A Chara,

February is here which means the games are going to start coming thick and fast now! Our teams are back training hard in our new players gym, with some teams after returning to the pitch this week. League fixtures are only a few weeks away so keep an eye out for these over the next few weeks! With the evenings starting to stretch considerably, our club grounds will start to become busier. With this in mind, please make sure you look out for all road users and pedestrians as you enter and leave our club grounds. 

Our U21 Footballers were our first team in championship action this year as they faced Glenville on Sunday morning in Rostellan. This was a repeat of last year's U21 A Final but Aghada had an almost new team out this year so it was a big challenge for our lads. A big crowd turned up to view the first match under the new Gaelic football rules with great anticipation of what was to come. The men in green got off to a wonderful start with Cian Hegarty slotting Aghada’s first ever 2 pointer score from outside the brand new 40 metre arc after just 60 seconds! Cian looped over this historic score after great build up play from defence to signal the start of a new dawn for football in Rostellan. Our own Willie Wallace had the honour of waving the first orange flag as umpire in Rostellan. Glenville fought back well to level proceedings with two one pointers. The game went through a barron spell before Aghada pointed a free which was converted by James Motherway after good work from Cian Hegarty and James Hurley. It was the visitors who took over after this though, with Glenville racing into a five points to three lead. Aghada had their defence to thank for keeping us in the game with resolute defending from all our full back line in particular. Cian O'Shea also made a brilliant save during this period to deny Glenville a certain goal. Cian Hegarty stemmed the flow with another free and Aghada were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when it seemed John Walsh was dragged to the ground as he looked certain to score a goal. Maybe it was my tinted glasses! It wasn't to be as Glenville added one more point before the break to leave our lads trailing by six points to four when the half time whistle sounded. Aghada now had an uphill task as they faced a deceivingly strong wind in the second half. 

The second half started perfectly with Cian Hegarty slotting another free. Just as we looked to be building some momentum, we were reduced to fourteen players with James Motherway receiving a seemingly harsh black card for an off the ball incident. Glenville made their numerical advantage count and hit two unanswered points to leave Aghada trailing by three. Good work from David Wallace and James O’Donnell allowed our lads to build a promising attack before Cian Hegarty was fouled on the 13 metre line as he had his sights on goal. Quick thinking allowed Fionn O’Connor to have a thunderous shot on goal after a fast free but unfortunately the ball flew just above the crossbar. A point though which reduced the deficit to two. From the resulting kick out, disaster struck when Aghada were reduced to thirteen when Fionn O’Connor picked up a red card. Thankfully, James Motherway’s black was over a few seconds later which allowed Aghada to return to fourteen players. The game was still very much still in the balance as the clock showed there was still 15 minutes remaining. Tomás Condon, David Wallace and Rob Dean were getting on a lot of ball at this stage with Glenville struggling to get out of their own half. Our lads played very well in this period and were very unlucky to not reduce the gap but Glenville defended very well as we struggled to break down their resolute defense. A sucker punch and a nail in our coffin came next when an ambitious long range shot from Glenville bounced over the crossbar. If it was 2024, it would have been one point but we live in a new world in 2025, and as the shot was taken from outside the 40 metre arc, and was touched by nobody, the score was worth two points. To make matters worse, Glenville added another point straight after to leave Aghada down by five with time running out. Our lads huffed and puffed for the remaining minutes of the contest but unfortunately were unable to make any inroads on the scoreboard as they searched for the much needed goal. The final whistle then sounded, which ended our participation in this year's U21 B East Cork Football Championship. Best on the day for Aghada were Conor Geary, Conor Bakx, Éanna Crowley and David Wallace. 

Thanks to John O’Connor (Manager), and his selectors Philip Moore, Brendan Counihan and Tommy Foley for their efforts with the lads over the last few weeks. The good news is that these U21 players have plenty of competitive matches to look forward to in only a few weeks with the various different teams they are involved with! 

