AODH RUADH claimed a home quarter-final in the intermediate football championship with a polished performance in Pairc Uí Shiail on Saturday evening.
Eoin Carr hit the opener for the hosts, but from the moment when Diarmaid McInerney levelled matters after being set up by Nathan Boyle on six minutes the Ballyshannon men took a grip on proceedings they never relinquished. Aodh Ruadh quickly added a well-worked score finished by Shane McGrath before David McGurrin slung over.
Gaeil Fhánada came back with points from Mark McAteer and Bernard McGettigan to have matters level by the first water break, but Barry Ward’s side already had an ominous fluency about their play. They steadily turned the screw over the second quarter, while holding the Gaels scoreless. Philip Patton fired over his first point of the game on 24 minutes as Fanad’s Paddy Heraghty exited on a black card.
Three minutes later Patton was fouled for a free which he converted himself. Another sweeping move was finished by a Johnny Gallagher fisted effort over the bar. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Philip Patton sent over his third free of the game to leave it Gaeil Fhánada 0-3 Aodh Ruadh 0-7. Aodh Ruadh began the second half with another fisted shot, this time Johnny Gethins completing a slick team move. Fanad had probably their best spell of the game in the third quarter as the sides went blow for blow.
They answered Gethins’ point with their first score in 19 minutes, a left foot free from Mark McAteer. That was cancelled out not long after by a Patton dead ball, but McAteer came back again with another free. Michael McKenna hit a well-deserved point from play before another Patton free put six between them. The last say of the quarter went to Fanad though, Oisin Sheils splitting the post to leave it 0-6 to 0-11. Mark McAteer trimmed the margin further on the resumption, before a priceless contribution to victory by the Boyle brothers. First Nathan sent over a wondrous score off the outside of the right boot from well out to halt the homesters scoring run, then Peter made a magnificent double save from the dangerous Mark McAteer to keep Aodh Ruadh in the comfort zone on the score board.
With two minutes of normal time remaining Nathan then drilled over another lovely effort, this time off the left boot. A Philip Patton free took the game to double scores 0-7 to 0-14 a minute later. Fergal Friel and Shane McGrath exchanged points in added time, but by that stage thoughts were turning to whether Aodh Ruadh had managed to secure a home quarter-final or not. Happily, results went Ballyshannon’s way, and so we now have a home draw against Naomh Muire in the IFC quarter-finals. Next up for the seniors is a return to regional league action when Saint Eunan’s are the guests in Father Tierney Park this Saturday at 6.30pm.
The reserves are unlikely to meet as formidable an opposition this season as the MacCumhaill’s team they lined out against last Tuesday. Aodh Ruadh had a strong team out themselves, but the hosts were just dominant in every area of the park and denied the Ernesiders any chance to hit their stride. The half-time score of 2-10 to 0-3 told its own story, with Niall Murray, Donagh McIntyre and an Odhran McGarrigle free the visitors’ only return. Another McGarrigle free and a Donagh McIntyre dead ball was the extent of Ballyshannon’s second half scoring as it finished MacCumhaill’s 3-23 Aodh Ruadh 0-5. Some days you just run into a better team, and Tuesday was one of those days. Donagh McIntyre tried hard around the middle, with Jamie McDonald making himself available for kick outs and trying to create some go-forward ball. Damien Cleary did his best with the surfeit of attacks coming his way. Up front Odhran McGarrigle continues to establish himself as a dead ball specialist of commendable consistency. The reserves are back in action this Tuesday against Glenfin in Father Tierney Park at 7.30pm. We expect to be streaming this game on the Aodh Ruadh CLG Facebook page, so hopefully the lads will be in the mood to put on a show!
Aodh Ruadh and Saint Naul’s had a nip and tuck tussle last Wednesday in Mountcharles with spoils shared on a 1-11 to 1-11 scoreline. The hosts had ace up their sleeve in the form of dead ball expert Thomas White who accounted for 1-8 of his side’s final tally. The Ernesiders had an exceptional performance from Aaron Neilan, with another powerful display from Mark McGlynn at half forward. We extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Senan Rooney who was taken to hospital after sustaining a nasty knock after bravely going for the ball. Many thanks to the Saint Naul’s officials who attended Senan prior to the ambulance’s arrival. The minors have a busy week ahead. First they face Four Masters on Wednesday in Tir Chonaill Park at 7pm. Then on Friday they are home to Bundoran, with throw in at 7pm in Father Tierney Park.
Under 16 training continues on Wednesdays and Mondays at 4.30pm in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
The under 14s came out on the wrong end of a 4-5 to 3-10 scoreline against Naomh Bríd / Pettigo last Tuesday. This was an evenly balanced game, but the amalgamated side always just had the edge and lead at the break. Aodh Ruadh did have an opportunity to tie the game up, but the referee ordered a penalty to be retaken after Oran Gillespie had netted. Gillespie struck the respotted kick well, but it went over rather than under the bar. Killian Bradshaw was once again in fine form between the posts with Morgan McNamee having a good game in front of him in defence. The midfield partnership of Ted O’Donnell and Tommy Clyne once again got through a lot of work, while up front Oran Gillespie, Dara McGloin and Garvey Meade gave good attacking options. The team are back in action this Tuesday when they are in Donegal Town to take on Four Masters at 6.15pm. Training continues on Wednesdays 4pm to 5.30pm and Saturdays from 5.45pm to 6.45pm.
