Aghada GAA Juvenile News

Hi folks the sun shone brightly at the start of the week as we enjoyed an Indian summer with dolphins swimming in the lower harbour, as the picturesque coastal areas of our parish were a hive of activity. Our players were making a splash of a different kind on the GAA fields as the seasonal heavy rain showers appeared once again. First up were our U12 footballers who enjoyed the best of the conditions away to Kiltha Óg in Castlemartyr last Monday evening. The home side started brightly and we were on the backfoot early on, so much so that we found ourselves 1-5 to 0-1 in arrears at the first water break, but as is with the character of this team we improved significantly after a few shrewd switches to bring it back to 1-5 to 0-4 at half time. The hosts dominated the early exchanges of the second half to push the lead out further with a few well taken goals, our boys responded once again with Robbie Oosthuizen shooting to the net and finished with a flurry as the home side were not to be denied despite the brave Aghada fightback. Panel Cathal Lowney, Conor Padden, Ciaran Cashman, Rossa White, Conor Charles, Jake Morrissey, Kaylan Cunningham, Shay Rooney, Evan Courtney, Peter Mulcahy, Matthew Condon, Eoghan O’ Shea, Robbie Oosthuizen, Hugh O’ Loingsigh, Conor Fleming, Aidan Johnston, Donncha Walsh, David Murphy, James O’ Neill, Cormac Cashman.

We travelled to Cobh to the top field on Thursday night for a football challenge with our U15 C3 team with the home side. Difficult conditions prevailed from the outset with heavy rain dominating the night sky and it was Cobh who adapted better from the get go with 5 points in the opening quarter with a Jude Devoy point our solitary response. The defence were having their hands full despite the combative defending from Cillian Falvey and Seán O’ Brien. We improved greatly in the next quarter as Isaac Oosthuizen with penetrating runs from centre back was using his great pace to good effect, the midfield of Eanna Crowley and Dara O’ Conchubhair were getting on top as centre forward Andrew Murphy was having a great battle with the number 6 for Cobh. We rattled off 4 good points from Isaac, Jude, Eanna and Cormac Walsh to reduce the deficit to 2 and just when it looked like we were getting to grips with the home side they hit us with 3 quickfire goals one from the penalty spot to take a commanding 3-9 to 0-5 half time lead. The coaching team rallied the troups and the boys came out with serious intent in the second half, the defence tightened up immeasurably and we began to play with confidence, points from Dara 2 and Jack Linehan brought us closer as we held Cobh scoreless for the first quarter and after the water break Dara finished off a fine team move to stroke home a wonderful goal, then Jude picked out Cormac with a fine pass and he still had a bit to do as he put the head down and ran straight at the Cobh defence before unleashing a powerful shot to the back of the net to put the game in the melting pot. Cobh to their credit moved straight up the field and scored a goal of their own to extend the lead once again. Our boys refused to throw in the towel and went in search of some more scores and were rewarded when Cormac found the top corner of the net with an excellent strike and then Ronan Norris combined with Fionn O’ Sullivan who in turn found Isaac and he pointed to leave a goal between the sides entering the final stretch. Try as we might time ran out on our endeavours to find the equalising score and it finished 4-9 to 3-9, still this was a very worthwhile exercise against a strong Cobh side that will stand us in good stead for the games ahead. Team & scorers Cormac Crowley, Cillian Falvey, Colm O’ Donoghue, Jack Kelleher, Joe Connolly, Isaac Oosthuizen 0-2, Seán O’ Brien, Eanna Crowley 0-1, Dara O’ Conchubhair 1-2, Ronan Norris, Andrew Murphy, Cormac Walsh 2-1, Jude Devoy 0-2, Fionn O’ Sullivan, Jack Linehan 0-1.

On Friday evening our U17 football team were in championship action against Mayfield in Rostellan, played in a round robin format we needed to win to keep our hopes alive. Both sides exchanged early points, lively corner forward Stevie O’ Shea with a brace for Aghada before a long ball over the top saw Cobh get in for a goal and they quickly replied with another to take command of the game. To our lads credit they didn’t panic and scores from John Walsh and Aaron Atkinson after both being set up by the industrious Tommi Oosthuizen and another by Stevie had us 0-5 to 2-2 in arrears at the first water break. We came out all guns blazing with dynamic wing back Aaron Kearns exchanging passes with Oscar Slye and then feeding Stevie who made no mistake finding the net with a composed finish, Aaron K then went on another powerful run before offloading to the hard working Ronan Murphy to shoot over, Fionn O’ Connell with a monster point and Stevie struck another to leave us all square at the short whistle 1-8 to 2-5. The second half belonged to the boys in green with the full back line of Conor Geary, Pete White and Olivier Jordan not giving an inch, the midfield duo of Fionn O’ Connor and Noah Devoy well on top as a brilliant move saw Fionn O’ Connor pass to Tommi and he struck a rocket beyond the Mayfield keeper for an exceptional goal. We were in the driving seat after that goal and points from John Walsh, Fionn O’ Connell and Stevie had us 2-11 to 2-7 ahead at the water break. The last quarter belonged to goalkeeper Cian O’ Shea who unleashed his inner Cluxton when he stepped up to fire a 50m free over the bar and followed that up with a 45 as we controlled the final passages of play to see out the game on a scoreline of 2-14 to 2-8. Team & scorers Cian O’ Shea 0-2, Conor Geary, Pete White, Olivier Jordan, Aaron Kearns, Aaron Atkinson 0-1, Cian Hegarty, Fionn O’ Connor, Noah Devoy, Ronan Murphy 0-1, Fionn O’ Connell 0-2, John Walsh 0-2, 0scar Slye, Tommi Oosthuizen 1-0, Stevie O’ Shea 1-6. subs used Seán Busteed, Josh Hailpin.

