Club Notes Archive - 2013

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DECEMBER

3 December

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.

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.

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10 December

Club AGM
Aodh Ruadh CLG held its AGM on Sunday 8th December in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. There was an attendance of almost 60 present for what was a constructive and positive AGM. Probably the highlight of the afternoon came with the humble words spoken by Owen Roe O'Neill on his election as club president, following in the footsteps of Jim 'The Natch' Gallagher. The following officers were appointed:

Patrons: Father Ó Fearraigh and Father McManus
President: Owen Roe O'Neill
Vice Presidents: Peter Conlon, PJ Buggy, Jackie McDermott, John Murphy, John Magee and Michael McLoone.
Chairperson: Diarmaid Keon
Vice-Chairperson: Tom Daly
Secretary: Emma Gaughan
Assistant Secretaries: Betty McIntyre, Mary Matthews and Barry Ward
Treasurer: Catherine McKee
Assistant Treasurer: Sean O'Mahoney
PRO: John Hughes
Oifigeach na Gaeilge/Scór: Left over to first meeting of new committee
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Officer: Gerard Ferguson
Child Protection Officer: John Travers
Director of Coaching: Shane Ward

Also voted onto the club committee were: Mary Grimes, Chris Kelly, John Magee, Dinny Loughlin, Pat Malaniff, Mike Lynch, Mick McGrath, Peter Gallagher, David McLoone, Sylvester Maguire, John Keon, Stephen Ward, Raymond Granaghan, Peter Horan and Michael Ayres.

The motions progressed as follows.
Motion 1. That family membership be introduced PASSED.

Jim 'The Natch' Gallagher
Our own John Travers has written a thoughtful obituary for the late Jim 'The Natch' Gallagher who was laid to rest recently. It was published in the Donegal Democrat last Thursday and we have reproduced it in full on aodhruadh.org.

Football
Congratulations to David McGurrin on his well-deserved player of the week award in Gaelic Life. Thanks to everyone who got behind the campaign and pushed him most convincingly across the line. On a related note the DVD of the under 21 B championship final victory is now brewing away and we hope to have it on Sham TV, if not on Tuesday, then by Wednesday at the latest. Thanks to Cathal Maguire for his camerawork.

Also, a reminder that as of 1 January 2014 mouth guards will be mandatory at all grades. Players will not be allowed to field without mouth guards so it is essential that all ensure they make themselves compliant with this rule at their earliest convenience. With Christmas coming up and this now a compulsory piece of kit for the footballers in your family, it might make a timely stocking filler. For those who wish to avail of the service, Eugene Loughlin (071-9851394) will provide personally fitted mouth guards at reduced rates for Aodh Ruadh club members.

Hurling
A date for your diary! The annual Juvenile Hurling quiz will take place in Owen Roe's on Thursday 19th December. This is always a great night craic with lots of raffle prizes and fun for all.

We wish Conal Gallagher well in his new role as secretary of the Donegal minor hurling board. The experience he'll bring to this position should benefit underage hurling in the county.

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. This Friday marks the end of our aluminium can recycling campaign. This campaign has run successfully for the last two years and we would like to thank all who have supported this campaign since its inception. Special thanks to the following businesses for their support Shannon's Corner, JR's, Seán Óg's, Kate's Kitchen, Café Beag, Pat's Bar, The Bridgend Bar, Paris Night Club and The Pantry for the last two years.

We are still collecting scrap metal for recycling to raise much needed funds for Aodh Ruadh and will continue to do so in 2014 any queries in relation to this campaign please contact John Rooney 086-2587793 or Kieran Drummond 086-2368295.

Kickabout for Colman
The second annual Kickabout for Colman takes place on Friday, 27th December. Sean Perry and guest stars will be calling the action as assorted Aodh Ruadh teams take on the Rest of the World (ROW). All proceeds from the day's activities will be divided among The Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Rock Hospital and Sheil Hospital Comfort Funds and The RNLI. The running order is as follows: Under 16 girls and boys @ 1.30pm, Hurlers v ROW @ 2.00pm, Ladies v ROW @ 2.30pm, Footballers v ROW @ 3.00pm. The winners of the final game will be presented with the beautiful Colman Kerr Memorial Trophy, which was inaugurated last year thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Kerr family. Also there on the day will be hot drinks, club merchandise, Aodh Ruadh's 2013 in pictures upstairs in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh, the video of last year's kickabout and various entertainments for the wee ones. Anyone willing to help with catering on the day is asked to contact Emma Gaughan or Tracey Flood ahead of time. This is where Aodh Ruadh comes together to remember a great club volunteer and do our small bit for those who could do with our help, so please come out on the day and support these good causes generously.

