Club Notes Archive - 2024

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December

3 December

Football
Father Tierney Park staged the county under 21 final between Four Masters and Glenswilly on Sunday. The pitch was in superb condition and a worthy setting for what proved a thrilling contest between two teams who delivered an action packed 60 minutes, with the Donegal town men just edging it at the end. Our thanks to everyone who helped on the day and represented the club so well. We have pictures from the game live now on aodhruadh.org.

Congratulations to Sean Taylor on his pivotal role in helping Coolera Strandhill to the Connacht title over the weekend, and the best of luck in the All-Ireland semi-final against Leinster champions Cuala in the New Year.

Aodh Ruadh Active Mornings
This Saturday sees us continue our series of Aodh Ruadh Active Mornings. Join us at the fitness trail at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh to run or walk and keep active in the run up to Christmas. All parents, guardians, and under 12 players are welcome from 12.15pm. We'll have tea and coffee available to keep you warm along the way!

Dates for your festive diary!
As usual come this time of year a number of our committees are running fun end of season fund-raisers. We would love to see these well supported over the festive season.
The Park / Development Committee are having a social evening this Christmas on Friday, 13th December at 9.30pm in Seán Óg's. There will be music from the superb Kevin Cassidy along with the traditional Christmas Hamper Draw. If you can't make it on the night you can pre-purchase your raffle tickets in Seán Óg's from any of the bar staff. Please note if you are in business and would like to contribute to the hamper please contact Peter Gallagher on 087-4454152.
The Aodh Ruadh senior ladies are staging a night at the races! Join our girls in the Bridgend Bar on Saturday, 14th December for a night of top quality racing action. Bets taken on the night with great prizes on the winning horses. On top of that there will be food on the night with a DJ putting everyone through their paces after the final race. It be a night of great laughs and craic for a super cause, so don't miss it!
Then on Friday, 27th December it's time to dig your vintage gear for the legendary Up Da Yard night where at Dicey Reilly's. We'll be replaying the greatest hits from not-to-be-forgotten nights at the Millstone back in the day. Proceeds from this event go to support the work of Bórd na nÓg in promoting underage football in the club.

Sports first aid course
The club will be organising a Sport First Aid course in February 2025. The course will be around three hours over four evenings, 12 hours in total. It will be compulsory for at least one coach from each age group both boys and girls to attend. There will be €25 cost. Please keep an eye on club Facebook page, club notes and team WhatsApp groups for further details. If you are a coach and are interested please send Chris Kelly a text 086-8813553.

Suim agat sa Ghaeilge?
Interested in using your own level of Irish in a relaxed, enjoyable conversation group? Aodh Ruadh invite you to, GAEILGE DO GACH DUINE Dorrian's Hotel, Ballyshannon every Tuesday for six weeks. Starting Tuesday 12th November from 8.30pm to 9.45pm Free of charge. All levels of Irish welcome. Join in, listen, whatever you are comfortable with. Bain triail as, Beidh fáilte romhat.

Ballyshannon Bingo snowball continues to rise!
The Christmas Snowball rolls on to €1,300 and is in play on 53 numbers this week! Last week's Bingo saw Ellen Lawne take the jackpot prize on game 10, with the €100 house going to Antoinette McKinney in game six. It was her lucky night as she took home another house, as well as sharing in a line prize. The other house winners were Rosaleen O'Brien, Molly Ferguson, Lesley McNeely, Kay Kilvarrey, Anne Patterson, Teresa Campbell and Brendan Hoey. The €50 line winner was Ellen Maguire. The other line winners were Mary McGonigle, Marie Reynolds, Sarah McGuinness, Irene Anderson, Francis Murphy, Many Gibbions and Aine McManus and Rita Touhy (shared), Annmarie Greene, Leanne Patterson, Patricia Cox and Tina Gannon (shared), and Mary Travers. The free books were won by Teresa Campbell and Kathleen Keon. We go again this Tuesday with a huge prize fund of over €3,100. Doors open at the Abbey Centre at 7.45pm for eyes down at 8.30pm. Books only €10 so come along for great night of Christmassy craic!

