A FOUR-POINT WIN over Downings on Sunday was enough to seal promotion for Aodh Ruadh to the AllSportStore.com All-County Football League Division 2.
The last time that Aodh Ruadh played in second flight was in 2010 but, after six long hard years in the third tier of Donegal football, they’ve made their return to the second flight with a 0-12 to 0-8 win over Downings in Father Tierney Park on Saturday.
Aodh Ruadh were quick out of the traps and had a seven point lead run up with 20 minutes on the clock. Downings fought back though to make the interval scores 0-8 to 0-5 and keep the result in the balance.
On the mark for Peter Gallagher’s men in a turbo charged first half scorers were Diarmaid McInerney (2), Seamus Kane (2), David McGurrin, Jason Granaghan, David Dolan, and Gillespie. At the start of second half Paddy Gillespie added a good score to stretch the lead to four points. but Downings kept in touch with two good points and could have added a goal but for a fine save from Peter Boyle.
A Dolan free settled the hosts again, but that was quickly cancelled out by a short Downings free to leave the game at 0-10 to 0-8. Aodh Ruadh struggled to find the target for the final quarter, with a goal opportunity from Kane well saved by the Downings keeper.
[adrotate group=”37″]However Damian Cleary and Paddy Gillepsie stepped up and got late scores to put the game out of reach. Stand out performers on a historic day for Aodh Ruadh were the Jason Granaghan, Niall Harley, Paddy Gillespie and Diarmaid McInerney.
