Aodh Ruadh bring home Ó Dálaigh title
Under 12 hurling
25 September 2016
Aodh Ó Dálaigh tournament
Image Gallery
There was huge interest in the Aodh Ó Dálaigh final, the local lads hadn't claimed this title since 2010. They were unbeaten all season and after claiming the county title last week they were full of confidence, but they knew they were up against a strong Galway team and a tough battle lay ahead. The lads had great support for this game, it was a tough physical encounter with some great hurling and lots of hooking and blocking as both teams gave it their all. Aodh Ruadh led at half time 1-5 to 1-2. The Galway lads got a goal early in the second half to level the game and for the next 10 minutes there was nothing between the teams as they traded scores and fought like tigers. The Aodh Ruadh boys were determined to claim this crown and they were not going to be defeated and for the last quarter of the game they were well on top and at the final whistle after eight minutes of injury time they were worthy winners on a 3-11 to 3-4 score line. There were great scenes of celebration and all were in agreement that the best team had won. There was little between them as they were level on six occasions, but Aodh Ruadh's greater strength and hunger allowed them forge ahead at the end.
While the Aodh Ó Dálaigh final captured the attention of the majority of the crowd present the Primary League was also a very hard fought affair between holders Tuam and Keady. The scores were level at half-time, but in the second half Keady's greater hunger and tiredness on behalf of the Tuam lads proved the difference as the Armagh boys came out on top. From the playing fields it was up to Aras Aoidh Ruaidh where, as always, the Aodh Ruadh mammies catered for everyone with a great spread of food which after a long days hurling everyone was glad to see.
John Rooney on behalf of Aodh Ruadh Juvenile Hurling Committee welcomed the Daly family and all the clubs to the presentation, he thanked all the clubs who had attended and thanked them for the efforts they made to attend he said it was much appreciated by the Daly family and all involved with underage hurling in Aodh Ruadh. He thanked the refs Peter Horan and Slyvie Maguire and the umpires Mike Lynch and Daithi Breen. He thanked all the mothers who had brought so much food on the day. He spoke of the huge contribution the late Hugh Daly made to the GAA in Donegal and Ulster and how the Daly family were carrying on his great tradition.
He then called on Ms Aoibhínn Kelly Principal of Creevy National School to present the Primary League Shield on behalf of the local national schools. Aoibhínn spoke of the great skills on display in all the games and she called Tuam forward to accept their runners-up medals. She then presented the shield to a delighted Keady captain Sean O'Reilly.
Michael Daly then spoke on behalf of the Daly family, he spoke of his late father and how the family were so proud to have this tournament in his honour, he thanked all involved in organising it and all who helped out on the day. He spoke of the great skills on display and wearing his Aodh Ruadh hat he was delighted to see them claim back the title last won by them in 2010. He called up the Abbeyknockmoy captain to accept the runners-up medals, and then to huge cheers Aodh Ruadh captain Aaron Cullen came forward to accept the Aodh Ó Dálaigh shield, showing the same confidence as he did on the field he made a great acceptance speech before calling forward his team and manager Denis Daly to accept their medals. All in all a great day's hurling and plans are already in place for the 2017 tournament.
Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 1:14pm