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10 December

Dates for your festive diary!
As usual come this time of year a number of our committees are running fun end of season fund-raisers. We would love to see these well supported over the festive season.
The Park / Development Committee are having a social evening this Christmas on Friday at 9.30pm in Seán Óg's. There will be music from the superb Kevin Cassidy along with the traditional Christmas Hamper Draw. If you can't make it on the night you can pre-purchase your raffle tickets in Seán Óg's from any of the bar staff. Please note if you are in business and would like to contribute to the hamper please contact Peter Gallagher on 087-4454152.
The Aodh Ruadh senior ladies are staging a night at the races! Join our girls in the Bridgend Bar on Saturday for a night of top quality racing action. Bets taken on the night with great prizes on the winning horses. On top of that there will be food on the night with a DJ putting everyone through their paces after the final race. It be a night of great laughs and craic for a super cause, so don't miss it!
Then on Friday, 27th December it's time to dig your vintage gear for the legendary Up Da Yard night where at Dicey Reilly's. We'll be replaying the greatest hits from not-to-be-forgotten nights at the Millstone back in the day. Proceeds from this event go to support the work of Bórd na nÓg in promoting underage football in the club.

Ballyshannon Bingo snowball continues to rise!
We had a great night of craic and prizes at last Tuesday's Ballyshannon Bingo. Our Winter Snowball survived with Patrice Cox taking the €100 prize in that game, and rolls over for another week. It's in play for €1,400 on 54 numbers this Tuesday evening. Our Jackpot was won last Tuesday, with Jean Brolly taking the spoils. It wasn’t her only win on the night as she had a line winner too. The other house winners were Aby Gallagher, Margaret Meehan, Gerard Kelly, Madeleine Gibbions, Molly Ferguson, Marian Matthews and Marie Gallagher, with Christine Mulligan, Jean Murray, Bernadette Carr, Leslie McNeely all sharing a prize in game seven. Angela Gayes luck was in as she took the Stand-Up game prize, as well as a line. Our other line winners were Josie Lynch, Olivia Magee, Packie Johnston, Geraldine Kane, Breege Kelly and Brian Monaghan (shared), Teresa Campbell, Suzanne Cassidy, and Chrissie Roper. Mary Donagher took the €50 double line prize in game 10. Celine McGrath and Margaret Meehan won our free books for next week's bingo in our half time book draw. With our Winter Snowball now at €1,400, our prize fund is up to a cool €3,200 including the €500 50/50 Jackpot and €300 Lucky Numbers game. Bingo in the beautifully appointed Abbey Centre at the usual time of 8.30pm this Tuesday with doors open at 7.45pm. Books cost just €10! Come along a bring a friend for a great night of Christmas craic and prizes!

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17 December

County convention
Congratulations to David McLoone who was returned as Vice Chairman at the annual County Convention held in Pettigo last Thursday. David is a great ambassador for the club and represents his county in a very polished and professional manner. We are very proud to see him continuing a long Ballyshannon tradition of providing talented administrators for the county's highest offices.

Another point of interest from a Ballyshannon perspective at the county convention was the impact membership numbers had on ticket availability for the 2024 Ulster Final. Aodh Ruadh adult membership has fallen considerably since 2020 to the point where the club had just 200 registered adult members in 2024. As Ulster final tickets are distributed proportionately based on adult membership numbers, this meant Aodh Ruadh received an allocation which was nowhere near the number of ticket applications received by the club. With Michael Murphy back on board for 2025 and hopes high for another successful season, it is vital that we boost our adult membership figures in order to improve our ticket allocation for any big days Donegal may have in the coming year.

