Football
Aodh Ruadh travelled to MacCumhaill Park on Saturday evening for their first league fixture in the county ground in the best part of a decade. It was to prove an unhappy return though, as MacCumhaill’s proved disobliging hosts from the off, netting an early goal. Aodh Ruadh hauled their way back into the game with four points to edge into the lead. Philip Patton put two in it before MacCumhaill’s registered their first point of the game. Shane McGrath restored the two points cushion before the feline reactions of Peter Boyle were required a to push a MacCumhaill shot on goal over the bar. Not long after Aodh Ruadh had a goal chance of their own when Colm Kelly was put through after a one two with Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward. Unfortunately for the Cashelard man his shot went over rather than under the bar. Sticky Ward and Marty O’Reilly swapped points before Ballybofey’s wing forward hit a late point to make it 1-4 to 0-8 at the break. O’Reilly was starting to come into the game more now and the county man got the first score of the new half with a well struck 45 metre. David McGurrin should be playing county, but that oversight didn’t stop him from restoring Aodh Ruadh’s one point lead with a nice score. Then 36 minutes in the Ernesiders once again had the lightening reactions of their county man, Peter Boyle, to thank for saving a MacCumhaill penalty as the hosts started to ratchet up the pressure. Aodh Ruadh moved further ahead though when substitute Seamus Kane split the post after 40 minutes. Not long after Darren Drummond created an opportunity with a deft lay off to Johnny Gallagher and he fisted over to make it 0-11 to 1-5. It was soon all square though after a bustling run by Marty O’Reilly ended with him putting the corner forward through and he finally found a route past Boyle. Johnny Gethins restored James O’Donnell’s men’s one point lead and a David McGurrin point put a little bit more daylight between them as the game entered the final quarter. MacCumhaill’s might have been down, but they were far from out. A Marty O’Reilly free with ten to go was followed by a levelling score from the Ballybofey wing back. Then disaster struck as a mix up in the Aodh Ruadh defence saw the MacCumhaill’s corner forward pounce for his side’s third goal. The homesters’ midfielder and Philip Patton exchanged scores as the game entered its dying moments. There was still plenty of action to come though as scores from MacCumhaill’s midfielder and full forward pushed them five points clear. Ballyshannon’s response was to hoist a ball into the danger area with two minutes to go where David Dolan slammed it to the net after a scramble to take his side back within touching distance. Aodh Ruadh searched desperately for a winner in the last seconds, but MacCumhaill’s hung on for the win as it finished MacCumhaill 3-10 Aodh Ruadh 1-14. With three games remaining in the league programme, winning the division 2 crown is still in Aodh Ruadh’s own hands, however they have only three points to spare on a Cloughaneely side who have a game in hand. Ballyshannon’s last three remaining games are at home to Malin, away to Killybegs and away to, you guessed it, Cloughaneely.
There was more joy for the reserves as they were on the right side of their two point scoreline, winning 0-12 to 1-11.
This Saturday we return to championship action with all roads leading to Convoy and our seniors and reserves clashes with Buncrana. The reserve quarter-final throws in at 11am with the senior last eight encounter going off at 12.30pm.
The under 16s have a challenge against Calry / Saint Joseph’s on Tuesday evening in the Park. The game throws in at 7pm and players are to be at the park for 6.15pm. The team take on Naomh Ultan in the first leg of the championship this Friday at 6.30pm, it would be good to have a good showing of support up to get behind the lads.
