Aodh Ruadh hurlers take under 16 honours
The final of the Donegal under 16B championship was played in Tir Chonaill park, Donegal town on Monday night. It brought together Aodh Ruadh of Ballyshannon and Letterkenny's Saint Eunan's. On a splendid evening for hurling on a perfect pitch these two teams provided the large crowd with a very exciting and entertaining clash. The Ballyshannon men were quickly out of the blocks and got the first couple of points of the game before Saint Eunan's clawed their way into the game with a goal against the run of play. Aodh Ruadh sped up their hurling and got another few points before the Eunan's boys fought their way into the game with a goal and a point. The Letterkenny team were growing in confidence and were beginning to match the Ernesiders, before the boys in green and white notched over another few well-taken points to go two points up, but the game young Eunan's boys showed they were going to be no push-over by grabbing a goal before half time to go in leading 3-3 to Aodh Ruadh's 0-11.
Aodh Ruadh manager Kevin Loughlin gave his boys a stern talking to at half time and urged them to play more direct hurling and to cut out their short game. Ballyshannon were more direct this half and hit 1-2 shortly after the resumption but yet again Dan O'Connor's Letterkenny outfit showed great battling qualities and got a brace of good points. Another Ballyshannon goal had the boys thinking of winning the title, but the men from beyond the gap had other ideas and fought back and showed real never-say-die spirit before a late goal gave Aodh Ruadh a deserved 2-15 to 3-8 win over a very pugnacious Eunan's team.
The match was played in a very sporting manner and very well reffed by Four Masters John McGlanaghey who played his part in making this a very enjoyable contest.
After the game plan B came into operation as the delighted Aodh Ruadh supporters made their way onto the pitch and Four Masters' Fergal McAllister, on behalf of the Donegal Hurling Board, presented the shield to victorious Aodh Ruadh captain Aaron Fannon. From Donegal Town it was back to Ballyshannon for a victory cavalcade through the town which was enjoyed by young and old. Then it was on to Aras Aoidh Ruaidh for some richly deserved refreshments for the newly crowned county champions. Well done to the management and the lads on bringing yet another county hurling title to the banks of the Erne.
Many thanks to Eddie Lynch for the photographs.
Last modified: Thursday, 29 November 2018 at 2:40pm