Our Intermediate A hurlers suffered the narrowest of defeats in their opening championship encounter on Friday night, as a late Bandon goal proved decisive in a thrilling contest at Church Road, the home of Blackrock GAA.

The pitch was in splendid condition despite the recent dry spell, and the large attendance was treated to an exciting, high-quality game between two teams with strong championship credentials. our lads reached last year’s semi-final, where they were defeated by eventual champions Aghabullogue (after extra time), while Bandon lost narrowly to the same opposition in the county final.

Aghada made the perfect start when Mark McCarthy struck an excellent point from play from close to the sideline. Samuel O’Driscoll quickly followed with another fine score before Bandon opened their account in the fourth minute.

John Looney restored our two-point advantage, although Bandon replied immediately from the resulting puck-out. McCarthy then landed his second point from another difficult position near the sideline, leaving Aghada 0-4 to 0-2 ahead after six minutes.

Willie Leahy converted Aghada’s first placed ball of the evening before Bandon responded with a point from play. The opening goal arrived in the 11th minute when Jamie O’Hanlon burst through the Bandon defence and buried an excellent finish into the back of the Blackrock net. That score moved Aghada into a commanding 1-5 to 0-3 lead.

Bandon responded well, registering a point from play followed by a converted free. Looney then struck his second point to leave Aghada four ahead, 1-6 to 0-5.

The complexion of the contest changed during a productive spell for Bandon midway through the half. A goal from play was followed by two unanswered points, moving Bandon ahead for the first time, 1-7 to 1-6, after 18 minutes.

Our lads refused to allow their opponents to build momentum. O’Hanlon levelled the game with a point from play, although Bandon regained the lead almost immediately. McCarthy then produced another superb strike from close to the sideline, sending the ball between the posts from 65 metres out.

The sides continued to trade scores. Jude Devoy opened his account with an excellent point from the centre of the field, while another Looney score left the teams level at 1-10 apiece after 25 minutes.

Bandon moved two points ahead with consecutive scores, but our lads finished the half strongly. Jude Devoy added his second point before O’Hanlon and McCarthy also found the target, moving Aghada 1-13 to 1-12 ahead deep into first-half stoppage time.

Bandon had the final say, however, converting a free to leave the teams level at the interval, Aghada 1-13 Bandon 1-13.

Our lads may have been disappointed not to hold a half-time advantage after playing with the assistance of a significant breeze. Nevertheless, the work rate throughout the opening half was extremely encouraging. The defence was on top for long periods, with Michael Russell particularly influential at centre-back. Around the half-forward line, Mulcahy, Noah Devoy and Samuel O’Driscoll worked tirelessly to provide an attacking platform.

Charlie Terry was introduced at half-time and would go on to make a major impact.

Jude Devoy put Aghada back in front immediately after the restart, but Bandon responded to level the game once again. Leahy converted a long-range free to restore Aghada’s advantage before Bandon replied with another point from play.

With our men now facing into the breeze, Terry provided an important outlet in the half-forward line. He claimed several well-directed puck-outs from John Walsh and used possession intelligently, creating opportunities for both himself and his teammates.

Terry was rewarded with a point from play in the 38th minute. Moments later, full-back Jack McDonnell embarked on a superb run along the sideline before splitting the posts, moving us two points clear.

Tim Hartnett was introduced during the second half and immediately brought his customary energy and work rate to the middle third.

Bandon reduced the deficit from a free, but Leahy responded from a placed ball. The pattern continued, with Bandon scoring from play before Leahy converted another free. Bandon then landed two unanswered points to level the contest at 1-19 apiece after 47 minutes.

Isaac Oosthuizen was introduced as we sought to freshen our attack, but it was Bandon who began to take control. Two converted frees and a point from play moved the West Cork side three points ahead with about seven minutes remaining.

With Aghada playing against the wind and time running out, the situation looked difficult. However, tremendous credit must go to the players for the character they displayed.

Leahy began the comeback with another converted free after good work from Isaac Oosthuizen and Ronan Murphy before McCarthy added his fifth point from play. Fionn O’Connor then produced one of the scores of the evening, landing an outstanding point from beneath the Aghada dugout to level the contest at 1-22 apiece after 58 minutes.

Aghada now had the momentum, but Bandon responded with a point from a free. Hartnett then levelled the game once more, striking a fine point from a tight angle to leave the teams tied at 1-23 each as the contest entered its decisive closing stages. Both team managements would have probably settled for a draw at this stage. 

Unfortunately for Aghada, it was Bandon who struck the crucial blow. A mix-up in the Aghada defence allowed a Bandon forward to race through on goal and fire the sliotar into the net. Crucially for our opposition, they followed the goal with a converted free, suddenly opening a four-point advantage as the game moved deep into stoppage time.

Aghada continued to battle. McCarthy went for goal from a close-range free, but his powerful effort flew over the crossbar. The score meant there was now only one goal between the teams.

There was time for one final opportunity. Terry delivered a dangerous diagonal ball into the Bandon square, where it bobbled around inside the penalty area. Aghada tried desperately to force it into the net, but the Bandon defence managed to clear before the referee sounded the full time whistle.

It was a cruel conclusion to an enthralling, hard-fought encounter which either side could have won. Our lads can take considerable encouragement from their second-half performance, particularly the manner in which they competed against a strong breeze and recovered from being three points behind late in the game.

The quality of the contest suggested that these two sides could yet meet again during the knockout stages of the championship. Best on the day for Aghada were Michael Russell, Mark McCarthy, Jude Devoy, John Looney and Jamie O'Hanlon. 

Aghada will next face Russell Rovers before completing the group stage against Kilbrittain. Victory in both matches will now be the target as the team looks to secure a place in the knockout rounds.

It was fantastic to see such a large Aghada support in Church Road, with plenty of green and white visible around the ground. That support will be hugely important over the coming weeks as all of the club’s adult teams continue their championship campaigns.

Next weekend, attention turns to our two Junior Hurling teams. Keep an eye on social media for these fixtures. 

John Walsh, Fionn O’Connell, Jack McDonnell, Kyle O’Shea, Fionn O’Connor, Michael Russell, Mark McCarthy, Willie Leahy, Ronan Murphy, Samuel O’Driscoll, Hugh Mulcahy, Noah Devoy, Jude Devoy, John Looney, Jamie O’Hanlon.

Substitutes used: Charlie Terry, Tim Hartnett and Isaac Oosthuizen.

Aghada Scorers:
Mark McCarthy 0-6, Jamie O’Hanlon 1-2, Willie Leahy 0-5, John Looney, Jude Devoy 0-3 each, Samuel O’Driscoll, Fionn O’Connor, Jack McDonnell, Charlie Terry, Tim Hartnett 0-1 each.