Search the site >

Club Notes Archive - 2021

Notes navigaion

Click on a year to select a month.

Box. April
6 April

Give the ladies a lift with your Lidl shop
Massive thanks are due to everyone who has supported the Lidl club rebate initiative using the Lidl Plus app. We have secured three sets of jerseys and are close to securing some significant cash funding too. The scheme finishes this coming Sunday, so it would be great to have one last big final push. If you haven't already signed up, it works like this. You download the app on to your mobile phone, follow the prompts, and then select the club you want to support - in our case Aodh Ruadh Atha Seannaigh. Then whenever you spend over €30 in store and scan your Lidl Plus card you earn a stamp. Spend over €60 you earn two stamps, and so on. Collect six stamps and submit your completed stamp card by Sunday, April 11th. Users can submit multiple completed stamp cards.

Ballyshannon Bingo
Our special Easter Bunny Bingo went with a real bang last Friday. We had massive 37 different winners with a cool €3,000 going home in prizes! Congratulations to our house winners on the night: Conal Sweeny, Delores McDonagh, Lisa Coughlin, Michelle Bergin, Agnes Ryder, Michelle Oates, Louise Keegan, Grainne Hoey, Peggy O'Driscoll, Gail Matthews, Corena McCormack and Marion Matthews. The prize pot will be back over the €2,100 mark this coming Friday! Our €750 snowball survived and will rise to €800 next week. Once again we will be back broadcasting to the world from Bingo HQ via Zoom. If you haven't already played, you can find full details on the Ballyshannon Bingo Facebook page. Books are available to buy on our Klubfunder.com page right now. Remember, if you don't have access to a printer, Mary in A Novel Idea will be happy to print your book for a small fee.
Click this link to buy a SINGLE BOOK for €10.
Click this link to buy a DOUBLE BOOK for €15.
A reminder of the overhauled the delivery schedule for Ballyshannon Bingo books. They will be now be delivered in line with the following schedule:

  • All books bought before 3pm Wednesday will be emailed early on Thursday morning.
  • All books then bought up to 3pm Thursday will be emailed early Friday morning.
  • All books bought before noon on Friday will be emailed after lunch.
  • Remaining books sales by 3.30pm will be emailed by 6pm on Friday evening.

It is very important players enter the email address they need the book to be sent to. Late changes are problematic and we cannot guarantee they will be facilitated. Look forward to seeing you all again this Friday evening!

Upcoming coaching courses
Donegal Coaching workshop webinars for coaches continue this week. The goal of these webinars is to provide support to coaches for planning their sessions when they return to on-field activity, both football and hurling. This week's webinar takes place on Thursday, 8th April, at 8pm via Zoom. The focus of week one is under 11 and under 13 coaches and includes:

  • Return to play skills, games and activities
  • Coaching session framework for future sessions
  • Sample sessions for coaches to take home and use

Registration for week two is open now.

The programme wraps up next week with the spotlight on under 15s and under 17s. Registration links for those events will be posted in due course.

National Club Draw deadline
We need all draw tickets back, sold or unsold by this Friday April 9th. Thanks to all who have put in an effort. If you wish to have your tickets picked up from one of the local shops let Tom Daly, David McLoone or Michael Daly know and they will look after it. As there is a lot of work to be done to prepare for the actual draw your co-operation in returning tickets without delay would be greatly appreciated. Remember, you can still make a purchase online via our Klubfunder page

Return to play preparations
We are working on a programme to accommodate underage teams returning to training after April 26th, as announced by Government recently. The schedule will be available for next week's notes.

Supporting North West Hospice
A donation will be made from this coming week's lotto sales to North West Hospice in memory of our recently deceased Vice President, Alan Kane, and all those members of our club who have passed on in the past year. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Good luck Brian
Best of luck to Brian Patton, who has departed for Syria on peace-keeping duties for six months. We will miss Brian's involvement with the hurlers this year, we wish him a safe trip and look forward to seeing him home again in a few months.

