Football

Utter heartbreak in Convoy for Aodh Ruadh in the IFC semi-final replay against Cloich Cheann Fhaola last Wednesday night. Shane McGrath looked like he had clinched it with a fisted point three minutes into second half added time, only for the Gaeltacht men to race the ball up the other end put it in the back of the net. Aodh Ruadh tried to hit an instant response themselves, but were fouled on their way up the pitch and only allowed to float the ball into the box where it was won by Shane McGrath before Enda McFeely abruptly blew the final whistle to end Ballyshannon's intermediate ambitions for another year. The Ernesiders had been slow out of the traps in the first half, an early Cian Dolan point being their only response to an opening 1-3 from Cloich Cheann Fhaola. Shane McGrath and Philip Patton (free) put a better complexion on the Aodh Ruadh return, but the Falcarragh men hit back with two of their own to lead by five with half-time nearing. Thankfully Aodh Ruadh grabbed a few points before the break to pull themselves back into contention, Philip Patton (two frees) and Nathan Boyle on the mark as the sides turned around at Aodh Ruadh 0-6 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 1-5. After a cagey, strangely pedestrian first half, the second delivered much more action and incident. Cloich Cheann Fhaola kept their score board ticking over, but Aodh Ruadh were playing with much more fluency now. Their first score of the half was an outrageous long range free from Peter Boyle, which was followed by a Patton free. Diarmaid McInerney then landed two absolutely sublime points to make it all square at 0-10 to 1-7 with 41 minutes played. The Blues were given a handy lead score when Shane Gillespie was very harshly blown for a throw ball, but McInerney came back with another beauty of a point to level matters once more. As the game moved into the final quarter Peter Boyle thrust Aodh Ruadh into the lead for the first time with another impeccably struck placed ball, before Philip Patton pointed from play to put two in it. As had been the nature of this semi-final right over the two games, blow was answered by blow and Cloich Cheann Fhaola hit a three point salvo to take the lead. Not to be outdone, Oisin Rooney intelligently fisted over to level the game on 60 minutes and when McGrath fisted another point deep into added time it looked like Ballyshannon were back in the intermediate decider for a second year in succession. The sporting Gods had other plans though. Cloich Cheann Fhaola hit a quick kick out and caught Aodh Ruadh exposed two on one at the back and Peter Boyle was powerless to stop Darren McGeever's shot. Game over moments later and Aodh Ruadh bereft after coming within touching distance of a final berth. Peter Boyle was excellent as ever between the posts and took two inspirational points. Johnny Gallagher, Johnny Gethins and Shane Gillespie played some mighty stuff in the defence. Cian Dolan and Eamonn McGrath enjoyed a right battle in the middle third with their opposite numbers. Up front Diarmaid McInerney and Philip Patton were cool and consistent and took a number of crucial scores. Nathan Boyle was one of those who really rose to the demands of the game and set the tempo for Ballyshannon. The Aodh Ruadh team and scorers were. Peter Boyle (0-2f); Colm Kelly, Conor Patton, Sean Taylor; Niall Murray, Johnny Gallagher, Shane Gillespie; Cian Dolan (0-1), Eamonn McGrath; Diarmaid McInerney (0-3), Philip Patton (0-5, 4f), Nathan Boyle (0-1); Johnny Gethins, Oisin Rooney (0-1), Shane McGrath (0-2). Subs: Paddy Gillespie for J Gallagher 58m; Darren Drummond for Diarmaid McInerney 60m. This marks the end of the season for our seniors and so thank managers Barry Ward and Philip O'Reilly and the back room of Gregory Sweeney, Ronan Matthews, Leona Burke and Brian McGuinness for the huge amount of work they put into the team this year. Thanks to the players also for giving us a lot of high points in the year, even if they didn't necessarily get the rewards their efforts might have merited. Credit also to the mighty numbers of supporters also who made the trip down to Convoy on Wednesday evening. As a wise man once said, tiocfaidh ár lá!

 

Ladies

Aodh Ruadh minors put several years of hurt behind them to record one of the club's biggest wins this season. They travelled to O'Donnell Park to take on Saint Eunan's in the county semi-final. Right from an ill-fated under 12 clash a number of years previously, this squad had failed to get the better of the Letterkenny girls. On Sunday they threw off the shackles though and played the game of their lives. Aodh Ruadh approached the game in a calm, measured fashion and steadily picked off points over the course of the first half with Caoimhe Hughes-O'Brien, Cáit Gillespie, Aoibhínn McGarrigle and Gráinne Maguire all on the mark. However Saint Eunan's showed their reserves of skill and talent and engineered two goals to go in leading 0-7 to 2-3. Ballyshannon altered very little in the second half, and keeping faith with their approach started to bear great dividends. A Cáit Gillespie goal three minutes in brought Aodh Ruadh level and set the scene for a super half of football with both sides going at it blow for blow. There were points from Caoimhe Keon and Cáit Gillespie and two more well taken goals, but as the game ran into the last few minutes it looked like Saint Eunan's had just snatched the win with a late major. However, in a twist which had echoes of the last minute drama in Convoy the preceding Wednesday, Aodh Ruadh won possession from the kick out and Cáit Gillespie, Gráinne Maguire, and Lucy McGlynn linked well to set up Aoibhínn McGarrigle to net the winner and send the Ballyshannon support into raptures. A brilliant team display from the Ernesiders. Bridín Maguire pulled off some superb saves and did well on her kick outs too. The back line of Síofra Hughes, Ana Keon and Eva Moore were solid as ever. The central eight got through an immense amount of work and the quality of Aodh Ruadh's play in this quarter probably made the key difference. Up front Tia McFarland and Roisín Daly worked themselves to the bone. The county final against Moville is expected to take place this Sunday.

