Club Notes Archive - 2018
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AUGUST
- 7 August
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Football
Aodh Ruadh left Letterkenny empty handed on Bank Holiday Monday after coming out on the wrong end of a 1-16 to 1-9 scoreline against Saint Eunan's.The next action for Aodh Ruadh's adult footballers is down for this Saturday 11th August when the reserves are due to play their postponed fixture against Gaoth Dobhair in Father Tierney Park at 6pm.
The minors drew with Glenfin 3-12 to 4-9 last Saturday in their last game of the round robin stages. The result saw them finish third in the group, a placing which ends their championship ambitions.
The under 14s open their championship campaign against Naomh Pádraig of Muff this Friday at 7pm in Father Tierney Park. We hope a good showing of Ballyshannon support can attend to get behind the boys.
Under 11 training continues on Mondays from 7pm to 8pm.
Under 10 training is back again this Friday at 7.15pm. A date for your dairies. We are travelling to Castlebar on Saturday 25th August.
Ladies
The Aodh Ruadh under 16s concluded their season with an enjoyable trip to Carryduff for a nine-a-side 16 team tournament. The Ballyshannon girls recorded a good win in their opening game over Clonduff, but lost out to Omagh and Ballymartin after hard fought games. The girls showed well with some quality defending and fine scoring in all their games. Thanks to Carryduff for the invitation to the tournament which was superbly run and a real credit to the club. Hopefully it is a tournament we will be able to attend regularly in the in the coming years. Thanks to the parents who travelled and supported, to Paddy Hughes for assisting on the day and to Seamie McPhelim for the transport. Thanks especially to the girls who travelled and represented the jersey with pride. The squad was Eilish Gallagher (captain), Ella Clancy, Kelly Eves, Síofra Hughes, Niamh Hughes, Laoise Kelly, Caoimhe Keon, Orla Keon, Sarah Jane Keon, Caoimhe McCauley, Tia McFarland, Caitlin McGarrigle, Katie McMullin and Leah Travers. Thanks to Paddy Kelly for his assistance across the course of the under 16 season. Finally a special thank you to Kathleen McGarrigle for taking care of dressing room duties this season.The under 14s take pride of place this week. This special bunch of girls put in a devastating performance to bridge a 14 year gap and bring the county title back to Ballyshannon. They defeated Killybegs on a 7-14 to 1-3 scoreline in Tir Chonaill Park, Donegal town. Defensively nothing much more could have been asked with the Fintra girls confined to one score from play. Up the other end Aodh Ruadh put together some fine passages of play and took advantage of most of the chances they created. Ballyshannon were well in command at half-time and stretched out the advantage over the course of the second half. The final whistle was met with great celebrations from the big Ballyshannon support present. When everyone was calmed down again captain Caoimhe Hughes O'Brien collected the trophy after making a gracious acceptance speech. Then it was back to the town for a good tour of beeping before a great spread of food up in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. The victory was a real squad performance and the Aodh Ruadh team which brought the trophy back to Erneside was Áine Hill; Ciara Caldwell, Grainne Maguire, Hannah Gallagher; Megan Kane, Lucy McGlynn, Annie Keon; Caoimhe Hughes O'Brien, Niamh Hughes; Evelyn Rose Gallagher, Aoibhínn McGarrigle, Emer O'Brien; Ciara Gillespie, Katie O'Brien, Shauna O'Mahoney; Rhianna Masterson Burrows, Fódhla Sheerin, Niamh McGloin, Niamh Irwin, Kelly Irwin, Eve Flood and Catherine Browne. The team's next outing will be the postponed Colman Kerr tournament.
The ladies county board have sent each club five cards to sell. There are 30 lines in each card with each line €5. The seller who sells a card will automatically get a county ladies jersey and those buying the lines will, when card is full be in a draw for a county ladies jersey, so each card will have two ladies jerseys up for grabs. Please contact Patricia Hill if you wish to buy a line or sell a card.
