Aghada GAA Juvenile News
Hi folks, hope this newsletter finds you well and that you are all enjoying the holiday season. The world we live in is constantly changing and this was the week of the three kings, we had king Cody stepping away, Cash was no longer king in the eyes of AIB, and the Kingdom prevailed and landed Sam after a mighty tussle with Galway. For those of us of a certain vintage the sight of a Kilkenny team going out to play championship without Brian Cody patrolling the side-line in his baseball cap, eyes glaring, face reddening and spitting into his hands will be a peculiar experience. Contactless payment is a perfect slogan for the world we now live in everything is now contactless if you found a fiver in your wallet these days you would be wondering how it got there. The joy of the All-Ireland finals continued to exhilarate, the hurling was special, and the football matched it last Sunday, the children of today will tell stories of the exploits of David Clifford and Shane Walsh for many years to come because an all-Ireland final day is a day that can stay with you forever.
Summer league finals were played last weekend in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Páirc Uí Rinn with our U9 hurlers and U10 and U11 footballers taking part, all teams acquitted themselves very well in what was a very enjoyable experience for all involved.
Our Adult footballers fell just short in their first-round robin championship game against Beara last weekend and will no doubt be eager to put themselves back in the frame the next day out. It is the turn of the hurlers this Saturday in a local derby against near neighbours Midleton in Castlemartyr @ 4pm and once again your support would be greatly appreciated. Be Seen Wear the Green.
As this scribe is still away, I would like to thank all who contributed to this week’s Newsletter.
U17 P2 Hurling Championship Aghada 3-13 Carrigtwohill 3-12 report by Jim Motherway Aghada travelled to Carrigtwohill to take on the home side in the first round of the P2 minor hurling championship. This turned out to be a titanic battle with our lads turning a 9pt deficit with 25 mins left into a 1pt win. The first half was a tight affair until Carrig struck for 2 goals in a five minute spell to leave the score at the short whistle 2-6 to 0-6 with Fionn O’ Connor keeping us in touch with some great frees . At the start of the second half Carrig struck for a third goal and things looked ominous for the Aghada lads. But with great character and heart we picked ourselves off the ground and when James Motherway lashed the ball to the back of the net after a great run by Hugh Mulcahy, Aghada sensed they were back in the game. Quick fire points from James Hurley, Tomás Condon and a long range free from goalkeeper John Walsh and we were within striking distance of Carrig . 2 goals in 5 mins from Stevie O’ Shea & Samuel O’ Driscoll had us 2 pts ahead heading down the stretch . But Carrig responded and the sides were level. An O’ Connor free had us back in front and a magnificent point from Cian Hegarty had us 2 up entering injury time. With Carrig now putting on ferocious pressure our defence stood still with John Walsh, Fionn O’ Callaghan and man of the match on the night Sáan O’ Callaghan we kept Carrig at bay and held out for a 1pt victory. Although there is room for improvement this was victory made by heart and character which you can’t coach. Thanks to Carrigtwohill for a sporting game and to referee Niall O’ Neill . Football next week for the lads vs Beara and then St Finbarrs in hurling ….so a busy few weeks ahead.
U15 P2 Hurling Championship Aghada V Ballinora report by Eric Walsh
On the 20th July, Aghada U15 hurling team travelled to Ballinora for the first FE15 Premier 2 hurling championship match. With holidays and injuries Aghada had a squad of 17 players. The Aghada team were eager for action after their great league performance. Ballinora started the game the brighter and took a lead from the start and registered 2 points. Aghada scored a point before Ballinora stormed into the game and registered 3 goals. Aghada were struggling with the pace as we moved towards halftime Aghada started to gain the upper hand in key positions and outscored Ballinora 9 points to 2. Halftime score Ballinora 3-05 Aghada 0-10. Five minutes into the second half Aghada drew level in the game with 4 quality points. Aghada ran out their 2 subs and Joe Connelly registered a goal shortly after coming onto the field. Aghada led all through the remainder of the second half – With 3 minutes left on the clock, Aghada were 3 points up but Ballinora showed remarkable fighting spirit and registered 3 unanswered points in 3 minutes to draw the game. Overall, a fair result for both teams. Final score Aghada 2-18 Ballinora 3-15
U14 Hurling League Aghada V Blackrock : Our U14 hurling team who were shorn a lot of regulars still put up a very good showing away to Blackrock in a league encounter on Tuesday night. The first half we battled hard to contain the lively Rockies forwards and succeeded in having some joy of our own with 2 well taken Jack Dorney goals and some excellent free taking from Jack Mulcahy but it was the Rockies who led at the interval 4-8 to 2-7. We struck the first 3 points of the second half with the influential Tom Walsh having a big game around the middle and for all our good work it was the Rockies who prevailed despite the strong impact from our u13 players who togged out on the night as we were well short and this impact from those young lads will certainly have the management team in buoyant mood as they look to the future with confidence.
