Football
Aodh Ruadh had to weather a vigorous Killybegs challenge to take the points at Fintra on Sunday, 2-10 to 3-15 the final scoreline in favour of the visitors. Aodh Ruadh lead by ten scores to five after the first 30 minutes of football. However Killybegs had bagged a goal thanks to Christopher Murrin and that saw them trailing by just three points, 0-10 to 1-4 the score at the interval. The Fishermen got off to the perfect start to the second half and a Evan Broderick seven minutes in saw them take the lead at 2-6 to 0-11. The introduction of Johnny Gethins and Shane McGrath from the bench helped turn matters. That along with some magic from Philip Patton. He was instrumental in a three goals in six minutes to help Aodh Ruadh stretch back into the lead. He finished the first before setting up David McGurrin and Shane McGrath for goals as the game moved in the final quarter to end Killybegs spirited challenge. Peter Boyle, Johnny Gallagher David Dolan, Michael 'Sticky' Ward and Nathan Boyle also hit points for the Ernesiders. But it was Philip Patton with his 1-7 and his footballing vision which was the difference for the winners.
Killybegs reserves conceded their game to Aodh Ruadh and that leaves the reserves sitting fourth in the table.
The final games of the division 2 season will take place on Sunday 22nd October in Cloughaneely. Providing Cloich Cheann Fhaola win their game this weekend against Ardara, the last day encounter will be a straight shoot out between Aodh Ruadh and the hosts at Páirc Naomh Fionain to determine the league champions. The reserve game throws in at 1.30pm, followed by the seniors at 3pm.
Pride of place this week goes to the under 16s. The team raided for goals at the right time to secure the Southern Division 2 Championship title in an entertaining decider against Kilcar played in Ballintra's Páirc Naomh Bríd last Saturday. Aodh Ruadh were against the light breeze in the first half, but it was Kilcar who drew first blood six minutes in, their midfielder sending over a well-worked point. Aodh Ruadh had been tentative up to that point, some final nerves evident, but Kilcar's opener helped spark them to life. From the restart they worked the ball swiftly up the pitch to Eoin Doherty who finished beautifully to the net. Four minutes later Odhran McGarrigle added a point and then as the game moved into the second quarter Shane Brady smashed home the second goal of the game. Kilcar's full forward hit a point, but that was cancelled out within the minute by Eoin Doherty. As the half drew to a conclusion Kilcar began to get a bit more attacking traction and two frees heading towards half time had them back to within four points of Ballyshannon. Then two minutes from half-time came the score of the game. Tiernan Flood-Dolan took possession of the ball down into the corner of the pitch. There didn't look to be much on, but he flighted in divinely struck pass parallel to the end line which was met by the fist of Shane Gillespie and powered to the net. Kilcar responded with another free, but a Shane Gillespie point made it 3-3 to 0-5 at the turn over. The Towney men came out determined to make a battle of things in the second half. They got off to the perfect start, with a neat point quickly followed by a goal for their number 13. Suddenly there was just a goal in it. Aodh Ruadh didn't panic though and a Shane Gillespie point was followed by Shane Brady goal to provide some breathing space. Kilcar answered those scores with two frees from the boot of their number 13. to make it 4-4 to 1-8 with 37 minutes gone. John McNulty's men were still well in the game, but their chances took a body blow in the 41st minute when Eoin Doherty landed his second goal of the game. Kilcar's number 13 hit a point from play and a free to make it 5-4 to 1-10 with 46 minutes on the clock. However, just as they had done against Naomh Muire in the semi-final Aodh Ruadh played good controlled football in the game's decisive stages to take victory. Cian Rooney clipped over a trademark left foot effort in the 48th minute. With time almost up, Matt Gillespie somehow managed to get down to stop a Kilcar penalty. Then in four minutes into added time Marty McGarrigle was the right man in the right place to finish a loose ball to the net and put the seal on a great team performance. Joint captains Adam Clarke and Shane Gillespie collected the trophy after the game. Man of the match was Eoin Doherty, giving an absolutely outstanding performance, with even his late dismissal on a yellow card a function of giving everything for the team. Captains Clarke and Gillespie were superb, with Tiernan Flood Dolan growing with every passing game into a really stylish footballer. Between the posts, the acquisition of Matt Gillespie from the under 14 ranks has arguably turned this team's whole season around. Eugene Doherty and David Doherty at half back put in an amazing shift of work, while Odhran McGarrigle, Mark McGlynn and Harry Howarth did a great job of keeping the attack well supplied.
The winning Aodh Ruadh team was Matt Gillespie; Kyle Murray, Adam Clarke, Nathan Owens-Kelly; Tiernan Flood Dolan, Eugene Doherty, David Doherty; Senan Rooney, Shane Gillespie (1-2); Odhran McGarrigle (0-1), Mark McGlynn, Harry Howarth; Shane Brady (2-0), Eoin Doherty (2-1), Niall Monaghan. Subs: Cian Rooney (0-1); Marty McGarrigle (1-0); JJ Goan; Cian Barden; Frankie McGinley, Daniel Dolan, Jack McCaffrey, Mark Gettins, Colm McGloin and Aaron Neilan. Aodh Ruadh now have a home quarter-final against Glenfin this Sunday at noon in Father Tierney Park. It would be great to see a big vocal home support up to get behind the lads in their bid to make the last four.
