Club meeting

The Aodh Ruadh monthly Club Executive meeting take place on Thursday, 29th July, at 9.15pm via Zoom. Items for any other business should be with club secretary Lisa McTernan by 3pm on Wednesday.

 

Football

Last weekend's senior and reserve fixtures against Termon fell by the wayside and no fixtures are scheduled for this weekend.

 

Well done to Aaron Cullen and Eoghan Kelly who both played important parts as the Donegal minors easily accounted for Antrim last week in Ballybofey. We wish them the best of luck again this Wednesday when they face Monaghan in the Ulster Championship quarter-final. The game throws in at 7.30pm in St Tiernach's Park, Clones.

 

It was a long and, alas, fruitless trip to Dungloe for our under 13s on Monday evening. It was another battling display by the Ballyshannon lads, but it finished 0-8 to 5-13 in favour of the homesters. Man of the match was probably Jayden McGrath Clyne who was outstanding in goals. Corey Sheridan also worked hard and finished with three points to his credit. MJ Ward and Eoghan Gallagher picked up a brace of points each, with Garreth Brennan finishing out the scoring for the Ernesiders. The team's character and grit will be on show again next Monday when Four Masters are the guests in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh at 7.30pm.

 

Our under 11s played a very keenly contested in-house game on Saturday last. We train as normal Thursday from 6pm to 7pm at Coláiste Cholmcille, and Monday from 6pm to 7pm at Pairc Aoidh Ruaidh.

 

The under 9s will train as normal on Friday evening at 6.15pm. On Saturday morning the squad are scheduled to play their third round fixture against Ardara. Throw-in at Pearse Memorial Park will be at 11.30am. Further details will be posted on the team WhatsApp group later in the week. 

  

Hurling     

The Aodh Ruadh's senior hurlers wait for a competitive game goes on with last Friday's scheduled clash with Setanta falling by the wayside. 

 

Our under 17s are back in action this Thursday against Saint Eunan's. Having lost their last game narrowly, this side will be keen to get their season back on track with a win at home. Throw in is at 7.30pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. We had two players in the Donegal under 17 panel which played in the Celtic Challenge at the weekend. Danny Breen and Cian McKenna lined out, with Tommy Winters also having been part of this panel for previous fixtures. Well done to the boys on representing the county and commiserations on the result.

 

Our under 15s were back in action again having had a week off, and made the long journey to Dungloe to take on Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair. Tommy Clyne’s quick thinking from a free saw us get an early goal which gave us the perfect start to this fixture, and from taking this lead, we were in control on the score board all through the game. The two teams were evenly matched for much of this encounter, however some wayward shooting from Dungloe meant that we ran out comfortable winners in the end. Short a number of regular starters due to holidays or injury and we had some strong performances right across the team. Ben Daly put in his best performance this year in goals, while Lennon Canny played well in his first outing at centre half back, and there was some Trojan work from Jun Hui Lin and Caelum McNulty in midfield. A man more used to playing in defence, Gareth Brennan scored 4-2 from play in the forwards. We are back in action on Tuesday evening in the Táin Óg league, where we face Manorhamilton. Throw-in at 8.30pm. Elsewhere we had six players lining out with the Donegal under 15 development squad over the weekend. A big well done to Tommy Clyne, Killian Bradshaw, Cian McDonald, Killian McPhelim, Jack McCadden and Michael Clancy.

 

Our under 13s had a week off, with no fixtures last week. They return to action this week with an away fixture with Dungloe / Gaoth Dobhair on Thursday evening. Best of luck to the players and management.

 

Training continues for anyone under the age of 9 in our Sunday Morning groups. With the weather being so warm last week, we felt it was better to give our under 7s and 5s the morning off but our under 9s trained as normal. Next Sunday there will be training as normal for all ages at 11.45am. Please note we are now using the top field in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.

 

If you have an interest in coaching or helping out, or would like to get involved in any way, whether you have played the game before or not please contact John at 086-1076883.

