Football
It was a businesslike performance from Aodh Ruadh, as they recorded their third straight group stage win on the trot and put themselves in with a great chance of an automatic quarter-final spot. A bit like the second round clash against Gaoth Dobhair, it took an amped up second half display from the Ernesiders to secure the result after a quiet first 30 minutes. The first half was a case of both sides feeling their way into the contest, with Killybegs nabbing the opening score a minute in and Philip Patton cancelling that out with a free three minutes later. With nine minutes on the clock the Fishermen edged in front with another point and then jumped into a four point lead when they netted at the second time of asking after a fantastic Peter Boyle stop. Ballyshannon came back with the next two scores courtesy of Eddie Lynch and a beauty from Shane McGrath. Killybegs grabbed the next point, but Philip Patton landed a very difficult free on the stroke of 30 minutes to leave just two in it at the turn-around. Killybegs 1-3 Aodh Ruadh 0-4. The second half saw Aodh Ruadh up the tempo from the off with Cian Rooney splitting the posts after a swift counter attack. Two minutes later Rooney was fouled for a free which Philip Patton sent over to square up the contest. In the 37th minutes Eamonn McGrath clawed a kick out from the sky and immediately released the isolated Patton to line up his sights and slice over the lead point. Two minutes later the Fishermen had it level again, but the visitors were finding the rhythm now. Philip Patton reeled off three points in a nine minute period, two from dead ball, to put his side firmly in the drivers seat. From there to the full time whistle the sides went score for score with a Killybegs free being matched by an Eamonn McGrath point from play and ‘a second free for the Fintra men cancelled out by a Shane McGrath effort deep into injury time. It finished Killybegs 1-6 Aodh Ruadh 0-12 to send the large travelling support back home with a spring in their step. It was a no-fuss display by Ballyshannon, with Conor Patton, Colm Kelly and Eamonn McGrath well in control in the defensive third. Cian Dolan and Shane McGrath prospered the more the game went, while up front the game was gilded by a vintage Philip Patton performance. His intelligence and accuracy was complimented by a number of electric contributions from Cian Rooney, with Diarmaid McInerney also adding variation on his introduction. The Aodh Ruadh team and scorers were as follows: Peter Boyle; Kyle Murray, Conor Patton, Colm Kelly; Michael McKenna, Eamonn McGrath (0-1), Niall Murray; Cian Dolan, Shane McGrath (0-2); Eoghan Kelly, Cian Rooney (0-1), Philip Patton (0-6, 4f); Calum O’Halloran, David Dolan, Eddie Lynch (0-1). Subs: Diarmaid McInerney for Calum O’Halloran 22 minutes; Mark McGlynn for David Dolan 58 minutes; Matt Gillespie for Shane McGrath 65 minutes.
In the end Aodh Ruadh just had too much for Killybegs in what ended as quite a one-sided reserve championship encounter. It was the visitors who opened the scoring just a minute in, Dan Warnock sending over. Killybegs levelled with a free before Damian Weber raised a white flag which the hosts again matched. In the 12th minute the Ernesiders jumped into the lead when Aidan Sweeny hared up the wing with the ball and linked in with Donagh McIntyre who laid off for Jack Gallagher to place past the keeper. The Fishermen responded well though with a couple of points cutting the deficit to the minimum. Ballyshannon upped the ante in the run up to the break with a Damian Weber free and a fisted effort from Darragh Flood Dolan followed by a point from Donagh McIntyre. Then, with 23 minutes on the clock Aodh Ruadh struck for their second goal, Damian Weber providing the assisted for Aonghus Sweeny to palm to the net. Donagh McIntyre then added to his tally as Aodh Ruadh lead by eight with the interval beckoning. Killybegs rallied though and a 1-1 salvo before the break kept them in the hunt in this tie. They closed back to within a goal of the leaders with a free just after the second half restart, but that was going to be as good as it got for the homesters. Points from Jack Gallagher (2) and Damian Weber found only one in reply from Killybegs. A free from the hosts was cancelled out by a Weber free, and from that point Aodh Ruadh simply took