Team Vs Glenville: Cian O’Shea, Conor Geary, Conor Bakx, Éanna Crowley, David Wallace, Fionn O’Connor, James O’Donnell, Cian Hegarty, John Walsh, Tomás Condon, Ronan Murphy, Cian Moore, James Hurley, Robert Dean, James Motherway. Subs: Sean O’Callaghan, Noah Devoy, Ronan Devoy, Sean Corkery, Aaron Kearns, Colm White, Cormac Walsh, Evan Crowley, Finn Crowley, Finn Berry, Ronan Walsh, 

Our club hosted a victory banquet to celebrate our U21 Footballers and Senior Ladies Footballers Championship successes last week in Midleton Park Hotel. The banquet was a wonderful night of celebration with our U21 Footballers receiving their East Cork medals they won last August against Glenville. This was followed by our Senior Ladies Footballers receiving their county medals which they won against Éire Óg last October. Before the medals were presented, Aghada LGFA Chairperson Sheila Linehan addressed the room, and shared her highlights of the historic season for the club.  Also on the night, Willie Wallace was recognised for refereeing the Junior A East Cork Football Final in 2024. Cathal McAllister was recognised for refereeing the Munster Club Junior Camogie Final along with the Dr. Harty Cup Final. We might advise them (quietly!) occasionally from the sidelines but referees are vital for our games to take place so it would be brilliant if even more club members took up the whistle in 2025! Also on the night, presentations were made to our All Ireland winning camogie stars Aoife Healy and Hannah Looney. Kim Hegarty presented Aoife & Hannah with personalised medal boxes on behalf of the club. Thanks to both girls for organising the O'Duffy Cup to be present on the night! Vera Terry was recognised for her huge contribution to Aghada Camogie since its foundation. Finally, Donagh Collins was awarded U21 Club Person of the Year. Sinead McCarthy was presented with the Junior LGFA Player of the Year award with Roisin Phelan picking up the Senior LGFA Player of the Year award. Club Chairperson, Anthony Connolly addressed the banquet and congratulated all who were collecting medals on the night and expressed his hope that all would be back for another even bigger banquet in 2026!. East Cork GAA Secretary, Patrick Mulcahy spoke very well on our East Cork Footballers success and also offered his congratulations to our senior ladies footballers on their huge accomplishment. Cork LGFA Chairperson Marion Crowley spoke on the historic achievement of our senior ladies last October and congratulated all involved. After all the formalities were concluded, club president, John Motherway and MC Christine Moran treated the crowd to a duet of Caledonia. This got the place rocking as Bog the Donkey then entertained everyone with their music for 2 hours. This was then followed by a DJ to close out the night. 

Thanks to Midleton Park Hotel for their hospitality and their fabulous meal that was provided to everyone. These banquets don’t organise themselves, so it is important to acknowledge our banquet committee of Áine Cronin, Sheila Linehan, Gillian Berry, Roisin Phelan, Kim Hegarty and Kate Wall. Special mention to Sheila who got the kilometres up in the car on the day of the banquet collecting awards, balloons and more! Well done to Kate who organised numerous spot prizes on the night! Finally, a huge thank you to Christine Moran who did a wonderful job as MC on the night. From presenting our victory banquet expertly, to a beautiful rendition of Caledonia to picking up a senior county medal, Christine did it all! Well done Christine!

Photos of the night are available on Facebook & Instagram. 

Our Ireland Lights Up walk will finish up for another year on Wednesday night (12th February). This walk has been organised by our Healthy Club committee yet again. Thanks to the women for the work they put in to ensure the walk runs smoothly. There’s no doubt it's a great community event that we will look forward to again in 2026! The last walk this year takes place on Wednesday between 7-8pm in our club grounds. As usual all are welcome and U18s need to be supervised at all times. Tea/Coffee (and maybe a biscuit!) will be served in the clubhouse after this week's walk.

Club Membership:
Club membership for 2025 is now open. Log onto yoir Foireann account to renew your membership today!
If you have any issues, contact any committee member.

https://www.foireann.ie/login

The club would like to pass on its condolences to the Cahill & Good families on the sad passing of James last week. Our thoughts are with James’ family and friends at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Slán,