Aghada GAA Juvenile News - By Juvenile PRO Donal Walsh
Hi folks, hope this newsletter finds you well, and you are out enjoying the dry sunny spell we are having. Life is too short to be boring and sometimes can feel like a maze. Some people are born to happiness, they start at the correct entrance and proceed with ease to the centre. Some have to work for it, they start at one of the dead ends and have to work their way through one or all of the dead ends before arriving at the centre. Some have it and lose it, they reach the centre but turn back and end up in a dead end. Some spend their lives going from one dead end to the next. Whatever it is that makes you happy right now, work towards it and try and get it. Life is too short to be boring!
U16 football League Lisgoold 1-5 Aghada 6-16 A comprehensive win away to Lisgoold last Thursday night with the rain that fell before the throw in making for tricky handling conditions, but this did not overly affect our lads as they imposed their superiority from the start. Two quickfire goals from Cormac Walsh and Cian Moore put us in the driving seat and points from Sam McAllister, Cian and Dara Conchubhair and another major from Tom Walsh had us 3-3 to no score in front before the home side registered their first score. We were 3-8 v 0-3 in front at the short whistle and this time they would not rest on their laurels after being pegged back the last day out, they were in no mood to surrender the lead and went onto kick even more scores in the second half. Eanna Crowley was fouled, and Cormac blasted home the resultant penalty with Isaac Oosthuizen and Jack Mulcahy also raising green flags. Josh McCarthy picked up an injury, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Will O’ Mahony and Cormac Crowley were some of the many point scorers in a fine team performance with Eoghan Walsh, Seán O’ Brien, Pierce McLaughlin and Cillian Falvey leading from the front. Aghada Team & scorers Jago Evans, Pierce McLaughlin, Seán O’ Brien, Eoghan Walsh, Cillian Falvey, Dara O’ Conchubhair 0-1, Josh McCarthy, Eanna Crowley, Isaac Oosthuizen 1-2, Sam McAllister 0-1, Tom Walsh 1-2, Jack Mulcahy 1-3, Cormac Walsh 2-1, Cian Moore 1-3, Will O’ Mahony 0-2. subs used Andrew Murphy, Cormac Crowley 0-1.
U14 Hurling League Aghada 4-5 Lisgoold 2-13 Scorching sunshine on Saturday in Rostellan in marked contrast to the recent rainfall saw the umbrellas put away and the suncream out. The first half sizzled as both sides played with a high tempo as the game ebbed and flowed. The away side led by a point at the break 1-5 v 1-6 in a terrific contest, Matthew Condon firing in our goal with points from Matthew, Eoghan O’ Shea, David Murphy and Jake Morrissey leaving just the bare minimum between the sides. Our opponents were quickest out of the blocks in the second half, scoring four unanswered points before we took the lead in exciting fashion with a brace of goals from super sub-Cathal Lowney and a well struck Robbie Oosthuizen penalty. We lost the momentum however when a water break was called for and Lisgoold regained the initiative to run out winners after a great battle in the Rostellan sunshine. Team & scorers John Dorney, Finbarr Alcock, Sam Morgan, Rossa White, Donncha Walsh, Kaylan Cunningham, Jake Morrissey 0-1, Conor Charles, Cormac Cashman, Robbie Oosthuizen 1-0 pen, Shay Rooney, Matthew Condon 1-1, David Murphy 0-2, Eoghan O’ Shea 0-1, Dara O’ Brien. Subs used Cathal Lowney 2-0, Jack Kelleher, Eoin Kirrane, Harry Burgoyne, Tim O’ Hanlon, Sam Ahern, Jamie Sweeney.
