The 2018 Willie Ryan Hurling tournament took place on the Aghada GAA Club grounds on Saturday the 15th September. We were blessed with the weather on the day and there was a fine crowd in attendance all of whom had to be impressed with the displays given by the 10 U12 teams that played.
The Teams were split into 2 groups of 5 on the day with each Team playing each other once in 12 minute a half games. At the end of the group games the top two teams in Group 1 and 2 played each other in the Cup final and the second placed teams played each other in the Plate Final.
In Group 1 the Teams were Aghada, Ballgiblin, Erins Own, Glen Rovers and St Colmans (Cloyne & Russell Rvs).
In Group 2 the Teams were Courcey Rovers, Dungarvan, Fr O'Neills, Iniscarra & Midleton.
In Group 1 the final placings went down to the very last game where Aghada and Ballygiblin both faced each other having won their first 3 games. This game was a good battle with Aghada coming out on top by 1 goal on a scoreline of 3-2 to 2-2. This meant that Aghada went forward to the Cup final and Ballygiblin went into the Plate final.
In Group 2 Midleton were the form team and posted 4 good wins to qualify for the Cup final against Aghada while Courcey Rovers qualified for the Plate final to play Ballygiblin.
In both final games the Teams were paraded onto the Pitch by local piper Alan Roberts and stood for the National Anthem. This really added to the occasion for the youngsters and their families.
The Shield final was played first with Courcey Rovers turning in a fine display to take the first silverware of the day. Ballygiblin also must be given great credit for the fine performances they turned in during the day.
The Cup Final was a very exciting tense affair. Aghada struck a goal inside the opening minute but Midleton with the breeze showed their class for the rest of the half to lead at half-time 1-4 to 1-1. Aghada started to claw back that lead early in the 2nd half only for Midleton to strike a goal to go ahead by 4. Aghada upped their game and hit 1-1 to bring the game back level only for Midleton to respond with another point. It was a ding-dong affair up and down the pitch at this stage with both defences playing heroically. With nearly the last puck of the ball Aghada got in for a brilliant goal to take a 2 point lead and managed to keep Midleton out in the last play and won out on 3-4 to 2-5 scoreline. It was a great squad effort and there was jubilant scenes at the final whistle. The Midleton players and selectors were very gracious and can be very proud of their efforts over the course of the day.
Also a big thank you to the many Club members that contributed massively to the successful running of the tournament and to all the visiting Clubs and their mentors/families. We hope you enjoyed the day.
The Aghada U12 Panel that all played a part in the victory are as follows.
James Hurley, Hugh Mulcahy, Jack Murray, Sean O'Callaghan, Tomás Condon, Evan Crowley, Samuel O'Driscoll, Seán Santos O'Sullivan, James Motherway, Colm White, Tom Kileen, Callum Roberts, James O'Donnell, Rodger McGrath, James O'Callaghan, Kevin O'Reilly, Anothony O'Reilly, Ronan Devoy, Robert Deane, Keelan Cody, David Wallace, Alex Carr, Pierce Noonan, Jake Douglas, Dan Murphy, Conor Baxx, Seán Corkery.