Hurling
The under 12s continued their good form as they made the long trip to Dungloe last Thursday to take on Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair. The boys have been improving every week and they had a good win on a 4-7 to 2-7 scoreline. They are at home this Thursday to Burt.The under 16s were in action in Father Tierney Park the same evening and they had a facile victory over Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair. They make the difficult trip to Burt on Thursday to take on a strong home side.
The Donegal under 14 Development Squad took part in a blitz in Father Tierney Park on Saturday where they recorded comprehensive wins over Sligo and Mayo. Aodh Ruadh formed the backbone of this squad with Aaron Cullen, Aaron Neilan, Danny Breen Brosnan, Ryan Keenaghan, Troy Killalea, Pauric Daly and Kyle McNulty all performing well. Well done to the lads and Denis Daly is who also involved in the management team.
Training for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon. All are welcome from 5 years upwards. For any information contact John Rooney on 086-2587793.
Think you know soccer?
The English Premiership season is almost upon us again and the senior and reserve footballers are challenging you to put your EPL knowledge to the test. You could win €500 in their Premiership Killers competition. It is €20 to enter and each competitor begins with three lives. Each week you select a team to win their match from the fixture list. If the team doesn't win, you lose a life. You can only select a team once. Each entrant is responsible for keeping a record of teams submitted. A team may be selected for you by the organising committee if you enter a team you have previously chosen. Entries for games on Saturday and Sunday must be submitted by 7pm on the preceding Friday. Entries for games on Tuesday and Wednesday must be submitted by 7pm on the preceding Monday. Failure to submit a team will result in the organising committee selecting a team for you. This will be the highest ranking team available in the league on that date. If a game is abandoned you will not lose a life and you will be able to select that team again should you wish to do so. You can enter by contacting any senior or reserve footballer, or through the entry cards in Pearse O'Neill's, The Bridgend, O'Donnell's Bar, Seán Ógs, and Spar.Big Bingo back at the Abbey Centre
Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was won by Teresa McCafferty of Ballintra. The stand up game prize of €130 was won by Teresa Campbell. The snowball had no winner and so rolls to €425 on 46 numbers or less. We are delighted to be returning to the newly refurbished Abbey Centre this Friday night. To mark the occasion we will be holding a big bingo, with a prize fund of €3,100 including a €1,000 jackpot which must be won!
- 14 August
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Football
The reserves played their postponed fixture with Gaoth Dobhair in Father Tierney Park on Saturday evening. The homesters had the better of things in the first half with a Darren Gethins goal and points from Anthony 'Waddle' Coughlan, Aidan Murray and Dylan Gallagher helping them to a two point lead at the interval. The Gaeltacht men upped the ante in the second half and despite points from Conal Sweeny, Ryan O'Brien, Dylan Gallagher and Cian Dolan the visitors managed to eke out a 1-10 to 1-8 win.This Sunday the seniors return to league action, with Kilcar the visitors to Father Tierney Park. The senior game throws-in at 3pm with the reserve curtain-raiser going off at 1.30pm.
Good luck to Val Murray, Packie McGrath, Kerry Ryan, Michael 'Sticky' Ward, Aidan Murray and the Donegal Masters who take on Dublin this Saturday in the All-Ireland semi-final in Lacken, Cavan at 3.30pm.
The under 14s open their championship campaign against Naomh Pádraig of Muff this Wednesday at 5.30pm in Father Tierney Park. We hope a good showing of Ballyshannon support can attend to get behind the boys.
Under 11 training continues on Mondays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Under 10 training continues this Friday at 7.15pm. A date for your dairies. We are travelling to Castlebar on Saturday 25th August.
Ladies
Training for the under 13 ladies commences this Wednesday at 6.30pm, and continues on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6.30pm. We wish the players and management team of Sandra Sheerin, Thomas O'Brien and Antoin McGloin the best of luck for the coming season.The ladies county board have sent each club five cards to sell. There are 30 lines in each card with each line €5. The seller who sells a card will automatically get a county ladies jersey and those buying the lines will, when card is full be in a draw for a county ladies jersey, so each card will have two ladies jerseys up for grabs. Please contact Patricia Hill if you wish to buy a line or sell a card.
