Aodh Ruadh do the double at Willie Rogers
The under 12s wrapped up for 2009 with silverware in the A and B sections of the Willie Rogers tournament last Saturday. It was great weather for the tournament with teams from Bundoran, Fanad Gaels and Erne Gaels taking part.
Aodh Ruadh and Fanad Gaels managed to win through to the finals of both the A and B tournaments. The final of the B tournament saw Aodh Ruadh getting off to a great start a dominating for most of the match. Fanad Gaels staged a great comeback, but three late goals by captain Hannah Sheilds weren't enough to pull her side over the line and they lost by 3-5 to 4-1.
In the A final the drama was packed into the first half. Shane McGrath got Aodh Ruadh off to the perfect start with a point from the right after a good through ball. Aodh Ruadh registered a second point before Kieran Kelly followed up three minutes later driving over a great point from distance. As the half wore on Fanad came more into the match and their captain Conor Herrity, who had a fine match, notched up points in the eighth and ninth minutes to leave the minimum in the game as half time beckoned. However the northerners were hit with a sucker punch as Shane McGrath nipped in to poach a well struck goal to leave the half time score 1-3 to 0-2.
In the third quarter Fanad showed the strain of a long day's football as they were pummeled by a number of swinging Aodh Ruadh attacks. Philip Patton knocked over a point shortly after the restart and that was followed by a Jason Gallagher goal four minutes into the second half. Phillip Patton rifled to the net a minute to finish the game as contest. Fanad battled gamely for the remainder of the match, but to no avail.
Bord na nÓg chairman, Paddy Kelly, smoothly compered the prize giving, introducing Willie Roger's wife, Rene to present runners-up and winners medals. The winning Aodh Ruadh B captain was Naoise Patton, while captain of the Aodh Ruadh A side, Gavin McDaid, accepted the Willie Rogers trophy from Rene Rogers.
Aodh Ruadh would like to extend their sincere thanks to the participating teams, to those who officiated the matches, those who provided the refreshments, the stewards and to all those who gave of their time and effort to make the event such a success.
Many thanks to Brian Drummond for the pictures and video
