Club AGM

The Aodh Ruadh AGM took place on Sunday in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. There were almost 40 in attendance as we looked back on a successful 2018 and made plans for the coming season. Detailed reports were submitted by all sub-committees and these were followed by an address from outgoing club chairman, Gerard Ferguson, reflecting on his three years in office, thanking all those who had made it such an enjoyable tenure.

Motions were then considered. Motion one seeking that development coaches be put in place at underage level in all codes was passed, seconded by Mick McGrath. Motion two was taken as part of motion one. Motion three on establishing an up to date coaching register was passed on to the first meeting of the incoming committee. Motion four, that the club establishes a presence on the O'Neill's online store, was passed, seconded by Peter Boyle. Motion five on establishing an online lotto offering was passed on to the first meeting of the incoming committee. Motion six requesting that the club implement an online facility to allow existing members to pay membership fees was passed, seconded by Sarah Daly. Motion seven on creating a club / school link co-ordinator was passed on to the first meeting of the incoming committee. Motion eight regarding the creation of a mechanism to investigate address drop-off between under 14 and minor was passed, seconded by Philip O'Reilly. Motion nine which sought the creation of a sub-committee to deal matters of community engagement was passed on to the first meeting of the incoming committee.

The AGM then proceeded to the election of officers with the following posts being filled. Patrons: Father Ó Fearrai and Fr McGroarty; President: Owen Roe O'Neill; Vice Presidents: Peter Conlon, PJ Buggy, John Magee, Michael McLoone, Tom Gallagher, John Murphy and Alan Kane; Chairman: William Doogan; Vice-Chairman: Tom Daly; Secretary: Lisa McTernan; Treasurer: Sabrina Brosnan; Assistant Treasurer: Sarah Daly; PRO: John Hughes; Oifigeach na Gaeilge: Alan Sweeny and Eamonn Martin Maguire; Substitute County Board Delegates: John Travers and Diarmaid Keon; Health and Well-being Officer: Philip McLoone; Child Protection Officer: John Travers; Director of Coaching: Brian Roper. The only post left unfilled was that of Assistant Secretary. It was hoped to have this position filled for the first meeting of the new committee in January. Also voted onto the committee on the evening were Pat McGrath, Dinny Loughlin, Brian Gillespie, Anthony Coughlin, Peter Horan, Sylvester Maguire, Gerald McGloin, Maurice McLaughlin, Gerard Ferguson, Catherine McKee and Mick McGrath, with allowance made for further members to be appointed at the January executive meeting.

The Park Committee AGM was also held at the club AGM, with the following officer posts being filled. Chairman: Tom Daly; Secretary: Conal Gallagher; Assistant Secretary: Peter Conlon; Treasurer: David McLoone; Bingo Treasurer: David McLoone; PRO: Michael Daly.

Congratulations and best wishes to all those who have taken up a post for 2019. The club extends its gratitude to those outgoing officers who have stepped down from posts after working hard for the club over the past season and beyond.

 

Bord na nÓg AGM

A very well attended Bord na nÓg AGM took place last Wednesday in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. With over 30 present, reports on the previous year's activity were read and considered with some interesting and engaging discussion on the matters arising. The following appointments were made on the evening. Chairman, David O'Donnell; Secretary, Lisa McTernan; Under 8 management, Packie McGrath and Liam Hassett; Under 10 management, Damian Conlon and Niall McCready; Under 12 management, Paul Gillespie and David O'Donnell; Under 14 management, Alan Sweeny and Kerry Ryan; Minor management, Peter Boyle. The posts of under 6 and under 16 management remain to be filled. Anyone interested in these positions is asked to contact either David O'Donnell on 087-7972101 or Lisa McTernan on 086-2338636.

