Aghada Juvenile GAA news week 28

Hi folks, we got the week off to a flyer with a good win in the U13 hurling league at Rostellan against the Russell Rovers and Cloyne amalgamation St. Colmans in the sun-drenched forest field last Sunday morning. Aghada started in blistering fashion and had 2 goals on the board before Colmans started to hurl and by half time this deficit had been reduced to 3 points. The amalgamation started the second half with some great scores and pulled 3 points ahead before Aghada rediscovered their impetus with the introduction of fresh legs who made an immediate impact, with a noticeable pep in their step the boys in green went on a scoring spree and ran out deserved winners on a scoreline of 7-9 to 5-7 in a fantastic panel performance with 7-8 coming from play that will certainly bring a great sense of satisfaction to the management team.

Our next outing was a trip to Whitescross in the U12 football league against another amalgamation this time in the shape of St. Colmcilles made up of Whitescross and Carrignavar, it was an uphill battle for our lads against a physically strong team as they stood up to the challenge all over the field and took the game to their opponents in the second half with midfielder Eoin O’ Shea in top form scoring 1-1 with his midfield partner Hugh O Lionsigh also putting in a notable performance, despite the never say die attitude Aghada suffered their first defeat of the season at this grade 3-10 to 2-3.

On a balmy evening in Rostellan last Wednesday we welcomed Na Piarsaigh in the minor football league. The proud club from the northside of the city were coached by rebel legend Seán Óg O’ hAilpín and proved to be a formidable outfit. They struck early for a goal and also had 2 points on the board before Aghada replied with a Scott Whyte free and then the same player kicked a fine score from play. Na Piarsaigh then struck for goal number 2 before Aghada were thrown a lifeline when a brilliant run from centre back Donagh Collins was halted unjustly and Scott Whyte stepped up to expertly put away the penalty “no Wembley jitters here” and with lively full forward Eoin Motherway knocking over two more points it left the half time score 1-4 to 2-6 in the city sides favour. The second half saw Aghada fail to eat into the Na Piarsaigh lead despite the best efforts of full back Jack Colbert, midfield duo Diarmuid Byrne and Seán O’ Callaghan and influential centre forward Conal Rooney. Na Piarsaigh converted a harsh penalty with Aghada replying with a brace of Eoin Motherway points and another from Scott Whyte, this however was not enough and Na Piarsaigh ran out deserving winners 3-9 to the home sides 1-8. Aghada team & scorers: Cian O’ Shea, Fionn O’ Connell, Jack Colbert, Fionn O’ Callaghan, Fionn O’ Connor, Donagh Collins, Oscar Slye, Diarmuid Byrne, Seán O’ Callaghan, Scott Whyte1-3, Conal Rooney0-1, Aaron Atkinson, Cian Hegarty, Eoin Motherway0-4, Ronan Murphy subs used Aaron Kearns, Conor Geary, Stephen O’ Shea.

U15 Div 5 Football Championship report by Óisín Counihan: It was a successful first championship game for our 2nd U15 team in Copperalley on Thursday night. We got off to a quick start with Jack Linehan and Cormac Walsh contributing the scores to give us a quick 3 point lead helped by the good work of James O’ Donnell at wing forward. However, Youghal responded with their own purple patch scoring the next 6 points. It could have been more if it wasn't for the defending of Colm White, Roger McGrath and Cillian Falvey, who were all winning their individual battles. We went into halftime down 6 points to 3 needing to lift it once again after a good start. After halftime we got the good break we needed when Jack Linehan’s free ducked in under the cross bar and into the top corner to level the game. The fresh legs of ours subs Ronan Norris, Fionn O’ Sullivan and Joe Connolly began making a difference as we began to assert our dominance. Andrew Murphy continued a dynamic display all over the pitch by adding a point along with Jack Linehan once again to give us a 2 point lead. The vital score of the match came from the hard working midfielder Ronan Devoy who calmly slotted home a goal after a great team move. Youghal came at us once again but Colm O’ Donoghue was very solid when moved to center back and Pierce McLoughlin was putting in a superb man of the match display at corner back. Youghal fired their only score of the 2nd half when they slotted a goal to really make the game close once again. However, Aghada saw out the game solidly. Jack Buckley was very solid when moved into goals and Eanna Crowley who also performed well in goal in the first half was becoming influential around the middle. Jude Devoy and Cian Murphy also were helping us dominate possession around the middle after they had moved positions. Finn Berry slotted over a vital point to extend the gap back to 3 and we defended the lead valiantly after that to secure the win. A well earned, hard fought victory to begin the year which will hopefully bring us on once again. Team: Eanna Crowley, Colm White, Jude Devoy, Pierce McLoughlin, Roger Mcgrath, Andrew Murphy(0:01), Cillian Falvey, Colm O Donoghue, Ronan Devoy(1:00), James O Donnell, Jack Linehan (1:02), Finn Berry (0:01), Jack Buckley, Cormac Walsh(0:02), Cian Murphy. Subs: Ronan Norris, Joe Connolly, Fionn O’ Sullivan

