Football
The very best of luck to our reserves in the county final this Sunday against Gaoth Dobhair. The last time an Aodh Ruadh team of any stripe took to the field on county final day was when a Barry Gallagher helmed reserve outfit saw off the challenge of Killybegs 1-10 to 0-10 in the 2002 curtain raiser. We hope to see a large and vocal Ballyshannon contingent making their way to MacCumhaill park this Sunday, with the reserve game between Aodh Ruadh and Gaoth Dobhair throwing in at 1.45pm, followed by the senior decider between Naomh Conaill and Gaoth Dobhair at 4pm. Another incentive for Ballyshannon fans to make their way to Ballybofey will be the spectacle of our 1998 county champions being honoured before the senior final. Tickets are now available to purchase online.
It wasn’t to be for Aodh Ruadh’s minors as they took on a lively Malin outfit in the Division 2 Shield final on Saturday afternoon. Played at a blustery Convoy in front of a large crowd, the Ernesiders got off to a great start with James Monaghan pointing after a strong driving run not long after the throw-in. Then in the ninth minute Eoin Cassidy used his wits to bat a loose ball into the path of Garvey Meade who stroked home the game’s first goal. A minute later Ballyshannon extended their advantage with MJ Ward fisting over after a superb pass from the energetic James Ward. Malin responded well though, and hit back with a 1-2 salvo of their own between the 14th and 16th minutes to level the tie. Aodh Ruadh bounced back with a neatly taken point from Oran Gillespie, but needed Corey Sheridan to be at his athletic best up the other end to deny a goal at the expense of a point. The Inishowen lads followed that up with a brace of points, but with Eoin Cassidy hitting an outstanding effort in reply and Corey Sheridan making some exceptional saves, there was just the minimum between the sides at the break, Aodh Ruadh 1-4 Malin 1-5.
Malin hit the first score of the new half, but MJ Ward did really well to win a free after some tough challenges which Eoin Cassidy converted. Then Barry Campbell threaded over a fine placed ball in the 39th minute to square the game up at 1-6 apiece. Aodh Ruadh then moved back into the lead in the 39th minute when Caolán McCauley applied the finish to their best move of the game. Malin fired over two points as the game moved into the final quarter, but another crisp dead ball effort from Barry Campbell levelled the game once more with 12 minutes left to play. It was anyone’s game now, but disaster struck for the Ernesiders four minutes from time with Malin being awarded a penalty. This was dispatched to the net despite the best efforts of Corey Sheridan to give the opposition a big shot in the arm with time rapidly running out. Aodh Ruadh pushed hard and did manage an answering free from Eoin Cassidy, but the goal they needed just wouldn’t come and so Malin prevailed on a scoreline of 2-8 to 1-9. Not the way we wanted the season to end, but that’s sport unfortunately. Corey Sheridan was outstanding in goals, with Garreth Brennan and Ted O’Donnell standing out in a defence which had its hands full with a lively Malin attack. Captain James Ward left absolutely everything on the pitch and played his heart out. James Monaghan worked hard in midfield with Barry Campbell and MJ Ward trying their best to work chances in a congested attack. Joseph Gibbions also contributed well on his introduction.
The Aodh Ruadh team and scorers were as follows: Corey Sheridan; Garreth Brennan, Rian McCauley, James Ward; Tommy Clyne, Ted O’Donnell, Liam Doogan; Garvey Meade (1-0), James Monaghan (0-1); Caolán McCauley (0-1), Eoin Cassidy (0-3, 2f), Oran Gillespie (0-1); Barry Campbell (0-2f), Dara McGloin, MJ Ward (0-1). Subs Joseph Gibbions for Oran Gillespie 34 minutes; Eoghan ‘Blake’ Gallagher for Dara McGloin 58 minutes; Morgan McNamee for Caolan McCauley 60 minutes; Rory Cullen for Tommy Clyne 64 minutes; Dáithí Sheerin, Donagh Kelly, Fionn Hartin, Finn Doogan, Aaron McLoone, Ben Daly, Eoghan Gallagher, Sean O’Neill, Eoin Doogan.
With the minor season now concluded we extend huge thanks to the committed management team and players who gave their all for the jersey this year.
The under 14 Bakery Cup winter league commences this Thursday at 7pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
Under 13 training continues this week on Friday from 5.30pm 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 under 11 boys finished up their season with the internal league finals on Saturday morning. Some 54 boys took part in the competition which was played off over the past six weeks, cumulating in three very closely fought final games. In final three, all friendships were put aside with Pauric McGrath defeating Hugh Mealiffe, with little separating the boys at the end. Final two saw another close encounter, where Creevy neighbours Dara McGuinness and Louis Hassett went head-to-head with Dara coming out on top. Our last final saw Donnacha Conlon and Tom Travers battle it out right to the end with a Jack McGloin point ensuring the teams could not be separated at the final whistle. We have a great gallery of pictures of the lads live now on aodhruadh.org. A huge well done to the boys on a very successful season. With a long season now wrapped up the club would also like to extend their thanks to Barry Travers and his hard-working group of mentors and helpers for all their trojan work over the course of the season.