Monday, July 25th: U12 Football League – Aghada 1-4 v 2-6 Carrigtwohill report by Padhraig O’ Loughlin
A balmy Monday evening for our u12 footballers facing Carrigtwohill at home on the Forest pitch. The standard of football was high as was the level of competition and commitment. Our side played most of the football and dominated possession in both halves. There was some excellent link-play between backs, midfield and the forwards. In fact, it is probably the most rounded performance we have had this season against another strong opponent. However, the critical component lacking was the final product i.e. scores. It certainly wasn’t for lack of trying with crossbar hit, penalty saved and some last-gasp defending by a dogged Carrigtwohill side. Yet, despite the scoreboard not displaying the results of all their hard graft, our lads battled right to the final whistle and that along with the style of football they played was very satisfying in and of itself.
Cathal Lowney delivered his typical hybrid performance of outfield athleticism and in-goal acrobatics. He alternated with Harry Burgoyne who is another skilled shot-stopper with a powerful and precise kick-out. Our full back line of Finbar Alcock and Dylan Kearns were physical and assured. Cormac Cashman roamed very effectively and finished at mid-field with some great penetrating forward runs. Leon O’Connor was a permanent thorn in the side of Carrig with his speed and his ability to pick out passes. Dara O’Brien displayed his versatility delivering a confident performance in the defensive ranks. Jack Kelleher, in typical fashion, was everywhere, and another significant link-man on the night, taking and making 1-2s with the half-forward line, in particular, Marcus O’Loughlin. Marcus did well in a playmaking role at centre-forward, securing position and constantly looking to distribute it effectively. Trystan Pomphrett’s work-rate and stamina was as ever top-notch and Cormac Byrne passed intelligently. Rian O’Brien was unfortunate to have a penalty saved by the Carrigtwohill keeper, who, to give him his due, played extremely well to deny Aghada any goals. This despite the best efforts of Tim O’Hanlon and attacking cameos by James Irwin and Ben Duggan. Ultimately, a first half purple patch by Carrigtwohill which yielded two goals and their more direct and accurate attacking style kept them ahead despite Aghada having more time on the ball. So, a frustrating outcome, though not unfair, given opportunities missed. The disappointment after full-time was somewhat tempered by our announcement to the players that they had been invited to an u12 football blitz in Croke Park in August.
We had great representation in the Cork colours last weekend with Colm O’ Donoghue playing for the Cork u15 hurling team away to Tipperary and Seán O’ Callaghan and Tomás Condon playing for the Cork u16 hurling team against Galway in Charleville, all players acquitted themselves very well and it’s great to see the club being represented on the underage inter county scene.
Well done to Hannah Looney, Aoife Healy and Ali Smith who have an All-Ireland camogie final to look forward to after the win against Waterford and next up will be old rivals Kilkenny in the decider, the best of luck girls.
Fixtures:
Wed 27th Rebel Óg East U15 Div1 Football Championship Mayfield V Aghada 19:00 Mayfield
Thur 28th Rebel Óg U15 Div 4 Football Championship Mallow V Aghada 19:00 Mallow
Sun 31st Rebel Óg U17 C3 Football League Inniscarra V Aghada 11:00 Ballyanly
Sun 31st Rebel Óg U17 P2 Football Championship Beara V Aghada 15:00 Brinny
Mon 1st Rebel Óg U15 C3 Hurling League Blarney V Aghada 19:00 Blarney
Wed 3rd Rebel Óg U15 P2 Hurling Championship Aghada V Ibane Gaels 19:00 Rostellan
Slán go fóill. BE SEEN WEAR THE GREEN