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Club Notes Archive - 2016

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Box. JANUARY
5 January

Ladies AGM
The Ladies AGM has once again been reconvened for this Sunday 10th January at 6pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. Ladies football is enjoying large numbers and some success in the club. However the coaching and administrative burden has fallen on a small number of dedicated shoulders. While we are getting great levels of participation the coaching and administrative manpower which allows that happen is just too small and is endangering our ability to sustain ladies football in the club. It is not fair to keep asking so much from the people already involved. It is important to understand that Ladies Football is governed by the LGFA which is a separate body to the GAA and our underage girls are not part of Bord na nÓg. This means we need our own committee and structures. Past players and parents are particularly asked to consider giving even a small part of their time to help us provide football for girls in Ballyshannon, be it on the committee, attending monthly County Board meetings, coaching, helping out with a team, on the lotto or in fund-raising. If you think you can help in whatever capacity email aodhruadhladies@gmail.com. Garda vetting, child protection course and fundamentals are being organised at the moment to facilitate those interested in getting involved in coaching roles.

Donegal v Cork match programme
Donegal play Cork in Division 1 of the National Football League in Father Tierney Park on Sunday, 7th February. The usual comprehensive match programme is being prepared. Each club committee member is asked to secure an advert and return with copy and payment to Tom Daly by January 20th. Rates are as follows. Quarter page: €35; Half page €60; and Full page: €120.

Coaching vacancy
An immediate vacancy exists on the Aodh Ruadh School's Coaching Programme for a coach. Anyone from the general area with the relevant skills set and who meets Community Employment Scheme (CES) criteria is asked to contact Tom Daly. Garda Vetting applies. Child protection training and support to undertake appropriate coaching courses and achieve relevant qualifications will be provided. CES criteria include a minimum of 12 months on the Live Register and being over 25-years-of-age. Male or female applicants welcome.

Restricted access to Aras Aoidh Ruaidh
During January refurbishment works will be undertaken at Aras Aoidh Ruaidh which will limit the use of the 2 changing rooms there, as well as the function room upstairs. Please check with Park / Development Committee officers before making any arrangements which will involve the use of the building during January.

Football
The Donegal under 21s were in action in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Saturday as they took on Sligo in the North West Cup. Niall Harley and Colm Kelly both made appearances from the bench as the hosts scored a 2-7 to 0-9 win in the opening game of the campaign.

Colman's Charity Kickabout
The club thanks all the players who played in the Colman Kerr charity games in such dreadful conditions on Bank Holiday Monday 28th December. Thanks to our match referees Raymie Granaghan and Shane Toolan. We would like to thank Deirdre, Cliodna and Oisin Kerr and the Donagher and Kerr families for their support on the day. Finally thanks to everyone who brought supplies and supported both charities on the day. Despite the conditions people were very generous and we were delighted to raise €1,400. This will be split evenly between GRASP and Hand in Hand. Pictured below are Cliodna Kerr speaking after the games, followed by winning captain Simon Gillespie receiving the trophy from Oisin Kerr.


Click for larger version.

Big Bad Interactive Fun Quiz
Many thanks to everyone who attended the Big Bad Interactive Fun Quiz in Dicey's Bank Holiday Monday 28th December. Thanks to our sponsors, Gerard Ferguson Jewellers, Mr G's, Stockhouse Furniture and Dicey Reilly's. Some 35 teams took part in a great night's craic which proved a big success. Also many thanks to John Hughes and Michael Liston who set the questions and provided IT support. Pictured below are the winning team of Niall McKee, Corey McDermott, Shane Drummond and Richard Gallagher.

Click for larger version.

GAA National Club Draw 2016
Tickets for the GAA National Club Draw are now on sale. These tickets have some great prizes on offer including a new Opel Corsa, trips to the 216 All-Stars, a €1,500 travel voucher, All-Ireland final corporate packages, All-Ireland final tickets and €1,000 shopping vouchers to name just a few. Tickets are €10 each are now on sale with club members. Revenues from all tickets sold by club members stay with Aodh Ruadh.

Abbey Centre Bingo
The New Year's Day bingo jackpot of €400 was won by Vincent Keown, Ballyshannon. There was no winner of snowball prize, so it now stands at €525 on 51 numbers or less. Bingo as usual this Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre. Books priced at just €10.