Football
Underage management teams were ratified at the most recent meeting of the Bord na nÓg committee. Management teams appointed were as follows: Under 6 - Darren Drummond and Gerry McHale; Under 8 - John Larkin; Under 10 - Barry Travers; Under 12 - Philip O'Reilly; Under 14 - Packie McGrath and Liam Hassett; Under 16 - Michael 'Sticky' Ward; Under 18 - Philip McLoone. We would like to wish the best of luck to all managers and back room teams for a successful 2025.

Ladies
A big well done to Jenna Britton on making the county under 14 team for 2025. The very best of luck in the season ahead.

Hurlers Christmas quiz
This Thursday, 19th December sees Owen Roe's playing host to one of the festive season's fund-raising fixtures, the Juvenile Hurling Christmas quiz. This is always a great night out with loads of fun and prizes. The questions start flying at 9.30pm and your support would be appreciated.

GOAL Mile walk
Aodh Ruadh are hosting the GOAL Mile walk once this Christmas. Get match fit for the festive onslaught with a few laps of Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh for a good cause. It takes place on Sunday, 22 December from 11am to 2pm in Munday's. We'll have the síopa open serving coffee, tea and treats to keep you going. ALL funds raised will go to disadvantaged people in some of the most vulnerable countries in Africa, the Middle East and South America. You can donate on the day or online at goalmile.org. More info on GOAL can be found at www.goalglobal.org.

Up Da Yard!
On Friday, 27th December it's time to dig your vintage gear for the legendary Up Da Yard night where at Dicey Reilly's. We'll be replaying the greatest hits from not-to-be-forgotten nights at the Millstone back in the day. Tickets are available now from underage managers, Bord na nÓg committee members and online at Klubfunder.com. Proceeds from this event go to support the work of Bórd na nÓg in promoting underage football in the club.

Seán Óg's social night
Our Christmas Hamper raffle and social outing in Seán Óg's on Friday night was a resounding success. Huge thanks to all who bought tickets, our many sponsors and those who attended on the night. A total of €1,255 was raised for The Park / Development Committee with proceeds slated to go towards putting amenity lighting on the Fitness Trail at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh which will benefit all club members and teams. A huge thanks to all at Sean Og's Ballyshannon and Kevin Cassidy for the great entertainment on the night. Our Hamper was won by Sharon Reynolds, our homemade Christmas Cake was won by John Rooney. Both prizes were donated by Colette Traynor. Other winners on the night: included Pauric Bromley, Johnny Gallagher, D Hughes, Brian Gillespie, Caroline Rooney, Rosaleen Branley, Tom Stewart and Shane Moore.

Coaching Corner
The Coaching Corner has updated with a great new resource by Michael Doherty; Early Years Football Games, Tips and Clips. This is a booklet of early years football games, tips and clips for coaches of nursery and Go-Games groups. It features over 40 games, coaching cues and tips, questions and progressions. Check it out on aodhruadh.org.

Dinner Dance 2025
Advance notice of our annual club Dinner Dance which will be taking place on Saturday, 8th February. We will be honouring our minor four-in-a-row county championship winning teams of 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981 on the night with our Under 21 hurling championship shield winners and Junior B Shield winning ladies receiving their medals.

Bumper Christmas Ballyshannon Bingo
Ballyshannon Bingo hold their big Christmas Bingo this Tuesday at the Abbey Centre. There is a whopping €3,500 in the pot to play for, with a €1,500 Snowball on 55 numbers, plus the €500 Jackpot has to be won on the night! A second Lucky Numbers game has been added and house prizes increased to €100 on two more games! Then we have a great spot prize giveaway, with shopping vouchers, meal vouchers, drinks, sweet treats, fuel, teddies and gifts all to be won! Thanks to all our local sponsors - please shop local this year when you can! We're in for a great night, please spread the word and come along! Books still only €10! Eyes down for 8.30pm. Last week's winners were Anthony Reynolds with the Jackpot, with Anne Gallagher taking the €100 game six house. The other houses were won by Nikita Mitchell, Caroline Finnerty, Molly Devine, Karen Halliday, Kathleen McGroary, Ann Granaghan, Eileen Keown and Aine Dawson. The €50 lines were won by Micelle Alonso and Caroline Roper. The other line winners were Mary Reynolds, Karen Gallagher, Marion Matthews, Chrissie Roper, Marie Reynolds, Marie Ward, Mary McGloin, Noelle Carr and Caroline Roper. The Stand-Up game was a bumper €170 prize, won by Celine McGrath.