Garda vetting reminder
Our Children's Officer, Paul Tuohy, reminds all club members involved with the club's teams in any capacity that they must complete their Garda Vetting as soon as possible in order to be permitted to undertake their role in 2021. The vetting system has now gone online and is more streamlined. It can be accessed at gaa.flowforma.com. Two forms of identification are requested during the vetting process. People can either scan and upload direct their documentation directly or they can take a picture on their phone and send this to Paul Tuohy or Lisa McTernan, who will then process this as appropriate. If you have any other issues or would like assistance, please contact an executive member of your relevant sub-committee.

Back to the top Back to top.
13 April

Membership deadline extended
We have been informed that the GAA have extended their club membership deadline to May 31st. This is welcome news, however we continue to encourage all players to pay their membership as soon as possible. The club does not permit non-members to participate in any form of on-field activity, and this includes training. Membership can be paid online at our Klubfunder page.

Ballyshannon Bingo
We had another great night of bingo last Friday with 35 different winners and €2,250 going home in prizes! Congratulations to our house winners on the night: Martina Hennessy, Colin Doogan, Ashley Cox, Mary McShea, Grainne Hoey, Áine McMahon, Tanya Dunne, Bridie Killalea, Ailish Ward, Geraldine O'Mahoney, Shauna Hastings, Ann McGlinchey and Niall Murray. The prize pot will be a whopping €3,850 this coming Friday with a jackpot prize of €500! Our €800 snowball survived and will rise to €850 next week on 46 numbers. Once again we will be back broadcasting to the world from Bingo HQ via Zoom at our new time of 8.30pm. There will be single line, double line and house prizes on all games. If you haven't already played, you can find full details on the Ballyshannon Bingo Facebook page. Books are available to buy on our Klubfunder.com page right now. Remember, if you don't have access to a printer, Mary in A Novel Idea will be happy to print your book for a small fee.
Click this link to buy a SINGLE BOOK for €10.
Click this link to buy a DOUBLE BOOK for €15.
Please note, we have revamped the delivery schedule for Ballyshannon Bingo books as follows:

  • Books bought by 4pm on Wednesday will be emailed by lunchtime Thursday.
  • Books then bought by 8am on Friday morning will be emailed before lunchtime on Friday.
  • Books bought by Friday's final 4pm deadline will be emailed before 6pm on Friday.

It is very important players enter the email address they need the book to be sent to. Late changes are problematic and we cannot guarantee they will be facilitated. Look forward to seeing you all again this Friday evening!

National Club Draw deadline
Sold or unsold we need all draw tickets returned by this Friday as we want to proceed with the local element of the draw as soon as possible. Please make returns to Tom Daly, David McLoone or Michael Daly. A pick up at any of the local shops can also be arranged via text with any member of the draw co-ordination team. Remember, you can still make a purchase online via our Klubfunder page

Return to play
With the welcome news that underage players can return to training in the week commencing Monday April 26th a schedule has been finalised for all underage teams in football, ladies football and hurling. This will be forwarded by the Park / Development Committee to the various club units over the course of the coming days.

Coaching course
Donegal Coaching workshop webinars for coaches conclude this week. These webinars provide support to coaches for planning their sessions when they return to on-field activity, both football and hurling. This week's webinar takes place on Thursday, 15th April, at 8pm via Zoom. The focus this week, the last in the programme, is on under 15 and under 17 coaches and includes:

  • Return to play skills, games and activities
  • Coaching session framework for future sessions
  • Sample sessions for coaches to take home and use

Registration for week three is open now.

Covid Restrictions
With the exception of the Walkway and Fitness Trail all club property remains out of bounds under current restrictions.

Juvenile Hurling
There is huge excitement building for our return to training, and we look forward to starting back with our younger hurlers on Sunday 2nd May at 11.45am. Any parents of children interested can contact John Larkin on 086-1076883 or Denis Daly on 086-3269550. Children born in the years 2016 will be under 5; 2015 and 2014 are under 7; And those born in 2012 and 2013 are under 9.

We have had small numbers in our under 11 group over the last couple of years. It is an age group we are keen to see up and running again. Can any parents of players who have played in the past born in 2011 or 2010 please contact John Larkin on 086-1076883. Any other players who have not played in the past are also welcome to join!