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12 January

One ticket, three draws
Aodh Ruadh members are out and about now selling tickets for the National GAA draw which takes place next month. The national draw offers a range of 15 super prizes including a new Opel Corsa, trips to the 2016 All-Stars, a €1,500 travel voucher, All-Ireland final corporate packages, All-Ireland final tickets and €1,000 shopping vouchers to name just a few. In addition each ticket will gain entry to the Donegal prize draw and the Aodh Ruadh prize draw giving you even more chances to win. The Donegal prizes are a €1,000 top prize with two €500 prizes and five €100 prizes on offer. Aodh Ruadh also has a €500 prize fund up for grabs. Donegal prizes are confined to the county with Aodh Ruadh prizes confined to tickets sold by club members. All ticket revenue sold by club members will be retained by Aodh Ruadh. Don't miss this great opportunity to win with tickets priced just €10 on sale now from all club members. Revenues from all tickets sold by club members stay with Aodh Ruadh. Those with ticket returns are asked to start submitting them to either Lisa McTernan or Gerard Ferguson as soon as possible as inputting the ticket numbers on the national online system is a fairly arduous task. Lisa can be contacted on 0862338636 to arrange returns. Please note, ALL tickets must be returned, whether sold or unsold.

Membership
That time of year again as we start the countdown to the GAA membership deadline of March 31st. The club will be hosting its first open registration session in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh on Saturday 30th January between 2pm and 4pm. We will also be doing registration sessions as teams head back into the halls for training. We are no longer taking registrations at Shannon's Corner and now is perhaps a good time to thank the indefatigable Mary Matthews and her helpers for all their hard work over the years providing this invaluable service for the club. We expect to have a new outlet to take registrations during business hours confirmed in the next few weeks, so keep an eye on notes for details of that.

Ladies
Aodh Ruadh Ladies AGM finally took place on Sunday evening and it was great to see some new faces. The Election of Board of Management took place and office holders for 2016 are as follows: Chairperson - Eoin O'Moore; Vice Chairperson - Patricia McShea-Hill; Secretary - Willie Scott; Treasurer - Teddy Kane; Assistant Treasurer - Karol Foley; PRO - Karol Foley; Assistant PRO - Lorna Matthews and Shelly Loughlin; County Representatives - Teddy Kane, Eoin O'Moore and Willie Scott; Joint Registrars - Siobhan McGarrigle and Linda Cline; Assistant Registrar -Gabby McGloin; Child Protection Officer - John Travers; Lotto Rota Organiser - Karol Foley; Assistant Lotto Rota Organiser - Sarah Patton. A big Thank You to everyone who has taken a role for the 2016 season and here's to some success this coming year. Aodh Ruadh abú!

Football
The Donegal under 21s were in action in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh once again on Saturday as they took on Fermanagh in the North West Cup. Niall Harley and Colm Kelly both started and did well, but unfortunately Donegal came up just short, losing on a scoreline of 2-4 to 0-9. We have some pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.

Donegal v Cork match programme
Donegal play Cork in Division 1 of the National Football League in Father Tierney Park on Sunday, 7th February. Copy and payment for NFL match programme adverts needs to be with Tom Daly by this weekend. Each club committee member is asked to source an advert. Rates are €35 for a quarter page; €60 for a half page; and €120 for a full page.

Development works
Scaffolding is being erected at Father Tierney Park to facilitate repairs and refurbishment works on Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. Restricted access to the building will be controlled by a temporary security fence. The upstairs section will not be immediately affected, but check in advance with Park Development Committee Officers if planning events there this month. Work has started this week on the construction of the hurling / rebound wall which is part of the final phase of development works at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.

Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was won by Patsy Dowd of Pettigo. There was no winner of snowball prize, so it now stands at a juicy €550 on 51 numbers or less. Bingo as usual this Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre. Books priced at just €10.

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19 January

Ballyshannon hosts All-Ireland semi-final
This Sunday, January 24th, the All-Ireland Club Junior Hurling Championship semi-final will take place at Father Tierney Park. The Ulster champions, Eoghan Rua from Coleraine will play Connacht Champions Sylane from Galway. The throw-in is at 2pm. All key Aodh Ruadh stewards are required at the Park for 12 noon and all other helpers on the day should be present by 12.30pm.

Take care during development works
Due to the All-Ireland semi-final, refurbishment works in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh have had to be delayed. However, refurbishment of changing rooms five and six will be progressed and these facilities will not be available for a few weeks. There is restricted access at Aras Aoidh Ruaidh and also at the hurling wall site in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh as development and refurbishment works are progressed. The areas within site security fencing should not be entered for now.