over. First Donagh McIntyre clipped over his third of the game, then Jack Gallagher (2) and Damian Weber raised further white flags as Ballyshannon opened up a nine point lead. Killybegs did hit a point in the 49th minute, but Jack Gallagher flighted over three successive points in reply before Tiernan Flood Dolan fisted over his side’s final score. Killybegs did pick off a few late points, but the verdict was long since decided by that stage as it ended Aodh Ruadh 2-18 Killybegs 1-11. A very strong display from the Ballyshannon men with Johnny Gallagher and Aidan Sweeny doing really well in the half back line and Aonghus Sweeny having a great day around the centre of the park. Up front Donagh McIntyre had an excellent outing with Jack Gallagher and Damian Weber wreaking havoc in the Fishermen’s defence. All the subs introduced made a great impact and the bench was probably a key factor in propelling Aodh Ruadh to their first victory of the championship campaign so far. The Aodh Ruadh team and scorers were as follows: Aaron Cullen; Ryan Keenaghan, Luke Carr, Michael Ward; Dan Warnock (0-1), Johnny Gallagher, Aidan Sweeny; Aonghus Sweeny (1-0), Colm McGloin; Senan Rooney, Jack Gallagher (1-7, 1f), Gary Carty; Damian Weber (0-5, 1f), Donagh McIntyre (0-3), JJ Cassidy. Subs Darragh Flood Dolan (0-1) for Daniel Warnock (inj) 16 minutes; Odhran McGarrigle for Luke Carr HT; Harry Howarth for Senan Rooney HT; Tiernan Flood Dolan (0-1) for Ryan Keenaghan 38 minutes.
The final round of the championship group stages sees Aodh Ruadh welcoming Glenfin to Father Tierney Park. This is a special occasion, marking as it does the return of our senior footballers to the Park, so it would be great to have a particularly big crowd up to show their support. The reserves get the action under way at 4pm with the seniors throwing in at 5.30pm. Admission for this Saturday’s championship double header is €10 for adults, €5 for students and OAPs, and free for under 16s.
The minors faced a physically imposing Carndonagh outfit in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Monday evening. In the end though it was the Inishowen lads superior accuracy which made the difference, as they ran out deserved 1-6 to 0-14 winners. The Ballyshannon boys played their best football in the first quarter, with MJ Ward splitting the posts in the first minute. Carn levelled in the fifth minute, but Tommy Clyne put Aodh Ruadh back in the lead with a lovely long range shot. A minute after that an arcing shot from James Monaghan sailed straight to the net as the homesters really seemed to be motoring. That was to be their last score of the first half though with Carndonagh reeling off an unanswered six points to take a two-point lead in at the break. They picked up where they left off just after the break with two points from play. Two frees from Barry Campbell did bring Aodh Ruadh back within striking distance, but Carndonagh went up a gear hitting four points, some of high quality, to open up a two goal margin with time running out. Ballyshannon did push hard in the closing minutes and were rewarded with a Barry Campbell free and a point from James Monaghan, but the gap was just too much to pull back. Garreth Brennan and James Ward played well in the defence with James Monaghan putting in a big shift and getting forward to help the attack as much as he could. Up front Dara McGloin and MJ Ward both worked hard. We have a gallery of pictures from the game live on aodhruadh.org now.
This week sees the start of the under 13 Cup tournament with the Division 1 team away to Four Masters on Wednesday with throw in at 6.45pm. Meanwhile the Division 3 team welcome Red Hugh’s on Friday evening at 6.45pm. All support appreciated for what promises to be two hotly contested games.
Under 11 training for both squads continues on Monday evenings from 5.45pm to 6.45pm on the top pitch in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. The White squad have a game in Donegal Town on Wednesday evening at 7pm, while the Green squad will be travelling for blitz in Ballintra on Saturday morning at 11am.
Our under 9 team attended the Thomas Maguire blitz in Ardara over the weekend. They had a great time with a lot of good football being played by the Ballyshannon lads. In the coming weeks we will be looking to organise a town league for the squad.