Our under 13, under 15 and under 17s coaches have been in contact with their squads through the whatsapp groups, and we are all looking forward to getting started again. Training will be starting again for these groups from Tuesday 27th April.

Cash for Clothes
A reminder that our main fund-raising for this year will be through our annual Cash For Clothes collection. Anyone doing a bit of spring cleaning of their wardrobes, we ask that you keep aside any clothes, shoes, bags, belts, etc. until we are in a position to run a Drop Off Day. You can contact any member of the Juvenile Hurling Committee for more info, or Chairperson John Larkin on 086-1076883.

Ladies
Huge thanks to everyone who supported the Lidl club rebate initiative using their Lidl Plus app over these past few weeks. We secured three sets of jerseys and a €2,000 cash bonus thanks to all of your efforts. Bualadh bos!

Supporting North West Hospice
Aodh Ruadh Chairman William Doogan and lotto committee representative, Catherine McKee presented a €500 cheque to Bernie McNeely and Eileen McIntyre of North West Hospice at last week's lotto draw. The donation was made in memory of our Vice-President Alan Kane and all deceased members of Aodh Ruadh in the last year. Many thanks to everyone who played the lotto last week and made this lovely gesture possible.

A big welcome back for Rock residents
On Easter Saturday Aodh Ruadh Chairman William Doogan and Lotto Committee representative Catherine McKee called into Ballyshannon community nursing home with some Easter treats. We had the Sheerin family to thank for putting on a magnificent show of traditional music on the day. All the staff and residents really enjoyed it. "It was great to see the Rock Home back functioning again with residents enjoying the revamped Unit, really part of Aodh Ruadh community on the Rock," said William.

Garda vetting reminder
Our Children's Officer, Paul Tuohy, reminds all club members involved with the club's teams in any capacity that they must complete their Garda Vetting as soon as possible in order to be permitted to undertake their role in 2021. The vetting system has now gone online and is more streamlined. It can be accessed at gaa.flowforma.com. Two forms of identification are requested during the vetting process. People can either scan and upload direct their documentation directly or they can take a picture on their phone and send this to Paul Tuohy or Lisa McTernan, who will then process this as appropriate. If you have any other issues or would like assistance, please contact an executive member of your relevant sub-committee.

Back to the top Back to top.
20 April

Ballyshannon Bingo
Last Friday marked our tenth edition of Ballyshannon Bingo online. It's been a new experience, but I think it's fair to say it's been enjoyable too. We had 35 prizes on the night with 32 different winners with €2,200 going home in prizes! Val Murray celebrated his birthday with mother Jean who won double line prizes! Well done also to our own Eleanor Rooney who took home the €500 jackpot. Our other house winners included Gale Matthews, Joan Keaveney, Sheena Newell, Jenny Lowden, John Meehan, Monica Quinn, Avril O'Brien, Anthony Reynolds and Lesley Lynch. We have a heavy prize pot again this week, weighing in at a whopping €3,000. Our €850 snowball survived once again and it will rise to €900 next week on 46 numbers. It has to go soon! Once again we will be back broadcasting to the world from Bingo HQ via Zoom at our new time of 8.30pm. There will be single line, double line and house prizes on all games. If you haven't already played, you can find full details on the Ballyshannon Bingo Facebook page. Books are available to buy on our Klubfunder.com page right now. Remember, if you don't have access to a printer, Mary in A Novel Idea will be happy to print your book for a small fee.
Click this link to buy a SINGLE BOOK for €10.
Click this link to buy a DOUBLE BOOK for €15.
Please note, we have revamped the delivery schedule for Ballyshannon Bingo books as follows:

  • Books bought by 4pm on Wednesday will be emailed by lunchtime Thursday.
  • Books then bought by 8am on Friday morning will be emailed before lunchtime on Friday.
  • Books bought by Friday's final 4pm deadline will be emailed before 6pm on Friday.

It is very important players enter the email address they need the book to be sent to. Late changes are problematic and we cannot guarantee they will be facilitated. Look forward to seeing you all again this Friday evening!