No shame in asking for help
With Christmas nearly here, added to an already existing cost-of-living crisis, many people may be challenged in ways they have rarely been before, mostly due to circumstances beyond their control. The cost of oil and heating, groceries, some increases in mortgage repayments - it can be a lot for people to manage. No family should ever have to choose between food and heat. Many people are in the same boat - more than you might imagine. So, please get the help and guidance you need at this time of year, for your own sake and the sake of your family. Why suffer in silence when help is out there for you? Contact any of the numbers below - all of whom are awaiting your call to help, and who will help you in the strictest of confidence.
Saint Vincent De Paul Confidential: 087-6628833
MABS - Money Advice and Budgeting Service: 081-8072480
Credit Union: 071-99852288
If you happen to be comfortable, please consider supporting the 2024 Saint Vincent De Paul Appeal. All money raised locally will be spent locally. Share a little of what you have with those who have not.

Lotto hamper draw
Aodh Ruadh have teamed up with McCosker's Centra and Kernan's Spar to bring our loyal lotto players some seasonal cheer. Lotto tickets bought this week will be entered for a draw for four festive hampers filled with Yuletide goodies, with the draw taking place on Sunday, 22nd December.

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24 December

Football
Aodh Ruadh are pleased to announce that Jimmy Langan has been appointed senior manager for 2025. Langan brings extensive experience to the position having coached and managed teams for many years in Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. The Sligo native most recently managed his native club, Saint Molaise Gaels over the last nine years, bringing the team from Intermediate to Senior Championship Football and successive County Senior Championship Final appearances.
Speaking following his appointment Langan said, "I'm delighted to be taking up the Manager's role with Aodh Ruadh. It's a club that I have always admired and I am looking forward to working with the players, coaches, club committee and members".
Aodh Ruadh Club Chairman, Barry O'Neill said, "We are delighted to be securing a great manager in Jimmy Langan. He brings a wealth of experience to the position. Everybody at Aodh Ruadh, Ballyshannon will join me in extending Jimmy a warm welcome to our club. We wish Jimmy and the team the very best of success in the coming season."

Ladies
Congratulations to our own Katie McGowan who has been selected for the 2025 Donegal minor panel. Best of luck to Katie and the squad for the coming season.

Up Da Yard!
This Friday it's time to dig your vintage gear for the legendary Up Da Yard night where at Dicey Reilly's. We'll be replaying the greatest hits from not-to-be-forgotten nights at the Millstone back in the day. Tickets are available now from underage managers, Bord na nÓg committee members and online at Klubfunder.com. Proceeds from this event go to support the work of Bórd na nÓg in promoting underage football in the club.

Club Calendar
The 2025 Aodh Ruadh Calendar is now on sale and would make a smashing wee stocking filler! The calendar can be purchased at Kernan's Spar, A Novel Idea and Pearse O'Neill's shop.

Condolences
The club extends our sympathies to the Mahon Family on the recent passing of Esther Mahon, Erne Dale Heights. Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Juvenile Hurling Christmas quiz
The annual Juvenile Hurling Christmas quiz was a great success last Thursday. Many thanks to all who came out and supported it. A big shout out to Sinead Keown for the four beautiful Belleek Parian frames donated for our winners; Sylvester Maguire, Eamonn Martin Maguire, Paddy Kelly and John Hughes and to Owen Roe's for the bottles of vodka for the second placed team and to all our many generous raffle prize sponsors. A big thank you also to our quiz master, John Larkin and his assistant, Emma Gaughan. All in all, a great night's craic. The committee would like to wish all our volunteers, players and their families a very happy Christmas.