U16 Hurling League Shandrum 4-21 Aghada 4-10 Our lads were on the road early on Sunday morning to Newtownshandrum and put in a mighty battling performance. Minus a few players we were light on personnel, but they acquitted themselves well. The final scoreline does not do the team justice as they led at half time 2-7 v 2-5 in a pulsating half with both teams displaying great skillful hurling but unfortunately, we finished the game with 13 players that handed the initiative to our hosts, and they pulled clear in the end. Centre forward Jude Devoy was our scorer in chief in the first half rattling home an impressive 2-6 as the team put some lovely moves together. Jack Mulcahy was our other point scorer and Isaac Oosthuizen was impressive at centre back with Will O’ Mahony and Eoghan Walsh holding their own in the corners, we were full value for our 2-point lead. The second half did not go according to plan, although we had more goals from Jack Mull and Jude, who also hit a couple of points that was added to by a fine Cian Moore effort, but we lost our way as the home side piled on the pressure and again you were left wondering at the end, with a full deck to play from, this team are well capable of playing at least to premier 2 level. Team & scorers Adam Lewis, Eoghan Walsh, Jack Mulcahy, Will O’ Mahony, Andrew Murphy, Isaac Oosthuizen, Cillian Scanlon, Sam McAllister, Cian Moore 0-1, Jack Dorney, Jude Devoy 3-8, Jack Mulcahy 1-1, Tom Walsh, Jack Linehan, Cormac Walsh. Subs Cormac Crowley, Robbie Oosthuizen.
U12 Football League Aghada (2) 4-6 Nemo Rangers (2) 3-6 A first half hat-trick from ace corner forward Seánie Walsh paved the way for this league win against Nemo in Rostellan on Sunday evening. Points from Mason Sheehan, Dara Kelleher a brace from Seánie and a well struck Harry Martin free left us in front 3-5 v 1-2 at the short whistle albeit after playing with the aid of a strong wind. Nemo came more into it in the second half with the wind at their backs but stout defending from Ben Eagle and James Connolly kept them at bay, along with the impressive handling skills of our goalkeeper Jakob Walker. We battled hard and were rewarded with a screamer of a goal from Cathal Lehane after good build up play involving Rory Casey and a fine point from play from Harry Martin, with a goal only separating the sides at the finish, in this fine team performance that puts them through to the league final. Team & scorers Jakob Walker, Aidan Murphy, Dara Kelleher 0-1, James Connolly, Alex Gill, Ronan Callanan, Ben Eagle, Mason Sheehan 0-1, Michael Creedon, Fionn Musgrave, Rory Casey, Cormac Byrne, Harry Martin 0-2, Gavin Conway, Seán Walsh 3-2 Sub used Cathal Lehane 1-0
U12 Football League Aghada 2-6 Midleton 1-5 The half time team talk from the Aghada selectors worked the oracle as up to then the team had been well below par against our town neighbours Midleton in Rostellan on Monday night. With only 2 points to show from frees in the opening half from Jack Kelleher it was the Magpies who were in control after kicking 5 white flags. The second half was a different story however as we started to play football on the front foot spurned on by an excellent MJ goal 3 minutes after the restart. We denied our visitors time and again by the tenacious defending of Mike McRae and Jake O’ Sullivan, with Jack Kelleher finding the range with some lovely points. MJ sent over a fine point, before his cousin the lively Ben Duggan was fouled for a penalty, and he picked himself up to put the icing on the cake finding the net with a confident strike. Team & scorers Alec Kapusta, Luke Hickey, Dara Callanan, Leon Joyce, Jake O’ Sullivan, Mike McRae, Leon O’ Connor, James Irwin, Lorcan Evans, Conor O’ Reilly, Jack Kelleher 0-5 0-4f, Bobby O’ Riordan, Cathal Grehan, Ben Duggan 1-0 pen MJ Kearney 1-1 subs used Conor O’ Neill, Luca Hurley, Cormac Byrne.