Poker nite
After the great banter we had in March we're back for another night of poker craic this Saturday. The game format on the night will be as follows:

• Entry is €30. Sign up at klubfunder.com.
• START TIME 8PM SHARP.
• Game locks 8.15pm
• 10,000 chips
• Starting blinds 15/30.
• No buybacks.
• Limited Quantity Available!

The game on the night will be played on Pokerstars with play money. Winnings will be paid out via bank transfer or cash if requested. Once you have registered we will be in touch via email with details on how to install Pokerstars and join our private game.

In summary you need to:
1. Install Pokerstars app (Mac, PC, iOS, Android)
2. Register an account on Pokerstars (This is FREE, no need to add money to your account)
3. Join Home Game
REGISTRATION CLOSES 5PM ON SATURDAY. Looking forward to seeing what you've all got on the night!

Aodh Ruadh 2021 Golf Classic
The club are hosting a Golf Classic in Bundoran Golf Club on Friday, 11th June. Tee Times are available from 8am to 5pm and can be booked through the golf club on 071-9841302. Entry is €120 per team. We have eight team prizes, as well as prizes for the longest male and female drives, and nearest the pin. Up for grabs are fourballs at Ballyliffin, Murvagh and Slieve Russell; four golf bags, golf shoes, golf hats, plus loads more prizes. To obtain a tee sponsorship contact William on 087-2799855.

Return to play
We have 30 weekly training sessions scheduled for our under-age teams, effective from the return to play arrangements approved by Government and the GAA in the context of the Covid pandemic. We have had to make some minor adjustments to some of the planned times to take account of very detailed requirements set out in a communication from Croke Park at the weekend. We have set out to meet all of the requests from the management of all of our underage teams in ladies football, hurling and boys football. Team managers and the respective club units will provide the detailed arrangements to parents in terms of timing, Covid preparations, etc. In order to facilitate all codes and teams in a fair way, and to leave space for the return to training of adult teams at a later stage, we have to emphasise how important it is to come to our grounds at the specified time and for sessions to also finish on time.

Membership deadline extended
We remind members that the GAA have extended their club membership deadline to May 31st. We continue to encourage all players to pay their membership as soon as possible. The club does not permit non-members to participate in any form of on-field activity, and this includes training. Membership can be paid online at our Klubfunder page.

Local and National Club Draw
We are getting a good response to our National Club Draw campaign. We need all tickets returned immediately, sold, partially sold or unsold. As this is a national draw all ticket stubs go back to Croke Park and each book of tickets whether sold or not must be accounted for. Text Tom Daly, David McLoone or Michael Daly and they will pick up returns without delay at any of the local shops. We will proceed quickly with the local draw for a great array of valuable prizes. All proceeds stay locally and are earmarked to help the funding of the new playing field at Father Tierney Park. Remember, you can still make a purchase online via our Klubfunder page

Covid-19 Club Education eLearning Module
We ask players, parents and guardians, team mentors and indeed anyone thinking of being in the environs of a GAA pitch in the next few months to complete the GAA's online Covid-19 Club Education eLearning Module. This eLearning module aims to inform those involved with GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association clubs on their roles and responsibilities for the safe resumption of Gaelic games activities. It is particularly aimed at Covid supervisors and officers, players, team personnel, and the parents and guardians of underage players. However, anyone present at training sessions or games should complete it to gain an understanding of the Safe Return Guidelines.

Ladies
We are all very excited about the return to training next Monday. Training schedules for teams are being finalised and all training will be at Father Tierney Park initially until the park closes for renovation works. If anyone has a young lady looking to get involved in football we'd love to have her along. Just contact Sarah Daly for more details on 083-8648342.

Garda vetting reminder
Our Children's Officer, Paul Tuohy, reminds all club members involved with the club's teams in any capacity that they must complete their Garda Vetting as soon as possible in order to be permitted to undertake their role in 2021. The vetting system has now gone online and is more streamlined. It can be accessed at gaa.flowforma.com. Two forms of identification are requested during the vetting process. People can either scan and upload direct their documentation directly or they can take a picture on their phone and send this to Paul Tuohy or Lisa McTernan, who will then process this as appropriate. If you have any other issues or would like assistance, please contact an executive member of your relevant sub-committee.