Hurling
The under 12s made it two wins on the trot as they had a good win over Burt in Father Tierney Park on Thursday. It was a close game throughout as the lads came out on top, 3-2 to 2-1. They are at home again this Thursday against Four Masters.The under 16s made the long trip to Hibernian Park to take on Burt. Victories for Aodh Ruadh have been scarce at this venue over the years, but on Thursday the lads recorded a comprehensive win over the famed Inishowen lads. The Ballyshannon boys are unbeaten this season and are joint top of the table with Setanta and Saint Eunan's.
On Sunday the under 16s travelled to the Centre of Excellence in Convoy to play the finals of the Division 3 Derry League. Opposition on the day were Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair and Castledawson from Derry. The finals were played in a round robin format. We had a big victory over the Gaeltacht amalgamation in our opening game. Castledawson also defeated Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair so the meeting of ourselves and the Derry lads was a winner take all clash. Aodh Ruadh played really well in this game and the lads' ability to take points from all distances and angles proved the difference as we ran out worthy winners 0-18 to 0-5. Captain Senan Rooney accepted the cup from Donegal Hurling Board Chairman Jason Ewing. A couple of months ago it looked like we may not have had an under 16 team this year, but these lads have put in a huge effort so far this season. With a squad of 17 players it has been hard going, but they made their own bit of history on Sunday becoming the first Aodh Ruadh team to win a Derry League title.Training for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon. All are welcome from 5 years upwards. For any information contact John Rooney on 086-2587793.
All-Ireland Ladies semi-final
Father Tierney Park is the venue for the Ladies football All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-final between Tyrone and Sligo which takes place at 4pm this Saturday. The usual key stewards are required at the Park for 2.15 pm. Please confirm availability by text to Tom Daly. This is a high standard of football and a competitive game is expected.Schools Coaching Programme
There is a vacancy for a club coach on Community Employment Scheme arising from Stephen McGurrin's appointment as Games Development Administrator with Leitrim County Board. Text or mail Tom Daly for details. Training will be provided and duties will cover hurling, football and handball coaching in the schools in Aodh Ruadh club area.Big Bingo back at the Abbey Centre
We were delighted to bring the bingo back to the newly refurbished Abbey Centre last Friday. The €400 bingo jackpot was won by Marian Deegan of Belleek. The stand-up game prize of €205 was won by Alison McCrea of Ballintra. The snowball had no winner so rolls to €450 on 46 numbers or less. Bingo as usual this Friday at the Abbey Centre at 9pm, books cost just €10 with a €2,200 prize fund up for grabs.
- 21 August
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Football
Aodh Ruadh's sorry luck this season continued with defeat to Kilcar. A Shane McGrath goal helped Ballyshannon to a 1-3 to 0-5 half-time lead, but despite McGrath finishing on 2-1 it was the visitors who took the spoils on a scoreline of 3-14 to 2-6.The reserves fared no better, coming out on the wrong end of a 3-6 to 3-16 scoreline.
This Sunday the seniors have their penultimate league fixture, with Saint Michael's the visitors to Father Tierney Park. The senior game throws-in at 3pm with the reserve curtain-raiser going off at 1.30pm.
The Donegal masters played out a draw against the Dubs in Cavan last Saturday. Manager Val Murray's side had to overcome a half-time deficit, but with Michael 'Sticky' Ward in good scoring form and Packie McGrath and Kerry Ryan battling hard it was honours even at full time. Good luck to the lads in the the replay.
The under 14s opened their championship campaign with a 5-16 to 4-6 win over Muff on Wednesday evening. On Friday they made the long trip to Dungloe for their second game in Section 2. After a hard fought game the result went the way of the homesters on a 4-10 to 3-8 scoreline. The last game of the group stages sees the team on their travels once again, this time to Glenties on Friday where the game against Naomh Conaill throws-in at 7pm. A big showing of travelling support would be much appreciated.
