Aghada Juvenile GAA News

Hi folks, a double header in Rostellan last Monday night with our U12 hurlers and U15 footballers in action. Grenagh were the visiting team in the U12 hurling league and found the home side in exuberant form as our young camáns sparkled in a 2-9 to 2-1 victory, Robbie Oosthuizen was our scorer in chief finishing with a personal tally of 1-5, his goal out of the top drawer with a powerful strike that gave the Grenagh netminder no chance, the second green flag came courtesy of the ever reliable hard working right half forward Eoghan O’ Shea who finished from distance. Grenagh had their moments and found Aghada goalkeeper Rian O’ Brien Higgins in tremendous form, his safe handling a highlight of the game, outside him the full backline of Finbar Alcock, Dylan Kearns and Eoin O’ Donoghue were soundness personified, centre back Jake Murray struck over two sweet long range frees in a fine display as half back partner Matthew Condon also found the range, Eoin Kirrane struck plenty of ball as the midfield duo of Donncha Walsh and David Murphy bristled with energy. Centre forward Kaylan Cunningham kept the ball moving, with Dara O’ Brien, Shay Rooney and Cathal Lowney also to the fore. The selectors emptied the bench with Sam Ahern, Conor Daly, Harry Burgoyne and Jack Kelleher all seen to good effect, as the management will be delighted with a fine panel performance. Aghada panel Rian O’ Brien Higgins, Finbar Alcock, Dylan Kearns, Eoin O’ Donoghue, Eoin Kirrane, Jake Murray, Matthew Condon, Donncha Walsh, David Murphy, Robbie Oosthuizen, Kaylan Cunningham, Eoghan O’ Shea, Cathal Lowney, Shay Rooney, Dara O’ Brien, Sam Ahern, Conor Daly, Harry Burgoyne, Jack Kelleher.

On the main field we had a championship encounter with Erin’s Own in U15 football after winning our first round game against Youghal, a win here would put us in a strong position in the group. We conceded the first point of the game and responded well with marauding centre back Colm O’ Donoghue kicking us level, then Jude Devoy found Cormac Walsh with a peach of a pass and he made no mistake to give us the lead. Dara O’ Conchubhair was pulling the strings from centre forward and he finished off a fine move to hit the back of the net with an exquisite strike. Erin’s Own struck over a few nice scores as Jude pointed to leave us 1-3 to 0-4 ahead at the first water break. We took command in the second quarter with goals from Colm and Jude and a fine point from Tom Walsh as Cillian Falvey and Sam McAllister stormed forward from the half back line with Andrew Murphy and Jack Linehan prominent in midfield we surged to a half time lead of 3-5 to 0-4 helped in no small by some heroic goalkeeping from the excellent Cormac Crowley. The second half was a more tense affair as Erin’s own fought back and were awarded a penalty that they duly converted and then a second penalty that they once again dispatched to put the cat firmly among the pigeons. Aghada with their backs to the wall responded with super points from Cian Moore and Fionn O’ Sullivan from good build up play involving Ronan Norris only to be rocked with a well taken goal from Erin’s Own. With time almost up Cormac Walsh won a great ball and played in Tom Walsh who showed great coolness to round the keeper and plant the ball in the back of the net for the insurance score to finally quell the Erin’s Own challenge. Kudos to the young management team of Oisín Counihan, Donagh Collins and Jack Norris who masterminded a second championship win in a week when the more experienced part of the management team Declan was marked absent, so on this winning run there will be no need to rush back from the hols! Final score 4-8 to 3-7. Aghada Team & scorers :Cormac Crowley, Adam Lewis, Isaac Oosthuizen, Pierce McLaughlin, Sam McAllister, Colm O’ Donoghue 1-1, Cillian Falvey, Andrew Murphy, Jack Linehan 0-1, Cormac Walsh 0-1, Dara O’ Conchubhair 1-0, Fionn O’ Sullivan 0-1, Ronan Norris, Jude Devoy 1-2, Tom Walsh 1-1 subs used Sam Douglas, Cian Moore 0-1.

On Wednesday night we travelled across Corks lower harbour to Cobh in the U18 hurling league. In truth a game we left behind us as we led for most of the game only to be pipped at the post with a late goal. Cobh were a much bigger physical side and gradually wore down the determined Aghada challenge. Cian O’ Shea was tremendous between the sticks bringing off a few excellent saves out of the top drawer. The six backs were tigerish ably led by Lachlan Greig at 3 and Jack Colbert at 6. The midfield of Donagh Collins and Aaron Kearns was full of speed and guile. While upfront Fionn O’ Connell put in a great shift with Eoin Motherway smashing home our goal in the third quarter just before the water break to put us in the lead entering the home straight, but late drama ensued as Cobh bagged a late goal to tear up the script and take the spoils. Aghada team & panel: Cian O’ Shea, Pete White, Lachlan Greig, Aaron Atkinson, Fionn O’ Connor, Jack Colbert, Fionn O’ Callaghan, Donagh Collins, Aaron Kearns, Scott Whyte, Sean O’ Callaghan, Fionn O’ Connell , Eoin Motherway, Shane Lewis, Ronan Murphy, Oscar Slye, Noah Devoy, Stevie O’ Shea, Tommy Oosthuizen, Seán Busteed, Jack Corkery, Jack Dunne, Cian Hegarty, Diarmuid Cotter, Conor Geary.

