Aghada GAA, Juvenile News
Hi folks, hope this newsletter finds you well, the u10 parish league football finals were played under the floodlights last Friday night and what fantastic entertainment we had as our young players showcased their skills in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. Under the competition rules goals count as points as well as block downs and high fielding being rewarded with points that kept the referees PJ hurley in the plate final and Cathal McAllister in the cup final busy such were the skills on show. So many people play their part in honing those skills at such a tender age, the parents the mentors the 3 schools in our parish along with our school coordinators and the club everyone has a part to play in giving these young players the platform to be the best they can be. A big thank you to Anthony Oosthuizen who provided the PA system and music, to our President John Motherway who performed the national anthem, to the Juvenile committee and Emma Murphy for the goody bags and the Sideline café for facilitating this and to the mentors and the committee for the excellent organisation of the whole event. We would also like to express our gratitude to Mike Lehane of Energie Fitness who are the sponsors of the competition. We do it all again this Friday night in the hurling finals starting at 6.15pm so why not pop down and enjoy the pure and honest entertainment these young lads have to offer; I promise you won’t be disappointed.
U12 Hurling final Aghada 1-5 Cobh 2-9 A powerful second half display from our seaside neighbours Cobh under the Rostellan lights last Thursday night paved the way for victory as our magic touch deserted us on a difficult night for our u12 hurlers. This was by far the strongest we have seen this Cobh team all year and although our backs were pressed firmly up against the wall we never gave up and fought valiantly until the end. The first half was even enough on the scoreboard with only a goal separating the teams at half time, but you sensed this Cobh team meant business, with our defence overworked at times, with our goalkeeper Rian his usual dependable self with his assured handling and long-range ball striking. Corner back Finbar Alcock was doing as much as anyone to keep our opponents at bay with his clever positional play and tigerish defending. The midfield duo of Cathal Lowney and Jack Kelleher worked hard and one of the youngest on the team Darragh Callanan got on the ball as much as possible, while upfront it was the David Murphy show, the centre forward putting on a masterclass and accounting for all of our total of 1-5 in a barnstorming display, his early goal finished superbly running at the heart of the defence to blast home and some of his point taking exquisite as we were still in the game 1-3 v 2-3 at the short whistle. The second half belonged to our visitors, and we couldn’t find the answers and sometimes you just have to put up your hand and say you were beaten by the better team. For our lads it was the end of a good year where significant progress and vast improvement has been made as getting to the final was a great achievement. They will head into next year with confidence knowing they will have many more great outings in the years ahead with fantastic work going on in the training ground. Team & scorers Rian O’ Brien Higgins, Finbar Alcock, Dylan Kearns, Cormac Cashman, Donncha Walsh, Marcus O’ Loughlin, Cathal Lowney, Jack Kelleher, Darragh Callanan, David Murphy 1-5, Harry Burgoyne, Dara O’ Brien, Sam Ahern. Subs used Tim ‘ Hanlon, Leon O’ Connor, Darragh Crowley, Seán Walsh.
U15 Premier 2 Challenge cup semi-final Aghada 3-15 Mallow 1-16 The blue skies overhead last Sunday morning was reminiscent of the height of summer rather than October 2nd as this game sizzled from start to finish in the mid-day Rostellan sun. The day was so good the referee even called for water breaks and boy were they needed as both teams put everything into this encounter in a thrilling spectacle. We started brightly centre forward Jude Devoy finding corner forward Tom Walsh who finished with aplomb, Tom then added a magnificent second before midfielder Josh McCarthy ghosted in behind the Mallow defence to finish to the net with a ferocious ground shot. Sam McAllister and Jude added more points as did our hosts, but it was our penchant for scoring goals that was proving to be the difference, first Isaac Oosthuizen found full forward Jack Linehan with a delightful side-line ball, Jack still had some work to do as he took on his marker to belt home our second major. Goal number 3 quickly followed with Cormac Walsh winning a good ball to send Jude clear and he made no mistake with an emphatic finish. We then had an interruption as a Mallow player got injured and a water break was called, unfortunately this disrupted our rhythm as Mallow rejigged and went on to have the better of the rest of the half, scoring a goal on the resumption and putting over a series of points to take a half time lead 3-6 v 1-13 but it must be said we did not help ourselves with indiscipline by our players who questioned the referees decisions who only brought the ball forward into more advantageous positions. This was sorted at the break by our mentors and the players responded winning the second half 9 points to 3 with our six backs totally closing shop as the low hanging sun was this time in the Mallow forwards eyes and we took full advantage. We had 2 excellently struck frees at the start of the half to settle the nerves by Jude and Isaac and then centre back supreme Colm O’ Donoghue went on a lung bursting run up the right-side line and pointed wonderfully. Jack L struck another beauty from the left side-line and substitute Jack Mulcahy also fired over as we took command. Our tails were up as we finished strongly but make no mistake about it this was an acid test from a very good Mallow side that will stand us in good stead as we await the winners of the other semi-final between Ballinora and Bishopstown. Team & scorers Adam Lewis, Jackson Kearns, Jack Buckley, Cormac Crowley, Cillian Scanlon, Colm O’ Donoghue 0-1, Seán O’ Brien, Isaac Oosthuizen 0-2f, Josh McCarthy 1-0, Sam McAllister 0-1, Jude Devoy 1- 6 (0-6f), Jack Dorney, Cormac Walsh, Jack Linehan 1-2, Tom Walsh 0-2. sub used Jack Mulcahy 0-1
Our academy players were out in force again last weekend with our u7 footballers gracing Pairc Uí Caoimh our u8 footballers were in Midleton, our u11 hurlers took on Fr O’ Neills in Rostellan while our u12 footballers played Erins Own in a challenge, well done to all involved.
The best of luck to our u19 footballers who play the county football final this Saturday 8th against St Michaels the game is fixed for 5pm with venue to be decided.
Fixture
Sunday 9th October U15 C-3 hurling semi-final Aghada v Ballincollig Venue Rostellan 11am
Be Seen Wear the Green
Slán go fóill.