GOAL Mile walk
Unfortunately we had to take the decision to postpone the GOAL Mile walk tomorrow due to the adverse weather. Please spread the word. We will announce a rescheduled date in due course.

A night with the History Maker in Óg's
Seán Óg's will be the venue for Darts Exhibition with the History Maker, Brendan Dolan, on Friday 24th January 2025. Proceeds from what is sure to be a great night of top quality arrows will go to Aodh Ruadh Bord na nÓg. To play on the night go to the Seán Óg's Facebook page and drop them a message, but don't hang about because spaces are limited spaces. Sponsor cards will be available from Thursday in bar.

Last One Standing
The Juvenile Hurling Committee are delighted to run our ever popular, annual fund raiser thanks to the continued support of Liam Gallen at Mr G's. Test your football knowledge by picking a winning team for each of the seven rounds of the upcoming National League, the only catch is that you can only pick each team once! There's a prize fund of €250 to be won by the player or players that manage to correctly predict the winning teams right through to the finals and of course, the smugness of being the Last One Standing! Entry costs €10 and cards can be collected from Owen Roe's Bar or from any committee member and can be sent via WhatsApp or email - contact Orla Bannon on 086-8035316. Payment can be made in cash, via Revolut or Klubfunder.com. Get your entries in before Friday, 24th January and let the best one win!

A great night had by all at the Christmas Ballyshannon Bingo
What a terrific festive bingo we had on Tuesday 17th December, with the Christmas Bingo a giveaway of bigger cash games and great spot prizes! The hall was well packed with plenty of festive cheer, gear, tunes and fun! On the bingo side, Patricia O'Reilly won the €500 Jackpot. The €1,500 Snowball on 55 numbers was almost snatched, Sonia Kelly checking on 56 numbers to settle for the €100 prize instead. The other €100 house winners were Shirley Kelly, then a three-way share on the game nine house. The other house winners were Rosemary Treacy, Madeline Gibbions, Kay Kilvarry, Joe Kendell, Anne Darcy and Eilish Percival. The line winners were Mary McMahon, Molly Devine, Molly Kerrigan, Marian Matthews, Hugo Gilmartin, Sally Burrows and Patsy Meehan shared game six, Laurence McMenamin, Helen McMullin, Sharon McDonald, Regina Dolan, with Teresa McCaffrey and Angela Gaye sharing the Game 10 €50 double line. There was a whopper stand up game, with the €200 winning prize to Ellen Maguire, and €50 second place prize to Meme Joyce, Meme also taking a couple of spot prizes!. Free double books were won by Mary Donagher and Shirley Kelly.
We had some fabulous spot prizes, with Molly Ferguson winning the Ballyshannon Shoe Company Voucher for €75 to mark their 75 years in business. Dinner at Whoriskey's was won by Agnes Ryder and lunch at Dorrian's Hotel won by Teresa Campbell. Meme landed the Mr G's €50 decoration and Winnie the Pooh also found a new home for Christmas! As massive thank you to our prize sponsors, Walsh Butchers, Pillbox, Dorrian's Chemist, Maguires Chemists, Kernan's Spar, MCM Brands, the Abbey Garage, Bridgend Bar, Centra, the bingo team, and of course Culkin's, Whoriskey's, Dorrians and Mr G's.
The way Christmas falls this year, we take Christmas eve and New Years eve off, so the next bingo will be Tuesday 7th January, when of course we'll have that tantalising €1,600 Snowball on 56 numbers to get us out of the house as part of a €3,500 prize fund! In the meantime, all at Ballyshannon Bingo want to thank all our players for playing with us all year and we wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a happy and a - shout check! - prosperous New Year!

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. Special thoughts for our senior players who are away from home on peace-keeping duties at this time of year, Johnny Gethins, Niall Murray, Ryan Ayres, Jake Foley and Ronan Matthews.

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31 December

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