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2025 Aodh Ruadh registration form

View/Download the 2025 Aodh Ruadh registration form. [129KB]

Lotto

In the lucky dip cash prizes of €20 went to Bríd Campbell, Josephine McNulty, Catherine McLoone, The Magee Family, and Jim Barron.

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25 March 2024

Club membership - URGENT!
With days left to the March 31st deadline we urge all club members to ensure they are registered for 2025. Once again, we are using the official GAA online platform, Foireann, as the primary channel for processing club membership. To obtain or renew membership go online to foireann.ie, and your membership status will be displayed on the dashboard after you login, with the option to register, if you have not yet paid your membership for 2025. Anyone running into problems with Foireann can contact the club Secretary, Louise Larkin, for assistance. Alternatively, membership can also be paid to Gerry Ferguson at Ferguson's Jewellers. All players, without exception, must be signed up club members prior to the commencement of training. Non members are not covered by the GAA's injury insurance scheme and cannot line out for the club. Adult members will receive first priority for the club's allocation of Ulster or All-Ireland final tickets in the event of Donegal contesting these deciders. Only adult members registered by 31st March may vote at the club AGM.

Last call for the Club 250 Draw
All Club 250 Draw cards should be returned by Thursday this week. These can be returned to Barry O'Neill, William Doogan or Sabrina Brosnan. This is a mega 12 month draw with over €15,000 in prizes to be won. There will be monthly draws with a first prize of €1,000, a €300 second prize and a €200 third prize. We will also have a monthly special prize up for grabs.
All funds raised will go towards the development of Gaelic Games in Ballyshannon and the surrounding area, helping us to invest in all our teams, coaching and facilities. Our target is to have at least 250 entrants in the Club 250 Draw at €5.75 per week, €25 per month or €75 per quarter. The first of the 12 monthly draws will take place on Saturday, 5th April.
You can enter now online at the Aodh Ruadh Klubfunder.com page where we have a choice of monthly, quarterly or a one-off payments. Cards are also available for sign-up from club officers and sub-committee officers.

Football
Our senior footballers start their Division 2 campaign this Saturday with Dungloe making the trip to Father Tierney Park. The reserve game throws in at 4pm with the seniors following at 5.30pm. Best of luck to the management and players on both squads.

The under 16s were the first of our footballers to go into competitive action this season last Sunday with a strong Four Masters side the guests at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh for this season opener. The Donegal town lads were a big, physical outfit and they were able to make that advantage count over the course of this game. Aodh Ruadh's cause wasn't helped by having to play into a strong breeze over the course of the first half. Four Masters didn't take long to make use of the following wind, landing a two pointer just 32 seconds after the throw in and from there it was a case of one-way traffic over most of the first half. Ballyshannon's cause took a big blow when dynamic midfielder Anton Duffy injured his ankle and had to leave the fray. We all wish Anton the best for a speedy recovery. The visitors built up a 2-8 head-start before Aodh Ruadh finally opened their account, MJ Ward guiding over shortly before half-time A few minutes after that brilliant work from Callum Dorrian eroded the margin further, the attacker turning over a kick out before driving in on goal and slotting a low shot past the Four Masters net-minder.
The homesters needed a good start to the second half, but instead it was Donegal town who landed the first two points after the restart. MJ Ward converted a free three minutes in, but then Four Masters embarked on their most impressive spell of the game, creating and taking chances despite the difficult conditions. They were 3-14 to 1-2 to the good by the time MJ Ward hit his side's next score in the 43rd minute, a free after Jack Hassett had been brought down on his way through to goal. The closing quarter saw Aodh Ruadh giving a better account of themselves and a late flurry of scores against a tiring Four Masters side testified to a level of fitness which should serve the Ballyshannon lads well in contests to come. MJ Ward accounted for all Aodh Ruadh's scores in that period, some from the very top drawer as it finished Aodh Ruadh 1-14 Four Masters 3-19. Alastair Cian did well between the post, pulling off a couple of excellent stops. Aaron McLoone and Darragh McCready worked hard in the defence, while Ethan Kerrigan gave good support in front of the posts.
The Aodh Ruadh team was as follows: Alastair Cian; Dylan Cullen, Anthony Duffy, Aaron McLoone; Dara Vaughan, Cole Connolly, Darragh McCready; Anton Duffy, Eoghan Gallagher; Manus Conlon, Callum Dorrian, Eoghan McNulty; Jack Hassett, MJ Ward, Ethan Kerrigan. Subs Alex Kerrigan for Anton Duffy (inj), Micheal McGrath for Dylan Cullen, Iarla Hartin for Aaron McLoone, John McHugh for Jack Hassett, Oisin McGrath for Eoghan McNulty.
The squad has a break next week, with their next outing the following week another home tie, this time against Ardara.

Our under 14 footballers got their first challenge matches of the season under their belts on Saturday. With two squads at this age group, we hosted MacCumhaill's and Naomh Bríd at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, with both squads giving a good account of themselves. Many thanks to club referees Val Murray and Eugene Drummond for officiating. This Friday we have one squad heading to Ardara on Friday evening for another friendly, whilst our second squad will host Melvin Gaels on Saturday.

Congratulations to Joe Gibbions who was selected on the Gaelic Life team of the week following his display for the Donegal minors against Fermanagh. Well done also to Finn Doogan and Joey Daly who represented Aodh Ruadh at Donegal GAA Youth Conference on Saturday.

