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Welcome to Aodh Ruadh

18 February 2024

Introducing the Club 250 Draw
We are calling on all Aodh Ruadh supporters, players, former players, families and friends, whether at home or abroad, to sign up to our Club 250 Draw. This is a mega 12 month draw with over €15,000 in prizes to be won. There will be monthly draws with a first prize of €1,000, a €300 second prize and a €200 third prize. We will also have a monthly special prize up for grabs.
All funds raised will go towards the development of Gaelic Games in Ballyshannon and the surrounding area, helping us to invest in all our teams, coaching and facilities. Our target is to have at least 250 entrants in the Club 250 Draw at €5.75 per week, €25 per month or €75 per quarter. The first of the 12 monthly draws will take place on Saturday, 5th April.
You can enter now online at the Aodh Ruadh Klubfunder.com page where we have a choice of monthly, quarterly or a one-off payments. Cards are also available for sign-up from club officers and sub-committee officers.

Support Aodh Ruadh in the Lidl LGFA promotion
The Lidl LGFA promotion has commenced and this year it sees clubs now in with a chance to win sets of jerseys and cash, depending on how many stamps are collected between now and 16th March. With Aodh Ruadh entering two under 14 teams this year an extra set of jerseys would be very much appreciated! We ask that anyone who shops in Lidl go into the Lidl App and select the club via the in-app survey. This can be done by selecting Donegal and then Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon as your club, just be sure you select the correct option as there are two Aodh Ruadhs on the app! All stamps you collect will then go towards the club. Everyone's support is needed to get as much as we can for the club and your support is greatly appreciated!

Football
Aodh Ruadh underage training is returning and we look forward to welcoming back all our players. We especially welcome all new players who are getting involved for the first time. Membership can be paid online, with forms also available at training sessions. There will be a €3 charge for sessions taking place in the halls. All underage players are asked to bring their own ball to training with their name on it. These can be purchased from Ballyshannon Shoe Company. Gus Culkin will be in the halls on the first night of training with balls available for purchase.
The training schedule for teams are as follows:-
Under 6 (2019 and 2020). Training continues this Friday, running from 5pm to 5.45pm in the Mercy Hall at Coláiste Cholmcille. This training slot will move from 6pm to 6.45pm from Friday, 28th February. The managers of this team are Darren Drummond and Gerry McHale. Please text either Darren or Gerry to register your child's interest if he is a new-comer. Or alternatively, simply turn up on the first night.
Under 8 (2017 and 2018). Training continues this Friday from 6pm to 7pm in the New Hall at Coláiste Cholmcille. John Larkin is taking charge of this squad and you can contact him for further information.
Under 10 (2015 and 2016). Training continues this Friday from 7.15pm to 8.15pm in the New Hall at Coláiste Cholmcille.
Training schedules for our under 12, under 14, under 16 and under 18 teams will be communicated via the team WhatsApp groups. To be added to these groups, please contact the appropriate manager, details below:-
Under 12 - Philip O'Reilly (086-8955141)
Under 14 - Packie McGrath (087-9794696) and Liam Hassett (086-8262120)
Under 16 - Michael Ward (087-6169765)
Under 18 - Philip McLoone (086-4053008)

Ladies
Well done to Katie McGowan who was part of the minor squad who travelled to Mayo to take on Kerry and Mayo in two challenge games. It was great preparation for the girls ahead of their opening championship game against Derry this Saturday. Congratulations to Rachel Gillespie who lined out at wing forward in the Donegal under 16s draw against Derry in the championship at Owenbeg on Sunday. Well done to Cadhla Gillespie who was also on the panel.

Hurling
Hard luck to the County minors who lost out to a stronger Armagh panel in the Athletic Grounds on Saturday in the second round of the Ulster Developmental League. Aodh Ruadh were well represented by twinners, Oisín and Eoghan McCadden, Antoin Duffy, Jayden McGrath Clyne, Joe Gibbions and Daithi Sheerin.

Hurling
The deadline for orders on our online club shop at O'Reilly Sports has been extended to Tuesday, 18th February at 4pm. Delivery will take four to five weeks from closing date. Happy shopping!

Safeguarding
The first Safeguarding course takes place on Friday, 21 February in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh from 7pm to 10pm. Anyone who needs to attend, wants to refresh their knowledge, or who might have an interest in a mentoring role at some future date can register by messaging Club Secretary Louise Larkin at 087-3359695.

