RIP John Larkin

It was with great sadness that the club learned the news of the passing of John Larkin Sr on Monday evening. John had been battling illness in recent years, bearing the trials that came his way with immense courage and fortitude. He had been a tireless servant of the club over the years and his passing will be deeply felt. However at this time our thoughts are first and foremost with the Larkin family, John's loving wife Theresa, sons John Jr and Martin, daughters Claire and Louise, and his young grandchildren. Details regarding wake and funeral will follow on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

 

Football 

Aodh Ruadh saw off Saint Eunan's in a heroic under 21 championship first round game and so the large Ballyshannon support in Páirc Naomh Bríd on Sunday travelled in hope of a repeat of that sort of fighting spirit. Indeed when Aodh Ruadh hit the front ten minutes in it looked like they were set to push on and play the sort of champagne football they are capable of in this quarter-final clash. However, Naomh Conaill had different ideas and by the break it they were four clear with the foundation for a second half push for victory firmly laid down. The main damage was done in that second quarter where Glenties outscored Ballyshannon 1-5 to 0-1. It was 1-9 to 1-4 at the turnover and Aodh Ruadh desperately needed a few settling scores at the start of the second half. They weren't to materialise though. Instead Naomh Conaill hit four unanswered points to give their rivals a mountain to climb. Glenties final score came ten minutes from time and as they shut up shop, Aodh Ruadh added a good point from play by the hard working Colm Kelly and a Shane McGrath free. A minute into added time Michael McKenna also found the net with a lovely crisp strike, but it was a case of too little to late. Best for Ballyshannon were Colm Kelly and Jason Granaghan while up front Oisin Rooney did his best to offer an outlet in a suffocating Glenties rearguard. We have a full match report from the game up on aodhruadh.org.

 

After a cat and mouse first half in Killygordon, Aodh Ruadh put in a superb 30 minutes of football to power their way into the under 16 B championship county final against Red Hugh's. There was little to separate the teams in the first half with Malin punishing Aodh Ruadh in the final third with some high quality free taking. Aodh Ruadh got off to the perfect start with Shane Gillespie rattling to the back of the net with just seconds on the clock. A minute later Eoin Doherty added a point as the Ernesiders settled quickly. It was tit for tat from there to the break. When Senan Rooney floated over a nice shot after 27 minutes that saw the sides going in at 1-5 to 0-5 with the game there for either side. Aodh Ruadh came out with a real sense of purpose for the restart and four points in four minutes from four different scorers showed they meant business. Senan Rooney, Shane Gillespie, Cian Rooney with a free and Eoin Doherty from play were the men on the mark. Malin weren't about to give though and won a penalty 36 minutes in. Eoin Doherty pinged over an answering point to put five between the sides at 1-10 to 1-5 and set off another run of scores from Ballyshannon. Once again though Malin grabbed themselves a lifeline, raiding for a goal 13 minutes from time and that was followed two minutes later by a free to leave just four between the sides. Aodh Ruadh played superb controlled football in that closing ten minutes, hitting an unanswered 2-3 to secure the result. The defence were magnificent throughout and the attacking performance in the second half in particular was a delight. A magnificent display from every one of the Aodh Ruadh lads and a day where it really wasn't possible to pick out any one man for special mention. A real 19 man display. There is a full match report from the game up on aodhruadh.org. The county final against Red Hugh's will take place this Sunday at 2pm, venue to be confirmed. Wherever it is, we hope there'll be a big, vocal Ballyshannon support there to roar them on.

 

Not to be for the young footballers of Aodh Ruadh in the under 13 county final. They travelled with high hopes to Letterkenny on Saturday for the decider against Seán MacCumhaill's. They battled hard, but MacCumhaill's had more physicality and firepower on the day, running out 6-7 to 1-5 winners in O'Donnell Park. The Ballybofey boys were against the breeze in the first half but made light of the disadvantage and were able to punch holes in the Aodh Ruadh defence running fast and hard and causing problems for us all over the field. They got off to a flying start with a goal and a point and after that Aodh Ruadh were always playing catch up. By the break MacCumhaill's had built up a significant lead, 4-3 to 0-4 ahead at the interval. Aodh Ruadh got the first point of the new half and went from 11 points down to seven points down in the early part of the second half. However MacCumhaill's had significant cushion to protect and, despite Daniel Breen-Brosnan hitting the net, they were able to push on and claim the county title. Disappointment then for the Ballyshannon lads, but they can take great pride in their performances along the way to the final, which showed the real character in this side. Best on the day for Aodh Ruadh was Aaron Horan, once again magnificent between the posts. Further up the park, Shane Delahunty never gave up the fight while Damian Weber took two fine scores and Jack Gallagher soldiered bravely in the attack. Thanks to hosts, Saint Eunan's and to Mark Dorrian for an excellent job as referee. Special thanks to the supporters who travelled in great numbers. Congratulations to MacCumhaill's who were worthy winners on the day. The team's attention turns quickly back to divisional matters where they await confirmation of the play-off draw. Training resumes on Wednesday from 5.15pm to 6.30pm.

