Aghada Gaa

Main Sponsor – Irving Oil

U21 football Championship - Aghada 2-10 v Midleton 0-7; Shanagarry 23/3/2019

This was do or die championship game where not only would a win be needed, but Aghada needed to win by 5 points to advance to this year’s final. Aghada started well but kicked 4 wides inside the first 8 minutes, as the pace of the forwards began to show early on. First score of the game came from Charlie Terry after 9 minutes (free), before a well worked move from defence ended with Luke O’Connell (though VAR was being called for!) finishing to the net after 11 minutes, A follow on free from Charlie left the score 1-2 to no score, as Midleton were also guilty of poor shooting, before scoring their first point on 19th minute. Aghada were dominant at this stage with the defence coping with Midleton’s attacks and starting their own through Shay Keane and Kyle O’Shea, with Ciaran Galligan , Jordan Tynan and Marcus Leahy commanding at midfield. Upfront quick movement caused the Midleton defence problems and forced them into conceding frees over the first half. 2 more frees from the boot of Charlie left the score 1-5 to 1p as the half time whistle was blown .

The second half started brightly, as Charlie and Niall Hill raised white flags followed by Midleton’s second score on 35 minutes. Once again good defensive play by the full back line, eventually led to a swift break and a penalty for us, which Jamie O’Hanlon coolly finished to the net on 40 minutes. Midleton then began to attack in numbers and added 4 points between the 43rd and 51st minute, as Aghada came under constant pressure. Despite leading 2-7 to 6pts , Aghada found themselves pinned in their own half and twice Midleton struck the upright as they went in search of goals to give them the score needed to get them to the final. Points by Niall (53) and Jamie (58) looked to have eased the pressure but Midleton broke in the 59th minute to force a penalty. However, Ciaran O’Shea finished a good day’s work by stopping the effort injuring himself in the process to keep his clean sheet. This squad, though young were able to call on Jack Norris, Oisin Counihan, Arron Berry (our new sub keeper) and Craig Hogan, each contributing to the team and more than capable replacements for those they replaced. So, another final for this team done the hard way and a meeting with Glanmire, who beat us when we met in the round robin stage a few weeks back. The final is fixed for this Saturday the 30th of March with a 3pm throw-in in Balinacurra.

Aghada Team – Ciaran O’Shea, Ben Stafford, Jack McDonald, Diarmuid Phelan, Kyle O’Shea, Tommy O’Donoghue, Shay Keane, Ciaran Galligan, Jordan Tynan, Marcus Leahy, Charlie Terry, Mark McCarthy, Niall Hill, Luke O’Connell, Jamie O’Hanlon. Subs Used Jack Norris, Craig Hogan, Oisin Counihan, Aaron Berrry.

Fixtures

East Cork U21 A final – Aghada V Glanmire, Ballinacurra, Sat March 30th at 3pm

Prem Inter Football Div 3 – Aghada V Glanworth, Rostellan, Sunday 31st March 2pm

East Cork Junior Hurling Lge Div 3 – Aghada v Sarsfields, Rostellan, April 6th at 6.30pm

Prem Inter Football Championship – Aghada v Na Piarsaig, Sunday April 7th, 9pm in Pairc Ui Rinn

Lotto Results

This week’s Lotto Jackpot is €4,000. Draw takes place Thursday the 28th of March in The Long Point. No winner of last weeks jackpot, where the numbers drawn were 1,2,20, and 22. Congrats to Pa O’Connell Jny, Mike O’Neill Jnr, Denis Higgins, Adam & Ella Lewis, and John Domeney who each won €30 in last weeks draw.