Football
There’s only one show in town this week folks! After 21 long years of watching on from the sidelines Aodh Ruadh were once again participants in the county’s blue riband day. They took on a Gaoth Dobhair reserve team they had lost twice to already in the season, but if there were any latent trepidations, they weren’t in evidence as Aodh Ruadh took to the field in very business-like fashion at a bright, autumnal MacCumhaill Park last Sunday.
They laid down an early marker with 20-year-old Colm McGloin cruising through to stroke over the game’s opening point. Four minutes later good work from Darragh Flood Dolan and Gary Carty set David McGurrin up to point, although Gaoth Dobhair did hit back with an answering point to get themselves off the mark. Damian Weber then made his first contribution to the action with a 40 metre, but again the Gaeltacht men struck back with a point from play. With the game now in the second quarter Donagh McIntyre punted over a handsome effort to make it double scores, and Aodh Ruadh’s play at this stage was marked by some outstanding blocks as they showed their hunger for the game. The last scores of the half would go the way of Gaoth Dobhair though as the sides headed for the dressing rooms with nothing between them, the score board reading four points apiece.
There were 37 seconds gone in the new half when Gaoth Dobhair took the lead for the first and only time in this game. Aodh Ruadh got back on terms a couple of minutes later thanks to a marvellous lofted effort from David McGurrin. Then came the game’s key moment, with the outstanding Senan Rooney picking out Damian Weber with a peach of a pass. Weber was some distance out, but when he got the ball in his hand he only had one thing on his mind. His execution was immaculate and the finish was sublime as his rocket of a shot flashed into the bottom right corner of the net to put real daylight between the teams. Three minutes later Sticky Ward came out on his knees to win a ball in and was fouled before he could turn his sights on the target. Weber’s confidence was sky high now and he caressed the difficult free over the bar off the deck as if it was a 13 metre gimme. In the 47th minute Aodh Ruadh made it double scores for a second time, this time the Ballyshannon men had moved the ball well to create a great opening and Gary Carty popped up on the end of it to slip over to make it 1-7 to 0-5. Ultimately, that was to prove the winning point. Gaoth Dobhair started to up the stakes now with the game slipping from their grasp. They managed to pick off points in the 49th, 57th, 58th and 61st minutes to set up an incredibly nervy finale. Aodh Ruadh tackled frantically and had to work like dogs to hold a desperate Gaoth Dobhair attacking assault at bay. Four minutes of added time were signalled and these were played and then some.
When Connie Doherty’s long whistle finally sounded it set off scenes of total pandemonium as Ballyshannon players, management and fans took over the pitch. They took their time to soak in the achievement as they made their way to terrace side of the ground for the presentation where captain fantastic, Dan Warnock, received the trophy. Warnock made a brilliant speech, first saluting a gallant Gaoth Dobhair side, and the support from the Ballyshannon fans throughout the game, before paying tribute to his team mates and manager Brian Gillespie on helming the team to this landmark triumph. Damian Weber received the man of the match award, but there were candidates all over the pitch. Aaron Cullen kept a clean sheet and did a great job of getting his kicks away with Gaoth Dobhair pressing up on the kick out. In defence it was a special moment for Michael Ward who battled back from serious illness to become the fulcrum of the defence. He led a defensive effort which silenced Gaoth Dobhair’s main threats and reduced them to taking on low percentage shots. Beside him the youthful Aidan Sweeny and Ryan Keenaghan looked like they had been born for days like this, playing as if it was just another game in the park. In the half back line the trio of Johnny Gallagher, Daniel Warnock and Gary Carty supplied power and pace from deep, no better exemplified by Carty’s winning point. In midfield Colm McGloin set the tenor right from the off, with Donagh McIntyre and Odhran McGarrigle not shirking any challenges either. David McGurrin’s polished and assured presence in the heart of the attack was a real ace up the sleeve for Ballyshannon, while beside him Senan Rooney must surely have been another in strong contention for the man of the match laurels. The Corker man was simply everywhere and his jinking runs regularly cut holes in a rugged Gaoth Dobhair defence. Darragh Flood Dolan gave further notice of his quality and promise with another assured performance here. Up front Sticky Ward and Damian Weber were given nothing cheap by the Gaeltacht defence, but in the end their class told. Aodh Ruadh were able to spring quality off the bench in the second half with Johnny Gethins, Tiernan Flood Dolan, Jason Granaghan and Marty McGarrigle helping to steady the ship in the closing stages. It’s hugely encouraging to know that there were plenty more on the bench who could just as easily have been starting.
