Aodh Ruadh GAA Club July 18

Added: 18-07-2012

Senior footballers

Obviously there is no game for seniors or reserves this weekend given that Donegal are in the Ulster final. On Saturday, July 28th, we will be away to St Nauls with 6pm and 7.30pm throw-ins. On Tuesday week, July 24th our u-21s are scheduled to play Naomh Colmcille in the championship.

Underage football

U-10 football has finished for the Summer and there will be no more training on Thursday evenings. Management would like to extend their thanks to parents for assistance during the year in both catering for blitzes and transport to matches.

Hurling

The u-12s and u-16s began their league campaigns on the road to Dungloe and Burt respectively. The u-12s played Co Uladh a combination of Dungloe and Gaoth Dobhair, despite the long journey this young team played very well showing some fine pieces of skill and ran out convincing winners against the West Donegal men.

The u-16s travelled to the traditional home of Donegal hurling, Burt, for their opening fixture in the league. The lads were very rusty early on and only began playing as a team towards the end of the first half, they put in a great second half and ran out easy winners in the end. An encouraging aspect of this win was that the team finished with 7 u-14s on the field.

Both teams face difficult assignments this Thursday night with the u-12s on the road, again to Buncrana, and the u-16s facing a difficult game at home to Buncrana. Both games throw in at 7pm, all support appreciated.

The hurling committee and the club would like to thank all the sponsors who gave so generously to the u-14s who took part in Feile na nGael in Rush last week, their support in these tough economic times is much appreciated and is acknowledged by the panel, management and parents. The sponsors were as follows: Fred Ormston Mace Ballyshannon (tee-shirts and bags) Kevin Byrne Coach Hire (hoodies), Ballyshannon Town Council and Ballyshannon Credit Union who both made donations to the cost of the weekend, James "Freddie" Grimes also made a donation to the fund and a couple of anonymous donors. Thanks also to Anne O'Boyle who gave a first aid kit to the panel.

Yes We Can

Saturday 28th July is the next date for collection of aluminium cans for recycling to raise much needed funds for Aodh Ruadh and to help protect the environment, we will be collecting the aluminium cans at Fr Tierney Park from 12noon to 1pm on that date. Thanks to all the local community and business community who have supported this recycling campaign. Anyone looking for information in relation to this campaign please contact John Rooney 086-2587793 or Kieran Drummond 086-2368295.

Peter O'Keefe Memorial U-15 Connacht/Ulster Tournament

On Saturday last, the second annual Peter O'Keefe Connacht/Ulster tournament took place in Fr Tierney Park and Pairc Aodh Ruadh in ideal conditions. Four teams took part in this years event they being Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Donegal.
In the first set of games, Donegal played Roscommon in Fr Tierney Park while Mayo faced the Yeats county men in Pairc Aodh Ruaidh. Both Donegal and Roscommon were slow to get out of the blocks and both teams looked very rusty the Connacht men led throughout but never put the Donegal lads away, they held the perilous 2 point lead entering the last minute when Donegal struck for a goal and ran out one point winners.
Over in Pairc Aodh Ruadh, Sligo ran out easy winners over Mayo. Next up in Fr Tierney Park was Donegal against Mayo, Donegal were slowly beginning to play a better style of hurling and the team backboned by Aodh Ruadh and Buncrana players ran out convincing winners.
Across the road Roscommon were playing for their lives and they edged a close battle with Sligo, leaving the tournament wide open entering the final round. Donegal played Sligo in the final series of group games in Fr Tierney Park and this North West derby turned out to be the best game of the day - up to that point - and Donegal ran out winners and maintained their 100% record in the competition.
Mayo caused a surprise by beating Roscommon which led to the calculators coming out to see which side emerged to play Donegal in the final as three teams ended up on two points.
Roscommon earned the right to play Donegal by the narrowest margin of one point. The stage was now set for the final and what a game it turned out to be, it was end to end stuff, full of passion in total contrast to the opening game between the two sides. Roscommon were the bigger physically stronger team and they were ahead throughout leading by four points going into the final minutes. Donegal won a 21 yard free when Aodh Ruadh's Oisin Rooney was fouled and Buncrana's Tom Clare sent a rocket of a shot to the Roscommon net to leave the minimum between the teams, as the clock counted down Donegal again won a free in which Tom Clare pointed to leave the final score Donegal 1-5 to Roscommon's 2-2. The game was now set for extra time and the Donegal team had the bit between their teeth, Roscommon never recovered from losing the lead at the end of normal time and Donegal ran out convincing winners 2-9 to 2-2 ensuring that the Peter O'Keefe trophy stayed in Donegal for the second year.
Peadar O'Keefe spoke on behalf of the O'Keefe family and thanked Donal McLaughlin and John Rooney for all the work they had done in organising this tournament, he thanked the local Aodh Ruadh club for all their help. Rosaleen O'Keefe, wife of the late Peter, presented the cup to Donegal's winning captain, Sam Doherty, The winning team contained six Aodh Ruadh players winning this trophy for the second year.

Lotto

The lotto numbers drawn were 1, 2 8 10 13 14. There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prizes were won by Jimmy Gormley, 90 Erne Dale heights, Teresa Ivors 1 Woodlands, Johnny Coughlan c/o Owen Roes, Seana,Conor and Dara O'Mahoney, Karl Gillespie Cornaglagh. Next week's draw is in Dicey's on Monday night at 8.30pm.

Ocean FM

On Friday evening next, Ocean FM will broadcast an "Up for the Match" special as Donegal aim to make history by winning back-to-back Ulster titles. The live broadcast begins in Owen Roe's Bar at 7pm and runs until 9pm, admission is free and all are welcome to attend. There will be a number of special guests and lots of lively debate and musical entertainment, the programme will be presented by Sean Perry and Pauric McShea. There may even be a few spare tickets and other give-aways for lucky punters.