A Chara,
A hectic week of action over the last few days with our Premier Intermediate, Junior C and U19 footballers all in championship action. It was great to come out on top in all these important games. With school holidays coming to a close next week (Yes - whisper it quietly!), the evenings are drawing in and this is a pure sign that any game we play now is a vital game for the team concerned. So please, over the next few weeks, make every effort to come out and support our lads.
Results:
Bon Seceours Premier Intermediate Football Championship:
Aghada 4-13
Na Pirasaigh 0-05
First up this weekend was our premier intermediate footballers who faced Na Piarsaigh in Carrigtwohill. The lads needed a victory after coming up short against Bantry Blues in the first round. Conditions were sweltering in Carrigtwohill but our lads started like a train on fire. In fact, Aghada had six unanswered points on the board inside thirteen minutes thanks to efforts from Captain Danny Creedon (3), Fintan Cody (2) and Timmy Hartnett. Na Piarsaigh did stem the flow momentarily with a nice point from play but again Aghada took over straight away. Young corner forward Jamie O’Hanlon getting his name on the scoresheet with Fintan also popping over a free. Aghada were in cruise control and were pressuring the opposition all over the pitch. This paid major dividends when Shane Bennett applied maximum pressure on the city sides kickout which led to a turnover of possession on the twenty one metre line. The ball squirmed out to Fintan Cody who made no mistake by burying a thunderous shot to the back of the Na Piarsaigh net. The half time whistle sounded soon after with Aghada leading 1-08 to 2 points.
The second half started much slower which was understandable in the hot conditions as both teams tired with fatigue. In a game where in truth Aghada never really seemed in major trouble, it took until the forty ninth minute for Aghada to finally kill the game once and for all. A well worked move led to the ball being worked to the sharp shooter Fintan Cody, who for the second time on the day buried an unstoppable shot to the back of the net. This set up a comfortable closing ten minutes for Aghada with substitutes Aaron Berry and Cian Fleming bagging a goal each. In between these goals there was two sublime points from Diarmuid Byrne and wing back Kyle O’Shea. When the referees final whistle blew, the score read Aghada 4-13 to Na Piarsaighs 0-05. A great win for Aghada with performances of high quality across the field. Best on the day were Fintan Cody, Ed Leahy (who had to come through fields to get to the game due to road closures!) Jack Colbert, Michael Russell and Man of the Match, Kyle O’Shea.
Aghada now face Castletownbere in their final group game where it is effectively winner takes all in terms of advancing into the knockout stages.
Junior C Football Championship:
Aghada 2-05
Carraig na bhFear 1-03
On Monday evening our third football team played their first championship game of the year in thundery conditions in Carrignavar. In a low scoring game Aghada came out on top thanks to fine performances from Alan Walsh, Richie Condon, Sean O’Callaghan and Neil Cunningham. Neil Cunningham getting a goal in each half for Aghada. It was fantastic to see twenty two players togged out for this game. The lads now face St Catherine’s in a home fixture in the coming weeks with date tbc.
U19 Premier 2 Football County Semi Final:
Aghada 2-12
Eire Og 0-10
On Wednesday evening, our under nineteen footballers faced off against Eire Og in the county semi-final in Ballygarvan. Our lads had a fine win against an impressive Carbery Rangers side a few weeks ago and were hoping for a similar type of performance. Our lads got off to a cracking start with Scott Whyte dispatching a classy finish to the bottom corner of the Eire Og goal inside the first five minutes. This seemed to spur our lads on for more goals but credit to the Eire Og keeper who made two good stops inside quick succession. Eire Og then had a purple patch but thankfully our backs were up to the task with Pete White, Jack Colbert and Olivier Jordan all immense in defense. After our lads quick start, the men from Ovens certainly made some inroads into our lead and by half time the score read Aghada 1-6 to Eire Og’s 0-05. Aghada had points from Fintan Cody and Diarmuid Byrne but the pick of the scores in the opening half came from Conall Rooney and Sean Busteed who both scored points that came out of the top drawer.
With light fading fast, the second half got going but it was Eire Og who came out of the traps the quickest. Believe it or not with thirteen minutes left on the clock, Aghada only had a two point lead and Eire Og also seemed to have all the momentum. Donagh Collins, Conall Rooney and Diarmuid Byrne all but the shoulder to the wheel at this stage and a great passage of play led to the ball finding full back Jack Colbert in the opposition twenty one metre line. A jink to the left opened up the goal before Jack venomously drove the ball to the back of the net to the joy of the large contingent of Aghada supporters in attendance. This goal coupled with fresh legs from the side line in the form of Cian Hegarty, Sean O’Callaghan and Isaac Mirner got Aghada over the line. Aghada had impressive performances from a number of players but best on the night were Donagh Collins, Conall Rooney, Diarmuid Byrne and Man of the Match Jack Colbert. Well done to the entire panel on a great achievement on recaching the county final. Aghada now face St Michaels in this county final with time and date to be conformed in due course. A big day out to look forward to!
Fixtures:
Our Junior B hurlers face Youghal at 5:30pm in Shanagarry this Saturday evening in their second group game after a fine win against Lisgoold last time out. Best of luck to all involved. Tickets for this game are available at the gate.
Congratulations:
Congrats to all our club members who celebrated or who will be celebrating their grads/debs this week. In a unique turn of events, many of our U19 footballers had their grads on Tuesday night in Rochestown Park Hotel and played a county semi-final the next day. Not everyone can say that! Something to tell the Grandkids about in years to come (And tell them they won!).
Well done to the Aghada junior ladies football team who were crowned county champions on Monday night in Cloughduv after a brilliant win over a fancied Castlehaven team.
Well done to our U12 footballers who made the trip to Croke Park on Wednesday to play three matches on the hallowed turf. History made for these lads and memories made forever. Hopefully we’ll see these lads out on the hallowed turf in the future donning the red and white of Cork or the green and white of Aghada.
Lotto:
This week’s lotto jackpot is €12,250. The draw will be live on our Facebook page from 9:30pm Thursday evening. Tune in and see if your lucky numbers come out!
Michael Collins Commemoration:
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Michael Collins , Cork GAA will participate in an event in Clonakilty on Saturday 20th August to recognise his involvement in the GAA.
A parade through the town led by Brass Bands will commence at 2pm, location Faxbridge , near Scally's supermarket.
It will finish at Emmet Square where a wreath laying by Cork GAA Cathaoirleach Marc ó Siocháin will take place. This will be followed by Marc speaking on Michael Collins and the GAA.
Club Clean Up Day:
As outlined last week, this Saturday the club will be having a clean-up day from 8AM to 2PM. Jobs will include painting, a bit of weeding, cleaning and more! It would be great to get as many volunteers as possible down to the clubhouse on Saturday to help with these jobs. As the saying goes EVERY LITTLE HELPS! The craic will be mighty so come on down.
That’s it for this week. A very successful week on the playing fields and hopefully our luck continues on Saturday in the junior hurling. Hopefully you can get down to our clean-up day before heading to Shanagarry to support our hurlers. Enjoy the weekend.
Slán,
Uinsionn Ó Ruacháin
Oifigeach Caidreamh Poiblí
Vince Rohan
PRO - Aghada GAA
Website for most up to date fixtures news and results -http://www.aghadagaa.com/