1998 Reunion
The Aodh Ruadh 1998 senior football champions will be having a few drinks in Melly’s Bar on Saturday evening and are extending an open invitation to all club members to join them for a night of craic and reminiscences.
Ladies
Our under 23s will be looking to extend their winning start to the season when Glenfin are the visitors to Father Tierney Park this weekend.
Our under 13 girls put in one of their best displays of the season away to Bundoran on Saturday morning, winning convincingly. An all-round strong team performance, but special mention to Faye Gillespie who contributed 5-6 of our team’s scores. Training continues as usual this Thursday with the team away to Naomh Ultan this Saturday. Full details on that fixture will be circulated on the team’s WhatsApp group.
The final training and games for our under 8 and under 6 girls take place this Tuesday when Four Masters will be the guests in Father Tierney Park. The action gets under way at 5pm. Our under 10s continue training on Monday evenings.
Well done to our senior ladies coach Ciaran Smith on helping steer Erne Gaels to the Fermanagh Senior Football Championship final this coming weekend with an impressive semi-final win over Enniskillen Gaels. Congrats also to our diligent physio Cian McBride on victory in the Sligo Junior B Championship final with Drumcliffe Rosses Point.
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 15 squad were very disappointed last Thursday evening to lose out on a place in the Championship final by the smallest of margins when they were beaten by MacCumhaill’s by a solitary point in the Centre of Excellence in Convoy. Our boys started off strong and bagged the first score, but after a number of wides and hesitant play, by half time they were trailing 0-4 to 1-5. Again they came out stronger in the second half and not only caught up but even went ahead by two points at one stage. However, it was MacCumhaill’s who managed to get over the line in the end and they now go on to meet Carndonagh in the Championship final next Friday. On reflection, this has been a remarkable year for this fine group of boys. Since training started way back in early March, these lads have put in endless hours of training and preparation and given us some fantastic displays of hurling and a lot of fun! In May they won the Táin Óg League in Lisnaskea and in June, having won the County Féile Competition, they travelled to the National competition in Ballinasloe where they made it to the semis. Along the way, the team managed to attract a few new players, seeing the squad soar to 27 and 11 of those players were part of the county under 15 Development Squad who won the Peter O’Keefe tournament in August. The progression and improvement of this panel has been evident for all to see and the juvenile hurling committee would like to sincerely thank their dedicated mentors; Paul Sheridan and Mark Sheerin for all their time, efforts, patience and vision. Next up for these lads is the hosting of the Billy Finn / John Larkin tournament this Sunday, the 22nd October in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. We are delighted to be able to host this tournament to remember and celebrate the huge involvement of these two men in Aodh Ruadh hurling history, particularly after it was cancelled last year as a mark of respect to the tragic events that unfolded in Creeslough. There will be five travelling teams and the action will start at 11am.
Scór Sinsear
Best of luck to our Ceol Urlise group of Sean O’Brien, Cíarde Sheerin, Lorraine O’Brien, Michael McGrath and Rionach Sheerin, and our Tráth na gCeist team of Paddy Kelly, Sylvester Maguire, Eamonn Martin Maguire and John Hughes who will be contesting the Ulster finals this Saturday in Omagh.
Camogie
Our underage girls continue training again this Sunday at 11.45am with the seniors training on Wednesday at 7.15pm.
Clothes collection
Our used clothes collection is still going strong and bags can continue to be dropped to North West Floors and Doors for the next number of weeks. This Saturday there will also be a manned drop off point up at the Park from 12 noon to 2pm. 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 has been rescheduled for Thursday, 19th October at 8.30pm, 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
A massive congratulations to Mary Reynolds on winning the €1,000 Snowball playing Sharon’s book, checking out on just 44 numbers! Kathleen Fallon took home the Jackpot prize. The other house winners were Ann Gallagher, Marie Ward and Rachel Anderson shared Game 2, Breege Gormley, Mary Coughlin, Sean Coughlin, Denis Sheerin, Marie Gallagher and Shane Coughlin. The line winners were Veronica Elliot, Siobhan O’Brien, Mary Donagher, Marion McGloin, Regina Dolan, Angela Gaye, Ellen Lawne, James Gettins, Geraldine Kane (on a lucky numbers doubler!) and Caroline Finnerty, with Sonia Kelly taking the €50 Double line. The €130 stand up game prize was also won by Marie Gallagher! Bingo as usual on Tuesday at 8.30pm at the Abbey Centre, doors open at 7.45pm. We start a new winter Snowball of €1,000 as we play for €2,800 including the €500 50/50 Jackpot and €300 Lucky Numbers Game. Spread the word, come along and bring a friend!
Aodh Ruadh lotto
There was no winner of the Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €4,300. The winning numbers drawn were 2, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 16. In the lucky dip prizes of €20 were won by Áine Gilmore, Anne and Eamon Maguire, Raymond and Finbar, Finbar Torney and Phyllis Sweeney. The next draw is for a jackpot of €4,400 on Sunday in the Bridgend bar. 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 HURLERS.
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