Under 13 training this week is on Wednesday from 5.15pm to 6.30pm. Aodh Ruadh will wrap up the round robin stages of the league with an away trip to Dungloe, details of that fixture yet to be confirmed.
Under 9 training continues this Thursday from 6pm to 7pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. There will be an under 9 blitz this Saturday in Donegal town, time to be confirmed.
The Bord na nÓg AGM will take place on Tuesday 28th November. All team managers should have reports submitted to Lisa McTernan by Friday 17th November. The committee would like to take this opportunity thank the White Hotel Group for sponsoring the Euro Shot Challenge weekend away.
Ladies
The under 13 girls put in a powerhouse performance against Ardara to book a place in the county final. Aodh Ruadh were outstanding from goalkeeper Áine Hill out. Ardara battled well in the first half, but in the second Ballyshannon took control and were deserved winners in the end. The team are training on Tuesday and Thursday this week from 4.30pm to 5.30pm in preparation for their county final against Gaeil Fhanada. We await confirmation of fixture details for the final.
There is a ladies committee meeting on Thursday 12th October at 8.30pm. All committee members are asked to attend.
Hurling
The final underage blitz of the year took place in the Centre of Excellence in Convoy on Saturday, we had under 6s, under 8s and under 10s at this blitz. The under 6s took part in a fun blitz where all the under 6s in the county were mixed together and our lads did very well. The under 8s played five games winning four and drawing one. The under 8s were unbeaten all year at the county blitzes. The under 10s played four games winning three and losing one. That brings the curtain down on a busy year for underage hurling, despite the fact that we have few people willing to help out with underage hurling and our playing numbers were small, the huge efforts of a dedicated few mentors and a committed bunch of lads saw us fielding seven underage teams this season. Hopefully in 2018 some new people might get involved in helping to keep our great game alive.
World Mental Health Day
The Donegal GAA health and well-being committee in association with the Donegal Youth Council asks Donegal Gaels to support and participate in their mental health awareness campaign as part of World Mental Health Day on 10th October. The campaign aims to send out a simple, but important message about minding your mental health and that of your family, friends colleagues and community.
Our simple message is part of international world mental health day and recommended for everyday use.
Put the 4Ls into practice today and start making a difference to all our mental health. The 4Ls are...
Listen, out for our family, friends, neighbours, community and be available to them in a time of need
Look, out for each other, the young, and the elderly those who are vulnerable, those living alone, those who are being bullied and those who might be sad.
Laugh at ourselves, laugh with others, life can be serious, but your smile could warm up someone’s day.
Link up, stop talking about it and go and do it. Make that link, connection, phone call, text, e-mail, card, or better still a visit.
Celebrating 1992
The 1992 All-Ireland title winning team jubilee celebration banquet will take place in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Friday October 20th. Tickets can be purchased online at donegalgaa.ie or by contacting the Donegal GAA county administrator, Noreen Doherty, at [email protected] or by telephone 074-9190761. Tickets are also available in the Abbey Hotel Donegal town and locally from Sylvester Maguire. Proceeds from the event will go to Pieta House, Donegal Hospice and the Inishowen Flood Relief Fund.
National Draw 2019
The National Club Draw returns once again for 2019 and tickets are out now. The prizes are, as ever, spectacular. They include a new Renault Dynamique, a €2,000 travel voucher, various All-Ireland final ticket packages, and shopping vouchers ranging from €1,000 to €250 in value. To increase your chances of winning further there is also a Donegal County Board draw and an Aodh Ruadh draw for €100. Once again, Aodh Ruadh keeps 100 percent of monies raised by the club. Tickets are available from Lisa McTernan and Gerard Ferguson and committee members.
Diary dates
A few dates for your diaries. The underage football presentation night will take place in the Abbey Centre on Saturday 25th November. The annual club dinner dance will take place on Saturday, 20th January 2019.
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week's €400 bingo jackpot was won by John Mitchell of Tullaghan. Celia Burns of Garrison won the stand up game scooping a €130 pot. The snowball survived another week so it rises to €600 on 49 numbers. Bingo as usual this Friday at the Abbey Centre at 9pm. Books cost just €10 with a €2,400 prize fund up for grabs.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week's Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €4,900. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 17. In the lucky dip €20 went to Margaret Barrett, Bundoran Road; Charlene Curran, Rathmore; Ciaran Kilgannon, Erne Dale Heights; Marie Gallagher, Erne Street; and Kathleen McDermott, Saint Benildus Avenue. Next draw is in Dicey Reilly's with a jackpot of €5,000 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 HURLERS.
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].