Big bad interactive fun quiz
The best excuse to get out of the house over Christmas is back! Aodh Ruadh are once again running their Big Bad Interactive YouTube Pub Quiz in Dicey Reilly's on Friday 27th December. Using the big screens in Dicey's there will be live action rounds on a comedy, advertising, music and what happens next. The emphasis is very much on fun, craic and having a much needed laugh in these recessionary times. We'll have big prizes on the night and some refreshing spot prizes to be won too. This is an important fund-raiser for the club at this time of year so we hope to see a good turnout. The action gets under way at 9pm, see you there!

Fight Night
A Fight Night meeting will be held in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh on Saturday 14th December at 7pm sharp. Aodh Ruadh will be taking on Aghyaran in early 2014 and we are gathering together our boxing team so anyone interested in pulling on the gloves for Ballyshannon will be especially welcome.

Get well soon
The club extend their best wishes for a speedy recovery to Jim Kane who sustained injuries requiring hospitalisation following a fall from a ladder at the Bridgend roundabout last Saturday. Our thoughts are with him at this time.

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17 December

Hurling
Kick off the Festive Season this Thursday as the Juvenile Hurlers host their annual table quiz in Owen Roes starting at 9.45pm. Karl Duggan is the quiz master and as always there will be plenty of craic on the night. There are loads of raffle prizes on offer which would make good Christmas presents. If you can't make the quiz contact any of the juvenile hurling committee members to get tickets for the raffle!

Aodh Ruadh Ladies Flying The Flag 'Down the County'
Our club was well represented last Friday night in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny for the Annual County Ladies Function and Presentations. Michael Naughton, the newly elected Chairman of the Ladies County Board welcomed everybody to the event. The girls sat down to a buffet dinner at 7pm and parents were welcomed later to the presentations. Naughton congratulated all the players on representing their county and on wearing the county jersey with such pride. Each player received a plaque in recognition of this. Aodh Ruadh was well represented by Maeve Liston at Minor; Orla Gillespie, Roise Keon and Megan McGee at under 16 and Briana Maher and Mary Flora Scott at under 14. Maeve picked up her Ulster Medal on the night along with her Joint Player of the Year Award. Meanwhile, Roise, under 16 captain, was awarded Player of the Year and Mary Flora was nominated Player's Player of the Year U14B. It was an enjoyable night for all our players and parents up, 'Through the Gap!' We have a few shots from the night's proceedings up on aodhruadh.org.

Park Committee AGM
The AGM of the Club's Park Development Committee was held on Sunday December 9th in association with the Club AGM. The out-going Officers were returned unanimously. Chair: Tom Daly; Secretary: Conal Gallagher; Treasurer: David McLoone; Assistant Secretary and Fixtures Booking: Peter Conlon; Bingo Treasurer: Cathal Gallagher.

A PowerPoint presentation was provided charting major progress in developing facilities in 2013 and the challenges ahead in 2014, particularly the upgrading of facilities at the Father Tierney Park. Achievements included the full floodlighting of the training field at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. This €40,000+ project was completed early in the year and has been a major boost to the games activity of the club. Progress was made in constructing a 640 metre fitness trail at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh which will be completed in the early part of 2014. 29 people from the general area were employed on community employment schemes and FÁS schemes, distributing in excess of half a million euro to the local economy and supporting work in other community organisations as well as Aodh Ruadh.

The 2014 priorities adopted at the AGM included completion of the fitness trail and construction of a green gymnasium, limited toilet facilities, and a hurling/rebound wall; All at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. The AGM also adopted the extensive works programme outlined for the Father Tierney Park. Activity and financial reports were unanimously adopted. The first meeting of the Park/Development Committee for the new season will take place in January. The works priorities at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh which have been pressed for by club sub-committees are totally dependent on the success of the planned fight night in February. The whole club is encouraged to support this venture to provide the funding required for materials.

Arrangements will also be discussed for the upcoming home Donegal games in the National Football League and National Hurling League and for the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the 1954 official opening of Father Tierney Park. The Park/Development Committee Officers will meet with all Aodh Ruadh team managers and appropriate sub-committee officers in early February to co-ordinate and approve the programme for use of the club's three playing fields, the De La Salle field and club changing rooms for training, coaching and games activities in 2014.

Due to the heavy burden of work on the existing committee officers, nominations are sought for the appointment of a PRO to service the Park/Development Committee to develop and maintain a portal for its activities on the club website, assist with match programme preparation, and events promotion including anniversary arrangements. Nominations please by 31 December 2013 to committee secretary, Conal Gallagher, Coolcholly, Ballyshannon.

