Club Round Up 2000

Seniors Football
Reserves Football
Third Team
U-21's
Hurling
Ladies Football
Bord na Nog
Camogie
SENIORS
The Senior footballers had a disappointing season by any standards. With a number of players unavailable for various reasons, new manager Eugene McHale was left with a depleted panel. Early in the year the side performed well, winning the Bredan McHugh Tournament and being defeated in the final of a Tournament in Clane, Co. Kildare. However, they fell to St. Eunan's in the Championship but put up a good performance in the semi-final of the league, despite having little activity in the months prior to that.
Thanks is due to the team management of Eugene McHale, Gerry McIntyre, Paul O'Loughlin, trainer Stevie O'Mahony and physios Padraig McGarrlgle and Moya Ferguson and one hopes for better things in the year ahead. Team captain was Gary Walsh.
Congratulations must go to Barry Ward on winning a Sigerson Cup Medal, the first to come to to the club in eight years.

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RESERVES
The story of the Reserves is one of hard-luck one with injuries and a sending off working against them in their vital play-off game against St. Eunans. One feels that Pat McGraths side would have been favourites to lift the title if they had got past that game and got their experienced players back on the field.
Thanks to manager Pat McGrath and assistant Jim Kane

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Third Team
This year a third team was fielded in the championship and the response was very good with a large number of players showing interest. There are enough players in the area to continue and expand with this team but it must be remember that if a decision is taken to field in the league it will be a long-term commitment for the season.

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U-21S
The U-21s had high hopes again in 2000, but failed to make it back to the final. They were convincing winners over Dungloe and avenged last years final defeat against St. Nauls. However, in woeful conditions they feild to match Termon in the semi-final. Most of the panel are available again in 2001 and that squad of players have the chance to erase bad memories of losing out in the 1998 minor campaign by winning the U-21 title next year.
Thanks is extended to manager Maurice McLaughlin and his assistants.

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HURLERS
Despite high hopes at the start of the year, fielding teams became a difficult task for the Aodh Ruadh hurlers in the year 2000. As in the past, despite the best efforts of a number of individuals, collective traing was not a success and the side struggled on until their Championship outing against Pettigo, which was also a final, with just two teams participating in the Intermediate Championship - hardly a satisfactory situation.
The side did very well to gain a draw in the first game, despite finding it difficult to field a full complement at home, and lost the second leg in the final quarter.
The new season will bring new hopes and with Ollie Flaherty elected as manager, hopefully the hurlers in the club will give him the support necessary in 2001.
Thanks to team manager for 2000 Eoghan Ruadh O'Neill, who was one of a number of club hurlers who represented the county at senior level. The others were Ollie Flaherty, Jonathon Dolan and peter Horan, while Dermot Breslin (now with St. Eunans) also played county hurling.

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LADIES
Probably the most committed members of the Aodh Ruadh club are the members of the Ladies senior panel who were to be seem in Mundays Field on almost every evening of the week throughout the summer.
The Ladies again met St. Eunans in the Senior Championship and, even by their own standards they will feel that they did not do themselvesjustice. They are due to meet the same opposition in the League final which is to be played in the new year.
Howeverthey did get some consulation by winning a Tournament towards the end of the year in Ballinamore.
Thanks is due to manager Teddy Kane and assistant, Jim Kane, and hopefully 2001 will bring the success which their effort deserves.

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BORD NA nOg
The major success of the club for the year was the winning of the very competitive U-14A Co. Championship for the first time since 1972. Great credit is due to Sylvester Maguire and his management team and especially to the players. Looking at their campaign from the early summer until the final on the last Saturday of August, one can see the need to have three of four good mentors looking after underage teams. Their preparation was thorough and that was probably the deciding factor, along with the side's ability to battle on the day.
Four of the side were rewarded with membership of the Co. School of Excellence team, while we were also represented at U-15 county level.
Other age groups success was not as easily forthcoming with the U-12s losing out at the Divisional finla stage to St. Nauls.
Overall the Bord na nOg committee worked hard last year but the need to get more coaches involved at all ages groups is vital to future success. Last year there were around 50 under-10s training and that is probably the most important stage for learninggood lessons. Perhaps some of the senior footballers could become involved at this level for coaching - it could only be of benefit to the young footballers and to the club to see the likes of Brian Roper, barry Ward, etc, giving one-hour sessons when they are available.

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CAMOGIE
The Camogie club saw a big increase in competition this year and they had success at underage level with the U-10s retaining their Co. Title. The senior team were very busy reaching the Co. Senior final and also competing in the Ulster League, where they finished in second place.
Most of the senior team are still unber 18 which is encouraging. Camogie is an important activity for a large number of girls in the club area and, just as underage football is important for the boys, camogie provides a social outlet which is of importance for the club and community.

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1999 Club Round Up