 

Juvenile Hurling AGM

The Juvenile Hurling committee held their AGM last Monday. While the attendance was small, all present were very enthusiastic about keeping underage hurling alive in the club. All managers delivered detailed reports as we reviewed 2018. This season saw a number of successes for the underage hurlers the most notable being the capturing of the under 14 A league and championship titles. As we head for 2019, we face a number of hurdles in regard to playing numbers and mentors willing to get involved. We face challenges at under 14 and minor and will be meeting in early January to address them. The following positions were filled on the night. Chairman, John Rooney; Secretary, Denis Daly; Assistant Secretary, Lorraine Duffy; Lotto Co-ordinator, Teresa Maguire; Under 8 management, John Larkin, Liam Mealiff and others to be appointed; Under 10 management, Peter Horan and Gregory Gallagher; Under 12 management, Paul Sheridan and Mark Sheerin; Under 14 management will be discussed at the January meeting; Under 16 management, Denis Daly; Minor management will be discussed at the January meeting. If anyone is interested in getting involved in underage hurling please contact John Rooney on 086-2587793.

 

Presentation evening

The closing event of the underage football season, the presentation evening, took place last Saturday in an Abbey Centre packed to capacity. Presentations were made to all male and female footballer aged 16 and under by county star Jamie Brennan. Jamie was then grilled by master of ceremonies Michael Daly before giving the audience some guidance and advice on developing and improving their game. After that, individual awards were made.

The winners were as follows. U8 girls: Player's player: Lexi Mae Roper; Most improved player: Kali Gallagher; U8 boys: Player's player: Anthony Duffy; Most improved player: Oisin McGrath; U10 girls: Player's player: Niamh Duffy; Most improved player: Louisa McCusker; U10 boys: Player's player: Joe Gibbions; Most improved player: MJ Ward; U12 girls: Team One Player's player: Maura O'Sullivan; Team One Most improved player: Roise Conlon; Team Two Player's player: Cameron Gallagher; Team Two Most improved player: Orlaith Toland; U12 boys: Player's player: Caolan McCauley; Most improved player: Morgan McNamee; U13 girls: Player's player: Annie Keon; Most improved player: Orlaith O'Neill; U13 boys: Player's player: Eoghan Kelly; Most improved player: Aidan Sweeny; U14 girls: Player's player: Caoimhe Hughes-O'Brien; Most improved player: Ciara Caldwell; U14 boys: Player's player: Aaron Cullen; Most improved player: Aaron Neilan; U16 girls: Player's player: Caoimhe Keon; Most improved player: Caoimhe McCauley; U16 boys: Player's player: David Doherty; Most improved player: Mitchell McLaughlin; The final award of the night was for the Bord na nÓg personality of the year and the worthy, if surprised, recipient was Paul Gillespie. That brought the curtain down on a great celebration of underage football in the magnificently refurbished Abbey Centre. A gallery of almost 350 pictures from the night will be online in the next few days.

 

Ladies

The curtain came down on the under 13 season last Friday evening when Michaela McCaffrey's team played Fódhla Sheerin's team in the final of the Joe Roper Memorial Cup. On a beautiful cool and crisp November evening the large crowd who turned out to support the girls were treated to a wonderful display of football. From the first whistle every girl from one to 15 played their part. The sheer determination and commitment of the players was evident in every single move, tackle and score.

It was a close contest with the sides going in at the break all square at five scores each. The second half began with the same level of intensity as the first had ended, with no-one giving an inch. Eventually Michaela’s team edged ahead and never lost the lead and ran out winners by two points.

Football was the real winner on the night and this group of girls must be commended for their work ethic and dedication to developing their playing skills. The overall improvement compared to their first outing back in August was evident to everyone and we look forward to the potential of this young team coming to fruition next year.

After the match everyone came together in the Aras for the presentation which was made to the winning captain Michael McCaffrey by Áine Cronin on behalf of the Roper family. The girls were then treated to hot food while the parents and other family members enjoyed refreshments which were supplied and served by the parents. The under 13 management team would like to take the opportunity once again to thank the Roper Family for their generosity in sponsoring the tournament in memory of the late Joe Roper. It was an honour for the managers and the girls to play the games in Joe's memory and undoubtedly he would have been very proud of his grand-daughter Aimee who played so well on Friday evening . Thanks must also go to the parents who unselfishly continued to bring the girls to training, travelled to matches, gave support on the sideline and helped out in the kitchen and clean up in Aras on a number of occasions. Finally thanks to Paul Gillespie for refereeing the games and to Patricia Hill and the ladies committee for their continued support.

