Annual awards night:
Aodh Ruadh hosted their annual awards night a stone’s throw away from Father Tierney Park, in the Rock Hall. There was a good turnout as the club gathered to mark team and individual achievement on the field of play across 2015. Sean Perry was Master of Ceremonies and got the night going with recognition of our silverware winning county stars. First up was a presentation Sarah Patton who was a member of the 2015 Ulster Ladies senior championship winning team. She was followed by the Aodh Ruadh members of the 2015 Under 21 All-Ireland C Hurling championship winning team; Oisin Rooney, Rory Cullen, Eddie Lynch, Ciaran Rami and Conor McNeely. We moved on to club awards after that and pride of place was taken by the 2015 Southern Minor League champions. It was double joy for Philip Patton who also picked up the Minor footballer of the year award. The individual awards continued after that with Shelly Loughlin named Ladies player of the year, Oisin Rooney selected as Minor hurler of the year, Under 21 hurler of the year going to Conor McNeely, Ciaran Rami picking up Young hurler of the year and Stephen Sheerin scooping the prestigious Hurler of the year award. After that proceedings moved on to the football awards. The Under 21 footballer of the year award went the way of Eamonn McGrath, while Reserve team player of the year was picked up by Anthony Coughlin. The Young footballer of the year award went to rising star Calum O’Halloran, meanwhile the The Ciaran Keon senior player of the year was presented Diarmaid McInerney after a season of heavy scoring and impressive performances. The Sean Slevin club person of the year was awarded to David McLoone in recognition of a diligent year in the service of the club in various different guises. The night concluded with tokens of appreciation being presented to the outgoing chairman and secretary, Diarmaid Keon and Emma Gaughan. There were also presentations to the outgoing senior management of Packie McGrath, Val Murray, Sean O’Mahoney, Damian Conlon and Jim Kane. That drew the curtain on a great night and a year the club will remember with many fond memories. We have pictures from the night up on aodhruadh.org.
Club meeting
The monthly club meeting takes place this Thursday, 25th February, in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8.30pm. All committee members are asked to attend.
Football
The first five rounds of league fixtures have been published and the opening to Peter Gallagher and James O’Donnell’s campaign looks like this.
Sunday, 20th March, 3pm: Aodh Ruadh v Burt
Easter Monday, 28th March, 3pm: Fanad Gaels v Aodh Ruadh
Sunday, 10th April, 3pm: Aodh Ruadh v Letterkenny
Sunday, 17th April, 3pm: Downings v Aodh Ruadh
Sunday, 24th April, 3pm: Aodh Ruadh v Naomh Colmcille
The monthly Bord na nÓg meeting will take place this Wednesday night, 24th February, in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh at 8.30pm. All committee members are asked to attend.
Indoor training continues this week with the under 6s in the Hall at Creevy National School from 6pm to 7pm followed by the under 8s from 7pm to 8pm, also at Creevy. The under 10s are training in the new hall at Coláiste Cholmcille from 6pm to 7pm and that session is followed by the under 12s from 7pm to 8pm, also in the new hall. There is a charge of €2 per head. Please bring your own water and wear runners as no other footwear allowed. Parents / Guardians are asked to please collect children promptly after their session is finished.
Ladies
Congratulations to Sarah Patton and Shelly Loughlin on the well deserved recognition they received at the Club Awards Night.
The first training session of the new season for senior and minor players will take place in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh this Saturday, 27th February, at 6pm.
Ladies committee members are reminded to attend the monthly meeting in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh on Tuesday 23rd February at 7pm.
Hurling
Training for under 8s, under 10s and under 12s resumes on Sunday March 6th at 12 noon. The following managers are in place for those squads. Under 8: John Rooney 086-2587793; Under 10: Peter Horan 087-1326786; and under 12 Denis Daly: 086-3269550. If you have any queries in relation to any of these age groups contact any of the managers. All are welcome, especially beginners.