Big bad interactive fun quiz
The best excuse to get out of the house over Christmas is back! Aodh Ruadh are once again running their Big Bad Interactive YouTube Pub Quiz in Dicey Reilly's on Friday 27th December. Using the big screens in Dicey's there will be live action rounds on a comedy, advertising, music, what happens next and a Vines observation round. The emphasis is very much on fun, craic and having a much needed laugh in these recessionary times. We'll have big prizes on the night and some refreshing spot prizes to be won too. This is an important fund-raiser for the club at this time of year so we hope to see a good turnout. The action gets under way at 9pm, see you there!

Yes We Can
Our last load of aluminium cans left Father Tierney Park last Friday to be recycled. We thank all the local community and local businesses who supported this campaign over the last two years. Your support is much appreciated, we are no longer taking aluminium cans at the park.

Scrap Metal Recycling
We are continuing to collect scrap metal for recycling in 2014, our recycling efforts help improve the environment and raise much needed funds for Aodh Ruadh. We hope that the local community will support our efforts with this recycling campaign, for any information contact John Rooney 086-2587793 or Kieran Drummond 086-2368295.

Shop local
We encourage all club members to keep it local at this time of year. Local businesses are generous in their backing for the club, and without their support Aodh Ruadh would be much diminished. On that note, the people at Local Hands have asked us to remind club members of the wide range of fine arts and crafts they produce, a unique touch of Ballyshannon which would make a great gift for even the most hard-to-buy-for person in your life.

Drink sensibly
We have published a leaflet produced by the Alcohol Forum on practical tips for making the most of the festive season on aodhruadh.org. It's a time of year when alcohol misuse can cause much misery, so please take a moment to consider the points in this leaflet.

GAA National Club Draw / Crannchur Náisiúnta na gClubanna
The GAA have launched a National Club Draw to help clubs with fund-raising. Croke Park have pulled together an array of prizes far beyond that which most clubs could hope to assemble themelves for such a draw. The prizes are listed below and I think you'll agree there are a right few crackers there. Clubs sell tickets for the draw and retain ALL proceeds. Aodh Ruadh are taking part in this initiative. Tickets are €10 each and are printed in books of 10. We have received an initial allocation of 50 books of tickets, but have the option to request further books should sales go well. Anyone who wants to buy a ticket or sell books is asked to contact either Diarmaid Keon or Emma Gaughan (0863039610) or email info@aodhruadh.org.The ticket stubs and all unsold tickets for each club must be returned to the GAA National Finance Office by Friday, 7th March 2014 together with a list of subscribers. The draw takes place on Monday, 17th March 2014 in Croke Park.

GAA National Club Draw Prizes

Trip to the 2014 International Rules series in Australia.
(2 persons. Match tickets, airline tickets and accommodation.)
The Ultimate Football package 2014.
(2 persons. All-Ireland Football Final tickets, All-Stars banquet & tour tickets to Boston.)
2 Corporate Box concert tickets with pre-concert hospitality in Croke Park in 2014.
Travel voucher to the value of €1,500.
All-Ireland Football Final package 2014.
(2 persons. Corporate Box tickets, corporate hospitality and 2 nights accommodation.)
All-Ireland Hurling Final package 2014.
(2 persons. Corporate Box tickets, corporate hospitality & 2 nights accommodation.)
Shopping voucher to the value of €1,000 at a retailer of your choice.
All-Ireland Football & Hurling Final package 2014.
(2 Premium tickets & overnight accommodation for both.)
2 Croke Park Premium concert tickets in 2014.
Trip to New York for St. Patrick's Day 2015.
(2 persons. Airline tickets & 3 nights accommodation.)

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24 December

Under 16 girls and boys @ 1.30pm
Hurlers v ROW @ 2.00pm - Anyone interested in fielding for the ROW hurlers contact Aidan Begley.
Ladies v ROW @ 2.30pm - Anyone interested in fielding for the ROW ladies contact Louise Foy.
Footballers v ROW @ 3.00pm - Anyone interested in fielding for the ROW footballers contact Sylvester Maguire or Simon Gillespie (nygaagdo@gmail.com).

All proceeds from the day's activities will be divided among The Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Rock Hospital and Sheil Hospital Comfort Funds and The RNLI. The winners of the final game will be presented with the beautiful Colman Kerr Memorial Trophy, which was inaugurated last year thanks to the kind sponsorship of the Kerr family. Once again we will have Farah Bogle on hand to lend a bit of wow factor to the anthem. Also there on the day will be hot drinks, club merchandise, Aodh Ruadh's 2013 in pictures upstairs in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh, the video of last year's kickabout, face painting and various entertainments for the wee ones. Anyone willing to help with catering on the day is asked to contact Emma Gaughan or Tracey Flood ahead of time. This is where Aodh Ruadh comes together to remember a great club volunteer and do our small bit for those who could do with our help, so please come out on the day and support these good causes generously.