U17 Football League Aghada 4-10 St Michaels 2-9 A complete team performance put St Michaels to the sword on our main field in Rostellan on Wednesday evening. Our visitors kicked the first 2 scores before we responded with a goal from excellent midfielder Samuel O’ Driscoll, and we never looked back. Full forward James Motherway kicked 3 points 1 from play and the dynamic Robert Dean finished off a well worked move to billow the net and he also shot over a point to leave the half time score 2-4 v 1-4 in our favour. We continued to put together some exciting moves in the second half, Seán Corkery confident between the sticks with our defence showing up well, our midfield getting through a pile of work and up front we buzzed and weaved to combine intelligently for scores. Samuel cracked home goal number 3 and his second and the fourth major was finished smartly by James M after a clever Andrew Murphy pass. Points from James M, James Hurley, Tomás Condon and Samuel saw us run out impressive winners after an eye-catching display of confident football. Team & scorers Seán Corkery, Cian Murphy, Ronan Devoy, Evan Crowley, Colm White, Conor Baxx, Seán Santos O’ Sullivan, David Wallace, Samuel O’ Driscoll 2-1, Robert Dean 1-1, Tomás Condon 0-2, James O’ Donell, James Hurley 0-2, James Motherway 1-4 0-3f, Finn Berry. Subs used Eanna Crowley, Andrew Murphy, Joe Connolly, Cormac Walsh, Jack Linehan.
The best of luck to Seán O Callaghan and the Cork minor hurlers who take on Galway this Saturday in Semple stadium Thurles at 4pm in the All-Ireland semi-final. Hopefully they can put the disappointment of the loss to Clare in the Munster final behind them and qualify for the decider and maybe even another cut off the banner if they can account for the tribesmen.
Next up for the Cork Senior Hurlers is a trip to Ennis to take on Clare this Sunday at 2pm in what many are saying could be a group defining game for the Rebels and the Best of luck to Rasper, Lauren and all involved once again.
Cork East caused a bit of a shock as they lowered the colours of fellow divisional side North Cork who were fancied to progress to the All-Ireland Celtic hurling challenge cup final. Playing their best hurling of the competition it was Cork East who made the final, winning out on a scoreline of 2-18 v 1-16 after coming back from a half time deficit of 7 points. They now take on Dublin in 2 weeks time and it is great to see such great representation from our club in Ger Sheehan selector, with players Robert Dean, Tomás Condon, Samuel O’ Driscoll, and James Hurley all playing their part in the march to the final.
Scoil Íosagáin Aghada National school are into the Sciath Na Scol hurling final after a great win against Rathduff away in Grenagh last Friday. They now play Dungourney in the final who beat them by 2 points in the group stages and a fascinating final is in prospect as the school go in search of the double after winning the football earlier in the year.
Our academy was out in force last weekend as the u8s played football and hurling in Rostellan against Carrigtwohill, our under 9s played hurling away to Fr O’ Neills and our u10s played Watergrasshill in hurling and many thanks to Pat Scanlon for the report on this.
Our u10 boys played two games of hurling against Watergrasshill in sunny Rostellan on an enjoyable Saturday morning. Both sides played some very entertaining and skillful hurling in front of a large appreciative crowd. Special thanks to Robbie, Seán and Daniel from the u11s who lined out showcasing their hurling skills. Panel of Players Shay, Alex, Zach, Luke, Seán, Hanno, Olan, Aidan, Cormac, Daniel, Robbie, Seán. A trip to the Sideline Café afterwards for a well-deserved ice cream proved to be the best tactical move the coaches made all day! Well done to the kids and our opponents Watergrasshill for a very good contest.
The best of luck to the talented Robert Dean who plays for Carrigtwohill Community College this Friday 19th May in Rathcormac 11.30 am in the Cork PPS County u19 Hurling final. Go for it Rob, we are all behind you.
Oh, I do love to live beside the seaside, ah yes, we do but living in a parish surrounded by water can bring its challenges too. So, the healthy club committee has organized a water safety information night in the clubhouse on Monday May 22nd at 19.30 from the age of 13 up. You can never be too careful when it comes to water safety and this information night will help focus the minds in this important area. Contact Gill Berry 0863444296 to confirm attendance.
Fixtures
Sun May 21st U16 Football League Erins Own v Aghada 11:30 Caherlag.
Mon 22nd May U12 Hurling League Aghada v Kiltha Óg 18:30 Rostellan.
Mon 22nd May U12 Hurling League Blackrock (2) v Aghada (2) 19:30 Blackrock
Tues 23rd May U14 Hurling League final Lisgoold v Aghada 18:30 Lisgoold.
Wed 24th May U17 Hurling League Sarsfields v Aghada 19:00 Riverstown.
Slán Go Fóill
Be seen wear the Green.
Ár nDícheall Go Deo.