After the presentations there was a moment to treasure as the Reserve county champions formed a guard of honour for the jubilee team as they made their way on to the pitch to be presented before the county final crowd. The huge attendance were then introduced to the men of Ballyshannon who won the 1998 county title against Naomh Columba a quarter of a century ago. The past and the present and the future coming together in special moment for the Aodh Ruadh club. Check out aodhruadh.org where we have a gallery live with a bumper selection of pictures from a huge day for the club which will live long in the memory.
The Aodh Ruadh team and scorers were as follows: Aaron Cullen; Ryan Keenaghan, Michael Ward, Aidan Sweeny; Gary Carty (0-1), Johnny Gallagher, Daniel Warnock; Odhran McGarrigle, Colm McGloin (0-1); Darragh Flood Dolan, David McGurrin (0-2), Senan Rooney; Damian Weber (1-2, 2f), Donagh McIntyre (0-1), Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward. Subs: Johnny Gethins for Donagh McIntyre 41 minute; Tiernan Flood Dolan for Odhran McGarrigle 46 minutes; Jason Granaghan for Keenaghan 46 minutes; Marty McGarrigle for Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward 54 minutes; Donagh McIntyre for Colm McGloin 64 minutes.
Congratulations to Sean Taylor who played a big role as Coolera Strandhill captured the Sligo senior county title. Congratulations also to our neighbours in Pettigo who took the C county championship title. Commiserations to Erne Gaels and Saint Molaise Gaels who both came up short after putting in huge efforts in their respective county deciders.
The under 21 championship commences this Saturday with many of the reserve championship winning Aodh Ruadh team returning to Ballybofey as the Ernesiders take on MacCumhaill’s. Throw-in at 2.30pm.
The Bakery Cup commenced on Thursday evening with a real festival of football. The opening fixtures saw Aaron McLoone’s team taking on Eoghan Gallagher’s outfit and Antoin Duffy’s side taking on MJ Ward’s squad. There were wins for Eoghan and MJ in two hotly contested battles with real quality on show, in particular from the younger lads who performed superbly on the night. Thanks to our underage managers and club academy for helping pick this year’s Bakery Cup Captains. Congratulations to MJ Ward, Eoghan ‘Blake’ Gallagher, Antoin Duffy and Aaron McLoone. The lads’ teams are as follows.
MJ Ward: Connor Greenan, Joey Daly, Markko Branley, Jack Hassett, Oisin McGrath, Conor McGloin, Senan Ward, Diarmuid Fox, Donnacha Conlon, Peader Finnegan.
Eoghan ‘Blake’ Gallagher: Dara Vaughan, Ethan Kerrigan, Anthony Duffy, Dylan Cullen, Cian Alistair, Ciarán McGuinness, Harry McGowan, Robbie Van Hoidonk, Sean Travers, Michael Burke.
Antoin Duffy: Eoghan McCadden, Shaun McGarrigle, Manus Conlon, Alex Kerrigan, Darragh Patton, Daniel McLoone, Dara McGuinness, Aiden McGurrin, Tom Travers, Louis Hassett.
Aaron McLoone: Callum Dorrian, Darragh McCready, Iarla Hartin, Micheál McGrath, Alfie McGowan, Conor Grimes, John McHugh, Joseph Devenney, Phelim Barron, Pauric McGrath.