There will be an under 11 (2008) blitz on Saturday September 1st in Cavan. Details to follow. Under 11 training continues on Mondays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Under 10 training will be Thursday evening this week at 7.15pm. The team hosted MacCumhaill's last Monday evening, playing two great challenge games. We are travelling to Castlebar this Saturday. Anyone who has not let us know if their child is going or not going this Saturday should let us know as soon as possible. Once we know numbers the price of the bus will be sent to all. Any parents or guardians who want to travel with us on bus should let us know. A packed lunch will be required. We will be meeting at 7am to leave at 7.15am. The next blitz is away to Ardara on Saturday September 8th.
Ladies
Minor training will commence this Wednesday at 7pm. Best of luck to the team and management for the coming season.Training for the under 13 ladies continues on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6.30pm.
The ladies county board have sent each club five cards to sell. There are 30 lines in each card with each line €5. The seller who sells a card will automatically get a county ladies jersey and those buying the lines will, when card is full be in a draw for a county ladies jersey, so each card will have two ladies jerseys up for grabs. Please contact Patricia Hill if you wish to buy a line or sell a card.
Hurling
It was a quiet week on the hurling fields with no games for our under 12s or 16s, but they are back in action this week. The under 12s are in the B League Final, details to be finalised. The under 16s face a difficult trip to Buncrana. Both games are on Thursday evening.This Saturday sees the final county development squad action with the All-Ireland Blitzes taking place. The under 14 Development Squad are in action in Abbotstown while the under 16s take part in the Peter O'Keefe tournament in Father Tierney Park. It's great to see that the Peter O'Keefe tournament has now got All-Ireland status a fitting tribute to our former club mate who was a tireless worker for hurling in the county and throughout the province. We have a lot of players involved in these squads which is great to see.
Well done to under 12 hurler Liam Doogan who took part in All-Ireland Community Games Long Puck in University of Limerick on Saturday. Liam had a great day and did very well.
Training for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon. All are welcome from 5 years upwards. For any information contact John Rooney on 086-2587793.
All-Ireland semi-final
Thanks to everyone who assisted with the arrangements for last Saturday’s All-Ireland Ladies Football semi-final which brought a good crowd of supporters to town. In the end Tyrone prevailed over an impressive Sligo team. This was an exciting game that went down to the wire and was brought to a wider audience through live streaming and TG4. Particular thanks to those who put in a lot of time last week in very poor weather to have the pitch and grounds at their best.Schools Coaching Programme
There is a vacancy for a club coach on Community Employment Scheme arising from Stephen McGurrin’s appointment as Games Development Administrator with Leitrim County Board. Text or mail Tom Daly for details. Training will be provided and duties will cover hurling, football and handball coaching in the schools in Aodh Ruadh club area.Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was won by Eileen Kyles of Belfast. The stand up game prize of €140 was won by Mary Kane of Laghey. The snowball had no winner so rolls to €475 on 46 numbers or less. Bingo as usual this Friday at the Abbey Centre at 9pm, books cost just €10 with a €2,200 prize fund up for grabs.
- 28 August
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Football
Aodh Ruadh's relegation from Division 1 was confirmed with a 0-4 to 3-13 defeat at the hands of Saint Michael's. It has been a luckless season for manager James O'Donnell and his back room team. Unavailability of players through injury fatally undermined Ballyshannon's prospects of making a go of the division. That said, the team have been competitive in the vast majority of their games and will look to the intermediate championship with a degree of quiet confidence.The reserves also lost out to the Dunfanghey men on a scoreline of 1-9 to 3-16.
This Saturday the seniors have their final fixture of the league, with a trip to Glenties to take on Naomh Conaill. The senior game throws-in at 7pm with the reserve curtain-raiser going off at 5.30pm.