U13 Group 3 Football League: A good performance from the U-13’s in their League Match against St. Colmcillies in a sun drenched Rostellan on Friday night last. The lads started at a blistering pace and took the game to their opponents from the first whistle, with some great inter play and recycling of the ball. Scores from Cian Moore, Adam Lewis, Josh McCarthy and Richard Kelly gave us a commanding lead at the short whistle. The changes were rung at halftime as we ran out the bench. The work rate and effort didn’t diminish a bit as we started the second half the way we finished the first. Some great defensive work from Cillian Scanlon, Sam Mc Allister, Sam Douglas and Zavier Schoeman kept the Colmcillies forwards at bay. The Aghada forwards managed a few more scores in the second half and ran out comfortable winners in the end. C Crowley, Z Schoeman, S Douglas, E Walsh, R Musgrave, S Mc Allister, O Killeen, J McCarthy, C Scanlon, C Burke, T Walsh, C Byrne, R Kelly, C Moore, A Lewis, A Schoeman, J Kearns, J Mulcahy, A Buckley, N Tynan.

Note from our chairman Cúl Camp 2021: Hi Folks, What a great week for the annual Cúl Camp which we host every year for Aghada GAA, in the picturesque Rostellan. 185 kids, 30 coaches, loads of volunteers and 4 excellent co-ordinators helped to make it a week to remember for all involved .Weeks like this take a lot of time and hard work behind the scenes and we as a community are blessed to have so many wonderful people living and involved in our GAA club who keep giving their time. Hugh thanks to our many sponsors who kindly donate to make a memorable week for everyone. Special thanks to Damien Keohane from dmretail (Fruits pots, water and chocolate ), Hurley’s Super Valu (filled rolls), Energie Fitness ( Friday treats), Anthony from Hydes (ice creams) and Alan Devoy (trophies). Thanks again to everyone who helped to make this week happen. Special thanks to Tommy Foley and JohnT and Donal Walsh traffic duties. To Geraldine O’ Brien who kindly facilitated the opening of the club shop every morning of Cúl Camp. To Pat O’ Connell who made the grounds so fit for purpose for the camp. Our lead coach Christine Moran who ensured all the coaches and equipment were organised for the week. Parents of the coaches should be very proud of the way your son or daughter helped in making this a wonderful week for kids who really enjoyed themselves. Also, a special thanks to Diarmuid Phelan (Cork U20), Róisín Phelan (LGFA) and Hannah Looney (Dual star) for calling in and sharing their experiences with the kids. Finally to our volunteer coordinators Helen Walsh, Elaine Counihan, Niamh Callanan and Una Lehane - thank you so so much for the wonderful atmosphere that ye created this week and all the hard work that ye did for the kids of Aghada. Kind regards, PJ HURLEY

The coordinators would like to thank the Juvenile Club Chairman PJ Hurley for the trojan work he undertook every day over the week of Cúl Camp, he gave up his free time and typified what volunteerism is all about.