 

National Club Draw tickets available, now with big local prizes

The club is asking all members, players, former players and supporters at home and abroad to help it maximise the sale of Club National GAA Draw tickets over the next eight weeks. There is an array of wonderful prizes in the National Draw. This year they will be complimented by a fantastic array of prizes exclusively for those purchasing from Aodh Ruadh ticket sellers. Many sponsored, these include two overnight stays in a classic room and breakfast with one dinner in The Croke Park Hotel for two people; A trailer load of firewood; A pair of tickets for either 2019 hurling or football finals; Overnight and breakfast in Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast; Two tickets for the 2019 All-Ireland camogie final; A €250 his and hers hamper from Cara Pharmacy; Four tickets for the 2019 Rory Gallagher Festival; Two tickets for the 2019 All-Ireland Ladies Football Final; A White Hotel Group voucher for three nights B&B and two dinners for two people your choice of Lisdoonvarna or the Earl of Desmond, Tralee.

Tickets are €10 each with five in a book. We urgently need people to step forward and push the sale of this draw as ALL proceeds stay within the club. The funds raised will be retained to provide initial partnership funding to match the €100,000 grant aid negotiated for the provision of a new sand-based playing surface on Father Tierney Park, such a central part of GAA life in the northwest.

 

Aodh Ruadh gear

We have a few items of Aodh Ruadh gear available to purchase at the minute. Aodh Ruadh hats in adult or kids sizes are now available to order and you can see samples on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page. These are €20 each or five €90. Orders for these can be placed with Lisa Mc Ternan, Kerry Ryan or Alan Sweeny or on Facebook. Order now for Christmas delivery. Profit from sales of hats will go to Bord na nÓg. Coláiste Cholmcille company Tharr an mbarr Sports are also offering Aodh Ruadh socks. Kids sizes from 1-5 are priced €10 while adult sizes from 6-12 are priced €12. Place your order on the Tharr an mbarr Sports page on Facebook.

 

Christmas is coming

With Christmas just around the corner Ballyshannon Business Chamber is gearing up for its festivities. The town is being dressed with beautiful lights and decorations and the Christmas tree, always spectacular, should be in place soon. Santa Claus will come to town this Saturday 1st December and the Town Christmas lights will be switched on. On the day there will be plenty to do with a market planned for the Gables and music and song from the Samba band, Ballyshannon Brass and Reed band as well as the Bel Canto choir. We are inviting people to come along to enjoy the day and browse our shops or enjoy some food and drink in one of our fine local establishments. Memory bulbs are available to purchase in Dorrian's Pharmacy or Le Fleur, a great way to remember loved one who have passed away or cannot be with us this Christmas. We also hope to launch our Christmas draw and giveaways shortly with free entry with every purchase. This is to thank you, our loyal customers who keep it local this Christmas. Happy Christmas from Ballyshannon, Ireland’s Oldest Town.

 

Diary date

The annual Aodh Ruadh dinner dance will take place on January 19th in Dorrian's Hotel.

 

Abbey Centre Bingo

Last week's €400 bingo jackpot went to Belleek, With Katie Tierney winning. The stand up game prize of €125 was won by Teresa Campbell. The winter snowball remains unclaimed so rolls up to €525 this week. The November Big Bingo will be this Friday at the Abbey Centre at 9pm. There'll be over €3,200 in prizes up for grabs, including the €1,000 super jackpot which must be won. Books are priced €15, or get the book and a half special for just €20.

 

Aodh Ruadh Lotto

This week's lotto draw will take place in the Bridgend Bar on Tuesday evening. Full results will be in next week's notes

 

The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra on Saturday is: JUVENILE HURLERS.

 

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