The next round of games in the Bakery Cup will take place on Thursday with the action throwing in at 7pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. That will be followed by the final round of group games on Saturday or Sunday. The Bakery Cup Finals will then take place in Father Tierney Park on Bank Holiday Monday 30th October. A special thanks to our Bakery Cup referees, Val Murray, Niall McCready and Michael McGrath.
Best of luck to our under 13 Division 3 boys who finally received a fixture for their long-awaited Shield Final. The decider will take place this Wednesday, 25th October at 6pm in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey. We wish the players and management the best of luck and encourage a big showing of glas agus bán support to once again make their way to the county grounds to get behind the Ballyshannon boys!
Our under 7 boys played a blitz in Bundoran on Saturday morning with teams from Erne Gaels Belleek, Saint Molaise Gaels, Grange, Glencar Manorhamilton, Melvin Gaels Kinlough and Bundoran all taking part. Many thanks to Bundoran for a brilliantly organised blitz which our boys really enjoyed. The team’s final blitz of the season will be our home blitz this Saturday, November 4th.
The Bord na nÓg AGM will take place on Wednesday, 25th October at 9pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. We will look back over 2023 and look to build on our achievements this year in 2024. We invite all committee members, underage managements, mentors and anyone with an interest in the development and promotion of underage football in Ballyshannon to attend this meeting.
Ladies
The Ladies AGM took place last Thursday in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. A review was made of activity in 2023 and plans sketched out for the coming season, on and off the field. The positions of chair and secretary were not filled and expressions of interest are now being welcomed. We thank Sarah Drummond, Louise Larkin and Anna Rafferty who gave great service in these roles over the past year. Meanwhile congratulations to Niamh Hoey who was appointed Assistant Secretary, and Anna Rafferty who was returned as Fundraising Officer. The club’s County Board Delegates will be Paul Gillespie and Anna Rafferty. Team managements are to be appointed and ratified at the January meeting of the incoming Ladies Football committee.
The under 23s made the trip to take on Glenfin on Sunday morning. It was a game which Aodh Ruadh had requested moved, but that request was rejected by the club. Aodh Ruadh had a good first half, starting the scoring with a fine effort from Cáit Gillespie after she raided through the hosts’ defence. Two minutes later Orla Keon came up on the end of a five team move to double the advantage before Glenfin opened their account in the seventh minute. Glenfin then levelled the game, but Aodh Ruadh went straight up the pitch and Mary Flora Scott coolly placed the ball past the keeper to thrust her side back into the lead. Scott then added a point, and as the game moved into the second quarter the sides exchanged goals, Cáit Gillespie finding the net to make it 1-2 to 2-3. The Shamettes extended their lead in the 22nd minute when Eimear McMahon was as merciless as ever from the penalty spot. That gave the Ballyshannon girls a seven point advantage at the interval. In the second half Glenfin came out strongly and in the first five minutes had hit 1-3. Eimear McMahon did hit an answering free, but the homesters came back with another 1-1 to move into the lead for the first time in the 40th minute. Eimear McMahon levelled it up at 3-5 apiece, but again Glenfin pushed on and hit 1-2 before Aodh Ruadh registered again through Cáit Gillespie. Fair play to the Ernesiders, they never stopped pushing, but Glenfin hit a late goal to put an unjustified gloss on the final scoreline for them. Síofra Hughes did brilliantly at full back throughout the game, as did Aoibhinn McGarrigle out around the middle of the pitch. Up front Mary Flora Scott was very lively in the attack. It is worth noting that this week the under 23s will be accommodating MacCumhaill’s by playing their game on Friday evening instead of the scheduled Sunday morning.
Our under 13 girls league game against Naomh Ultan was postponed on Thursday due to a waterlogged pitch in Dunkineely. The match has been rescheduled for this Tuesday at 5.30pm. Training for the squad continues at 5.30pm on Thursday.
Our under 8 and under 6 girls season wrapped up last week and we’d like to thank the management for all their dedicated work with this big squad all year. Well done to the players who made great progress this season and thanks as ever to the parents and guardians for the help and support.
