Football

Results elsewhere in division 2 over the past couple of weeks mean that Aodh Ruadh are now two points away from securing promotion back to the top flight of Donegal football. The last Aodh Ruadh team to line out in division 1 combat, way back in 2007, was as follows: David Greene; Darren Drummond, Martin Gallagher, Ciron Whoriskey; Niall McCready, Thomas McPhelim, Philip O'Reilly; Stephen Ward, Barry Ward; Donagh McIntyre, John Duffy, Pauric Buggy; Barry Mulligan, Kerry Ryan, Val Murray. Subs PJ McGee Michael 'Sticky' Ward, Diarmaid McInerney, Conor Gurn. Perhaps a surprising amount of continuity, but certainly a greater degree of change. However the focus this weekend is firmly on the seniors bid to create a bit of history and win Aodh Ruadh's first ever intermediate football title. Standing in their way at the semi-final stage are a Milford side who, despite Ballyshannon getting the better of them in the group stages 2-15 to 1-10, are probably warm favourites to progress. James O'Donnell's men go into last four actionon Sunday at 2.30pm in O'Donnell Park. The lads deserve a big travelling support to get behind them in Letterkenny. Also in championship action are the reserves. After a tricky start to the season the team have hit their stride and strung a number of impressive results together at the business end of the year. They take on Glenfin in their championship semi-final on Saturday. Throw-in is down for 2pm, but the venue has yet to be confirmed. This squad are more than worthy of your support, so please make the effort to travel and get behind them.

 

Aodh Ruadh under 16s face into the two biggest games of their season this week when they take on Naomh Muire in a two legged Southern Divisional championship semi-final. The team drew with Naomh Muire down in Annagry in the league earlier this year, before losing to them in the league quarter-finals in a real roller-coaster of a game. Aodh Ruadh are in Father Tierney Park for the first leg this Wednesday, with throw-in at 6.15pm. It promises to be an exciting and entertaining match between two evenly matched teams so we would really appreciate a large and vocal Ballyshannon support to come up and get behind the lads for this one. The second leg down in Annagry is on Friday with a 7pm throw-in.

 

The under 13s had a 5-12 to 1-10 win at home over Naomh Conaill on Monday evening to make it three wins from three to start the league. The home side got off to a good start and led from start to finish. Although Glenties had some great interplay and teamwork they found it hard to deal with Aodh Ruadh up front and couldn't keep out the goals which made the big difference. A busy week still ahead for the under 13s with an away game against Ardara on Wednesday and the David Canney Invitational Tournament in Corofin, Galway on Saturday. We are grateful to Corofin for inviting us to this and will have the chance to play against four good teams from Mayo, Galway and Clare. The bus leaves Market Yard at 7.45am on Saturday.

 

Ladies

Commiserations to the minors who lost heavily in their semi-final replay against Moville up in Inishowen last Thursday. Well done to the girls on competing so strongly at this high level and getting so far. Well done also to Anna Rafferty and her support team for their  stewardship of the team this season.

 

Aodh Ruadh under 16s took on an understrength Moville team on Sunday morning for third, fourth place play-off which neither club particularly desired. Nevertheless both teams made the best of the situation and delivered a good game of football on a rare good day for football. The Shamettes started superbly and probably played some of their best football of the year in the opening 20 minutes. Caoimhe Keon, Cáit Gillespie and Tia McFarland all hit points before a Brídín Maguire blast of a shot found the net. As the game moved into the second quarter two Cáit Gillespie goals put the hosts 3-5 to no score up. Sara Jane Keon got in on the scoring act before the break as Aodh Ruadh took in a comfortable lead at the interval. The second half was more evenly contested, but Aodh Ruadh got the perfect start when Sarah Jane Keon netted six minutes in. Further goals from Cáit Gillespie, Tia McFarland and Katherine McClay, plus a collector's item Eva Moore point left the final score 7-13 to 6-3. In defence Aisling Gallagher deserves special praise for her outstanding stint in the corner. Andrea McGlynn worked herself to the bone in midfield, while the front five all played with real confidence and flare. The Ernesiders were well served by their subs, with Orla Keon, Shona Slevin, Aideen Walsh and Erin McGowan among those catching the eye. The team now have a busy programme of challenge games ahead, starting with the visit of Saint Mary's Sligo to Father Tierney Park this Thursday as they prepare for their county semi-final against Saint Eunan's. The game against Saint Mary's throws in at 6pm with all players to be at the park for 5.15pm.

 

Best of luck to the Aodh Ruadh under 14 team taking part in the All-Ireland 7s competition at Kilmacud Croke's this weekend.

 

The under 13 girls extended their unbeaten run in the league to four games, although not in the manner they would have liked with Saint Eunan's electing to concede the points. The team has no training this week, with the next outing a challenge game against Saint Mary's, Sligo on Wednesday evening in Sligo at 6pm we will meet at Father Tierney Park at 4.30pm prior to setting off to arrange lifts for anyone who may need them. Following that, the team's last game of the league stages takes place on Friday against Fanad Gaels, throw-in time to be confirmed.

 

Hurling

The under 16s had a ding dong local derby with Four Masters on Thursday last in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. On a terrible evening for hurling both teams gave it their all and put on a great exhibition of of the game. Due to injuries and illness we only had 12 players, but as they've done all season the lads gave it their all for the cause. We were leading by a point going into the final minutes when with fading light we were hit with a killer goal quickly followed by a point which left the full time score Four Masters 4-12 Aodh Ruadh 6-3. The lads are due to play Letterkenny Gaels this Thursday with full fixture details to be confirmed.

 

The annual under 12 Aodh Ó Dálaigh tournament takes place this Sunday. In existence since 1982, this tournament honours the memory of the late Hugh Daly and recognises the great contribution he made to the GAA locally with Aodh Ruadh and as the longest serving secretary with Donegal county board. Teams committed to this year's event are Tuam (Galway), Naomh Eoin (Sligo), Éire Óg (Tyrone), Keady (Armagh), Loch Mor dal gCais (Antrim) and Aodh Ruadh. There has been some great hurling played at this tournament over the last few years and Sunday is sure to be no different. The action gets underway at 10.30am.

 

Abbey Centre Bingo

Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was shared by Marie Gallagher of Erne Street and Anna O'Brien of Ballintra. Marie Gallagher also claimed the stand-up game, scooping a €140 pot. The snowball survived another week so it rises to €525 on 48 numbers. Bingo as usual this Friday at the Abbey Centre at 9pm. Books cost just €10 with a €2,200 prize fund up for grabs.

 

Aodh Ruadh Lotto

There was no winner of last week's Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €4,600. The winning numbers drawn were 5, 8, 9, 10, 15 and 16. In the lucky dip €20 went to Dara Timoney, Cashelard; Dolores Blake, Cornhill; Margaret Campbell, Camlin; Rose Gallagher, Portnason; and Mickey Mac, c/o Pat's Bar. Next draw is in Dorrian's Hotel with a jackpot of €4,700 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: SENIOR FOOTBALLERS.

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