Aghada Gaa

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Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship –  Aghada 0-10 v Fr O’Neills 3-8; Killeagh, 28/4/2017 

A 7 point win for our East Cork rival’s Fr. O Neills, doesn’t really give a true reflection of how even this battle was between the two teams over the hour. A low scoring contest, just 21 scores in total, the game ultimately was decided between the 6th and 8th minutes of the second half, when O’Neills hit 2 goals in as many minutes. Aghada were leading by a point up to this after both sides had exchanged frees in the opening 5 minutes after the restart. O’Neills then won a free 30 metres from goal, Cork U21 player Declan Dalton opted to take it quickly and a combination of the well struck free and the Aghada defenders not being quite ready saw the sliothar nestle in the back of the net to give O’Neills the lead for the 1st time on the night. 2 minutes later the same player took a long distance free which was superbly flicked into the net by the O’Neills full forward to really turn the game on it’s head and put the Ballymacoda men firmly in the driving seat. In truth O’Neills came out all guns blazing for the second period and were hunting in packs more so than they had done in the 1st half. A point on 14 minutes, after Aghada had missed a couple of frees, gave O’Neills a 6 point lead. Next up Aghada’s best performer Pearse O’Neill pointed and then a few minutes later set up Kevin O’Hanlon for a nice point to reduce the gap to 4 points. Aghada were still well in the contest at this point, but were finding it hard to breach the O’Neills rearguard, whose sweeper cleaned up a lot of ball. Amazingly and not for the lack of effort or opportunities, Aghada wouldn’t score again. O’Neills pointed from play on 23 minutes and then soaked up plenty of Aghada pressure from there to injury time, before hitting 2 points in the 3rd and 4th minute of injury time to seal a deserved victory.

Over an hour earlier, as the rain came down, Aghada had started the brighter. 1 minute in, Cian Fleming pointed a free he had earned himself. A good clearance from Tim Hartnett on 3 minutes found Pearce O’Neill for his 1st of 3 points. And a few minutes after that Pearse had his second after good play from the Aghada forwards forced the opposition ‘keeper to lose possession. O’Neills had 2 from play in the opening 10 and another on 15, to level the game. The Aghada backs were playing well, with the returning Michael Russell, Jordan Tynan and Jake O’Donoghue to the fore. With Stephen O’Keeffe and Tommy O’Donoghue both prominent around the middle of the field, Aghada opened up a three point lead by the 26th minute. The points came from 2 Fleming frees and Charlie Terry from play. Straight away however Fr. O’Neills struck for their first green flag. O’Neills full forward caught a high ball on the edge of square. Russell blocked the 1st attempt and Trevor O’Keeffe in the Aghada goal made a super save to keep out the 2nd attempt, but the rebound led to the third attempt which was dispatched to the net. Sides level as the clock ticked into injury time, Charlie Terry hit a super point from out on the right wing to give Aghada the slenderest of leads as both sides headed for the dressing room at half time.

Aghada might have been further ahead, having missed some easy scores, but with both sides missing some key players the 1st half had been an even, and robust, affair. O’Neills upped their game for the second half and now take the direct route to the next round of championship, while Aghada now play Kilworth in the back door game.

Aghada Team and scorers – Trevor O’Keeffe, David Rice, Michael Russell, Jake O’Donoghue, Billy Hennessy, Jack McDonald, Jordan Tynan, Stephen O’Keeffe, Tommy O’Donoghue, Aaron Stafford, Charlie Terry(0-3, 1f), Tim Hartnett, Cian Fleming(0-3 f), Pearse O’Neill(0-3), Ronan Kennedy. Subs Used – Kevin O’Hanlon (0-1), Daniel Creedon, Brian Morrissey.

Tómas Kent Commemoration, 12th May, Rostellan

Our clubs will have a big presence at this year’s annual Tómas Kent Commemoration, which takes place at 4pm on the 12th of May. Donal Walsh will be MC, while the oration on the day will be given by his brother James, of Goldfish Syndrome fame, so he might also give a song on the day. Also on display will be the County Intermediate Cup and the junior All-Ireland ladies football cup won by Aghada last year. The county senior hurling cup won by Imokilly will also be present. Aghada’s hurling captain, John Paul O’Connor will lay a wreath in memory of Fenian Denis Kelly, who was the founder of Aghada GAA back in 1885. All are welcome on the day.

Fixtures

It seems a while ago now since our u21’s qualified for the East Cork Final in dramatic fashion. This game is now set for 11th of May against a Glenville outfit that soundly beat us in the opening round robin game. More on this fixture in coming weeks.

Lotto

The current Lotto jackpot is €8,750 and will take place in The Schooner Bar on May 3rd. Congrats to Linda Gilroy, Kevin Day, Mary O’Mahony, Sally Mackesy and Val Smith who won €30 in last week’s draw.