Aghada Gaa
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East Cork U21 A football Championship Final - Aghada 2-14 v Glanmire 2-11; Ballinacurra 30/3/2019
Our U21’s completed a remarkable feat of winning 6 East Cork A grade titles in a row when they had a hard fought victory over Glanmire on Saturday last. In what was a great game of football to watch, Aghada got off to a flier. With 20 minutes on the 1st half clock, we had a comprehensive 1-7 v 0-2 lead, and some people must of thought a comfortable victory was on the cards. The Aghada goal had come on 7 minutes after Ciaran Galligan, who had a super outing at midfield, broke a Glanmire kickout. Aghada snapped up the break and worked the ball to Jamie O’Hanlon. The young corner forward took off on a run, before rifling an unstoppable shot to the top corner of the net. Charlie Terry, outstanding throughout, had 3 points on the board at this stage, with Aaron Berry (2), Jamie and Niall Hill making up the 7 point total. Now however Glanmire finally got going. They hit 5 unanswered points from the 21st to the 28th minutes, and suddenly there was only the goal between the teams. Aghada needed a response. Marcus Leahy made a great catch from the kickout, and Tommy O’Donoghue drove forward from centre back. He found Berry and Aghada’s captain made no mistake for his 3rd point. Next full forward Luke O’Connell won good possession, but saw his goal attempt well saved by the Glanmire ‘keeper. Jamie pointed the resulting ’45 and it looked like Aghada had steadied the ship. But on the stroke of half time, Glanmire came again. This time a long ball into the Aghada defence wasn’t dealt with and Glanmire walked the ball into the back of the net. 1-9 v 1-7 at halftime and now it was anyone’s game.
Jordan Tynan, full of running for the hour, set up Jamie O’Hanlon for the opening score of the second half, straight from the throw in. However from the next kickout, Glanmire tore through the middle of the Aghada defence and buried a fine second goal. It was 10 minutes before we had another score. This was a pointed Glanmire free which gave them the lead for the 1st time. That lead only seemed to spur on a very determined Aghada side. Cha made a great catch at full forward. Berry took the pass, but his shot hit the butt of the post. Alan Hogan picked up the rebound and finished Aghada’s second goal after 2 attempts. Another Cha catch, another Berry pass and a point from Hogan, came just 2 minutes later. Next up Diarmuid Phelan drove forward with a great run from midfield. After being dragged down Berry pointed the resulting free and Aghada were 4 points clear with 15 to play. Glanmire had the next two points on minutes 19 and 24. In between Hogan nearly had a second goal. He did point on 27 minutes after good play from Tommy and Jamie, and when Charlie kicked a super point with 2 minutes to go to restore the 4 point lead, Aghada were almost there. Credit to Glanmire they kept going right to the end. Despite trying to fashion a number of goal attempts, a point was all an excellent Aghada defence was willing to concede. That defence was superbly marshalled by Jack McDonald at full back, with young Shay Keane also impressing. Cue the Aghada celebrations as the full time whistle sounded and Aaron Berry became the latest captain to lift the trophy on Aghada’s behalf. Well done to all involved and onto the county championship now!!
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, Aaron Berry(0-4;2f),Charlie Terry(0-4;1f), Niall Hill(0-1), Luke O’Connell, Jamie O’Hanlon(1-3; 1f,1’45). Subs Used Mark McCarthy, Alan Hogan (1-2)
Junior B Hurling County League – Aghada 0-9 v Inniscarra 1-16, Rostellan 30/3/2019
Our Jb hurlers played their 1st game in the county league last Saturday. Despite good performances from Jack Hayes, Mathew Leahy, Tommy Dobbyn, and in particular, Mark Healy, Inniscarra were worthy winners in the end. Team – Jack Hayes, Luke Foley, Mark Healy, Aaron Butler, Alan Walsh, Ger Melvin, Mathew Leahy, Conor O’Keeffe, John Connolly, Richie Condon, Darren Malone, Tommy Dobbyn, Vincey Rohan, Paul Daly, Declan Foley. Sub Used Adam O’Brien.
Premier Intermediate football Championship
Another big game for the club this weekend. Regraded this year down from senior, we play our 1st championship match at this level on Sunday the 7th of April at 2pm in Pairc Ui Rinn against Na Piarsaig. This team has being going very well in the league with a win last Sunday against Glanworth making it 5 wins out of 5. So hopefully this league form plus the U21 success will help drive us forward on Sunday. Best of luck to all involved.