Back to the top Back to top.
27 April

Returning to play
It is with much delight that we prepare for the return of our underage players to the training field this week. Over the last number of weeks a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes by our three sub-committees, managers, coaches and park committee to ensure our return to training can run as smoothly as possible.

In general, only players and coaches of the relevant team should attend any training session. One parent or guardian per child (or per family if more than one child is attending from a particular family) is permitted to attend in a safeguarding or supervisory capacity involving any team in the under 18 or below age group, should they consider it necessary. However strict social distancing and public health guidelines should be adhered to at all times. In particular, it is important that parents do not congregate in groups before or after sessions, outside of what is permitted in current Government regulations.

Each team has a designated Covid Officer. Your completed Health Questionnaire should be sent to your team Covid Officer prior to return to training and then before each session your officer will send a reminder to complete the Return to Play on foireann.ie. Should anyone have any issues with the Foireann system, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa on 085-1061456.

Before a player can resume training, membership must be paid. This can be done via klubfunder.com or forms will also be available at the first training session next week.

Returning to work
Having been hampered by the loss of our workers at our grounds since the December lock-down, it was great to get some of them back to do the essential works needed to re-open for under age coaching which recommenced on Monday April 26th. Thanks to the guys who got through a lot of work in a short time. With a five month lay-off there is a lot of catching up to do on the maintenance side and this will be progressed over the coming weeks. Good luck to all of the young people who will grace our playing fields over the coming weeks.

Football
At long last our players can look forward to getting back out on the pitch. The training schedule for our returning teams is as follows:-
Under 5 and Under 7 - Friday, 6pm to 7pm @ Father Tierney Park.
Under 9 - Friday, 6.15pm to 7.15pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Main Pitch.
Under 11 - Monday, 6pm to 7pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch; Thursday, 6pm to 7pm @ Father Tierney Park.
Under 13 - Wednesday, 6.30pm to 7.30pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch.
Under 15 - Monday, 6.15pm to 7.15pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Main Pitch; Friday, 6.30pm to 7.30pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch.
Under 17 - Monday, 7.30pm to 8.30pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch; Friday, 4.30pm to 6pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Main Pitch.

Ladies
Needless to say, we are delighted to return to training this week. If anyone has a young lady looking to get involved in football we'd love to have her along. Just contact Sarah Daly for more details on 083-8648342. The training schedule for our returning teams is as follows:-
Under 6 and Under 8 - Tuesday, 5pm to 6pm @ Father Tierney Park.
Under 10 - Tuesday, 6.15pm to 7.15pm @Father Tierney Park.
Under 12 - Wednesday, 6pm to 7pm @ Father Tierney Park; Saturday, 11am to 12 noon @ Father Tierney Park.
Under 14 - Tuesday, 7.30pm to 8.30pm @ Father Tierney Park; Thursday, 7.30pm to 8.30pm @ Father Tierney Park.
Under 16 - Monday, 6pm to 7.15pm @ Father Tierney Park; Wednesday, 7.15pm to 8.30pm @ Father Tierney Park; Saturday, 9.15am to 10.30am @ Father Tierney Park.
Under 18 - Monday, 7.30pm to 8.30pm @ Father Tierney Park; Friday, 7.15pm to 8.30pm @ Father Tierney Park.

Hurling
There is huge excitement building for our return to training, and we look forward to starting back with our younger hurlers on Sunday 2nd May at 11.45am. Any parents of children interested can contact John Larkin on 086-1076883 or Denis Daly on 086-3269550. Children born in the years 2016 will be under 5; 2015 and 2014 are under 7; And those born in 2012 and 2013 are under 9.

We have had small numbers in our under 11 group over the last couple of years. It is an age group we are keen to see up and running again. Can any parents of players who have played in the past born in 2011 or 2010 please contact John Larkin on 086-1076883. Any other players who have not played in the past are also welcome to join!

