Aghada GAA Juvenile News.

Hi folks, hope the world is treating you well. Exams are nearly over, primary schools nearly out, the real summer is beginning! The June solstice happened last Wednesday on the 21st the sun was directly above the most northerly latitude of the earth for a moment, before heading off south again, ah yes summer nights joyfully bright. This Saturday a group of players who won a u14 football county in 1983 are meeting up again 40 years after the event. The years have flown by since captain fantastic Paul O’ Donoghue and his band of merry players brought the cup back to the parish after an exciting replay win against Kilshannig. More about this next week as we will give an update on how they got on, but again it shows the importance of sport and remembering the good times, the friendships forged that last a lifetime. To be there when you need them. No matter how small the need, or how great the need. A good friend is there- always.

U17 Football League Mitchelstown 1-13 Aghada 2-10 Two days after going to the wire to claim a one-point win at home to Kilmurry the team had to call on all their resolve once again to eke out a deserved draw away to Mitchelstown on Friday night. An accomplished team display was required and that is what was delivered, although the lads will be a little disappointed not to have come away with the win. A blistering start saw us strike 1-1 without reply when powerful midfielder Samuel O’ Driscoll broke through to crack a fierce shot to the net and impressive halfback Dara O’ Conchubhair strode forward with purpose to point with ease. The town hit back with a couple of well worked points and both sides had two more each, James Hurley and James O’ Donnell with our points before the home side scored a rather fortuitous goal to put them in front. We hit back with another James H white flag, but it was the town who led at the break 1-5 v 1-4 after an absorbing half of football. We held the upper hand at midfield with Samuel and David Wallace a great focal point for Seán Corkery’s kick outs and will be annoyed we didn’t convert more of our chances while at the same time be thankful to Seán for a few very good saves. We levelled proceedings after the break with a well taken Andrew Murphy score and then hit a purple patch when Cormac Walsh pointed, Samuel struck his second goal and that was followed by points from James Motherway and a spectacular David Wallace effort. Four unanswered white flags from the home side kept the game in the balance. James H and James M converted good scores to keep us ahead entering the home straight, the town levelled again and as both sides were gearing up for one final push the referee called a halt to proceedings and our lads had to head back down the M8 content with a draw. Team & scorers Seán Corkery, Evan Crowley, Ronan Devoy, Cian Murphy, Eanna Crowley, Tomás Condon, captain Dara O’ Conchubhair 0-1, Samuel O’ Driscoll 2-0, David Wallace 0-1 James O Donnell 0-1, Robert Dean, Andrew Murphy 0-1, James Hurley 0-3, James Motherway 0-2, Cormac Walsh 0-1 sub used Joe Connolly.

U14 football semi-final Kiltha Óg 3-1 Aghada 9-11. A comprehensive win for our u14 second team saw them scorch into the final away to Kiltha Óg in Dungourney on Saturday afternoon. Jack Kelleher top scored with 2-5 on a pitch where his father Aidan bestrode like a veritable colossus in the jersey with the bright yellow sash for many a year. Peter Mulcahy, Ben Duggan and Rían O’ Brien bagged a brace of goals each with the other coming from the boot of the lively Lorcan Evans in what was a complete team performance. Team Harry Burgoyne, James Irwin, Dara O’ Brien, Dara Callanan, Ronan Callanan, Conor Charles captain Leon O’ Connor, Jack Kelleher, Daragh Crowley, Sam Ahern, Lorcan Evans, Peter Mulcahy, Ben Duggan, Rían O Brien, Marcus O’ Loughlin subs used Adam O’ Loughlin, Dara Kelleher.

U16 Hurling League Aghada 1-13 Ballyhea 1-24 The final score will tell us that North Cork team Ballyhea were by far the better team on the day but it does not show that our team were well depleted due to injuries and holidays and would not have fielded if it were not for the help of 13 year olds Robbie Oosthuizen and Dara O’ Brien, so a big thankyou to all who togged out and answered the call. We were behind 1-14 to 0-8 at half time with center forward Jude Devoy our main scorer and impressive midfielder Isaac Oosthuizen scoring a double along with a fine Colm O’ Donoghue effort. Our visitors ran out comfortable winners in the end despite a deserved Jude goal that put a bit of respectability on the scoreline but in truth this was an uphill battle from the start. Both teams enjoyed ice-creams and drinks after the game at our Sideline café thanks to Anthony Oosthuizen of Hydes that was much appreciated by all involved. Team & scorers Dara O’ Brien, Rossa White, Jack Buckley, Eoghan Walsh, Cormac Crowley, Colm O’ Donoghue 0-1, Josh McCarthy, Isaac Oosthuizen 0-3, Sam McAllister, Cormac Walsh, Jude Devoy 1-9 Jack Mulcahy, Cillian Burke, Jack Dorney, Robbie Oosthuizen.