 

The third round of the Ballyshannon Shoe Company under 10 league took place last Friday evening and saw the semi-final pairings for Monday evening confirmed. The first semi-final saw Barry Campbell's side get the better of Ted O'Donnell's team. The second game saw the clash of Oran Gillespie's team and Dara McGloin's team with Dara's team coming out on top in that one. The finals will take place this Friday and players are to be up at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh for 5.45pm, with the first game throwing in at 6pm. The Shield final between Oran Gillespie's team and Ted O'Donnell's side is first up and is followed by the cup final between Barry Campbell's side and Dara McGloin's. Players are asked to bring €1 for lights and parents / guardians are also asked to bring some goodies for presentations after the football.  

 

Ladies

The Ladies AGM has been rescheduled and will take place in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh on Thursday 23rd November at 8pm. Any team managers who have yet to submit reports are reminded to do so at their earliest convenience.

 

Bring and buy sale

The Bring and Buy Sale and Craft Fair is taking place this Sunday 12th November in the Mercy Hall from 11am to 3pm. Entry for adults is €2 and kids go free. With well over 20 stalls there will be something for everybody. From homemade cards, hand knits, local photography, embroidery, angel ways, musical instruments and yummy bakes to unused and used baby items, toys, clothes, jewellery, books, CDs, DVDs and lots more. We are also serving tea, coffee and hot chocolate so why not come along for a look and a wee chat. Big thank you to Liam from Mr G's for sponsoring the prize for our Guess the Marbles in the Jar competition. Hope to see you there on the day and thank as always for your support

 

Scór na nÓg

The county Scór na nÓg semi-final takes place this Friday in Moville at 7.30pm. Good luck to Eva Carney who is taking part in the Aithriseoireacht / Scéalaíocht section and to Beth Flood, Laoise Kelly, Lauren McHugh and Clodagh O'Connor who are taking part in the Tráth na gCeist. Daithi and Fódhla Sheerin are also taking part in the Ceol Uirlise competition on Friday 17th November in the other semi-final in Glenfin.

 

Inter-county Season Tickets

Season Ticket pricing for 2018 has been confirmed by Croke Park. Adult Club+ season tickets are price €200. Adult season tickets are €120. Juvenile season tickets are €30. As in the season just past, The Club+ season ticket allows the owner to attend club fixtures within the chosen county. The grades and codes of club fixtures covered by the Club+ element of the ticket are determined by the individual county. Once the season ticket is correctly maintained throughout the season, the Club+ version will also guarantee the ticket holder an All-Ireland Final ticket should their county qualify, regardless of their attendance percentage. Clubs will receive €100 for every Club+ season ticket purchased by club members. Renewals and sales are now live.

 

National Draw 2018

The National Club Draw returns once again for 2018 and tickets are out now. The prizes are, as ever, spectacular. They include a new Renault Dynamique, a €2,000 travel voucher, various All-Ireland final ticket packages, and shopping vouchers ranging from €1,000 to €250 in value. To increase your chances of winning further there is also a Donegal County Board draw and an Aodh Ruadh draw for €100. Once again, Aodh Ruadh keeps 100 percent of monies raised by the club. Tickets are available from Lisa McTernan and Gerard Ferguson and committee members.

 

Diary dates

A few dates for your diaries. The underage football presentation night will take place in the Abbey Centre on Saturday 25th November. The Bord na nÓg AGM will take place on Tuesday 28th November. All team managers should have reports submitted to Lisa McTernan by Friday 17th November. The annual club dinner dance will take place on Saturday, 20th January 2018.

 

Abbey Centre Bingo

Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was won by Bridie Corr of Bundoran. There was one winner of the stand up game, with Mrs Gavigan of Creevy taking the €175 pot. The snowball survived another week so it rises to a whooping €700 on 50 numbers or less. Bingo as usualthis Friday at the Abbey Centre at 9pm, books cost just €10 with a €2,400 prize fund up for grabs.

 

Aodh Ruadh Lotto

There was no winner of last week's Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €5,300. The winning numbers drawn were 5, 7, 11, 12, 15 and 17. In the lucky dip €20 went to Bríd Campbell, Corker; Patsy McCabe, c/o McGinley's; Ben and Mary Dorrian; Gerry Quickley, Dunkineely; and Larry McCluskey, Cootehill. Next draw is in Pat's Bar with a jackpot of €5,400 on Sunday at 8.30pm. Tickets are now available in the following outlets: Seán Óg's, The Market House, Dicey Reilly's, The Limit, Pat's Bar, The Bridgend, Owen Roe's, Fin McCool's, The Lantern, McGinley's, Pearse O'Neill's, McCosker's Centra and Kernan's Spar and at the weekly and weekly bingo in the Abbey Centre. If not in, you can't win!

 

The lotto team for McCosker's Centra on Saturday is: LADIES.

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