 

Ladies  

Aodh Ruadh comfortably accounted for Killybegs in their intermediate league encounter in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh on Sunday morning. The visitors put in a spirited effort, but the Ballyshannon girls simply had too much in every department. From the moment Terri Gallagher coolly swept home the opening goal there was only going to be one winner. Further green flags were raised by Rhona McEniff (2), Caoimhe Keon, Cáit Gillespie, Mary Flora Scott and Megan McEniff as Aodh Ruadh chalked up a 7-9 to 0-3 victory. Caoimhe Keon ruled supreme in the middle of the park with plenty of assistance from sister Orla. In the defence Anna Rafferty was doing her best Franz Beckenbauer impression with, Saoirse McDevitt also getting on a lot of useful ball. The junior side's fixtures against Gaoth Dobhair was postponed. We have a gallery of pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. This Sunday sees the seniors travelling to take on Ardara while the reserve side take on MacCumhaill's in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. Both games are due to throw in at 10.30am.

 

We have been very proud of the contributions being made by Orla Keon and Cara O'Loughlin in the county colours in recent weeks. Cara has been lining out at midfield for the under 16 ladies. Defeats to Tyrone and Antrim were off-set by a good win against Derry. We wish Cara and the Donegal girls the best of luck in their final against Armagh this Saturday. Meanwhile Orla has been in action with the Donegal minor ladies at wing forward. They opened with a win over Derry and followed that up with a hard-fought one-point victory against Tyrone. We wish Orla and the minor squad the very best of luck as they now take on Monaghan this Wednesday in Lifford in the Ulster Platinum semi-final.

 

Last week's league tie against Urris was our under 16s second successive postponed fixture. The side are hopeful of finally making a return to competitive action this Tuesday evening at 7pm, when Termon are due to be the visitors to Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.

  

The under 14 girls were in a sweltering O'Donnell Park on Saturday afternoon for their third league outing. It was another excellent performance from the free-scoring Ernesiders as they made it three wins from three. Saint Eunan's worked hard and got their reward for a committed display with a decent scoring return too. As has become a trend for this side the subs have all made major impressions on their introduction. This week it was Emily McNamee who came in to tear some holes in the amber and black rearguard and finish with some lovely scores, while Aoife Travers came in for the injured Áine Neilan and delivered a flawless defensive display. Molly Begley came on at half-time and also acquitted herself splendidly. Another trend has been stirring performances by our captains for the day. On Saturday it was Maura O'Sullivan who was leading by example, finishing with a well-taken goal into the bargain. Elsewhere Jessie O'Mahoney and Emer McDevitt also made influential contributions. The team and management all wish Áine the very best for a full and speedy recovery. We also want to thank Donna McGowan for taking Áine to hospital and looking after her. Thanks also to the staff at Letterkenny University Hospital who had Áine seen and treated very quickly. This Saturday the team have their last away assignment of the round robin stages when they travel to take on Buncrana at 1pm. 

 

The under 12s had enjoyable trip to Killygordon last Thursday, recording a 3-8 to 0-1 win against Red Hugh's. The team have an enforced break this week with Convoy unable to field due to lack of numbers. Training continues this Wednesday at 6pm.

 

The under 10s will be making the trip to Donegal Town this Wednesday to take on Four Masters. Throw in is at 5.50pm. The girls also have another game this Friday, and another away trip, this time to MacCumhaill's. Throw in will be at 6pm on the hallowed turf of the county ground. The squad have no training this Tuesday.

 

Sponsor a sod returns
Sellers can get their initial returns back to the club by making direct contact with Michael Daly, David McLoone or Tom Daly. There is a lot of interest in the pitch rebuilding project and the contractor, Prunty Pitches, are making notable progress every day. Thanks to the dedicated group of people working on this fund-raiser and to all who are responding to the effort. We are at early stages and have a lot more work to do over the coming weeks.

 

Sponsor A Sod 

As the 70th anniversary of the opening of Father Tierney Park approaches in 2024, a massive programme of work has commenced at the grounds which will result in a new sand-based playing field and associated building works. To fund this development Aodh Ruadh have launched one of their biggest fund-raising efforts in decades, asking the public to ‘Sponsor A Sod’ at €50 each to help meet the costs of this ambitious plan. A permanent display bearing the names of donors will be erected in a prominent position at the Park. 

