Club meeting

The Aodh Ruadh monthly club executive committee meeting will take place on Thursday 27th July 9pm. All executive members are asked to attend.

 

Football

Aodh Ruadh got back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon with a 4-14 to 1-13 win over Termon which takes them five points clear at the top of the division two table. Termon got off to a flier with their most effective forward, Enda McCormick drilling home a spot kick 90 seconds in. However Aodh Ruadh forged their way to the front after eight minutes when points from Philip Patton and Nathan Boyle were followed by a Darren Drummond goal. Further goals from Diarmaid McInerney in the 13th and 18th minutes put the hosts firmly in the driving seat, with Shane McGrath playing a key creative role in both McInerney's finishes. At the break it was the Ernesiders leading 3-6 to 1-5. The homesters faced the breeze after the break, but still managed early points from Shane McGrath and Philip Patton. Termon characteristically fought back to narrow the gap to two goals with the game entering the final quarter. However Aodh Ruadh came with a sprint finish and points from David Dolan and Seamus Kane were followed by a goal from Oisin Rooney to make the points safe for James O'Donnell's men.

 

It is another big game for Aodh Ruadh on Saturday evening as they entertain Naomh Columba for their rescheduled game in Father Tierney Park at 7.30pm. There's a lot on the line for this one and it would be good to see a vocal and partisan Ballyshannon support in the Park to get behind the team. Why not make an effort to get up a bit earlier and give the reserves a bit of support too in their 6pm throw-in against the Glencolumcille second string. The reserves had a walkover against Termon last week and a win on Saturday would catapult them up to third in the table.

 

Commiserations to Donegal on championship defeat to Galway on Sunday. From a Ballyshannon perspective it was good to see, at long last, Peter Boyle making a deserved championship debut. Like many Donegal supporters, it won't be a game he will remember with much fondness, but we hope it will mark the starting point for bigger things to come over the not too distant future. We commend Eamonn McGrath for all his hard work with the county team this year also. The lads do at least have the comfort of realistic prospects of league and championship honours to contend for as the club season unfolds.

 

Best wishes to the minors who commence their championship against Kilcar in Father Tierney Park on Wednesday 27th July at 7pm.

 

Hard luck to the Aodh Ruadh under 15 Óg Sport squad who drew a blank on Saturday despite some good performances in Donegal town. The under 16 squad will resume collective training on Wednesday, 2nd August at 7pm.

 

Aodh Ruadh's under 14 league title challenge ended in Killybegs on Monday evening. The Ernesiders were light on numbers for the game with 17 making the trip and a number of usual starters absent for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless Ballyshannon battled gamely and it was 1-1 to 2-2 in favour of the Gaeltacht men at half-time. The second half saw Aodh Ruadh putting in a determined effort and closing in on the leaders. However an opportunist goal for Gaoth Dobhair knocked the stuffing out that late charge and that saw them press on for a 5-8 to 3-7 victory and book a place in the county final. Aodh Ruadh's best performances were in defence where, as ever, Seimí Campbell and Matt Gillespie gave everything they had and up front Mitch McLaughlin caused plenty of trouble. The under 14s are now out in championship tonight, Wednesday, against Naomh Conaill in the first round of the group stages. Throw-in at Glenties is at 7.30pm.

 

The under 10's next blitz is take place this Friday, 28th July in Páirc Naomh Bríd. All players are to be in Ballintra for 6pm. Training continues as usual on Monday and then we will be away to Saint Mary's, Sligo for a blitz on Wednesday 2nd August. Players are to meet in the Park for 5.30pm before heading for Sligo town.

 

The Aodh Ruadh under 8s travelled with 23 players to Ardara on Saturday for a big blitz at the splendid facilities in Pearse Memorial Park. All teams did very well on the day playing some impressive football. Well done to the A team who won the Shield Final, beating Kilcar in the decider. A fun day was had by all and many thanks to Ardara for hosting the blitz as smoothly as ever. Under 8 training continues as usual on Friday 28th July at 6.15pm.

