Football
Aodh Ruadh bridged a 21 year gap on Sunday in MacCumhaill Park as they saw off the challenge of Kilcar to book their place in the Senior Reserve county decider for the first time since 2002. They had to fight hard for their final berth though, with the Towney men pushing all them the way. Kilcar opened the scoring two minutes in, but Donagh McIntyre levelled it up seven minutes later as the sides felt their way into the game. Kilcar answered that with a brace of points, but the Ernesiders responded in kind, Dan Warnock and Sticky Ward sending over from play to leave it three apiece with 13 minutes played. As the game ticked into the second quarter, Kilcar and Sticky Ward swapped points again. Then, with six left in the half, the Shams took the lead for the first time with Damian Weber pointing from play. The advantage didn’t last long though, with two rapid Kilcar points putting them back in front. Sticky Ward did square matters up again, but Kilcar finished the half strongly and two more points from them sent them in at the break leading by 0-8 to 0-6. Ballyshannon needed a big second half, and they duly delivered, with Sticky Ward laying down a marker with a point two minutes in and Damian Weber quickly following that up to restore parity once again. David McGurrin then opened his account for the day to take Aodh Ruadh back in front, but as the game moved into the final quarter Kilcar hit another quickfire brace to wrest back the lead. From here to the finish Aodh Ruadh were to dictate, starting with Sticky Ward squaring matters again in the 47th minute. The Ernesiders finally hit the goal they were threatening two minutes later, Damian Weber with a lovely finish. Kilcar, did come back with a point in the 50th minute, but Damian Weber sent over a free with five minutes left to put a goal in it again. Kilcar continued to battle and hit two more points, but the coup de grace came four minutes into added time when Marty McGarrigle clipped home a trademark effort to definitively book Aodh Ruadh’s place in the county final. A wonderful and resilient performance from Aodh Ruadh who stood up well to this difficult test. They will now enjoy the next two weeks as they prepare for a county final battle with Gaoth Dobhair. The Aodh Ruadh team and scorers were as follows Aaron Cullen; Luke Carr, Michael Ward, Aidan Sweeny; Gary Carty, Johnny Gallagher, Dan Warnock (0-1); Odhran McGarrigle, Colm McGloin; Darragh Flood Dolan, David McGurrin (0-1), Tiernan Flood Dolan; Damian Weber (1-3, 1f), Donagh McIntyre (0-1), Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward (0-5, 1f). Subs: Ryan Keenaghan for Luke Carr 49 minutes; JJ Cassidy for Colm McGloin 55 minutes; Marty McGarrigle (1-0) for David McGurrin 61 minutes.
Unfortunately poor weather saw the minor final postponed last Friday. We await details for the refixed game and will hopefully have these up on our social media output later this week.
Under 13 training continues this week on Friday from 5.45pm to 6.45pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. The Division 3 team is waiting confirmation on their Shield Final which is expected to be played this weekend. Keep an eye on the club’s social media output over the week for updates.
The final round of our under 11 internal league continued on Sunday morning with three very tight games resulting in wins for Donnacha, Tom and Louis. Our three finals will take place this Saturday, 14th October at 11.30am. Final one will be Donnacha versus Tom, final two is Dara versus Louis, and final three will be Pauric versus Hugh. It is hoped that the games will be in Father Tierney Park, but this will be confirmed on the WhatsApp group. We will be taking the under 11 team shot also at this event and this will conclude the lads’ season for the year.
Our under 7 boys took part in a blitz hosted by Erne Gaels on Saturday, with games against Melvin Gaels, Bundoran, Glencar Manorhamilton, Grange and the hosts. Many thanks to the Belleek club for the invite and a good day of football.
Ladies
The under 23s got their championship campaign off to a good start in an unseasonably sultry Father Tierney Park on Sunday morning. Aodh Ruadh dominated possession throughout and Convoy were confined to sporadic raids into the homesters defence. Eimear McMahon set the tempo early on, rattling off 1-2 before the game was five minutes old. Mary Flora Scott then chipped over a nice point before the McMahon show resumed. Convoy raised two white flags over the remainder of the first half, but in that time McMahon had helped herself to a further 1-4 to send the sides in at Aodh Ruadh 2-8 Convoy 0-2. The Saint Mary’s girls came out with the bit between their teeth in the second half and registered the first point five minutes in. That was to be their last scoring contribution though, with Niamh Hoey firing over to restore her side’s 12 points cushion. Eimear McMahon sent over from play and dead ball before Orla Keon came through for a well-taken point and Cait Gillespie converted at the end of a good team move. That left it Aodh Ruadh 2-13 Convoy 0-3 at Greg McGroary’s long whistle. A very polished display by the Shamettes. Eimear McMahon was scoring for fun up front with good support from Niamh Hoey and Mary Flora Scott, while in the midfield Orla Keon and Dáirín Sweeny were in great form. In defence Síofra Hughes and Ciara Caldwell swept up a lot of possession and keeper Roisin Maguire dealt well with a few dangerous balls. The next outing in the under 23 championship is on Saturday 21st October against Glenfin.