 

The under 13 girls season ended with a 0-4 to 0-13 defeat to Ardara in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Saturday afternoon. The visitors finished both halves strongly to win well enough in the end. Aodh Ruadh got the game's first score through a well-taken Orlaith Gallagher point. Ardara got the next two scores, but Orlaith pointed again to make it all square with 18 minutes played. In the run up to half-time Ardara hit four unanswered points to lead at the turnaround. The second half again saw the Ernesiders opening the scoring, Jodie Meade splitting the posts with a neat shot. Ardara replied with a point of their own, but when Dairín Sweeny popped over it looked like a exciting second half contest was in prospect. It didn't quite pan out like that with Ardara picking off points steadily over the remainder of the half. The homesters cause wasn't helped by the loss of Orlaith Gallagher to a nasty arm injury midway through the half. We wish Orlaith the very best for a speedy recovery. Aodh Ruadh battled hard, but found the going difficult against an Ardara side which was just that bit physically bigger in most areas of the pitch. Aisling Patton was absolutely outstanding between the posts, and her clean sheet was entirely deserved. Great kick outs too in what was a player of the match performance. The defence was really well anchored by Orlaith Toland and Fódhla Sheerin and ensured Ardara never ran away with the game. Dairín Sweeny, Lauren Foy, Ava Doherty and Pearl McHugh worked hard around the middle. Orlaith Gallagher seemed to be everywhere on the pitch and took two fine points. Up front Jodie Meade, Cádhla Dolan and Hannah McGuinness never stopped trying to create space in the attack. This marks the end of the under 13 season. Thanks to the players for their efforts over the course of the season and to Sandra Sheerin, Antoin McGloin and Thomas O'Brien who put so much into the group this year.

 

Club Mass

There will be a special Mass in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh this Saturday at 5pm to mark the 25th anniversary of 1994 county championship victory. This Mass will also celebrated in memory of all deceased members of the club.

 

Scór na nÓg

We are looking for people to represent Aodh Ruadh in Scór na nÓg this year. Scór aims to promote Irish culture and tradition in areas such as music and drama and we’re hoping the club will be represented in as many disciplines as possible. It’s open to any club member under 17 and the Donegal semi-final will be held this year on Sunday 10th November in the Bluestack Centre in Drimarone. We are looking for acts to represent the club in Céilí Dancing, Solo Singing, Recitation, Ballad Group or Historical Presentation. The deadline for entries is 22nd October, so if anyone’s interested or has any queries, you can contact Eamonn Martin Maguire at [email protected].

 

Pitch bookings

Confirmed pitch bookings this week are as follows.

Tuesday

Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, 7.15pm. Under 10 boys Ballyshannon Shoe Company football league.

Wednesday

Father Tierney Park and Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, 10am to 2pm. Senior Colleges Ladies Football Blitz - Coláiste Cholmcille, Magh Ene and Abbey VS.

Thursday

Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, 7.15pm. Under 10 boys Ballyshannon Shoe Company football league.

Saturday, 26th October

Father Tierney Park and Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, 10.30am to 3pm. Mick Shannon Memorial under 10 football tournament

 

Maintenance works

After October 26th and with all competitions completed, maintenance work will commence on all of our playing fields which have carried a huge volume of games and coaching activity over the past 10 months. Thanks to everyone involved in working to facilitate all of this activity and present our grounds well. Refurbishment work on our buildings after the long season commenced this week and access to changing rooms will be restricted.

 

Diary update

County star Stephen McMenamin has been revealed as our special guest for the underage football awards evening on Saturday, 26th October, in the Abbey Centre. The Bord na nÓg AGM will take place on Friday 1st November at 8pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. The annual Aodh Ruadh Christmas Quiz takes place in Dicey Reilly's on Friday, 27th December.

 

Abbey Centre Bingo

Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was won by Ann O'Neill of Belleek. The snowball again survived so rolls on to a massive €1,550 this week on 51 numbers. Nuala McDermott and Margaret McKinney shared the stand-up game prize, bagging €65 each. The €150 house winner was Ann McGloin with the €100 house prizes going to Barney Cullen, Teresa Herron,  Mary Toland, Patrick Boyle, and Mary Donagher. Angela Gaye,  Avril O'Brien and Mary Donagher claimed €70 prizes. Bingo as usual this Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre with a monster €3,200 prize fund. Books just €10.

 

Aodh Ruadh Lotto

There was no winner of last week's Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €8,500. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 4, 6, 11, 12 and 14. In the lucky dip €20 went to Antonia Kerrigan, Grace Meade, Patricia Heraty, Sean O'Mahoney, and Kathleen Lawless. Next draw is in Pat's Bar with a jackpot of €8,600 on Sunday at 8.30pm. Tickets are available in the following outlets: Seán Óg's, O'Donnell's, 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 bingo in the Abbey Centre. You have to be in it to win it! You can play also play the lotto online. Log onto klubfunder.com and then search for and select Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon.

 

The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra on Saturday is: RESERVE FOOTBALLERS.

 

You can receive the club notes by e-mail every Tuesday morning. To subscribe, enter your details on the website, www.aodhruadh.org, or e-mail your request to [email protected].

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