Aghada GAA Juvenile News

Hi folks, hope this newsletter finds you well and you are staying nice and cool with temperatures rising over most parts of southern Europe. They say the climate change crisis is warming Europe twice as fast as anywhere else on the planet and the heatwaves being experienced during the summer months are becoming all too familiar. Who wants to spend hours standing under a hairdryer that’s constantly belting out hot air. Our own weather is fairly mixed at the moment with the humid conditions bringing heavy downpours and thunder with it but hopefully it will settle down again so we can get another dry spell and some nice temperatures to go with it because after all ⁷who would have thought a rainy week in Achill or Trabolgan would be more appealing than sitting on a sunbed in Spain or Italy!

U14 Hurling championship Final Lisgoold 2-7 Aghada 2-6 This was a game we will feel we left behind us as it was there for the taking especially with the number of chances created, but as we know finals are there to be won and congratulations to the home side Lisgoold who had the wherewithal to get over the line. We started poorly with the concession of 1-1 inside the first few minutes and then gradually found our momentum to lead at the interval 2-3 to 2-2. Our first goal was largely due to the ferocious appetite of corner forward Cathal Lowney who hooked and blocked to create the opening for Matthew Condon who made no mistake with a terrific finish. Our second was belted home by center forward Shay Rooney after connecting sweetly with a sharp ground stroke. The second half is one where unfortunately will leave us with plenty of regrets as time and again chances went abegging and the hearts were in the mouth as late on we thought we had snatched it when a blistering run from David Murphy ended up with the sliothar hitting the side netting but alas it was not to be. Great kudos to the players and management who gave it everything despite the holiday season robbing us of some notable starters. Team John Dorney, Finbarr Alcock, Jake Morrissey, Conor Charles, Dara O’ Brien, Kaylan Cunnigham, James Irwin, Jack Kelleher, Cormac Cashman, Matthew Condon, Shay Rooney, David Murphy, Cathal Lowney, Eoghan O’ Shea, Rían O’ Brien. Subs used Jamie Sweeney, Marcus O’ Loughlin, Harry Burgoyne, Eoin Kirrane.

U15 Football Championship St Michaels 7-6 Aghada 3-14 The old adage goals win matches certainly rang true here as our total of 3-14 would win most football matches but the conceding of 7 green flags proved to be too big a mountain to overcome. We had scores from Cian Moore 1-2, Tom Walsh 1-3, Hugh O’ Lionsiagh 1-0, Cillian Scanlon 0-2, Cillian Burke 0-1 and 6 points from the boot of Jack Mulcahy 0-3 from frees and led by a goal with ten minutes to go but 2 late goals from the Mahon outfit proved costly and ultimately led to our downfall. Much to ponder and will need to tighten up considerably before our next outing against Glenville where no doubt the lads will be eager to atone for this defeat.

U15 Hurling championship Erins Own 5-18 Aghada 1-14 A cracking championship game in Caherlag went the way of the home side who had to up the ante considerably in the second half to see off the strong challenge of our lads who produced a fantastic hurling performance to lead at half time by 2 points and credit to the home side Erins Own who managed to squeeze the match in a vice like grip to run out deserved winners. The early exchanges were fast and exciting as Cian Moore got us off the mark with a well worked point and we also had to rely on the brave goalkeeping of netminder Cormac Crowley who brought off some excellent saves throughout in a composed showing between the sticks. Josh McCarthy drove us forward at every opportunity from center back and Jack Mulcahy was reliable from the placed ball while also putting in a good shift around the middle supplying good ball to our forwards where Tom Walsh and Matthew Condon were a constant threat. Tom in particular was our scorer in chief scoring a fine goal as the Erins Own rearguard struggled to put the shackles on him. Overall manager Declan Crowley and his team will be delighted with the application showed as the team hurled well and can look forward with confidence. Team Cormac Crowley, Conor Charles, Eoghan Walsh, Will O’ Mahony, Sam McAllister, Josh McCarthy, Kaylan Cunningham, Jack Mulcahy, Cillian Scanlon, Robbie Oosthuizen, Cian Moore, Adam Lewis, Sam Morgan, Matthew Condon, Tom Walsh. Subs used Jamie Sweeney, Rossa White, Dara O’ Brien, David Murphy, Donncha Walsh.

U13 football league Aghada 7-10 Bride Rovers 5-7 The incessant rain that fell for most of Friday moved away up through the country and we were left that evening with blustery conditions that did not deter both sides as they served up a high scoring encounter on our windswept main field. Bride Rovers were first out of the traps hitting us for 1-1 in the opening minutes before we responded in kind with a well worked Ben Duggan goal and a point from the impressive David Murphy. The scores continued to flow in the end to end nature of the game, David caught the away defense off guard when he rifled a low shot to the net from a free, midfielder Jack Kelleher powered forward to blast home a fine goal and that was followed by another superb Ben Duggan finish finding the net in style to leave the half time score 4-5 to 3-4 in our ,favour, with the pick of our first half points coming from the boot of our full forward Marcus O’ Loughlin. The scorefest continued into the second half with a brace of green flags from David and another from the electric James Irwin as we powered home our advantage. White flags from James, David, Jack and an excellent effort from corner forward Bobby O Riordan completed the scoring on a good night for the boys in green. Team & scorers Cathal Lowney, Finbar Alcock, Dylan Kearns, Eoghan Kirrane, Mike McRae, Donncha Walsh, Daragh Callanan, Jack Kelleher 1-2, David Murphy 3-4, James Irwin 1-2, Cormac Cashman, Dara Crowley, Ben Duggan 2-0, Marcus O’ Loughlin 0-1, Bobby O’ Riordan 0-1 subs used Dara Kelleher, Ronan Callanan, Adam O’ Loughlin.