Ladies
The senior ladies travelled to Mountcharles on Sunday morning for their second round clash with Saint Naul’s. It was a to prove a disappointing trip, with the homesters grinding out a 0-11 to 0-8 win over the mis-firing Ernesiders. Aodh Ruadh had the benefit of the following wind in the first half and held a 0-7 to 0-5 lead at the break. However in the second half Mountcharles upped the ante and in the end Saint Naul’s saw out the game to seal a three point victory. It’s a result which spells the end of Aodh Ruadh’s ambitions to reach a senior championship semi-final. They will regroup now for the shield competition and look to set down a marker with their final group game against 2022 county finalists Glenfin. That game takes place in Father Tierney Park on Sunday morning at 10.30am. This is the first adult ladies match back in the park and it would be great to see a good support come out for the girls. Please note adult admission for the Juniors’ game in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh will be €5. The junior team are still in with a shout of making the Junior B semi-finals, but they will have to overcome a highly rated MacCumhaill’s side on their home turf. One thing about this bunch of girls though, is that you can be sure they will leave it all on the pitch so it’s all to play for. That game will also throw-in at 10.30am.
The minors made the long trip to Glencolmcille last Tuesday, but unfortunately it was a fruitless one as the strong home side just had too much for the gallant Ballyshannon girls. By the half-time break the hosts lead by 3-10 to 0-5 and despite a better performance in the second half, Aodh Ruadh weren’t able to reel Glen in as it finished 3-14 to 0-8. The minors will be in action this Tuesday when they make the short trip to Gaelic Park to take on Bundoran, throw-in at 6.30pm.
The under 14 Aodh Ruadh girls had to battle all the way against a lively Robert Emmet’s outfit to claim the Division 1 Shield title in a sun-splashed MacCumhaill Park on Sunday. Two evenly matched teams went at it hard for 60 minutes and come the final whistle every player had given their absolute all. It was Aodh Ruadh who started the scoring in the fifth minute with the impressive Lauren Gallagher winning and converting a free. Four minutes later Rachel and Faye Gillespie created a second opportunity for Gallagher and she duly doubled her tally. Shannon Gavigan then put Faye Gillespie through to point as the Shamettes settled quickly. Robert Emmet’s opened their account in the 13th minute with a point, but it was very nearly a goal, with the initial shot crashing off the cross bar. A minute later the superb Erin Gallagher had to make a brilliant reaction save to deny the Castlefin girls again. Aodh Ruadh were being more economical with their chances though, and a Rachel Gillespie free restored their three point cushion in the 17th minute. Things got better two minutes later when Laoise Foy did fantastically to turn over the Emmet’s kick out. Ballyshannon then strung together a sequence of lightening passes to find Shannon Gavigan and she placed an neat shot to the net and raised a huge roar from the big Erneside support in Ballybofey. Credit to Castlefin though as they went straight up the pitch and hit a point in response. Lauren Gallagher then landed a free to make it 1-5 to 0-2, but ten minute elapsed before the next scoring action. As it happened Gallagher would play a critical role in this, gathering a ball hard won by Laoise Foy and stroking a confident shot past the Emmet’s netminder. The girls in Blue roused themselves once again and hit three quick points in succession before the break to make it 2-5 to 0-5 at the interval. They kept up that momentum on the resumption and only for two outstanding reaction stops from Erin Gallagher would surely have had the ball in the net from the throw-in. Instead it was Aodh Ruadh who got the first score of the new half, Rachel Gillespie guiding over a free. Cousin Faye Gillespie then extended the lead from play. Now it was Emmet’s turn to put on the pressure and they followed a point with a goal in the 39th minute and suddenly there was just four points between the sides. Captain Ellen Monaghan clipped over an important point in the 41st minute to stem the tide, and remarkably that was to be the last score until the 60th minute. Robert Emmet’s did have the ball in the net in the 56th minute, but it was chalked off for over-carrying. On the stroke of time Emmet’s fired over to make it 2-8 to 1-7, but the last say was to go to the Ernesiders with Lauren Gallagher teeing up Faye Gillespie to kick the clinching score. It was a great victory for the team and an entertaining game of football for the big crowd present. Erin Gallagher’s display in nets was crucial to the win, with Aodhbha O’Donnell anchoring a superb defensive effort with the half back line of Ellen Monaghan, Kate McGrath and Sophia Mulligan excellent throughout. The midfield duo of Laoise Foy and Aoife Hughes had a great tussle with their opposite numbers, while up front Lauren Gallagher’s scoring contribution was vital with the Gillespie trio, Faye, Cadhla and Rachel lively and Shannon Gavigan netting a great goal. After the match captain Ellen Monaghan received the Division 1 Shield and gave a great speech commiserating with a gallant Emmet’s side, thanking the team management and all the parents and guardians for their support all year. The Aodh Ruadh team and scorers were as follows: Erin Gallagher; Niamh McGrath, Aodhbha O’Donnell, Lexi Roper; Ellen Monaghan, Kate McGrath, Sophia Mulligan; Laoise Foy, Aoife Hughes; Zara Meade, Rachel Gillespie (0-2f), Cadhla Gillespie; Lauren Gallagher (1-3, 2f), Faye Gillespie (0-3), Shannon Gavigan (1-0). Subs: Leia Roper for Zaara Meade 36 minutes; Éabha Rogers for Lexi Roper.