Go Games for the younger brigade continued over the weekend with hurling taking centre stage our U7s were away to Fr O’ Neills, U8s at home to Erins Own, U9s away to Midleton and U10s away to Lisgoold with all players and parents enjoying themselves in the bright sunshine.

The sun wasn’t the only thing shining in Glenville on Saturday morning as our U15 footballers were like a well oiled machine as they went through the gears to dispatch a shellshocked home side for a comprehensive win. While the forwards usually grab the headlines this championship victory was built on defence. Accurate kickouts from custodian Jack Buckley were fed up the field by a fluid mobile attacking team. Robert Dean impressed again with a composed midfield masterclass linking play effectively with Rodger McGrath who showed he had lost none of his tenacity after recently returning from yet another enforced injury lay off. Conor Baxx was the key link between defence and attack and excelled throughout as the forwards were spoilt for choice with the silver plated service, as they went about their task to great effect. James Hurley was his usually composed self at full forward showing flashes of brilliance, as the ever reliable Seán Santos O’ Sullivan made great inroads into the heart of the Glenville defence as our boys ran out comfortable winners 1-6 to 6-18. The only bit of controversy was when we lost a few footballs in the adjacent field and our everwilling chairman PJ Hurley went to retrieve same, only to be chased away by some angry bullocks who took offence to his intrusion on their patch, he has not given up the ghost yet and has got the number of the local farmer and will be arranging collection asap. Chief coach Declan Devoy was happy with the teams efforts (except maybe PJ’s!) and was quick to stress the coaches were not focused on results but on performances as the team delivered in spades as they showed their growing maturity and respecting the excellent contribution of referee Pa Beausang throughout.

The last team we had out over the weekend were our U16 footballers who were involved in a very high scoring encounter away to Whitechurch. Impressive displays by Dan Gahan, Conor Geary, top scorer Stephen O’ Shea and Jack Dunne who made his debut between the posts, and was coolness personified had us winning on a scoreline of Whitechurch 5-12 Aghada 8-13.

Congratulations to our own Diarmuid Phelan and the Cork U20 Footballers who had a narrow but fully deserved 1 point victory over close rivals Kerry in the Munster Football Semi- Final. This victory somewhat makes up for the loss to the same opposition at minor level by a point after extra time in Tralee and Cork had to look on as Kerry went on to claim All Ireland honours. The Rebels now go forward to a Munster final date against Tipperary next Thursday night July 22nd 19.30 in Semple Stadium Thurles. We wish Diarmuid, manager Keith Ricken former Aghada coach, and all the Cork team the best of luck in the final. Diarmuid was a coach at Cúl Camp last week in Rostellan and great to see him pass on his skills to the future generations in the club.

Hard to believe a year has passed when our hearts broke and we had to say goodbye to our beloved clubman Kieran O’ Connor. “When parting was no pleasure We drank another measure To the old friends that we treasure Who are always on our mind “

The best of luck to the hardy boys who are cycling 165km from Mizen to Ballin in Kieran’s memory for Marymount Hospice next Saturday July 24th , one thing is for sure with Kieran on their minds they won’t be short on motivation to get them over the line. If you are in a position to support this very worthy cause and effort all donations gratefully received and accepted. Here’s their JustGiving page, if you’d like to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Trevor-O-Keeffe?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=Trevor-O-Keeffe&utm_campaign=pfp-whatsapp&utm_term=e5e679eaa28547249dd205c14cc88e8c

Fixtures:

Mon 19th Rebel Óg U15 C3 Hurling League V Ballinora 19:30 Rostellan Mon 19th Rebel Óg East U13 Group 3 Football League V Douglas 2 19:30 Rostellan Wed 21st Rebel Óg East U18 Div 1 Hurling League V Bride Rovers 19:00 Rostellan Fri 23rd Rebel Óg U16 Group 2 Hurling League V Mallow 19:30 Rostellan Sat 24th Rebel Óg U15 Prem 1 Hurling Championship V Sarsfields 13:00 Riverstown

Slán go Foill

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