U17 minor football championship Carrigtwohill 2-8 Aghada 2-19 A great start for our minor footballers away in Carrigtwohill last Wednesday night. Playing downhill on Carrigs old pitch we certainly made good use of it to take the game to our opponents in a breathtaking opening half. The game was basically over at half time as we burst from the traps with fast free flowing football putting our opponents on the back foot. Early scores from full forward James Motherway, Midfielder Seán O’ Callaghan and a brilliant solo effort from half back Conor Baxx after a lung bursting run through the middle. We rubber stamped our authority with two super goals the first an outrageous piece of skill by half forward Dara Conchubhair who curled in a beauty off the post and the second another nice finish from corner forward James Hurley just before the short whistle to leave the half time score 2-13 v 1-2 in our favour. In fairness to the hosts they made a good fist of it in the second half but we had too much in reserve with Robert Dean, Éanna Crowley and Ronan Devoy fresh off the boat pushing us forward in a terrific panel display where everyone played their part. Next up for these lads will be an interesting dual with our townie neighbours Midleton on Wednesday night where your support would be greatly appreciated for our next generation of adult players. Team and scorers Seán Corkery, Éanna Crowley, Ronan Devoy, Cian Murphy, Conor Baxx 0-1 Tomás Condon, Colm O’ Donnoghue, Seán O’ Callaghan 0-2, David Wallace, Andrew Murphy, Robert Dean 0-3 Dara O’ Conchubhair 1-0, James Hurley 1-6 0-2f James Motherway 0-7 0-4f Finn Berry. Subs used Cormac Walsh, Evan Crowley, Colm White, Seán O’ Brien.

Well done to our young juvenile player Leon O’ Connor who won a gold medal last weekend in the world Taekwondo championships in Coventry. On the day the stars certainly aligned for Leon and the O Connor family who were very proud of his inspirational win.

Another fantastic week at our very popular Cúl Camp where our young boys and girls enjoyed a host of GAA activities, fun and games, special visitors and treats under the watchful eyes of the excellent young coaches we have in our wonderful club. A big thankyou to the volunteer organisers Niamh Callanan, Úna Lehane, Elaine Counihan, Helen Walsh and Head Coach Christine Moran who took on this big task once again and delivered to their usual high exceptional standards. Their trojan work over the last number of months is evident in this pinnacle week where nearly 200 children enjoyed the camp. Our Vice president the one and only Tommy Foley, a hugely popular figure and a constant presence at our camps with his camradrie and good humour kept everyone entertained and greeted everyone with a smile and a chat both morning and evening. Running a camp of this size would not be possible without additional help and support, a special mention to the volunteers who assisted with morning and evening collections, to Pat O’ Connell & Johnty for the having our pitches in tip top condition,(despite the heavy rain that fell Monday night but a pitch inspection at 8am we were good to go!), our chairman PJ who was there late at night and early mornings ensuring all facilities were up to standard, and the juvenile coaches for the loan of the equipment for the week. A special thanks to also to Énergie Fitness Midleton who provided snacks and drinks to over 30 coaches all week, to Damien Keohane who provided crates of fruit to feed the whole camp all week, to PJ for the doughnuts and cookies, to Hurleys supervalu for providing lunch rolls and some fruit to our coaches. Also to Ronan Dwane who kindly donated sliotars, Énergie Fitness & Sideline Café for sponsoring the goodie bags and the juvenile committee for the Ice cream Van and to Irving Oil for the fire trucks – always a great splash on the last day! Finally, a big thank you to our 35 young coaches who without doubt brought the fun and laughter, taught the children new skills and are excellent role models for our young members- Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. Roll on Cúl Camp 2024!!

Fixtures Sunday 23rd U12 football League Aghada v Youghal 11.30 Rostellan. Monday 24th U12 Football league Aghada v Carrigtwohill 18.15 Rostellan. Monday 24th U15 football championship Aghada v Glenville 19:00 Rostellan. Wednesday 26th U17 football championship Aghada v Midleton 19:00 Midleton. Thursday 27th U15 C-3 Football championship Aghada v Carrigtwohill 19:30 Rostellan. Saturday 29th U13 Football Championship Lisgoold v Aghada 12.00 Lisgoold.

Slán go fóill

Be seen wear the Green.

Ár nDícheall Go Deo.