Aghada got the 2021 season off to a flyer by winning the 2020 JB football championship in some style in a great game of football last Saturday. The scoreline is harsh on our old rivals and Aghada were grateful on a number of occasions that Ciaran O Shea was at the top of his game in goals. His 1st important intervention came on 12 minutes with the scoreline reading 4 points to 2 in Aghada’s favour. Glenville were awarded a penalty but O Shea got down low to parry it out, eventually for ’45. Glenville did point the ’45 but from the kickout Aghada put a wonderful move together which finished with Oisin Counihan giving the perfect final pass for Alan Hogan to crash home the 1st goal of the contest. It was a huge swing in Aghada’s favour in the space of 2 minutes and it really settled down a very young Aghada outfit as they headed into the 1st water break. Full forward Luke O Connell was very influential in the opening quarter. He was fouled for one pointed free, scored another from play, and a fine offensive mark led to nice Cein O Driscoll point. Young Max Ahern had opened Aghada’s account with a nicely taken free after Hogan was fouled. Glenville had being dominating the skies on their own kickouts, but slowly and surely Dara Murphy and Jordan Tynan were starting to get the upper hand in this sector. On resumption Glenville struck almost instantly for a goal, but it did nothing to dent a now confident Aghada outfit. It was to be Glenvilles last score of the half. With Richie Bull leading the way at the back and Stephen Murphy seeing plenty of ball, Aghada now took over. Dara Murphy pointed, and while O Shea made another fine stop soon after, Aghada had another goal from the resulting counter attack. Again it was the impressive Counihan with the final pass and this time O Driscoll rose high and volleyed home. On 24 minutes it got even better for Aghada when Luke crashed home an unstoppable major with Drico this time in the role of creator. The very busy Sean Morrissey finished another flowing Aghada move with a point and before the half time whistle, both Luke and Max had further points. The scoreboard at the break read Aghada 3-8 v Glenville 1-3.

It was a substantial lead and Aghada looked very sturdy with Dylan Buckley at 3, the dogged Mark Healy at 6 and Kane Looney not putting a foot wrong at corner back. It looked a long road back for our opponents. That road got even longer just after the restart. Craig Healy surged forward from wing back and drew a fine save from the Glenville ‘keeper. Drico pointed the resulting ’45. A minute later Aghada’s danger man Alan Hogan fielded a long ball, rounded his man and slotted home for his second and Aghada’s 4th goal. A Glenville point in response was quickly cancelled out by Morrissey’s second, but now Glenville came more and more into the match. However the Aghada defence drew a cordon around their goal and adopted a thou shalt not pass attitude. This resulted in free after free being conceded and then pointed by Glenville. But the goals they needed never looked likely. 4 pointed frees with another Luke point in reply left Aghada with a 4 goal lead entering the final quarter. Reinforcements came from the bench, Ben Stafford looked lively on introduction and Conor Moloney hit a super point before the electric Hogan put the result well and truly to bed when he completed his hat trick with Moloney again heavily involved. Jack Norris was solid as a rock since his half time introduction and now on the other wing flying wingback Sean Byrne’s fresh legs were the last thing a tired Glenville defence needed. Vincent Rohan was also introduced and got straight down to action with Aghada now coasting to victory. O Shea had one last vital goal saving intervention to make and Dara Murphy and Hogan had Aghada’s last two scores. To Glenvilles credit they kept going to the final whistle as they always do and pointed on the 27th and 31st minutes. By now there was only just about time for the Bull to find himself in a mini riot, and soon after the full time whistle sounded and Aghada were crowned champions. Michael O Brien had the pleasure of presenting the trophy to his fellow Aghada man, Captain Mark Healy, and Aghada had their hands on a trophy last won back in 1989 when Tony “Tights” Horgan captained the team.

Well done to all involved and to Derrick Whyte manager and his selectors Denis O Leary and Jim Motherway who put huge effort into this squad. There is a county competition at this grade and we are out in the 1st round next Sunday against Kilmurry in Ballincollig at 5pm. Inbetween our 3rd football team also have a 2020 final to play when they contest the JC East Cork final on Wednesday at 7:45pm in Dungourney.

Aghada Team and Scorers –

Ciaran O Shea, Richard Condon, Dylan Buckley, Kane Looney, Stephen Murphy, Mark Healy (capt), Craig Healy, Dara Murphy (0-2), Jordan Tynan, Oisin Counihan, Cein O Driscoll (1-3, (1f,1’45)), Max Ahern (0-2f), Sean Morrissey (0-2), Luke O Connell (1-3), Alan Hogan (3-1). Subs Used Jack Norris, Conor Moloney (0-1), Vince Rohan, Ben Stafford, Sean Byrne.