One ticket, three draws
Aodh Ruadh members are out and about now selling tickets for the National GAA draw which takes place next month. The national draw offers a range of 15 super prizes including a new Opel Corsa, trips to the 2016 All-Stars, a €1,500 travel voucher, All-Ireland final corporate packages, All-Ireland final tickets and €1,000 shopping vouchers to name just a few. In addition each ticket will gain entry to the Donegal prize draw and the Aodh Ruadh prize draw giving you even more chances to win. The Donegal prizes are a €1,000 top prize with two €500 prizes and five €100 prizes on offer. Aodh Ruadh also has a €500 prize fund up for grabs. Donegal prizes are confined to the county with Aodh Ruadh prizes confined to tickets sold by club members. All ticket revenue sold by club members will be retained by Aodh Ruadh. Don't miss this great opportunity to win with tickets priced just €10 on sale now from all club members. Revenues from all tickets sold by club members stay with Aodh Ruadh. Those with ticket returns are asked to start submitting them to either Lisa McTernan or Gerard Ferguson as soon as possible as inputting the ticket numbers on the national online system is a fairly arduous task. Lisa can be contacted on 0862338636 to arrange returns. Please note, ALL tickets must be returned, whether sold or unsold.

Well done Shane
Congratulations to our own Shane Toolan who was elected Donegal GAA Referees Administrator for 2016 on Monday evening. This is a very responsible position, but we can be sure Shane will bring his usual professionalism and enthusiasm to the post.

Membership
That time of year again as we start the countdown to the GAA membership deadline of March 31st. The club will be hosting its first open registration session in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh on Saturday 30th January between 2pm and 4pm. We will also be doing registration sessions as teams head back into the halls for training. We are now able to take registrations in Gerry Ferguson's Jewellers, so if the scheduling of registration sessions doesn't happen to suit you, remember you can register in Ferguson's Jewellers at any time.

Football
Congratulations to James O'Donnell and Peter Gallagher who have been named senior team managers for 2016. Congratulations also to Anthony Coughlan who takes the reins with the reserves for the coming season. We wish all concerned the very best for a successful 2016.

Peter Boyle started between the posts for Donegal against Fermanagh in the county's last game in the McKenna cup. Peter kept a clean sheet and performed well in an experimental Donegal set-up. We hope this is but the start of a long tenure for an excellent young player.

Indoor training will return on Friday 5th February. The 2016 Under 6s [Born 2010-2011] are in the Mercy Hall at Colaiste Cholmcille from 6pm to 7pm followed by the under 8s [Born 2008-2009] from 7pm to 8pm, also in the Mercy Hall. 2016 under 10s [Born 2006-2007] are training in the new hall at Colaiste Cholmcille from 6pm to 7pm. That session is followed by the 2016 under 12s [Born 2004-2005] from 7pm to 8pm, also in the new hall. There is a charge of €2 per head. Please bring your own water and wear runners as no other footwear allowed. Parents/Guardians are asked to please collect children promptly after their session is finished.

Ladies
The ladies committee are looking for parents to help us out with a few events in the next few weeks. We need some programme sellers for the Donegal v Cork game on Sunday 7th February. Please note, over 15s only can help. The ladies turn for the club lotto in Centra comes up again on Saturday 13th February and we need four people to help us out that day. If you can help with either of these events please contact Karol Foley on Facebook or e-mail aodhruadhladies@gmail.com for more details.

The first meeting of the incoming Ladies committee takes place next Tuesday at 7pm in Coláiste Cholmcille.

Aodh Ruadh hosted an under 16 ladies challenge game between Donegal and Sligo last Saturday. Donegal were very impressive, especially our own Briana Maher. County manager, Liam Skelly was well pleased with the pitch and hospitality of the club and the Donegal performance.

Scór
Aodh Ruadh took part in the Scór Sinear semi-finals in the Bluestack Centre in Drimarone on Saturday evening. The quiz team of Sylvester Maguire, Paddy Kelly, Eamon Martin Maguire and John Hughes came second and will progress to the county final in two weeks time in Glenswilly. Also on the night Eugene Perry delivered a magnificent rendition of Sam's For The Hills, but unfortunately failed to qualify from a very tough group. Many thanks to the Saint Naul's club who hosted a superb event and did a great job looking after all the competitors

Donegal v Cork match programme
Donegal play Cork in Division 1 of the National Football League in Father Tierney Park on Sunday, 7th February. The opportunity to take adverts in the match programme for this game will close this week. Each member of the Aodh Ruadh club committee has been asked to source an advert and get it, together with payment, to Tom Daly, Conal Gallagher or David McLoone this week.

Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh
Our Prunty pitch at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh has carried an inordinate number of games over the winter months including eight games in one 12 day period in December. This has included college, county board and inter-county games. Bookings for Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh will not be taken in the coming weeks to allow the surface some recovery time. A very small number of prior bookings will be honoured.

Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was shared between Majella Gettins, Ballyshannon and Michael McGarrigle of Ballintra. There was no winner of snowball prize, so it now stands at €575 on 51 numbers or less. Bingo as usual this Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre. Books priced at just €10.

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26 January

Monthly meetings
The first monthly meeting of the Aodh Ruadh executive for 2016 takes place on Thursday 28th January at 8.30pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. All committee members are asked to attend or forward apologies. Please remember to bring any National Draw tickets you have, sold or unsold as the deadline is fast approaching.

There will be a meeting of the Bord na nÓg committee on Wednesday at 9pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh

Time to get those National Draw tickets back
Aodh Ruadh members are out and about now selling tickets for the National GAA draw which takes place next month. The national draw offers a range of 15 super prizes including a new Opel Corsa, trips to the 2016 All-Stars, a €1,500 travel voucher, All-Ireland final corporate packages, All-Ireland final tickets and €1,000 shopping vouchers to name just a few. In addition each ticket will gain entry to the Donegal prize draw and the Aodh Ruadh prize draw giving you even more chances to win. The Donegal prizes are a €1,000 top prize with two €500 prizes and five €100 prizes on offer. Aodh Ruadh also has a €500 prize fund up for grabs. Donegal prizes are confined to the county with Aodh Ruadh prizes confined to tickets sold by club members. All ticket revenue sold by club members will be retained by Aodh Ruadh. Don't miss this great opportunity to win with tickets priced just €10 on sale now from all club members. Revenues from all tickets sold by club members stay with Aodh Ruadh. Those with ticket returns are asked to start submitting them to either Lisa McTernan or Gerard Ferguson as soon as possible as inputting the ticket numbers on the national online system is a fairly arduous task. Lisa can be contacted on 0862338636 to arrange returns. Please note, ALL tickets must be returned, whether sold or unsold.

Open registration session on Saturday
The club will be hosting its first open registration session of the year in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh on Saturday 30th January between 2pm and 4pm. National Draw tickets can also be returned at this session. We will also be doing registration sessions as teams head back into the halls for training. We are now able to take registrations in Gerry Ferguson's Jewellers, so if the scheduling of registration sessions doesn't happen to suit you, remember you can register in Ferguson's Jewellers at any time.

Club gear
Club gear will be available for sizing and ordering at this Saturday's registration session in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh on Saturday between 2pm and 4pm.

Football
Indoor training will return for under 10s and under 12s on Friday 5th February. Under 10s [Born 2006-2007] are training in the new hall at Coláiste Cholmcille from 6pm to 7pm. That session is followed by the 2016 under 12s [Born 2004-2005] from 7pm to 8pm, also in the new hall. There is a charge of €2 per head. Please bring your own water and wear runners as no other footwear allowed. Parents/Guardians are asked to please collect children promptly after their session is finished. The Mercy Hall is unavailable presently, so we are in the process of making alternative arrangements for the first few weeks of under 6 and under 8 training. Details of these will be in next week's notes.

Donegal v Cork match programme
Committee members who have not yet sourced an advert for the NFL match programme are asked to please bring their copy and payment to this Thursday night's club meeting. Rates are €120, €60 and €35 for page, half page and quarter page respectively.

Well done
Many thanks to the volunteers who ensured the big games at the weekend went off successfully. We hosted a senior inter-county challenge between Donegal and Westmeath in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Saturday, the hosts winning that one with a late goal. Then on Sunday Father Tierney Park staged the All-Ireland Club Junior Hurling Championship semi-final between Eoghan Rua and Sylane, the Derry champions emerging victorious in that one on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-4. We have pictures from both the senior inter-county challenge and the All-Ireland JHC semi-final up on aodhruadh.org

Works at Aras Aoidh Ruaidh and access to Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh
Building and improvement works at both grounds are continuing. Those areas within the safety fencing should not be accessed for now. Our Prunty pitch at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh has carried an inordinate number of games over the winter months including eight games in one 12 day period in December. This has included college, county board and inter-county games. Bookings for Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh will not be taken in the coming weeks to allow the surface some recovery time. A very small number of prior bookings will be honoured.

Scór
Best of luck to the Aodh Ruadh Scór Sinear Tráth na gCeist team who travel to Glenswilly this Saturday where they will take Glenfin, Fanad Gaels and Muff in the county final.

Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was won by Marian Matthews, Ballyshannon. There was no winner of the snowball prize, so it now stands at €600 on 51 numbers or less. It's Big Bingo time again with the January big bingo this Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre, with a massive €3,200 prize fund including the €1,000 jackpot game. Books priced at €15/€8, or get the book and a half deal for €20.

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