Aghada Gaa

Main Sponsor – Irving Oil

East Cork Junior B semi Final – Aghada 1-17 v Killeagh 1-11; Castlemartyr – 22/9/2019

Our JB hurlers have advanced to this year’s East Cork final courtesy of a fully deserved win over Killeagh last Sunday in Castlemartyr. Aghada were quick out of the blocks with 3 points in the opening 5 minutes. Jamie O’Hanlon scored one, was fouled for another free converted by Ger Melvin, while in-between Mathew Leahy hit a fine score off his left. In reply Killeagh hit a super long range effort. On 6 minutes Jamie intercepted the Killeagh puck out and took off on a solo run before tapping over Aghada’s 4th score. It was 4 v 1 at this stage and Aghada were on top in most areas. For the next 5 minutes though we became very wasteful in front of goals. Wides and short attempts followed, and Killeagh were able to reduce the gap to just one point with a quarter of the game gone. Now the Aghada veterans got going to steady the ship. Melv pointed a free. Good play at full back by Brian Morrissey, and a neat offload, set up Stephen O’Keeffe for a fine point. 2 minutes later the same player struck again, but this time for a goal. Luke O’Connell and Matt Leahy hunted down the Killeagh full back and when the ball spilled, Keeffie pounced quickest and finished well. That made it 1-7 v 0-4 with 20 played. Killeagh pointed another free and from the puck out could have had a goal of their own, only for some brave goalkeeping from Kevin Hegarty in the Aghada goals. Hegarty, making his Aghada debut, made a number of fine stops in both halves which all helped towards the end result. Matt Leahy set up cousin Marcus for Aghada’s next point and he scored a minor himself on 26 minutes after Darragh Ryan had plucked a great ball out of the air at centre back. Killeagh had a placed ball in reply, but Aghada finished the half strongly with points from Melvin and full forward Luke O’Connell. Half time Aghada 1-11 v Killeagh 0-6

On resumption Melvin and Keeffie shared 4 points between them with Killeagh hitting 2 in reply and the lead was out to 10 points. While the lead looked enough to see Aghada home, Aghada seemed to falter from here out and would only score 2 more points for the rest of the game. Killeagh pointed on 13 minutes and then dangerous corner forward Johnny Walsh, showing stickwork Pat and Brendan could only dream of, scored a beauty of a goal. Between these scores Darragh Ryan had a long range point. Killeagh’s keeper had the next 2 scores from frees and the lead was 5 points with 5 to play. Tom O’Neill was defending manfully at the back for Aghada, as was Richie Bull and Luke Foley. With scores harder to come by for both teams, Aghada were grateful for Jamie O’Hanlon to knock over his 3rd point of the game. It was to be the last of the game and the final whistle sounded soon after to see Aghada qualify for the B grade hurling East Cork final for the 1st time in God knows how long. Well done to all, players and management. The final is next Sunday in Dungourney at 2:30pm. We await the winners of Castlelyons and Youghal. Best of luck to our lads for the final.

Team and Scorers – Kevin Hegarty, Luke Foley, Brian Morrissey, Richie Condon, Tom O’Neill, Darragh Ryan(0-1), Jack Norris, Stephen O’Keeffe (1-3), Ronan McConville, Ger Melvin (0-6, 5fs), Marcus Leahy (0-1), Jamie O’Hanlon (0-3), Ger Lynch, Luke O’Connell(0-1), Mathew Leahy (0-2). Subs Used – Darren Malone, Will Guiry, Alan Walsh, Vincey Rohan.

East Cork U21 A Hurling championship – Aghada 3-12 v Sarsfields 1-17; Sat 21/9/18 in Cobh.

In the 1st of our round robin championship games this year, Aghada had a narrow 1 point victory over Sarsfields second team. This result should be enough to see us through to the knockout stages. We have another round robin game to play first against Castlelyons but this game is not fixed yet.

Lotto

The current jackpot is €10,500 and the next draw is on Thursday 26th of September. Last week’s numbers were 3,8,19,25. There was no jackpot winner, but congratulations Johnaton Walsh, Paula Hayes, Mick & Billy, Martin O’Neill and Kieran O’Connor who each won a €30 lucky dip.

First Responders

Aghada community 1st responders are holding a “Restart a Heart” campaign in conjunction with CFR Ireland. So call into the community hall in Aghada anytime between 6pm and 9pm on Wednesday the 16th of October where each demonstration/ session will only last 15 minutes.

Fixtures

All roads to Dungourney this Sunday the 29th of September, for the East Cork JB hurling final. Aghada v winners of Castlelyons and Youghal with a 2:30pm throw in time. A definite ‘Be Seen, Wear the Green’ day !!

Pairc Ui Chaoimh stewarding

Cork County Board are holding a Course for voluntary stewards to assist with games in, Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Pairc Uí Rinn and occasionally for a concert as the need arises. The purpose of this course is to ensure that there will be a sufficient number of qualified stewards for events at these venues. Course takes place on Sat 9th of November. More details can be found on the Cork Gaa website.