U13 Football report by Cathal McAllister On Friday evening last, Youghal came to town to see who would get home advantage in the Semi Final of the League as both teams were in second and third position on the League table. Youghal came into this game on the back of a win over Kilta Óg who had already beaten us early on in the League, so this had the makings of a good game of football and it didn't disappoint. Both teams took a while to settle into the game with Youghal registering the first score of the match with a well taken goal. This was quickly cancelled out when Aghada struck the back of the Youghal net a short time later. There was to be two points apiece for each team as we went to the break all even Aghada 1-02 Youghal 1-02. If the first half was short on scores the second half made up for it with scores a plenty. Youghal were quick out of the traps in the first quarter of the second half and floored the Aghada lads with two sucker punches of goals. If anything, these two goals drove us on and we hit our own purple patch with one-two without reply as we headed for the water break. The intensity of the game reached fever pitch with Youghal getting their fourth goal of the game as we headed down the straight but our lads never wilted and drove on again to get the last four scores of the game to win on a score line of Aghada 3-11 Youghal 4-05. This win gives us home advantage against the same opposition in two weeks' time in the Semi Final of the league and it's a game not too be missed as these two sides battle it out again to see who makes the Final. It's back to the hurlers now this week as they prepare for their League Semi Final v our good neighbours St. Colemans on Sunday next, keep an eye on the website with regard to this fixture as it might change. Best of luck to the lads and management in this match. Panel: C. Crowley, J. Kearns, S. Douglas, R. Musgrave, A. Lewis, S. Mc Allister, O. Killeen, J. Mc Carthy, M. Daly, J. Mulcahy, T. Walsh, D. Meaney, A. Buckley, C. Moore, R. Kelly, C. Burke, J. Dorney, C. Scanlon, .Z. Schoeman, A. Schoeman, C. Byrne, N. Tynan.

Our u12 footballers played their second game of the week under lights in Rostellan on Friday night. Once again our Achilles heel was exposed as we were playing catch up when our visitors Glenville struck for 2 early goals. Dynamic midfielder Evan Courtney settled the nerves with a fabulous point and the team went on to play a fine brand of attacking football. Further points from Matthew Condon and Eoin O’ Shea left us 0-3 to 2-2 behind at the water break. In the second quarter Shay Rooney hit a peach of a pass into Hugh O’ Loingsigh and Hugh found the net with a wonderful strike. With Aidan Johnston, Seán O’ Reilly, Conor Fleming, Peter Mulcahy and Conor Padden doing well and a nicely struck Jake Morrissey point we went to the interval 1-4 to 2-6 in arrears. The first quarter of the second half saw our boys playing their best football with quality finishes from Hugh and Shay both raising green flags. We were in full flow now with the industrious Shay Rooney chipping in with 4 points and Jake and Evan also hitting the target we roared into the lead 3-10 to 3-7 at the water break. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got as we only added one more point from Evan as Glenville hit 5 to pip us by the narrowest of margins. Our lads will feel they should have got something from the game and this defeat will sting for a while, that will leave them eager to bounce back the next day. The game was notable for the heroic goalkeeping of our net minder Cathal Lowney putting his body on the line time and time again, as brave as they come. Team & scorers Cathal Lowney, Aidan Johnston, Ciaran Cashman, Robbie Oosthuizen, Matthew Condon 0-1,Kaylan Cunningham, Seán O’ Reilly, Evan Courtney 0-3, Jake Morrissey 0-2, Peter Mulcahy, Hugh O’ Loingsigh 2-0, Eoghan O’ Shea 0-1f, Conor Fleming, Shay Rooney 1-4, Conor Padden subs used Donncha Walsh, David Murphy, Sam Morgan, Fionn Buckley, James O’ Neill.

The Go Games continue to captivate the imagination with a number of hurling blitzes being held on Saturday. Our U7s were in Castlemartyr our U8s, U9s, U10s and U11s in Rostellan with large numbers in attendance at the club, well done to the juvenile committee, coaches, junior whistlers and parents for helping to make this a safe and enjoyable occasion for everyone.

The Best of luck to All Star defender Hannah Looney and the Cork Camogie team who go in search of All Ireland glory in the final this Sunday against Galway in Croke Park. Here’s hoping the Rebellettes will prove too strong for the Tribeswomen on this magnificent occasion.

Well Done to our star U15 player Callum Roberts who won the socially media Instagram Azzuri sports design your own kit competition and many thanks to all our club supporters who got behind him and voted to push his entry over the line in every round right up to the final in a very competitive contest where every vote counted and none so more in the final with only 15 votes, the number of players on a Gaelic team proving decisive in the final outcome. Commiserations to Waterpark ladies rugby team who lost out in the end after a titanic battle.

Fixtures: Sat 18th Rebel Óg U15 Prem1 Hurling Shield Semi final/final V Inniscarra 11:30 Inniscarra Sun 19th Rebel Óg East U12 Div3 Hurling League Shield playoff V Mayfield 12:00 Rostellan

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