The under 12s entertained Saint Molaise Gaels and Bundoran for a blitz on Friday evening. There was lots of good football on show in lovely early autumn weather. Aodh Ruadh played a very strong Bundoran side in one game with a second Aodh Ruadh team taking on Grange in the other. Leia Roper, Arwen Killalea, Nicole McGrath, Ella Dorrian and Saoirse O’Donnell all did really well in that game with Amelia McNulty doing a sterling job in the defence. In the other game there were some excellent skills on display from both sides. The Gaels kept the Aodh Ruadh backs on their toes, but Niamh Patton commanded the full back line breaking up a lot of opposition attacks, Bethany McNamee fought tirelessly throughout and was ably assisted by Muireann Gallagher in the half back line. Jenna Britton and Ava Garvey were causing a lot of bother up against much bigger opponents in midfield, while Emma O’Neill and Kayla McDermott were Aodh Ruadh’s main scoring threat up front. There was plenty of excitement in this game but Dearbhla Gallagher’s run with a hand pass into Catherine Garvey who fired to the back of the net drew the enthusiastic appreciation of both the home and away crowds. The next outing for the under 11 girls will be a home blitz this Saturday in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh with the action getting under way at 11am.
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.
It wasn’t to be for the Aodh Ruadh minors on county final day, as MacCumhaill’s made the most of their goal chances to run out 4-5 to 1-6 winner in Killygordon on Sunday. The first half was a slow burner with the scores slow to come. Cian McDonald and Corey Sheridan helped Aodh Ruadh to 0-2 to 0-1 lead before a Killian Bradshaw free bounced into the net. MacCumhaill’s came back with two points and so it was the Ernesiders who held a two point advantage at the break. The Ballybofey men had the aid of the breeze in the second half and they made full use of it. Aodh Ruadh continued to pick off points from Corey Sheridan (3) and Lennon Canny, but MacCumhaill’s were going for goals, and by the time they netted a penalty they were 3-4 to 1-6 ahead. Ballybofey tagged on a further 1-1 as the Aodh Ruadh lads were left to contemplate what might have been. The Aodh Ruadh team and scorers were as follows: Ben Daly; David O’Mahoney, Killian Bradshaw, Sean Maguire; Rory Cullen, Garreth Brennan, Joseph Gibbons; Jun Hui Lin, Cian McDonald (0-1); Shay Winters, Tommy Clyne, Lennon Canny (0-1); Liam Doogan, Corey Sheridan (1-4, 4f), Jack McCadden. With the under 17 season now at an end the club would like to thank the management team and players for all their efforts over the course of what was a very successful season.
This Thursday the under 15 hurlers will be making the trip to Ballybofey to take on MacCumhaill’s with the action throwing in at the county ground at 6.30pm.
Our Under 11 team played their last Go Games fixture down in Convoy on Thursday night. It was a tight game, played in very wet conditions with plenty of quality hooking, blocking and tackling. Well done to the players on a great year, one where they have made some huge improvements.