The under 12s entertained their northern neighbours, Naomh Bríd on Saturday. The visitors started the contest well and really put it up to the Ballyshannon lads in the first period. However, Aodh Ruadh hit their stride and got a few goals to pull away. There were a lot of changes made in second and third periods, but every member of the team played well to produce our most consistent performance of the season yet. It was good to see Calum Dorrian and Eoin Gallagher back after a few weeks out of action. We fielded 29 players in all, with Antoin Duffy, Eoin McNulty, Oisin Sweeny Sean Maguire and Bobby Melly putting in some eye-catching performances. Our thanks to Chris Kelly who did a great job reffing in difficult wet conditions. There is a large gallery of pictures from the game up on aodhruadh.org. The squad are home again this Saturday when Pettigo are the opposition. Action gets under way at Father Tierney Park at 11am. Training continues on Tuesday at 7pm.
Under 10 training continues on Tuesday and Thursday at 5.45pm.
Last Saturday the under 8s hosted Realt na Mara for what proved to be a morning of great football and effort from both teams. Aodh Ruadh has 35 players togged, and all the boys got lots of game time with three pitches on the go simultaneously. Thanks to Barry Travers, Gavin Bourke and Glen Mathews for their reffing duties. We have a great gallery of pictures of the action up at aodhruadh.org. Our under 8s will train as normal this Friday from 6.15pm to 7.15pm.
Under 6 training continues this Friday on the top field in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh at 6pm.
Ladies
Aodh Ruadh exited the championship on Sunday morning in Convoy. They lost out to the homesters after a nip and tuck game of football, with a late goal putting something of a deceptive gloss on the final score of 3-10 to 2-8 for the Saint Mary’s girls. After an absorbing first half where Áine Gilmore found the net, Aodh Ruadh trailed by 2-7 to 1-3 at the interval. Ballyshannon kept Convoy scoreless over the course of the third quarter and a Sarah Patton goal following a sublime pass from Briana Maher put the game right back in the melting pot. In the final quarter the Ernesiders fired over two points to make it anyone’s game. It was Convoy who finished the stronger however, hitting an unanswered 1-3 to book their place in the intermediate championship plate final. This was arguably Aodh Ruadh’s best display of the season with a lot of good team work on show, and it was probably Convoy’s superior physicality which helped them edge the verdict. Sarah Gallagher was once more a cut above in a defence which also had good showings from Andrea McGlynn, Saoirse McDevitt, Hannah Doherty and Anna Rafferty. In midfield Sarah Patton and Caoimhe Keon gave it their all, while up front Briana Maher, Cáit Gillespie and Áine Gilmore were among those who landed points with Bridín Maguire also proving a handful in the attack. Senior training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8pm to 9pm.
The highlight of last week was the minors’ victory over Saint Eunan’s in O’Donnell Park to secure their place in the county final for the second year in a row. The first quarter saw both sides feeling each other out. Aoibheann McGarrigle opened Aodh Ruadh’s account four minutes in with a free, but it was Eunan’s who lead at the first water break, 0-2 to 0-1. Ballyshannon took things up a notch in the next quarter, striking particularly hard in the 18th minute when points on the spin from Katie O’Brien and Caoimhe Keon helped thrust them two ahead. The sides then swapped scores, Katie O’Brien with a free for the visitors. Aoibheann McGarrigle then made it 0-3 to 0-6 on 23 minutes. Saint Eunan’s rallied and cut the deficit back to just a point three minutes from the break, but Aodh Ruadh then struck for a goal which helped keep clear blue water between the sides at the interval. As they turned around it was Saint Eunan’s 0-6 Aodh Ruadh 1-6. The Letterkenny girls had the first score of the second half through their dangerous number 14, but Aodh Ruadh came back in spectacular style, Aoibheann McGarrigle rattling the back of the net with a great shot from an acute angle before and Katie O’Brien sent over to launch the Shamettes into a 0-7 to 2-8 lead. Saint Eunan’s continued to battle hard and responded with two points, but another McGarrigle point before the water break meant there was two goals between them going into the second half water break. Letterkenny clawed back two points on the resumption, but Lucy McGlynn came sailing through to clip over an important point with six minutes remaining and with Katie O’Brien restoring the two goal margin in the 57th minute the Ballyshannon support could finally start to believe. Saint Eunan’s came back with another point, but the final say went to Aodh Ruadh and Cara O’Loughlin as they booked their place in the county decider. This was a great team performance from Aodh Ruadh with excellent displays from Ella Clancy, Caoimhe Keon and Caitlin McGarrigle in the middle third. Síofra Hughes, Tia McFarland and Grainne Maguire showed well in defence, while in the attack Aoibheann McGarrigle and Katie O’Brien were in lethal form. Next up for the minors will be a county final against Saint Naul’s. Date time and venue have yet to be confirmed, but this will be a real game to savour after a tough battle between the sides on the first day of the season which went the way of Mountcharles. Training for minors and under 16s continues on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm.
