Burt proved our nemesis in two codes this week. In the football the seniors lost out on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-10.
Ballyshannon were slow out of the traps and Burt peppered the visitor’s posts with shots, however their profligacy meant there was little between the sides at the break, the hosts leading 0-8 to 0-6. Aodh Ruadh showed great tenacity and resolve in the second half and battled their way into a two point lead, a wonder-goal from David Dolan helping them on their way.
However Burt then got a penalty and that gave the Inishowen outfit the shot in the arm they needed to finish the game strong for the win. Meanwhile the reserves were only able to gather up 12 players for the trip to Hibernian park and so were forced to concede the points.
Aodh Ruadh return to Inishowen this Saturday, 22nd August in the championship when they travel to Newtowncunningham to face Naomh Colmcille, throw-in at 7pm. That is preceded by the reserve championship clash with the same opposition at 5.30pm.
The under 21s had more joy on the peninsula last Tuesday in the first round proper of the A championship. They won away at Scarvey, 3-11 to 2-9. Buncrana had a dream start when they floated a ball into their tall full forward in the first minute and he sent it to the back of the net. That didn’t knock a puff out of Aodh Ruadh as they quickly settled down to business.
Ballyshannon had to work the bench with Ryan Granaghan going off after ten minutes, followed Eamonn McGrath five minutes later, but the depth of the squad meant those losses could be replaced like-for-like.
The energetic Jamie McDonald scored a super goal to cancel out Buncrana’s early effort and by the short whistle the sides were tied up at 1-4 apiece. Aodh Ruadh rolled their sleeves up again in the second half and edged into an early advantage they were never to surrender. Oisin Rooney was magnificent at midfield and added a goal during the second half with Jamie McDonald capping a bravura display with the coup de grace which finally finished off the hosts deep in added time.
The Ernesiders’ man of the match was Pauric Patton who once again showed all that is special about his game. Niall Harley really made the sweeper role his own when called upon, while Eugene Drummond was super at full back once he got the measure of his man. David McGurrin was impeccable from placed ball while Philip Patton put on an exhibition of long distance shooting when introduced as a sub.
Ryan McKenna and Paddy Gillespie also made good impressions on their introduction from the bench. Ballyshannon now progress to the quarter-finals where they are down to face Dungloe in Father Tierney Park in one of the biggest games for the club in recent years. Date and time to be confirmed.
Aodh Ruadh minors play Dungloe / Na Rossa tomorrow, Tuesday, at 6.30pm in Fintra in the Southern Regional Board championship semi-final. If you can, please make the trip and get behind the Shams.
Aodh Ruadh under 14came up short against Killybegs in the second leg championship meeting in Father Tierney Park on Friday. With the benefit of a slight following breeze Killybegs worked their way into the lead in the first half.
But in the second Aodh Ruadh used the wind well to keep the ball in the visitor’s half of the pitch. Scores were slow to come though and Killybegs were able to hit on the counter and take the win.
It was an immense game from Senan Rooney, with Shane Gillespie again giving his all. Adam Clarke marshalled a defence which kept this highly rated Killybegs attack from finding the net while Ryan McDonald gave another excellent display between the posts. Defenders Niall Monaghan and Eugene Doherty had fine games, as did second half sub Jack Brosnan.
JJ Goan worked himself to the bone and left everything he had on the pitch. All the lads showed great heart and, true to their form all year, played to the bitter end. The management enjoyed working with the team all year. We have pictures from the game up onaodhruadh.org.
There will be under 12 training this Friday, 21st August at 4.30pm in the Park. The Willie Rogers Tournament will take place on Saturday 19th September. We wish Conal Bradshaw the best of luck as he heads to Croke Park and hope he has fun.
Training continues this Friday for the under 8s and under 6s from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
Hurling
Aodh Ruadh senior hurlers put up a spirited performance against Burt in the Donegal Senior Hurling Championship at the weekend, narrowly missing out by a point at the final whistle.