Hurling
Our senior hurlers opened their Ulster Junior Hurling League campaign in style with a convincing 4-8 to 1-8 victory over Saint Enda’s, Omagh, at Father Tierney Park on Sunday afternoon. Despite favourable conditions, the hosts found themselves on the back foot early on as Saint Enda’s struck for a goal within the opening minute. However, Aodh Ruadh quickly collected themselves, leveling the score within ten minutes thanks to well-taken points from Gareth Sheeran and Kieran Kilgannon. Midway through the first half, Aodh Ruadh took control, with Sheeran adding further points from both open play and placed balls. Playing with some freedom now, the Ernesiders turned up the pressure and struck three goals in quick succession. Cian McKenna and Ciaran Kilgannon both found the net, before Caelan Drummond surged through the Omagh defence to bury a superb goal. At the break, Aodh Ruadh led 3-6 to 1-4.
Although the second half saw fewer scores from the home side, Drummond notched his second goal of the game early in the period. Aodh Ruadh added just two more points to their tally, but a strong defensive display ensured the Tyrone men managed only a single point after the interval, sealing a comprehensive victory.
Several stand out performances contributed to the win. Goalkeeper Tommy Clyne was faultless between the posts, producing key saves. Adam Rami anchored the defence with authority at full-back, while Johnny Lin and Senan Rooney controlled the midfield battle. Young substitute Dara O’Mahoney also impressed after his second-half introduction.
Next up for the Aodh Ruadh senior hurlers is another home fixture next Sunday against Fermanagh side, Belnaleck, as they look to build on this strong start to the league campaign. Throw in for that game is at 12 noon in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.

Underage hurling is back on Sunday mornings - this week at the earlier time of 11am on the top pitch at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. New players are welcome, with hurls and helmets supplied. The next few weeks would be an ideal time to start as we refresh the basics at each age bracket. If you would like your child to have the opportunity to play our national sport, contact the appropriate manager below:-
Under 8s: Stephen Sheerin - 086-8616927
Under 10s: Martin Larkin – 086-8033596
Under 12s: John Larkin – 086-1076883
Our under 6 training will start in April.

Ladies
Our senior ladies start their league campaign this Sunday with a trip to Moville for an 11am throw in. Very best of luck to the team and management for the coming season.

Well done to Cáit Gillespie who lined out for the full game as Donegal defeated Tipperary 0-10 to 0-7 to preserve their Division 2 status for another year. We hope to see Cáit back in action again this Sunday when Father Tierney Park is the venue for Donegal v Cork in the last round of the league. The throw-in is at 12.30pm and we'd love to see good local support for this high profile fixture.

Ladies county double header
This Sunday there is an inter-county LGFA double header in Father Tierney Park. At 12.30pm the Donegal Senior ladies play Cork in the last round of the National League. At 2.15pm Donegal have a home under 16 game against Derry. Our Aodh Ruadh under 18 ladies panel are asked assist with stewarding on the day and to meet up with Park / Development Committee personnel at 11.15am.

USA Tour Groups
For the third successive year we will host over 100 American Tour groups at our grounds. Our season started last week and will continue until November. We have a small core team of Aodh Ruadh volunteers who give generously of their time to this initiative and who are supported in the demonstrations by Coláiste Cholmcille transition year students, many of whom are club players and whose participation is an important part of the experience for our visitors. This initiative is a key contributor to keeping momentum behind the major programme of development work which is underway at both Father Tierney Park and at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, and which continues apace. We would like to recruit two or three more club members to assist with delivering the tours and who would initially accompany one of our existing Aodh Ruadh guides. If interested please speak to Michael Daly, Sarah Drummond, Patsy Kilgannon or Tom Daly. It entails about four hours time commitment, mainly Monday to Friday, throughout 2025.

Last One Standing
With the round robin stages of the National Football League concluded the picture is getting clearer in our Last One Standing competition sponsored by Liam Gallen at Mr G's. Following defeats for Donegal, Dublin and Monaghan and a draw between Westmeath and the Rossies, there are 15 remaining players through to the final week. Orla Bannon will be in touch with all remaining players to get their predictions for the four League finals this coming weekend. Can you feel the tension!

Ballyshannon bingo
Well done to Angela Wallace on scooping last week's Bingo Jackpot. Her luck was in, as she took home one of our €50 line prizes, and shared another house prize! The new €1,000 spring Snowball rolled over again and now moves up to €1,100 in play on 51 numbers, with Breda Gallagher taking the €100 house on that game. The other house winners were Josie Lynch, Irene Anderson and Martin Travers (shared), Mary Travers and Marie Gallagher (shared), Noelle Carr, Aine McManus, Rosaleen O'Brien, Maureann Hanna, Marina Kerrigan - shared with Angela Wallace. The other €50 line was won by Caroline Finnerty, with the other line winners Gerard Cullen, Brid Kelly, Tina Gannon, Kathleen Fallon, Rosaleen O'Brien, Mary Travers, Anne Lowther, Aine McManus and Mary McGonigle (shared) and Breda Gallagher. Kathleen McGrory took a line prize in our lucky numbers game, checking on a 'doubler' to double her prize!. The Stand-Up game was won by Joe Quinn. We're back at it again this Tuesday, with a venue change, as we are back in the Abbey Centre this week - with €2,900 to play for, including the €1,000 Snowball, €500 50/50 Jackpot and €330 Lucky Numbers game. Doors are open 7.45pm for eyes down 8.30pm. As always spread the word and bring a friend, books only €10 for a great night out!

Executive Committee meeting
The monthly Aodh Ruadh executive committee meeting takes place this Thursday at 8.30pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. All committee members are asked to attend. Items for any other business should be with club Secretary, Louise Larkin, by 2pm on Wednesday.

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 in Dorrian's Hotel, Ballyshannon. Join us this Thursday from 8pm to 9.15pm. Admission is free of charge. All levels of Irish welcome. Join in, listen, whatever you are comfortable with. Bain triail as, Beidh fáilte romhat.

Last modified: Tuesday, 25 March 2025 at 7:57am

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