The under 14s lost out by the slimmest of margins in Glenties last Friday in their last game of the group stages. The hosts prevailed on a scoreline of 2-9 to 2-8. That result meant there was a play-off between the sides to determine who finished second in the group in Dunkineely on Monday evening. The Ernesiders made no mistake at the second time of asking and ran out 4-8 to 2-5 winners.
Under 11 training continues on Mondays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. There may be an under 11 tournament in Cavan this Saturday if we have numbers. Details regarding this will be confirmed later in week.
Last Saturday saw the Aodh Ruadh under 10s travel to the Fionn Mulroy Memorial Blitz in Castlebar. Our 2008 lads, captained by Conor Grennan, were in a group with Castlebar Mitchell's, Claregalway, Trinty Gaels of Dublin and St Mary's Kiltoghert. The Ballyshannon lads won three games, just losing to St Mary's in the group stage. They then went on to play Claregalway in semi-final, losing out to them by one score. All the lads should be proud of doing so well, next year boys. Our 2009 boys, captained by Finn Doogan, were in a group with Castlebar Mitchell's, Claregalway, Trinity Gaels and Roscommon Gaels. The Ernesiders won three games and drew with Claregalway in the group stages. Their semi-final was against Trinity Gaels and the Donegal lads emerged victorious to book their place in the final against Claregalway. It was an end to end game with the lads giving it everything and winning out by four points in the end. Getting out of the group and winning the final took a real team performance from all 12 lads. This being Aofh Ruadh's third year in Castlebar it was great to win the cup. The cup was presented to team captain Finn Doogan and he in turn presented medals to all his team-mates.Thanks to all parents who travelled to Castlebar. Thanks also to Seamus, Paul, Nicholas, Andy, William and Niall who travelled on the day. The management and mentors were delighted with the result and proud of all the work the boys have put in this season. Under 10 training continues on Mondays and Fridays at 7.15pm. The next tournament for the team will be in Ardara on Saturday, 8th September.
Ladies
Our young footballers got great recognition at the underage county ladies presentation night in the Clanree Hotel last Friday. Caoimhe Hughes-O'Brien was named under 14 player of the year, Caoimhe Keon claimed the under 16 player of the year award and Briana Maher took the under 18 player of 9the year accolade. Fantastic achievements by three very committed young women. Well done also to the rest of the ladies who represented the club at county level, Lucy McGlynn, Katie O'Brien, Aoibheann McGarrigle, Aine Hill, Sarah Jane Keon, Eilish Gallagher, Caoimhe Keon, Caitlin McGarrigle, Cait Gillespie, and Anna Keon. We are very proud of all of you.Training for the under 13 ladies continues on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6.30pm. Under 13 fixtures are due to start on Saturday, 1st September. Aodh Ruadh will play in Division 3 and have a local derby to begin their campaign, a trip to Gaelic Park to take on Bundoran.
The ladies county board have sent each club five cards to sell. There are 30 lines in each card with each line €5. The seller who sells a card will automatically get a county ladies jersey and those buying the lines will, when card is full be in a draw for a county ladies jersey, so each card will have two ladies jerseys up for grabs. Please contact Patricia Hill if you wish to buy a line or sell a card.
Hurling
Our under 12s claimed the B league title in Father Tierney Park on Thursday last. The lads were up against Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair. It was a very close and exciting game played before a large and vocal home crowd, scores were at a premium and our young squad which contained a host of under 10s ran out winners on a 2-3 to 1-1 scoreline. Claiming this league title is a great achievement for this young squad.Seven All-Ireland medals came to Aodh Ruadh on Saturday last as the Donegal under 14 Development Squad won their All-Ireland blitz in Abbotstown, Dublin. They had big wins over Mayo, Sligo and Armagh before defeating Roscommon in the final and all the Aodh Ruadh lads featured prominently in all games. It's a great achievement for Donegal to win this title and it's particularly noteworthy for Aodh Ruadh who backboned this squad. Aodh Ruadh's representatives on the squad were Aaron Neilan who had the honour of captaining the team, Aaron Cullen, Ryan Keenaghan, Danny Breen Brosnan, Troy Killilea, Kyle McNulty and Pauric Daly. Aodh Ruadh undet 14 manager Denis Daly was part of the backroom team who masterminded this success.