Aodh Ruadh under 14s booked their place in the county semi-final with a nerve-racking one point victory over Malin in a packed Father Tierney Park on Friday evening. Aodh Ruadh started the brighter of the sides, but goals made the difference for the Inishowen men as they came back to lead by 2-5 to 4-1 at the interval, Cian Rooney and Jake Foley getting Ballyshannon’s goals. However if Malin had shown their resilience, the Ernesiders showed they had reserves of their own to draw on. Goals in the 38th minute by Marty McGarrigle and in 44th minute by Cian Rooney put them two points ahead and the excitement and anxiety levels began to climb among the large crowd on the Rock. After an extended delay for treatment to an injured player Malin managed one more point, but a display of defensive heroics by the likes of Kyle Murray and Aaron Horan saw this game end with Aodh Ruadh the victors by the narrowest of margins 4-6 to 4-5. Aodh Ruadh wish the Malin keeper Ben Miller all the very best for a full and speedy recovery. We have an extended match report from the game up on aodhruadh.org. Unfortunately the county semi-final on Monday evening in Convoy proved a bridge too far. Saint Eunan’s took an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead. Nevertheless Aodh Ruadh put in a display of real heart as they gave their all to try and claw back the deficit. It was 2-6 to 1-3 after a first half where Aodh Ruadh hit the crossbar and the post as the ball refused to go in the net. The Ernesiders continued to battle manfully through the second half and reeled the Letterkenny men in somewhat, but it wasn’t enough and they progressed a final scoreline of 3-9 to 3-6. The team management thank the players for all their effort over the course of the year and record their gratitude to the parents who provided such great support all season. The lads claimed two major trophies, so it has been a successful season by any standards.
This Friday sees the under 13s commence their league programme with a game at home against Saint Naul’s. Throw-in time to be confirmed.
Big thanks to all the under 10 players who performed so well last Saturday in Castlebar. They did themselves and the club proud. There is under 10 training this Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm. We will be giving out the Euro Shot Challenge sponsorship cards at this session with the competition taking place on Sunday. There’s no training this Friday.
Ladies
The Aodh Ruadh and Moville minors will have to do it again in their county A semi-final after they couldn’t be separated following 60 hard fought minutes in Father Tierney Park on Sunday morning. Aodh Ruadh held the initiative early on with goals from Laoise Gallagher and Tia McFarland along with two points from Briana Maher and a point from Cáit Gillespie. That gave the Ernesiders a 2-3 to 1-3 lead as the game moved into the second quarter. Moville levelled the match with a goal, but a well-struck Cáit Gillespie free edged Ballyshannon back in front. Moville came back with another goal, but the Shamettes cause got a shot in the arm when Briana Maher slammed an unstoppable penalty past the Inishowen keeper to make it 3-4 to 3-3 at the break. Another Cáit Gillespie free early in the new half gave Ballyshannon a two point cushion, but Malin trimmed it back to the minimum with a point after 38 minutes. Gillespie was again at the heart of the action when the next score arrived after 49 minutes. She made a brilliant drive down the right before serving up a lovely pass to Tia McFarland who made no mistake with her cracking shot on goal. Both sides were visibly tiring at this stage, with the wet turf in Father Tierney Park draining the energy from players. Moville made the very most of their possession though and patiently tagged on four points to make a draw game at the final whistle, 4-5 to 3-8. Shelley Loughlin was a rock in defence, particularly in the second half, meanwhile out on the wing Caitlin McGarrigle was a prime contender for player of the match with her exemplary courage, reading and distribution. In midfield Saoirse McDevitt put in a real warrior’s performance. Up front Briana Maher lead the line well in the absence of the injured Mary Flora Scott. She had great support from Tia McFarland and Laoise Gallagher while Cáit Gillespie put in a great shift for the cause. The replay will be in Moville, fixture details yet to be confirmed.
The under 16s had two excellent challenges against Derrygonnelly over the past week with players coming on really well over the course of them. Caoimhe Keon was simply outstanding, with sister Orla superb too in both games. Shóna Slevin showed up really well in the Thursday game as did Dearbhla McGuckin. Eilish Gallagher was excellent in her excursion out the pitch on Sunday with Katherine McClay, Caitlin McLaughlin and Alana Gallagher playing well and the full back line of Aideen Walsh, Leah Travers and Kelly Eves very sound indeed. The team’s last game of the league stages is this Wednesday at 6.30pm in Downings. The bus will leave the park at 4pm. All players to be up for 3.45pm. Remember to bring €5 to go towards the cost of the bus.