U15 premier1 Hurling Glen Rovers 4-7 Aghada 0-15 We travelled to the home of the Glen where former stars like Christy Ring and Jack Lynch sported and played as well as todays modern instalment of Patrick Hoggie Horgan and our boys were not one bit overawed as they produced a game full of passion and skill. They say goals win matches and that was certainly the case for the Glen as in truth this was a game our lads will feel they left behind them, while scoring an array of fabulous points we still managed to miss a host of glorious points and goal scoring chances opportunities as the Glens penchant for scoring goals proved to be our undoing. We started confidently and scored four wonderful points from James Motherway, Jude Devoy, Tomás Condon, and Samuel O’ Driscoll as the Glen had a huge scoring threat in their number 14 as he fetched a high ball to smash home a goal despite the best efforts of Seán Santos O’ Sullivan and goalkeeper Jack Buckley. The long ball into the full forward line was the Glens obvious tactic and was a sign of things to come as they led by the narrowest of margins 1-2 to 0-4 at the first water break. We levelled soon after with a James Motherway free before we were dealt another hammer blow as in the act of scoring goal number 2 the number 14 collided with the brave Jack Buckley and Jack had to be replaced with a shoulder injury. This resulted in a reshuffle as we were already down regular net minder James O’ Donnell so half forward Isaac Oosthuizen went in goals and he was replaced by Eoin Daly. In fairness to our lads they responded well and when Samuel O’ Driscoll was fouled going through James tapped over the free and then a monster effort from midfielder James Hurley left the half time Score 2-4 to 0-7. On the resumption the outstanding Jude Devoy won a great free and once again James made no mistake with the placed ball and shortly after Tomás Condon collected the sliotar to send a beauty over from near the left sideline. Once again the big number 14 got in behind the defence for his and the Glens third goal. Lesser teams would wilt but not this Aghada team as they rattled off a succession of points 3 from James another from James Hurley and an absolute beauty from half back Robert Dean to level the game in a welter of excitement 3-5 to 0-14 at the last water break. Things did not go our way in the last quarter despite once again having the lions share of possession, both sides exchanged points Aghadas coming from the influential Sean O’ Callaghan as just on the stroke of full time the big full forward flicked home goal number 4 to break Aghada’s hearts. We might have lost but we can take plenty of positives in defeat, this is an outstanding young team who are a credit to themselves their families and coaches with still a lot to play for on the horizon with a semi- final in the shield cup and the national competition féile to look forward to. Well done lads ye can hold your heads high. Aghada team Jack Buckley, Evan Crowley, Seán Santos O’ Sullivan, Jack Linehan, Seán O Callaghan0-1, Hugh Mulcahy, Robert Dean 0-1, David Wallace, James Hurley 0-2, Isaac Oosthuizen, Calum Roberts, Samuel O’ Driscoll 0-1, James Motherway 0-7, Tomás Condon 0-2, Jude Devoy 0-1 Subs used Eoin Daly, Ronan Devoy, Colm O’ Donoghue,

Later that evening after the heartbreak in the Glen we travelled to Cobh in the U16 hurling league in what turned out to be a high scoring entertaining game. Goalkeeper Jack Dunne was regularly finding his outfield players with pin point accuracy from his puckouts and that set the train in motion for some wonderful passages of play that yielded some fine scores. Outstanding performances from Cian Hegarty at full back, Conor Geary at wing back and the impressive Noah Devoy at midfield gave the Aghada forwards a great supply of ball and how they thrived. Goalscorer supreme Diarmuid Cotter bagged a hat trick of goals and Fionn O’ Connor in his new position replicated that trick with another 3 goals and with the influential John Walsh dictating play all over the pitch like a conductor of an orchestra it was sweet music to the selectors who will be delighted with the overall panel performance in the high scoring 7-17 to 3-18 victory.

Congratulations to clubmen Richie Lewis coach and Trevor O’ Keeffe who was also part of the coaching ticket with Lisgoold who won the county junior hurling final, a joyous occasion for the parish of Lisgoold, well done to all involved.

Fixtures: Mon 9th Rebel Óg East U12 Div3 Football League St Colemans V Aghada 19:30 Shanagarry Tue 10th Rebel Óg East U13 Div1 Football League St Colemans V Aghada 19:30 Cloyne old Field Wed 11th Rebel Óg U18 Prem 2 Football League Aghada V Valley Rovers 19:30 Rostellan Sat 14th Rebel Óg East U12 Div3 Football League Aghada V Carrigtwohill 10:30 Rostellan Sat 14th Rebel Óg East U15 Div1 Football Championship Midleton V Aghada 12:00 Midleton Sat 14th Rebel Óg U16 Group 3 Football League St Finbarrs V Aghada 14:00 Togher Sun 15th Rebel Óg U15 Div5 Football Championship Inniscarra V Aghada 13:00 Ballyanly

Slán go foill. BE SEEN WEAR THE GREEN