From the outset, the Ernesiders put it up to the reigning champions and matched them for pace and tenacity in every position on the pitch. Aodh Ruadh hit five points in the first half thanks to Ciaran Kilgannon and Matt Ahern with Burt notching 2-1 in the same period.
The second half continued at a ferocious pace with scores on both sides hard to come by. Aodh Ruadh drew the game with five minutes left on the clock, but Burt had the last trick up their sleeve with a well taken free in the dying seconds. Aodh Ruadh will feel they were unlucky not to come away with a win, but the experience of the Burt men was decisive in the end. The final score was Burt 2-4 Aodh Ruadh 0-9. We have some pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org.
The under 12s took on table toppers Burt on Thursday night last in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. Despite losing it was one of the lads’ best performances of the season, especially in the second half when they gave it everything, but unfortunately they couldn’t match the Burt’s lads ability to take their points. The final score was Burt 2-7 Aodh Ruadh 1-3. This is a very young squad who have worked very hard all season.
On the same night the under 16s made the long trip to Burt. It’s been a difficult season for this squad, for a variety of reasons we’ve never had a full squad available for selection and unfortunately Thursday was no different.
Burt got off to a great start scoring a couple of early goals to go into a commanding lead which they never relinquished. It was a tough night as a very impressive Burt team ran out convincing winners. It doesn’t get any easier for the lads as they face Buncrana this Thursday. The Inishowen side top the league in both Donegal and Derry and are unbeaten all season. Throw-in on Thursday night in Father Tierney Park is at 7pm.
On Sunday we had our annual trip to Croke Park, as 53 hurlers and coaches made their way to Dublin and what a day of hurling we witnessed. We watched three games, the highlight of them being the senior semi-final between Tipperary and Galway. This game was one of the all time classics.
It was a very happy bus coming home and even the handful of Tipperary supporters admitted that the better team on the day, Galway, were the worthy winners.
Best of luck to under 12 hurlers Daire Gallagher, Kyle McCaffrey and Corey Ryan who are heading to Dublin on Tuesday to take part in the Activity Day in Croke Park. The lads will have a tour of the stadium and will get to play a number of games on the hallowed turf of Croke Park. Hopefully it will be the first of many appearances there for them.
Club kit
We now have official club shorts available to order. They are O’Neill’s, so top quality kit. Kids sizes (24 and 26) cost €18, while adult sizes (28, 30, 32, 34,  36 and 38) cost €22. We’ll have samples available and images on aodhruadh.org. Contact Chris Kelly on 0868813553 to place your order. Our navy blue soft shell jackets are also back on sale. We now have three youth sizes available. Ages 7-8 priced €40; ages 9-10 priced €40; and ages 11-12 priced €45. All jackets will have the Aodh Ruadh and GAA crests, plus the child’s initials on the sleeve. We are also able to order Ladies soft shell jackets with pink Aodh Ruadh crest and GAA logo. We are also selling adult jackets. You can check out samples of the shorts and jacket on aodhruadh.org. For further details call Chris on 0868813553.
Abbey Centre Bingo
The winner of last week’s €400 jackpot was Joe Smith of Bundoran. Bingo as usual at the Abbey Centre this Friday at 9pm. The summer snowball now stands at €600 on 51 numbers or less. Books priced at just €10.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €7,000. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 6, 7, 13, 16 and 18. In the lucky dip €20 went to Eamonn Maguire, Cloghore; Nellie Blake, Parkhill; Olivia Magee, Assaroe View; William Ryan, Lawne Park; and Michael Finan, Station Road. Next draw in Owen Roe’s with a Jackpot of €7,100 on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra this Saturday is: LADIES.
You can receive the club notes by e-mail every Tuesday morning. To subscribe, enter your details on the website, wwwaodhruadh.org, or e-mail your request to info@aodhruadh.org.