On Saturday last we hosted the Peter O'Keefe under16 Tournament. This event began in 2011 to remember the late Peter O' eefe a former Aodh Ruadh member who was a tireless worker for underage hurling in the club, county and province. Over the years Aodh Juvenile Hurling Committee, Donegal Hurling Board and Ulster GAA have worked hard to have this tournament recognised at a National Level and we were delighted to learn this year that the Peter O'Keefe Tournament is now the third tier All-Ireland under 16 competition. It's a great honour for Peter's family, the Aodh Ruadh club and Donegal hurling to have an All-Ireland tournament based here. Saturday's tournament saw Mayo, Roscommon, Donegal and Armagh compete for the title. Following victories over Roscommon and Armagh, Donegal played Mayo in the final it was a thrilling affair which the Mayo men narrowly won on a 1-10 to 0-11 scoreline. Aodh Ruadh's sole representative on the squad was Senan Rooney who captained the squad.
The under 16s have a busy week ahead with important home games against Saint Eunan's on Tuesday evening and Setanta on Thursday evening, throw in for these games is 7pm and all support is welcome.
Training for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon. All are welcome from 5 years upwards. For any information contact John Rooney on 086-2587793.
Park/ Development Committee
With the assistance of a Local Improvement Scheme, and assisted by Cllr Barry O'Neill an excellent resurfacing project was completed on Monday on the car- parking area between our two grounds at Father Tierney Park and Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. Vehicle access to this area will be restricted for a few days, so there will be no entry until the traffic control cones are removed by the County Council.Fair play KJ
One of our most dedicated exiles, KJ Graham, was in the news last week. A police officer in Toronto, he was first on the scene at a shooting where the victim had an arterial bleed from their neck. KJ's quick action and first aid saved the man's life. KJ always follows the fortunes of his home club closely and while he may be missed on Erneside, our loss is certainly Canada's gain.Local link to All-Ireland Sunday
Eoghan Tinney from Salthill / Knocknacarra is a son of former Aodh Ruadh great, defender Ciarán Tinney from the county championship winning teams of 1986 and 1987. Eoghan is expected to line out for the Galway minors against Kerry in the All-Ireland final on Sunday at corner forward. He will be hoping to build on an impressive semi-final outing where he scored a goal against Meath.Abbey Centre Bingo
We had a great night of prizes last Friday with the bingo snowball of €475 won by Kevin O'Connor of Belleek checking on just 46 numbers. A new snowball game will start next week. The €400 bingo jackpot also went to Belleek, Agnes Ryder winning it. The stand up game prize of €140 was won by Finbar Torney. Molly Kerrigan of Belleek won the spot prize teddy and 'Minnie Winnie' along with €100. The August Big Bingo will be this Friday at the Abbey Centre at 9pm, books cost €15 or get the book and a half special for just €20. There'll be almost €3,000 in prizes up for grabs, including the €1,000 super jackpot which must be won!Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week's Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €2,600. The winning numbers drawn were 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 15. In the lucky dip €20 went to Ciara Larkin, Station Road; Gerry Quighley, Dunkineely; Elaine McLoone, Abbeylands; Patricia O'Reilly; and Packie McGrath, Creevy. Next draw is in The Bridgend Bar with a jackpot of €2,700 on Sunday at 8.30pm. Tickets are now available in the following outlets: Seán Óg's, O'Donnell's, Dicey Reilly's, The Limit, Pat's Bar, The Bridgend, Owen Roe's, Fin McCool's, The Lantern, McGinley's, Pearse O'Neill's, McCosker's Centra and Kernan's Spar and at the weekly bingo in the Abbey Centre. You have to be in it to win it!