Aghada Juvenile GAA Hurling and Football

Hi folks, pride of place this week goes to our U18 footballers who had a fantastic win in the shield final against Carbery Rangers on a balmy night on a big wide open field in Cloughduv last Monday. Playing a fine brand of fast open football the fitness levels, intensity and controlled discipline had all the hallmarks of a finely tuned Conor Counihan coached team. We started brightly against Carbery who were a big unit and some might even say colossal as our intelligent running of the ball through the lines and our quick passing had them in all sorts of trouble. Half forward Conall Rooney opened our account with a well taken point and further scores from midfielder Diarmuid Byrne 2 and centre forward Eoin Motherway had us 4 points to 1 up at the first water break. Further scores arrived from Eoin after being expertly set up by Stevie O’ Shea and 2 more from Diarmuid before disaster struck, Carbery were reduced to 14 after a black card and we switched off as they struck for 2 goals in as many minutes to hit the front 2-2 to 0-7. In fairness to our lads the heads didn’t drop they refused to panic and responded with two great points from Scott Whyte and Stevie O’ Shea as we headed to the half time break level 0-9 to 2-3. Whatever was said at half time worked the oracle as in the first period of the second half we blew away our opponents with a blitzkrieg like performance in a devastating spell, early points from Conall and Scott and a quality finish for a goal by Stevie after being set up by the impressive Diarmuid Byrne who emptied the tank as he strung together the play intelligently. Goal number 2 arrived in spectacular fashion Donagh Collins bravely blocked a shot in front of our own posts before exchanging passes and then going on a penetrating run through the heart of the Carbery defence before offloading to the onrushing Scott Whyte whose crisp strike found the top left hand corner of the net for a score of the highest quality. In terms of significance in the games final outcome this 15 minute spell was brutal and emphatic as we led at the water break 2-13 to 2-5. The final 15 saw Aghada close out the game with composure and know how, goalkeeper Cian O’ Shea mixed his kickouts well going short when the opportunities arose, captain fantastic Jack Colbert locked down a mean defence with corner backs Pete White and Fionn O’ Callaghan not giving an inch, dynamic wing backs Fionn O’ Connor and Aaron Kearns full of running as was Sean O’ Callaghan and Ronan Murphy upfront, with Aaron Atkinson, Oscar Slye and Noah Devoy all contributing when introduced a special word for Lachlan Greig who had to retire early with injury and we wish him all the best in his recovery. All in all a tremendous performance by the team that saw captain Jack receive the cup much to the delight of the large Aghada contingent who made the worthwhile trip to Cloughduv. Final score 2-15 to 2-6. Team & scorers Cian O’ Shea, Pete White, Jack Colbert, Fionn O’ Callaghan, Fionn O’ Connor, Donagh Collins, Aaron Kearns, Sean O’ Callaghan, Diarmuid Byrne 0-8 0-5f, Conall Rooney 0-2 ,Lachlan Greig, Eoin Motherway 0-2, Ronan Murphy, Scott Whyte 1-2 Stevie O’ Shea 1-1. subs used Aaron Atkinson, Oscar Slye, Noah Devoy.

Our U15 C3 hurlers maintained their unbeaten record with an impressive performance against Douglas in Rostellan last Tuesday evening. This team is certainly building its own character and have been gelling well all year with another excellent team display that emphasises the great work being done by the coaches. Goalkeeper James O’ Donnell was his usually composed self with the defence on top and giving very little away, Jack Linehan a livewire throughout top scored with an impressive 3-4, Andrew Murphy finished expertly to the net after being set up nicely by Jack and Cormac Walsh continued his recent good goal scoring run with another fine finish. So many positives here with everyone contributing handsomely as we ran out convincing winners 5-13 to 1-5. Team & scorers James O’ Donnell, Rodger McGrath, Evan Crowley, Colm White, Seán O’ Brien, Conor Bakx, Cillian Falvey, Isaac Oosthuizen 0-2, Colm O’ Donoghue, Eoin Daly 0-2, Andrew Murphy 1-0, Seán Corkery, Jack Linehan 3-4, Jude Devoy 0-3, Cormac Walsh 1-2 subs used Emmet O’ Keeffe, Pierce Noonan, Joe Connelly, Mattie O’ Leary.