Well done to Amanda Mahon and the AIB GAA ladies football team who were the winners of the LGFA Interfirms competition on Saturday.
Our under 13 girls got back to winning ways with a comprehensive victory at home on Saturday against Saint Naul’s. Leia Roper, Kate McGrath, Faye Gillespie and Jenna Britton all starred in a game where Aodh Ruadh produced some brilliant flowing moves. Training continues as normal on Thursday, with the team scheduled to play Bundoran away on Saturday morning.
Training continues for under 8 and under 6 girls from 5pm to 6pm on the Coláiste Cholmcille pitch on Tuesday evenings. Our under 10s continue training on Monday evenings.
Hurling
Aodh Ruadh will be taking part in the under 21 hurling championship this season. We would like to invite anyone interested in joining the squad to contact Daithi Breen on 087-9287965.
Our under 15s have been busy preparing hard for yet another head to head with MacCumhaill’s. The two teams square up for the third time this season when they meet in the Championship semi-final in Convoy on this Thursday. With one win each to date and a league final defeat for our lads to come back from, this will be a titanic battle. Throw in will be at the later time of 8.30pm and large travelling support would be fantastic. These lads have worked so hard this year and with a number of titles under their belt and only the one defeat, they will be hoping to be on top form.
Scór Sinsear
Huge congratulations are in order for our Ceol Urlise group of Sean O’Brien, Cíarde Sheerin, Lorraine O’Brien, Michael McGrath and Rionach Sheerin who booked their place in the Ulster Scór Sinsear finals last Sunday. They took to the stage at the Dun Uladh complex in Killyclogher, Tyrone and saw off the challenge of county champions from Antrim Cavan and Tyrone to make the Ulster final.
Camogie
Our underage girls continue training again this Sunday at 11.45am with the seniors training on Wednesday at 7.15pm.
Clothes collection
The Juvenile hurlers have extended the deadline for their annual clothes collection. Bags can continue to be dropped to North West Floors and Doors during the month of October. Call Orla on 086-8035316 if you need to arrange a collection.
AGM season
The club AGM is set to take place on Sunday, 26th November. The deadline for sub-committee AGMs is Sunday, 5th November. Following that sub-committee and officer reports should be submitted to Secretary, Lisa McTernan, by Friday 17th November. Further information on nomination and motion forms will follow in due course. The Ladies Football AGM is scheduled for Thursday, 12th October, while the Bord na nÓg AGM will take place on Wednesday, 25th October, and the Juvenile Hurling AGM is down for Sunday 22nd October.
Ballyshannon Bingo
Our Jackpot of €250 was won at Tuesday’s Ballyshannon Bingo on 3rd October with Bridget Quinn taking the spoils. The House winners were Joseph Darcy and Maureen Coughlin (Shared), Chrissie Roper and Marie Ward (Shared), Michelle Quinn, Regina Dolan and Chrissie Roper (Shared), Michael Keating, Patsy Dowd, Mary Kane, and Jean Murray. Rosaleen O’Brien won the €100 house! The Line winners were Mary Donagher, Breda Gallagher, Margaret Gilmartin, Katie McGann, Mary Clancy and Jude Rooney (shared), Mary Faith, Ann Mulhern and Gerard Cullen (shared), Patrice Cox, Sonia Kelly and Patricia O’Connor took the €50 double line prize in our final game. Tracy Singh won on the double in our luck numbers game, winning €60! Sarah Brady and Mary McGowan won free books for next week’s bingo in our half-time book draw. Ann Mulhern took the Stand-Up game prize of €130. The €1,000 Autumn Snowball escaped another week so is in play on 49 numbers or less this week, all as part of a €2,800 prize fund including €500 50/50 Jackpot and €300 Lucky Numbers game. Bingo at the usual time of 8.30pm Tuesday with doors open at 7.45pm. Books cost just €10! Come along a bring a friend for a great night of craic and prizes!
Aodh Ruadh lotto
There was no winner of the Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €4,200. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 13. In the lucky dip prizes of €20 were won by Liam Hassett, Fiona Fox, Michelle Duffy, Mary McGonigle and Mary Donagher. The next draw is for a jackpot of €4,300 on Sunday in Owen Roe’s. Lotto tickets are available in Kernan’s Spar and Pearse O’Neill’s. You can play also play the lotto online. Log onto klubfunder.com and then search for and select Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon. Users can now avail of the auto-renew option to play the same line every week until they decide to stop when they pay using Stripe. If you’re not in, you can’t win!
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra on Saturday is: SENIOR FOOTBALLERS.