The under 12s got their season off to a good start in Bundoran on Saturday afternoon. The homesters got the first point, but a Katie McCaffrey goal shot Aodh Ruadh into an early lead. A couple of Bundoran points had things back level pegging, but a cracking Hannah Downey point from distance followed by a well taken score by Emily McNamee had the Ernesiders two ahead at half-time. Realt na Mara had the wind in the second half and struck for the first score. Rachel Gillespie responded for Ballyshannon, with that pattern being repeated once again to make it Bundoran 0-5 Aodh Ruadh 1-4. Player of the match Ciara Larkin hit a fabulous point to put a goal between the sides. Bundoran came back with a late point, while Emily McNamee was unlucky to have an excellent shot ruled out as wide. However, Aodh Ruadh had done enough to secure a hard-earned victory after a well-balanced contest. The win was built on marvellous defensive performance from Katie McGowan and Áine Neilan, with Rebecca Downey immaculate with her kick outs. In midfield Ciara Larkin was magnetic to the ball. Lucy Byrne and Faye Gillespie were also excellent in the middle third. Up front the busy Emily McNamee and Katie McCaffrey got through a lot of work, while Rachel Gillespie put the cat among the pigeons on her introduction. We wish Lily O’Donnell a speedy recovery from her injury after a barn-storming first half. Thanks to Bundoran snapper Ger Foy who took a great range of pictures from the action on Saturday. Next up for the under 12s is the visit of Naomh Bríd / Pettigo to Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh this Saturday at 12pm. Please note that training this week has been moved to Wednesday at 7pm.
The under 10 ladies train on Wednesdays at 7pm at the top field in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh. The under 8 ladies train on Wednesdays at 6pm at the top field in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh.
Hurling
Our senior hurlers return to action this Sunday when they host Saint Eunan’s for their Junior Hurling Championship quarter-final clash. Throw-in at Father Tierney Park will be at 3pm.
There was a double header of hurling action in Father Tierney Park last Thursday. First up was the under 14 clash between Aodh Ruadh and Setanta. Our young and dedicated squad ran out comfortable winners in this game, 6-6 to 3-0 the final score. Next up was the meeting of the same two teams at minor level. This was a closer game and the lads from the Cross ran out winners on a 3-15 to 2-11 scoreline.
The under 16s begin their league campaign this Thursday with a home game against Saint Eunan’s. Throw-in at Father Tierney Park is 7pm. Our under 12s are also due to take on Four Masters in Donegal town this Thursday, throw-in at Tir Chonaill Park is at 7pm.
Countdown on to Aodh Ruadh Golf Classic
The Daikin and Northern Refrigeration Services sponsored Aodh Ruadh Golf Classic is almost upon us. The action tees off in Bundoran Golf Club this Friday with some serious golfers, and some not-so-serious, set to do battle for the impressive array of prizes on offer. We have eight team prizes, as well as prizes for the longest male and female drives, and nearest the pin. Up for grabs are fourballs at Portnoo, Murvagh, Ballyliffin, and Slieve Russell; Vouchers for Druids Golf, Fletcher Golf and Bundoran Golf Club, plus loads more prizes. Places can still be booked through the golf club on 071-9841302, or on the Aodh Ruadh Klubfunder page. To obtain a tee sponsorship contact William on 087-2799855.
Executive meeting
The monthly club executive meeting will take place this Thursday. Due to restrictions on indoor gatherings this will be conducted remotely. Lisa McTernan will be in contact with committee members with full details later this week.
Mizen to Malin
Huge congratulations to Julie McMullin and Loretta Cullen on completing their Mizen Head to Malin Head run on Sunday evening. A truly remarkable achievement by any standards. The event sparked a wonderful outpouring of goodwill, not least as they jogged their way through Ballyshannon on Saturday afternoon when there was a big local support out to cheer the ladies on. That goodwill has also been reflected in donations to the pair’s Just GoFundMe page with a massive €30,000 having been raised for The Donegal Hospice, The Northwest Hospice and the Irish Cancer Society. The coronavirus pandemic has been tough on everyone, but it has also brought out the best in us, when you think back the similarly generous response to John Rooney’s Wild Atlantic run earlier this year. If you would like to help boost Julie and Loretta’s fantastic returns even further, please visit their GoFundMe page to make a donation.
Aodh Ruadh lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €3,600. The winning numbers drawn were 2, 9, 10, 12, 15 and 16. In the lucky dip €25 each went to Celine McGrath and Eugene Perry. The next draw is for a jackpot of €3,700 on Sunday at 8pm. 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. The club appreciates all support members can offer during this ongoing pandemic. You have to be in it to win it!
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra on Saturday is: BORD NA NÓG.