Our under 13, under 15 and under 17s coaches have been in contact with their squads through the whatsapp groups, and we are all looking forward to getting started again. Training will be starting again for these groups from today, Tuesday 27th April. The full training schedule for our returning teams is as follows:-
Under 7 and Under 9 - Sunday, 11.45am to 12.45pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch.
Under 13 - Tuesday, 6.15pm to 7.15pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch; Sunday, 10.30am to 11.30am @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch.
Under 15 - Tuesday, 6.30pm to 7.30pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Main Pitch; Thursday, 6.15pm to 7.15pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch; Sunday, 11.30am to 12.30pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Main Pitch.
Under 17 - Tuesday, 5pm to 6pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch; Sunday, 12.45pm to 1.45pm @ Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh Top Pitch.

Local and National Club Draw wrapping up
We are closing sales this week and will do the Local Draw then. We are waiting final returns from a small number of people so please contact Tom Daly, David McLoone or Michael Daly as a matter of urgency. We have had the late return of some unsold books so there are some remaining tickets which can be purchased on line or by contacting any of the three main organisers. Thanks again to everyone who has helped so far.

Ballyshannon Bingo
It was another great Friday of Ballyshannon Bingo online with 30 different winners on the night with €2,200 going home in prizes! The €500 jackpot went to Marion Deacon, but the snowball prize of €900 continues to elude capture. Our other house winners included Rachel Gallagher, Liam McGinley, Jean Murray, Breege Newell, Joan Keaveney, Aine McMahon, Marie Ward, Elmarose Quigley, Josephine McDonagh and Lesley Lynch. We have a heavy prize pot again this week, weighing in at a whopping €3,200. Our €900 snowball survived once again and, thanks to our Bank Holiday Booster, it will rise to €1,000 next week on 47 numbers. It has to go soon! Once again we will be back broadcasting to the world from Bingo HQ via Zoom at our new time of 8.30pm. There will be single line, double line and house prizes on all games. If you haven't already played, you can find full details on the Ballyshannon Bingo Facebook page. Books are available to buy on our Klubfunder.com page right now. Remember, if you don't have access to a printer, Mary in A Novel Idea will be happy to print your book for a small fee.
Click this link to buy a SINGLE BOOK for €10.
Click this link to buy a DOUBLE BOOK for €15.
Please note, we have revamped the delivery schedule for Ballyshannon Bingo books as follows:

  • Books bought by 4pm on Wednesday will be emailed by lunchtime Thursday.
  • Books then bought by 8am on Friday morning will be emailed before lunchtime on Friday.
  • Books bought by Friday's final 4pm deadline will be emailed before 6pm on Friday.

It is very important players enter the email address they need the book to be sent to. Late changes are problematic and we cannot guarantee they will be facilitated. Look forward to seeing you all again this Friday evening!

Aodh Ruadh 2021 Golf Classic
The club are hosting a Golf Classic in Bundoran Golf Club on Friday, 11th June. Tee Times are available from 8am to 5pm and can be booked through the golf club on 071-9841302. Entry is €120 per team. We have eight team prizes, as well as prizes for the longest male and female drives, and nearest the pin. Up for grabs are fourballs at Ballyliffin, Murvagh and Slieve Russell; four golf bags, golf shoes, golf hats, plus loads more prizes. To obtain a tee sponsorship contact William on 087-2799855.

Best wishes
Bon voyage to Cian Dolan and Darren Gethins who are off on a six month tour of Lebanon with the Army. Also, the best of luck to John Rooney on his retirement from An Garda Síochána after 30 years of sterling service.

Covid-19 Club Education eLearning Module
We ask players, parents and guardians, team mentors and indeed anyone thinking of being in the environs of a GAA pitch in the next few months to complete the GAA's online Covid-19 Club Education eLearning Module. This eLearning module aims to inform those involved with GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association clubs on their roles and responsibilities for the safe resumption of Gaelic games activities. It is particularly aimed at Covid supervisors and officers, players, team personnel, and the parents and guardians of underage players. However, anyone present at training sessions or games should complete it to gain an understanding of the Safe Return Guidelines.

Back to the top Back to top.