 

Ladies

Realt Ruadh travelled to Machaire Gathlán for the second leg of their opening championship tie on a hot Sunday morning. Sarah Patton opened the game with a bang, firing home a goal for the visitors and following up with a few points to add to her tally. Gaoth Dobhair converted three points to reduce the lead to four. Defensively Sara Gallagher and Hannah Doherty came out on top beating their defenders one-on-one in several encounters. Roise Keon and Tara Khan did well moving the play out of danger zone and into attack. Rebecca Gillespie fired home a goal for Realt Ruadh to leave the scores at 3-4 to 1-5 in favour of visitors at the interval. Katie Gallagher opened the second half with two consecutive goals as Realt Ruadh took the driving seat. They were in full control for this period, only conceding two points in the second half. Natasha Gormley made two great saves to twice deny Gaoth Dobhair goals which might have given them some chink of daylight. The forward line continued their free-scoring form with substitutes like Danika Doherty contributing 1-1 to the tally. Realt Ruadh worked tirelessly and ruthlessly until the end in the hot conditions. A scoreline 6-9 to 1-7 reflected a great team performance for the girls who now progress into the county semi-finals.

  

Under 16 training continues on Thursday at 7.45pm. The next league game is this Saturday, 29th July at 3pm away to Moville. Bus departs from the park at 12 noon.

 

The under 8s and under 10s girls enjoyed a exciting blitz in Father Tierney Park recently. Ardara, Kinlough and Saint Mary's, Sligo were the guests for a great day of football. Thanks to our referees on the days and the parents / guardians who put on a great spread afterwards. We have some pictures from the blitz up on aodhruadh.org.

 

Hurling

There was a silver lining to Saturday's proceedings with the Donegal under 21s claiming the All-Ireland C title with a 1-14 to 0-12 win over Sligo in Markievicz Park. Aodh Ruadh were well represented on the day. Ciaran Rami gave a good account of himself at corner back, while Eddie Lynch playing at corner forward finished with three points to his credit. Oisin Rooney struck for the game's only goal just three minutes in and that score was to be the difference between the sides for much of the game. Donegal took the foot off the gas in the second half, but a late scoring rally, which saw Eddie Lynch on the mark, helped the Tir Chonaill men to a third Andrew O'Neill trophy on the trot. Conor Kennedy was also a member of the squad with Kevin Loughlin part of the back room team.

 

The under 16s are due to play Letterkenny Gaels at home this Thursday.

 

Well done to the under 12s who had their first win of the league away to Four Masters. In a much improved performance they were convincing winners hopefully their good form will continue this Thursdayaway to Setanta.

 

The county under 12 skills competition took place in Convoy on Sunday we were represented by Michael Doogan, Cian Mc Kenna,  Hugh Maguire, Tommy Clyne and Jack McCadden the lads all did very well.

 

We are running a bus to the All-Ireland semi-final between Galway and Tipperary on the 6th August. Full details later.

 

Training as normal for all age groups on Sunday at 12 noon.

 

Abbey Centre Bingo

Last week's €400 jackpot was won by Annie McGloin of Belleek, whilst Sheila Killalea won the stand up prize of €150. The July big bingo is this Friday at 9pm at the Abbey Centre, with over €3,000 in the prize fund including the €1,000 jackpot game and the €325 snowball game. Books priced at €15, or get the book and a half special for €20.

 

Aodh Ruadh Lotto

There was no winner of last week's Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €3,800. The winning numbers drawn were 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 13. In the lucky dip €20 went to Niamh and Pauric McGrath, Creevy; Orla Bannon, Donegal Road; Eileen McIntyre, Assaroe View; Geraldine Galligan, Brollagh; Aodhán Drummond, Garrison. Next draw is in Dicey Reilly's with a jackpot of €3,900 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: 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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