Scór
We are looking for people to represent Aodh Ruadh in Scór Sinsir this year. Scór aims to promote Irish culture and tradition in areas such as music and drama and we're hoping the club will be represented in as many disciplines as possible. It's open to any club member over the age of 17. The county final is scheduled for the 7th March in Glenfin. We are looking for acts to represent the club in the following categories:-
o Céilí Dancing / Set Dancing
o Solo Singing
o Recitation / Storytelling
o Ballad Group
o Instrumental Group
o Novelty Act
The deadline for entries is Monday, 24th February. If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, or if you have any queries, please contact Eamonn Martin Maguire at eamonnmartinmaguire@gmail.com.

So, you think you can do better?!
The county Referee Administrator is carrying out a recruitment campaign for new referees in both hurling and football for the coming year. We would ask any persons interested in refereeing at senior or underage level put their hand up as a matter of urgency especially now with the new rules coming on board. Send your details directly to: refereesadministrator.donegal@gaa.ie.

Little Shop of Horrors
Ballyshannon Musical Society proudly presents their production of the Little Shop of Horrors. This sci-fi smash musical has been devouring the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years! Performances run from Tuesday, 25th February to Saturday 1st March. Booking online at www.abbeycentre.ie.

CPR / AED course
One night, two and half hours of your time that could save someone's life. Aodh Ruadh has organised CPR/AED Irish Heart Foundation courses on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th February, at the modest cost of €10. The unsubsidised cost of this course, which is certified by the HSA and nationally recognised, can be as much as €100. This will also be a refresher course for anyone who did the course last year. There is roughly a 70 percent chance you will be in a situation where a loved one or friend will need life saving CPR/AED in the precious few moments before an emergency ambulance service can arrive. To book, pay through Aodh Ruadh Klubfunder page under general payments and leave a note CPR/AED and then send a screenshot of the payment to Chris Kelly on 086-8813553. We are encouraging at least one coach from each age group to register.
There are also places available on the more comprehensive PHECC First Aid Responders course for coaches in the club. This course will be 18 hours in total over six nights and will cover first aid principles, patient assessment, cardiac CFR, managing common medical emergencies, and injury management. This course is recognised by the HSA for first aid in the work place. This costs €50 and incorporates the CPR/AED module as well. The unsubsidised cost of this course can be as much as €320.

Club membership
We ask all club members to make arrangements for their 2025 club registration ahead of the new season. Once again, we are using the official GAA online platform, Foireann, as the primary channel for processing club membership. To obtain or renew membership go online to foireann.ie, and your membership status will be displayed on the dashboard after you login, with the option to register, if you have not yet paid your membership for 2025. Anyone running into problems with Foireann can contact the club Secretary, Louise Larkin, for assistance. Alternatively, membership can also be paid to Gerry Ferguson at Ferguson's Jewellers. All players, without exception, must be signed up club members prior to the commencement of training. Non members are not covered by the GAA's injury insurance scheme and cannot line out for the club. Adult members will receive first priority for the club's allocation of Ulster or All-Ireland final tickets in the event of Donegal contesting these deciders. Only adult members registered by 31st March may vote at the club AGM.

Last one standing
We had a mass exodus from the competition with over half the participants dropping out this weekend. The draw between Galway and Derry and Dublin's big win in the Kingdom were the main culprits. Roughly 80 players now march on to week four of the competition.

Ballyshannon Bingo
Rita McGullion was the big winner at last week's bingo, taking our Jackpot home to Belleek, as well as sharing the €100 house in game 6 with Tracey Singh. The €1,000 winter Snowball went unclaimed so will be played on 47 numbers this week. Our other house winners were Gerard Kane, Martin Travers, Mary B Kerrigan and Kathleen McGrory (shared), Ursula Williamson, Marie Ward and Regina Dolan (shared), Eileen McIntyre, Jude Rooney, Majella Gethins and Tracey Campbell and Tracey Gallagher (shared). The €50 lines were won by Molly Kerrigan and Mary Travers (shared), and Mary Cleary, with the other lines won by Marion McGloin, Sonya Kelly, Ellen Maguire, Madeline Gibbions, Antoinette McKinney, Paul Monaghan, Marie Gormley, David Perciville, Mary Alice Patton, Annmarie Greene, Eileen Maguire and Eamon Maguire. Kay Gilvarry was last one standing to scoop the €135 Stand Up prize, and our half time free book draw had Anthony Mulhern and Molly Kerrigan as the winners. We do it all again this Tuesday at the Abbey Centre where again we have €2,900 to play for, including €1,000 Snowball, €500 50/50 Jackpot and €330 Lucky Numbers game. Doors open 7.45pm for eyes down at 8.30. A great night with books only €10, spread the word and come along!

Last modified: Monday, 17 February 2025 at 8:06pm

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