Cash prize for big bad interactive fun quiz winners
The best excuse to get out of the house over Christmas is back. Aodh Ruadh are once again running their Big Bad Interactive YouTube Pub Quiz in Dicey Reilly's on Friday 27th December. And this time the winning team will claim a cash prize of €100! Using the big screens in Dicey's there will be live action rounds on a comedy, advertising, music, what happens next and a Vines observation round. The emphasis is very much on fun, craic and having a much needed laugh in these recessionary times. We'll have big prizes on the night and some refreshing spot prizes to be won too. This is an important fund-raiser for the club at this time of year so we hope to see a good turnout. The action gets under way at 9pm, see you there!

GAA National Club Draw / Crannchur Náisiúnta na gClubanna
The GAA have launched a National Club Draw to help clubs with fund-raising. Croke Park have pulled together an array of prizes far beyond that which most clubs could hope to assemble themselves for such a draw. The prizes are listed below and I think you'll agree there are a right few crackers there. Clubs sell tickets for the draw and retain ALL proceeds. Aodh Ruadh are taking part in this initiative. Tickets are €10 each and are printed in books of 10. We have received an initial allocation of 50 books of tickets, but have the option to request further books should sales go well. Anyone who wants to buy a ticket or sell books is asked to contact either Diarmaid Keon or Emma Gaughan (0863039610) or email info@aodhruadh.org.The ticket stubs and all unsold tickets for each club must be returned to the GAA National Finance Office by Friday, 7th March 2014 together with a list of subscribers. The draw takes place on Monday, 17th March 2014 in Croke Park.

GAA National Club Draw Prizes

Trip to the 2014 International Rules series in Australia.
(2 persons. Match tickets, airline tickets and accommodation.)
The Ultimate Football package 2014.
(2 persons. All-Ireland Football Final tickets, All-Stars banquet and tour tickets to Boston.)
2 Corporate Box concert tickets with pre-concert hospitality in Croke Park in 2014.
Travel voucher to the value of €1,500.
All-Ireland Football Final package 2014.
(2 persons. Corporate Box tickets, corporate hospitality and 2 nights accommodation.)
All-Ireland Hurling Final package 2014.
(2 persons. Corporate Box tickets, corporate hospitality and two nights accommodation.)
Shopping voucher to the value of €1,000 at a retailer of your choice.
All-Ireland Football and Hurling Final package 2014.
(2 Premium tickets and overnight accommodation for both.)
2 Croke Park Premium concert tickets in 2014.
Trip to New York for St. Patrick's Day 2015. (2 persons. Airline tickets and three nights accommodation.)

Nollaig shona
Aodh Ruadh wishes all associated with the club and everyone in the wider Ballyshannon community a happy, peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

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31 December

Kickabout for Colman
Thank you to all who played a part in the Kickabout for Colman on Sunday afternoon. The weather was not ideal, but to everyone, for laying out the pitch, making the sandwiches and the tea, videoing proceedings, the commentators and the players from all over, thank you for braving the conditions and giving your time for good causes: The Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Rock Hospital and Sheil Hospital Comfort Funds and The RNLI. We have pictures from the day's exertions up on aodhruadh.org.

Interactive Fun Quiz
Many thanks to all who supported the Big Bad Interactive Fun Quiz in Dicey Reilly's last Thursday, those who made up the 28 teams, collected papers, marked answers and sold the raffle. Congratulations to Marita Leonard's team who took the top prize of €100 after they were pulled out of the hat following a three way tie at the top of the leader board after eight fun-packed rounds.

Hurling
Congratulations to minor hurling manager Peter Horan and Ellen Cullen who got married on Saturday. We wish them a long and happy life together.

Well done to Tommy Gillespie, Ciaran Rami, Eugene Drummond, Jamie Brennan, Eddie Lynch and Oisín Rooney who were presented with their Ulster Shield medals in Ballybofey on Sunday night by county board chairman Sean Dunnion. Colm Kelly and Dónal Sweeny were also part of this squad. All of the lads except Tommy are underage again 2014. It's hoped that the lads will be part of the squad in 2014 as Donegal take part in the Ulster A Championship and Division 1 of the Ulster League. There are some pictures from the presentation on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page.

The Juvenile Hurling Presentation night will take place on Wednesday, 15th January 2014.

Scrap Metal Recycling
For 2014 we are recycling scrap metal to raise funds for Aodh Ruadh. There will be dates announced for collection of scrap metal during the year. Anyone who has any scrap metal to be recycled or wants any information in relation to this recycling campaign is asked to contact John Rooney on 0862587793 or Kieran Drummond 0862368295. We are no longer collecting aluminium cans for recycling - Thanks to all who supported that campaign.

Happy 2014
Aodh Ruadh wishes all associated with the club and everyone in the wider Ballyshannon community a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

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