On Sunday we hosted the Aodh Ó Dálaigh tournament – our longest running hurling tournament having being contested annually since 1982. This edition was played as a Go Games blitz, and we welcomed teams from Keady in Armagh, Tooreen in Mayo, Sylane in Galway, as well as Saint Molaise Gaels, Four Masters, Cluainín Iomaint and Tourlestrane. The conditions were ideal, with plenty of sunshine, and Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh was in perfect condition for the event. There were some fantastic skills on show, and some hotly contested games – with each team getting to play five games in total. Our own team performed very well, playing five games in total, and special mention has to go to their performances against two of the stronger teams, Sylane and Tooreen, where we certainly showed our abilities and were able to hold our own against strong opposition.
Following the games there were speeches and presentations. Tournament organiser John Larkin spoke first, thanking each team for travelling and then the Park Committee for having the facilities in such excellent condition, as well as the hurling committee and club for their support. He thanked the referees, Eugene Drummond, Adam Rami, Hannah and Ellen McGarrigle, and Pat Walsh as well as James Gallagher and Shaun McGarrigle who helped on the day too. He thanked the management of the Aodh Ruadh team for preparing them for the day and looking after them for the year. Tom, Michael, Bríd and Ann were all there to represent the Daly family, and Bríd spoke on behalf of the family, as gaeilge agus as bearla about her late father, and thanked the teams for taking part. Bríd and Ann then presented medals to each player as well as a small cup to a representative of each team. Then it was back the Áras Aoidh Ruaidh for the refreshments provided by all of our parents. Thanks to everyone who helped in anyway, as well as the under 11 parents for putting on the first class hospitality for the travelling teams. That sees the under 11 hurling season coming to a conclusion, and so we would like to thank Patrick, Rob, Gareth and Liam for taking the team and to all the parents for travelling to games and training.
Our under 9s are in action again this weekend with a blitz in Ballybofey. All details will be available in the team WhatsApp group.
Our under 7s are also in action this weekend, with all details in the team WhatsApp group. Their season is coming to a conclusion shortly, with their last action on Sunday week.
Camogie
As we work hard to spread the Camogie gospel, we would appreciate any donations of hurls and helmets that anyone might have lying about the house which are too small and need a new home. The enthusiastic young girls in our underage camogie teams would love to have them!
For the first time in decades, Aodh Ruadh girls will be pulling on the club jersey this weekend. Our under 8s and under 10s have been invited to take part in a tournament in Grange against their newly formed camogie teams. It should be a great day of fun and craic and the girls are really looking forward to testing their skills.
Training continues this week with the senior ladies training at the Coláiste Cholmcille pitch on Wednesday at 7.15pm and Saturday at 11am. Underage training will be moved to the Coláiste Cholmcille pitch this Sunday at 11.45am to facilitate a hurling tournament taking place in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
AGM season
Annual General Meeting season is hoving into view on the horizon. 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.
Ballyshannon Bingo
Well done to Jean Murray on winning last Tuesday’s Bingo Jackpot. The house winners were Mary McGloin, Kathleen Keown, Anne Gallagher, Ellen Maguire, Denis Sheerin, Anne Patterson, Chrissy Roper (twice) and Karen Gallagher. Denis also claimed the stand-up game prize of €130. The €1,000 Autumn Snowball rolls on another week as we play again for €2,800 this week. Bingo at the usual time of 8.30pm Tuesday, doors open from 7.45pm. Books available at just €10. Come along and bring a friend!
Big Aodh Ruadh lotto news!
We are shaking up the lotto draw this week! In the event that there is no winner of the jackpot there will be a lucky dip prize fund of €500 with five lucky dippers scooping a cool €100! That means there’s even more reason to pick up your club lotto ticket this week, on top of the chance to win a bumper jackpot prize! There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €10,000. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 2, 12, 13, 16 and 17. In the lucky dip prizes of €20 were won by Finbar Gethins, Martin Gahan, James Monaghan, Ollie McGloin and William Doogan. The next draw is for a jackpot of €10,000 on Sunday in McGinley’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: RESERVE FOOBALLERS.