Donegal for 2013.
It was a game where Ballyshannon demonstrated their fighting qualities in spades, particularly in the closing stages when they slugged it out blow for blow with Burt, emerging 0-10 to 1-6 victors.
David McGurrin was the star of the show for the Ernesiders accounting for nine of Aodh Ruadh’s final tally, while big brother Ronan put the cherry on the cake, kicking the last score of the game just as Connie Doherty was preparing to blow for full time. The final whistle was greeted with great jubilation and relief by the Ballyshannon support, before our captain, Peter Boyle, in his final year at under 21, lifted the trophy, our first at this grade since 2013.
In an appropriate and touching conclusion to the presentations Peter made reference to the passing of our club President and said simply, ‘This one’s for the Natch’.
A full match report and pictures are now up on aodhruadh.org, and there is also pictures from Ronan Matthews up on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page.
Huge congratulations to the team, mentors and management.
Good luck to the Coláiste Cholmcille under 19 and a half team who take on Holy Cross Strabane in the O’Doherty Shield Final this Friday.
The Bord na nÓg AGM took place on Sunday last with a good attendance present.
The following appointments were made. Chairman: Shane Toolan; Secretary: Tracey Flood; Under 6 management: Niall McCready; Under 8 management: John Hughes; Under 10 management: Packie McGrath and Ken Roper; Under 12 management: Martin McGlynn and Peter Gallagher; Under 14 and Under 13 management: Peter McKenna ; Under 16 management: Raymie Granaghan and Alan Sweeny; Minor management: Left over until first meeting of new committee.
We would encourage parents in particular, to get involved in Bord na nÓg throughout the year either in the committee or by helping out with lotto, transport, laundry, refreshments, umpiring or in any small way they can.
Yes we can
The next collection for Aodh Ruadh’s scrap metal fund raiser takes place on Saturday 7th December from 12 noon to 1pm.
ALL OTHER SCRAP METAL IS WELCOME AT THIS SESSION.
We hope to send away a load of scrap for recycling in the next few weeks so it’s a great opportunity to get rid of any unwanted scrap metal lying about the house or sheds before Christmas.
Contact John Rooney 086-2587793 or Kieran Drummond 086-2368295 for any information on this initiative.
Lotto
There was no winner of the €6,600 Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot last Sunday. The numbers drawn were 2, 3, 4, 6, 14 and 18.
In the lucky dip €20 each went to: James O’Donnell, Creevy; Martin Gallagher, Kilbarron; Fiona O’Donnell, Foyagh; Margaret McCauley, Mulleek; and Declan O’Mahoney, Tinakill, Laois. Next draw is in The Bridgend Bar on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The jackpot is €6,700 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.