U12 Hurling League Aghada (2) 2-6 St Finbarr’s (2) 3-2 A thrilling win for our u12 second hurling team by the narrowest of margins after a big St Finbarr’s fight back in Rostellan on Sunday evening. This was the proverbial game of 2 halves as we turned on the style in the first, leading at half time 1-6 to no score but were pegged back by the tenacious Togher outfit in the second. Dara Kelleher opened our account with a point and we had more scores from Bobby Creedon, Mason Sheehan and a big three pointer from full forward James Connolly who found the net, our backs were on top with full back Seán Walsh clearing a world of ball and our midfield duo of cousins Bobby and Rory working well together. The second half saw a much improved showing from the southside city team and we were thankful to Seán Ryan who made a few good saves and to Aaron Murphy up front who scored what proved to be the decisive goal. All in all another terrific performance by these young lads and the coaches will be delighted with the battling qualities shown throughout. Team & scorers Seán Ryan, Corey O’ Leary, Seán Walsh, Shay Casey, Ronan Callanan, Dara Kelleher 0-3, Eoin Condon, Bobby Creedon 0-2, Rory Casey, Michael Creedon, Mason Sheehan 0-1, Andrew Walsh, Aaron Murphy 1-0, James Connolly 1-0, Eoin Rooney. Sub used Jack Arundel.

U12 Hurling League Carrigtwohill 3-17 Aghada 1-4 A tough night at the office for this group as they were comprehensively defeated by a very strong team in Carrigtwohill on Monday. From the very first whistle the home side attacked with intent to put some fine scores on the board. We managed to score a very good goal from Darragh Callanan and 2 points from Jack Kelleher the second a fine solo effort but that was as good as it got as Carrig continued to dominate after the resumption despite the best efforts of Bobby O’ Riordan and goalkeeper Dara Kelleher. Team Dara Kelleher, Gavin Conway, Maidhc Collins, Leon Joyce, James Irwin, Bobby O’ Riordan, Conor O’ Neill, Jack Kelleher, Conor O’ Reilly, Leon O’ Connor, Darragh Callanan, Ben Duggan, James Kenny, Cormac Byrne, Jake O’ Sullivan subs used Alex Day, Lorcan Evans, Luca Hurley, Harry Martin, MJ Duggan.

U17 premier 1 Hurling League Aghada 2-20 Glen Rovers 5-21 Spectators were treated to a rip-roaring high scoring encounter in Rostellan last Wednesday night. A beautiful evening for hurling, a perfect sod on our main field. Half forward Seán Corkery set the tone with a wonderfully executed first point of the game as he gathered the ball out near the sideline before striking the sliothar over his shoulder and over the bar. The glen hit back with 1-1 as the game ebbed and flowed all the way to the half time whistle, where we led by 4 points, the pick of our scores a well-executed goal from Samuel O’ Driscoll as he raced clear and gave the goalkeeper the eyes before planting the ball in the opposite corner from the despairing keepers dive. Conor Baxx hurled with authority and our full back Ronan Devoy was having a great battle with the Glen full forward. The visitor’s penchant for scoring goals was the defining factor in this game as they wrestled control of the encounter. Corner forward Jude Devoy plucked the sliothar from the sky and sent it between the posts for a score of real quality and midfielder James Hurley was our scorer in chief, the sharpshooter contributing 1-11 of our total with 2 of that tally coming from play on a night when hurling was the real winner. Team & scorers James O’ Donnell, Evan Crowley, Ronan Devoy, Seán Santos O’ Sullivan, David Wallace, Seán O’ Callaghan 0-1, Conor Baxx, James Hurley 1-11, Colm O’ Donoghue, James Motherway, Samuel O’ Driscoll 1-2, Seán Corkery 0-1, Jude Devoy 0-3, Tomás Condon, Isaac Oosthuizen 0-1. Subs used Cian Murphy, Cormac Walsh, Jack Dorney, Cormac Crowley, Sam McAllister.

A Go fund me page “Walk in Seán Kenny’s Shoes” has been set up to help Seán and his family, 3 young children 7, 9 and 10 and his wife Bríd as Seán continues his brave battle with cancer. Seán is a coach with our underage teams as well as being a former player with the club and the next stage of his treatment is to undergo cryosurgery in the United States that will prove to be extremely expensive. If you’re in a position to help this very worthwhile cause you can donate at the following link: https://gofund.me/eef17042

Our academy was out in force last weekend with our u7s hosting a very successful hurling monster blitz and well done to all involved here. Our u8s played football and hurling matches away to St Colmans, our u9s travelled to Mayfield to take on the home side and St Vincents in football, while our u10s travelled to Dungourney to play Kiltha Óg in football. The under 10s were busy as they also played an exciting hurling match the night before in Rostellan against Fr O’ Neills.

The Cork senior footballers pulled off a great win against Mayo last weekend and now look forward to a home game against Roscommon in the knockout stages of the All-Ireland championship this Saturday. Well done to all involved here and to our own Brian Walsh who is part of the backroom team.

Fixtures Fri 23rd U14 Hurling Championship Aghada v St Colmcilles 19:00 Rostellan.

Fri 30th U17 P1 Hurling League Aghada v Douglas 19:30 Rostellan.

Slán go fóill.

Be seen wear the Green.