Our U12 hurlers welcomed St. Colmcilles, an amalgamation of Whitescross and Carignavar to Rostellan. Our visitors scored the first 2 points before full forward John Dorney levelled matters with 2 great scores. From there to half time scores were at a premium mainly due to some excellent defending from both sides with Rian O’ Brien Higgins in top form between the sticks and Eoin O’ Donoghue and Jake Morrissey prominent and clearing a world of ball to leave the score at the short whistle 3 points to 2 in Colmcilles favour. The second half was nip and tuck with a great battle for supremacy, Colmcilles forged ahead with some quickfire points as Aghada stuck to their task, Shay Rooney was ruling the skies with some impressive high catches, Eoghan O’ Shea excellent in midfield as ace forward Robbie Oosthuizen crashed home a great goal from a free. Colmcilles continued to take their scores as Aghada would rue a host of missed chances before Robbie once again stepped up to the mark to power another shot to the back of the net from a placed ball. In the end of a pulsating battle it was Colmcilles who came out on top 2-2 to 1-8. Team & scorers Rian O’ Brien Higgins, Eoin O’ Donoghue, Rossa White, Eoin Kirrane, Kaylan Cunningham, Jake Morrissey, Matthew Condon, Eoghan O’ Shea, Donncha Walsh, David Murphy, Robbie Oosthuizen 2-0, Dylan Kearns, Conor Daly, Jack Dorney 0-2, Shay Rooney, subs used James O’ Neill, Finbar Alcock, Harry Burgoyne, Cathal Lowney, Jack Kelleher.

U13 Hurling report by Eric Walsh It’s been a busy week for the U13 hurlers. On Sunday 29th August they faced Passage in a crucial league game. Passage who lost their opening game of the season needed to beat Aghada to stay in the competition. Aghada had won their opening game against Youghal and were hoping to keep the winning run going with a place in the semi finals of the competition if they secured a victory. Match was in Rostellan forest field. It was a game of 2 halves – Passage opened the scoring and registered 2-01 in the opening 15 minutes, Aghada settled into the game and slowly pegged Passage back and midway through the second half got in front and never surrendered the lead. Agahda won on a scoreline of 5-13 to 4-08. The hurlers were back out on Friday night 3rd September against St. Catherines, both teams had qualified for the semifinal and the match was to see who topped the group. It was a close fought affair with St. Catherine coming out on top. St Catherine took their score well and Aghada will rue a lot of missed chances on the night. St Catherine 3-09 to Aghada 2-06. Aghada coach Joe Kelly is moving from the “ Home of hurling “ back to Waterford and after the match Aghada club presented Joe Kelly with a plaque for all the underage coaching he has contributed to the club. The team got together and presented Richie with an Aghada top. Next up for the lads is Football Friday night 10th in Rostellan against Youghal with a semi final place at stake. The hurling semi final will be against St. Colemans and will be played around the 20th September. Date TBC