The under 13s made it two wins from two on Saturday evening in Buncrana. It was a simply awesome performance from the young Ernesiders. Three points from Ciara Gillespie got Aodh Ruadh off to a great start. Evelyn Rose Gallagher’s point in the 10th minute was quickly followed by an opportunist goal by Niamh Hughes. Her second goal a minute later was a superbly struck effort and gave Aodh Ruadh a 2-4 cushion which they extended over the course of the remainder of the game. The Shamettes’ defence were again outstanding with Lucy McGlynn, Grainne Maguire, Ciara Caldwell and Lauren McHugh presenting an impenetrable wall. Caoimhe Hughes O’Brien became more dominant in midfield as the game went on while up front Aoibhínn McGarrigle stitched play together well and finished with 1-1 to her credit. Emer O’Brien also finished on 1-1, her goal a classy finish, while Shauna O’Mahoney got on the score sheet with a lovely measured shot. It ended 9-10 to 1-1 in favour of Aodh Ruadh. On Tuesday, 5th September, Naomh Bríd are the visitors to Father Tierney Park for a challenge. The game throws in at 6pm so all players are to be present and togged for 5.30pm at the latest. On Thursday the team train at 4.30pm. Then on Saturday the team have the last trip of the league stages when they travel to Dungloe. The game throws in at 12 noonand again we will be travelling down in cars. We will meet at the park at 9.30am prior to setting off to sort out any lifts which might be required. Anyone not on the WhatsApp group should contact John Hughes on 087-6431805 to be added.
Hurling
The under 16s made the trip to the ancestral home of Donegal hurling in Burt last Thursday. We only had 14 lads and they put up some performance against a physically strong Burt team. They fought for every ball giving it their all before losing narrowly 4-7 to 4-5. While results haven’t gone the lads way this year their commitment and effort has been top class, the main thing is we’ve fielded for all games and that’s more important than any wins. Hopefully we’ve a game away to Buncrana this Thursday.
Euro Shot Challenge
The Euro Shot Challenge is back and Bord na nÓg and underage ladies are looking for your support. You can sponsor players €2 per line. For every line the player sells they get a shot in the Euro Shot Challenge on this Sunday 10th September. All our sponsors are in with a chance to win a weekend away, with the winner drawn on the day of the Euro Shot Challenge. Players who sell a full card will get a pair of short style club socks. The club hasn’t done much in the way of fund raising this year, so we are hoping you can give generously to help us building our club for players. If you haven’t already get a card, you can download one now from the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page.
Inishowen Flood Relief Fund Draw
We ask club members to visit the page on Donegal GAA website for the Inishowen Flood Relief Fund Draw at http://bit.ly/2gxqJlF. You can purchase tickets for a prize draw and do your bit to help relieve some of the hardship caused by the recent flooding in Inishowen. The Draw will take place on Friday 15th September. One ticket is €5 with a book of three tickets available for €10. Draw prizes are as follows. First prize is two All-Ireland Premium Level football final tickets with one overnight accommodation. Second prize is an overnight stay for two in Mount Errigal Hotel. Third prize is a signed 2017 Donegal Jersey. Fourth prize is a 1992 Magee tailored replica jersey.
All-Ireland Final Ticket draw
Any fully paid up adult member wishing to have their name in the draw for an All-Ireland final ticket should text Lisa McTernan on 086-2338636 before 8pm Monday 11th. Tickets will have to be paid for.
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week’s €400 bingo jackpot was won by Bridget Quinn of the Knather. Lightning struck twice for Aisling Patton as she took the stand up game for the second week running, this time scooping a €155 pot. The snowball survived another week so it rises to €475 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 €4,400. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 17. In the lucky dip €20 went to Mary McElwaine, Cashelard; Barney Cullen, Cluain Barron; Margaret McCauley, Belleek; Una Bonner, Ballyshannon; and Gerry Timoney, Belcoo. Next draw is in Lantern Bar with a jackpot of €4,500 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 info@aodhruadh.org.