Scór Sinsear Ulster final success
Saturday was one of Donegal’s most successful outings at the Ulster Scór Sinsir level in a number of years and Aodh Ruadh were among the clubs bringing home the goods on the night. Pride of place has to go to Sean O’Brien, Cíarde Sheerin, Lorraine O’Brien, Michael McGrath and Rionach Sheerin who took the provincial Ceol Urlise title. This was an outstanding victory in a hotly contested category with the competition of the very highest standard. The celebrations in McIntyre’s afterwards were richly deserved.
Meanwhile in the Tráth na gCéist section Aodh Ruadh captured provincial silver, finishing not far off the overall winners, Bredagh of Down in the provincial decider. Well done to Paddy Kelly, Eamonn Martin Maguire, Sylvester Maguire and John Hughes on the result. Both teams will now be going forward to represent club and county at the All-Ireland final stages in Killarney next month and we wish them the best of luck when they travel to the Kingdom.
Hurling
The Juvenile Hurling Committee AGM will take place at on Monday, 30th October in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8pm. We warmly invite all parents, guardians and anyone with an interest in hurling in the locality to join us as we look back over what was a very successful year and make preparations for the 2024 season.
Club Shop now live
The club’s online shop is now open through O’Reilly’s Sports up until Monday 30th October at https://oreillysofficial.com/product-category/aodh-rua/. All orders will take approximately 6 weeks for delivery from the close of the online shop. Orders can be delivered direct to your door, or you can also avail of a click and collect service from the O’Reilly’s Sports Store in Ballybofey.
Club AGM
The club AGM will take place on Sunday, 26th November. Nomination and motion forms have now been issued to committee members for the 2023 club AGM. If anyone would like nomination and motion forms sent to them to please send your request to Club Secretary Lisa McTernan by text on 085-1061456 or email secretary.aodhruadh.donegal@gaa.ie. The deadline date for return of nominations and motions forms is Friday, 3rd November. No forms will be accepted past this date. Sub-committee and officer reports should be submitted to Secretary, Lisa McTernan, by Friday 17th November.
Monthly executive committee meeting
The October club executive meeting will take place on Thursday 26th at 8.30pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. All executive committee members are asked to attend. Any items for Any Other Business should be sent to the Secretary, Lisa McTernan, by 2pm on Wednesday.
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. Call Orla on 086-8035316 if you need to arrange a collection.
Ballyshannon Bingo
Well done to last week’s winners at our 17th October bingo session. Mary McGloin was the Jackpot winner, whilst Caroline Murphy enjoyed a trebler on the lucky numbers game to take home €210! The other house winners were Teresa Campbell, Maureen Connolly, Mary B Kerrigan, Suzanna Cassidy, Rosemary Roper, Majella Gettins (with a line!), Geraldine Kane, and Theady McCann, with Mary Donagher and Josie Lynch sharing Game 9. The line winners were Tracy Singh, James Gettins, Sharon Taylor, Mary Donagher (twice!), Shane Coughlin, Mary Quinn, Finbar Torney, Karen Gallagher and Breda Gallagher, with Anne Marie Greene taking the €50 double line. Eileen Maguire was last on her feet to take €135 in the Stand Up Game. The €1,000 Winter Snowball rolls on another week as we play for up to €2,800 including the €500 50/50 Jackpot and €300 Lucky Numbers game. Bingo is back at the usual time of 8.30pm this Tuesday at the Abbey Centre, doors open from 7.45pm. Come along and bring a friend. Books cost just €10!
Aodh Ruadh lotto
There was no winner of the Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €4,400. The winning numbers drawn were 6, 8, 10, 13, 14 and 16. In the lucky dip prizes of €20 were won by Eunan McGrath, Carmel Gillespie, Mary Conlon, Martin Flanagan and Mike Lynch. The next draw is for a jackpot of €4,500 on Sunday in McGinley’s 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: RESERVE FOOTBALLERS.