U15 premier 1 Hurling challenge cup semi final Aghada 4-15 St Finbars 0-13 With the sides deadlocked at half time on 10 points apiece our U15 p1 hurlers produced a blistering second half performance of high quality scores that was backboned by a defensive masterclass, scoring 4 goals and only conceding 3 points to our illustrious opponents the Barrs, in what was an absorbing contest from start to finish at Rostellan on Saturday afternoon. The opening exchanges were tense as both teams failed to capitalise on some glorious opportunities and once Tomás Condon recorded the first score the game took off, more points followed from James Motherway, Tomás again Samuel O’ Driscoll, Jude Devoy and Callum Roberts to leave us 6 points to 3 up at the first waterbreak. The next quarter saw the teams evenly matched with netminder James O’ Donnell performing well and corner backs Ronan Devoy and Evan Crowley hurling with great confidence, outside them Robert Dean and David Wallace were majestic and tenacious in equal measure as points by Hugh Mulcahy, Callum, James M and Isaac Oosthuizen had us level at the break. On the resumption we set about our task well, limiting our opponents to just 3 points for the whole half as we put daylight between the teams, Jude shot over after a great pass from Hugh and then Isaac raced in on goal and his firm strike was finished to the net by the onrushing James M. We were in the ascendancy now and made it count on the scoreboard, Tomás hit a peach of a goal after strong play from Samuel, a fine piece of high fielding from Isaac saw him once again show a clean pair of heels to his marker to finish expertly to the net and then ace midfielder James Hurley struck a powerful strike beyond the keeper after a fine pass from Eoin Daly to put the icing on the cake. So into the final we go as the lads proved once again they are a match for anyone in the top grade of hurling in Cork. Team & Scorers James O’ Donnell, Ronan Devoy, Seán Santos O’ Sullivan, Evan Crowley, Robert Dean, Hugh Mulcahy 0-1, David Wallace, Colm O’ Donoghue, James Hurley 1-1, Jude Devoy 0-2, Callum Roberts 0-2, Samuel O’ Driscoll 0-1, Isaac Oosthuizen 1-, Tomás Condon 1-3, James Motherway 1-4 0-2f . subs used Jack Linehan, Eoin Daly.

Well done to Eileen Chambers the winner of our Guess the Score Competition for the All Ireland final between Limerick and Cork.

Congratulations to Diarmaid Phelan who was named on the All Ireland eirgrid U20 football team of the year a great honour to go with his Munster medal and goal of the year contender.

The best of luck to Joe and Hilda Kelly and their sons Richard and Isaac who are relocating to Ardmore, Joe has been a terrific underage hurling coach for the club for many years and is the current U13 bainisteoir. Hilda is an integral part of the mothers and others Gaelic football team and even played for them in Croke Park , while their sons are both players with the club and went to Scoil Íosagain, Aghada National School. We wish them all the best and there will always be a warm welcome for them in Rostellan.

Well done to our underage players who competed in the All Ireland Athletic finals in Tullamore recently after winning at the Munster finals. Jack Kelleher competed in the U11 600m, Ronan Callanan 60m sprint u10 and Darragh Callanan 60m sprint u11 with Ronan bringing home the silver medal. Well done lads speed and stamina all great attributes for GAA.

Congratulations to all in our club who received their leaving cert results , life has so many paths and if it looks like the path you want isn’t quite open to you today, there are many ways to get on that path so keep going and you will find a path that works for you.

Our adult footballers put in a great performance in Glantane against Newmarket in the first round of the championship, the infusion of youth was great to see and a draw was the least their heroic efforts deserved, well done to all involved.

Votes needed! Callum Roberts jersey design is in the final in the Azzuri sport kit competition on Instagram. Voting will open on Monday 6th at 12pm and closes on Tuesday at 12pm, thanks for all the votes to get this far so one final push to win this set of 30 jerseys. Voting has been very close in the other rounds, so every vote counts. On Monday head over to Azzurrisport insta page, click on their stories and vote Aghada, and spread the word! Fingers crossed.

Fixtures: Mon 6th Rebel Óg East U12 Div3 Football League V Kiltha Óg 19:00 Castlemartyr Wed 8th Rebel Óg East U17 Div2 Football Championship V Cobh 18:30 Rostellan Fri 10th Rebel Óg East U13 Div1 Football League V Youghal 19:00 Rostellan Fri 10th Rebel Óg East U12 Div3 Football League V Glenville 20:00 Rostellan Sat 11th Rebel Óg East U17 Div2 Football Championship V Mayfield 12:00 Rostellan Sun 12th Rebel Óg East U15 Div1 Football Championship V Youghal 12:00 Youghal top field

BE SEEN WEAR THE GREEN Slán go fóill