Our Working Group members are out and about promoting our Buy a Sod campaign Any club member who can help to promote this should contact any member of this Group or any of the Park / Development Committee Officers for brochures and vouchers. Likewise if you would like to become part of the Working Group to act as a key seller. There is a lot of interest locally and further afield in seeing the Father Tierney Park project succeed. Thanks to all who have supported the campaign so far.

More than 25 Aodh Ruadh club members have joined the working group to actively promote this fund-raising campaign and to sell sods. The working group is as follows: Sabrina Brosnan, Michael Daly, Sarah Daly, Tom Daly, William Doogan, Gerard Ferguson, Conal Gallagher, Johnny ‘Mannix’ Gallagher, Paul Gillespie, Jim Kane, Donagh Keon, Diarmaid Keon, Patsy Kilgannon, John Larkin Jr, Dinny Loughlin, Sylvester Maguire, Brian Murray, Val Murray, Mick McGrath, Packie McGrath, Pat McGrath, David McLoone, Philip McLoone, Pauric McShea, David O’Donnell, Sean O’Mahoney, Barry O’Neill, John Patton and Gregory Sweeney. Those promoting this fund-raiser can make any returns they have at Sunday's games in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. See David McLoone, Michael Daly or Tom Daly. 

Please contact any of the following if you wish to volunteer: Tom Daly (087-2390410), David McLoone (087-7760172), Philip McLoone (086-4053008), Conal Gallagher (086-2112812), Patsy Kilgannon (087-2372128), or Michael Daly (086-9171949).   

Those living away from Ballyshannon, whether in Ireland or across the world, should note that they can purchase sods, and little bit of club immortality, on Klubfunder.com. Any questions or enquiries can be sent [email protected].  

For further information on any aspect of the Sponsor A Sod please contact the Aodh Ruadh Park / Development Committee officers - Tom Daly (087-2390410), David McLoone (087-7760172), Philip McLoone (086-4053008), Conal Gallagher (086-2112812), Patsy Kilgannon (087-2372128), or Michael Daly (086-9171949). 

 

Ballyshannon Bingo

We wrapped up our online bingo for a summer break with a fun night last Friday. Well done to the 24 winners on the night and to Marion Deacon on winning €250 on the jackpot ladder game. Congrats also to Mark Newell, Patricia Bradshaw, Shane Coughlin, Regina Dolan, Karen McLoughlin, Ann Patterson, Marie Ward, John McGreevy, Ronan Matthews and Deirdre Clarke who also picked up house prizes on the night. The €700 snowball survived so we will pick that up again on our return to play. As the bingo team take a few weeks out for summer, we wish to give a massive shout out to all our loyal players who’ve stuck with us from February, we’ve been blown away by your tremendous support – thank you all very much! We look forward to a return in Autumn, all going well we’ll get back to the bingo hall soon! In the meantime, we hope to get one or two drive in bingo events over the remainder of the summer. Watch this space for updates!

 

Go Mona!

The very best of luck to the marvellous Mona McSharry as she competes in the Olympic 100m breaststroke final in the early hours of this morning from all your many supporters in Aodh Ruadh!

 

Boot exchange 

Our boot exchange programme is now up and running. Anybody who wants to exchange boots going forward, please text Packie McGrath on 087-9794696.

 

Old hurleys home 

A number or parents have kindly donated hurleys and helmets that are no longer in use. If you have any hurls and helmets you would like to see used, please let us know and we will put them back into use. 

 

Aodh Ruadh lotto     

There was no winner of last week's Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €2,000. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 5, 10, 14, 15 and 16. In the lucky dip cash prizes of €25 went to KJ Graham and Pauric McGrath. Thanks to our under 11 footballers Jack Hassett, Oisin McGrath, Micheál McGrath and Daniel McLoone for performing the draw, and thanks and to all who played the lotto last week. The next draw is for a jackpot of €2,100 on Sunday at 9pm. Tickets are available in Kernan's Spar and Pearse O'Neill's. You can play also play the lotto online. Log onto klubfunder.com and then search for and select Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon. Users can now avail of the auto-renew option to play the same line every week until they decide to stop when they pay using Stripe. Give it a go, you never know! 

 

The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra on Saturday is: JUVENILE HURLERS.

 

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