Training and fixtures schedule
The Park / Development Committee have now met most team managers to agree the rota for use of the club’s facilities including the school field. All team physical training and preparation is confined to the Prunty Training pitch, the top field at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh and to the school field. Official games will be allocated to either Father Tierney Park or the main field in the Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, taking account of weather and fixtures pressure. Official fixtures will be diarised by Peter Conlon based on the official fixtures lists provided to him. Changes of dates or times should be notified to Peter without delay by the relevant team managers or committee secretary. The allocation of team gear lockers is being reviewed as some team managers are holding multiple lockers.
End of Scrap Fund-raiser
Thanks to everyone who supported the scrap fund-raiser over the past few years and to John Rooney for his central role in getting the ball rolling. This has contributed to fund-raising in a significant way. The initiative has now come to an end and no further scrap items should be left at our grounds.
Inter-County Fixture
The Park / Development Committee will require some stewarding help on Sunday, March 6th for a Ladies NFL Division 2 game between table-toppers Donegal and Clare.
Advertising in the Park
The advertising hoardings at Father Tierney Park are being renewed and replaced currently. Any business interested in taking one should contact Tom Daly, David McLoone or Conal Gallagher.
National Draw winners
The draw for the Aodh Ruadh element of the National Club Draw took place last week. First prize of €100 went to Carmel Boyle, Laghey while the four €50 prize winners were Kate Slevin, Kathleen Grimes, Annie Doherty and Martin Larkin.
Recreational football
Recreational football returns this Saturday at 6.30pm under the lights at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh and once again the emphasis is very much on the craic. If you haven’t pulled on the boots in a while, it’s a great opportunity to get out and active. It’s excellent value at just €3 for the session. Text or call Alan on 0868052816 if you need any further information.
Kickabout For Colman
Aodh Ruadh were delighted to hand over the proceedings of the Kickabout For Colman over to nominated charities, Grasp and Hand in Hand, last week. Each group received €700 thanks to the festive kickabout in memory of Colman Kerr. We have a picture on aodhruadh.org of Deirdre and Oisin Kerr, club secretary Lisa McTernan and her daughter Anna and chairman Gerard Ferguson in attendance at the presentation.
The Addams Family at the Abbey Centre
Ballyshannon Musical Society are presenting The Addams Family – A new musical comedy in the Abbey Arts Centre. Shows will run from Tuesday 23rd February to Saturday 27th February, 8pm nightly, with a matinee on Saturday 27th at 3pm. The booking office opens Thursday 18th February, 1pm-4pm, or call 071-9851375. Tickets are priced €10 or €8 on concession.
Celebrating our language
With the anniversary of 1916 and Seachtain na Gaeilge fast approaching, there are some events of note coming up in relation to our native language. Following on the recent agreement between the GAA and Glór na nGael to work together to increase the use of Irish language in GAA clubs, a representative of Glór na nGael will be present to assist clubs in setting up Irish language related activities such as Ciorcal Comhrá and Oíche Ghaelach. This workshop is open to anyone in the locality to attend and is a bilingual workshop. It would be of interest to anyone who wishes to promote the Irish language in any way and Glór na nGael will provide ongoing assistance in this regard. Anyone looking any further information, please contact Sean O’Mahoney on 0868553245
Also on Friday February 26th at 8pm, the club will participate in Tráth na gCeist in the Mount Errigal Hotel. Teams of four will compete with 100 questions all as Gaelige. The winner will be crowned county champions, with the top three teams going forward to the Ulster finals in Armagh on Friday, 4th March.
Abbey Centre Bingo
Last week’s €400 jackpot prize was shared between Noelle Gillen and Mary McWeeney of Ballyshannon. Bingo this week will be at Coláiste Cholmcille due to the musical being held at the Abbey Centre. It will be a normal bingo prize fund this week, starting at the usual 9pm. The February €2,700 big bingo will be held on our return to the Abbey Centre on March 4th.
Aodh Ruadh Lotto
There was no winner of last week’s Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot of €3,300. The winning numbers drawn were 5, 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17. In the lucky dip €20 went to Martin Gahan, Tirchonaill Street; Kevin Loughlin, Rathmore; Conal Gallagher, Ballure Lane; Pat Melly c/o Pat’s Bar; and Patricia Downey, Erne Street. Next draw is on Sunday in Owen Roe’s with a Jackpot of €3,400 on Sunday at 8.30pm.
The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra Saturday is: SENIOR HURLERS.
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