Aghada GAA Juvenile News 

Hi folks, hope this newsletter finds you well, congratulations to all from our parish and club who competed in the Iron man competition last weekend in trying circumstances. The hard work and sacrifices spent preparing for an event like this were overshadowed by the difficult conditions and the untimely passing of two of the competitors and our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones. The world Athletics championships is making great viewing at the moment and especially with the Irish Athletes doing so well and competing with the worlds best. Ciara Mageean was so unlucky not to medal, running into fourth with a personal best and National record. In an interview she gave after the semi-final she was asked how she managed to cope with all the jostling going on and she just smiled and said she was used to it from playing camogie, she also gives so freely of her spare time and recently wrote to a young girl in our club a handwritten 2 page letter thanking her for her support and relaying some good advice and valuable life lessons, she really is a class act on and off the track. When I was younger, a man called Joe Brice lived across the road from my grandparents, Joe was the Irish discus record holder for over 20 years gaining a scholarship to the United States where he became a hall of famer at the University of Lowell in Massachusetts, he also held the record for the shot put in the school that lasted for over 30 years with only injury preventing him going to the Olympics. Joe and my uncle Anthony used to compete against each other in the shot put and even built a proper circle arena at my grandparents where they would practice. This in turn took me to lots of Athletic events all over Ireland that was always an enjoyable experience. The Gaelic Athletic Association and Athletics go hand in hand and being good at Athletics can help you thrive on the GAA fields. We have lots of very good young boys and girls involved in Athletics from our club and maybe one day we might see someone from our parish competing on the international stage for Ireland. Joes’ daughter Patricia is making waves on the college circuit on the track in the same university that Joe went to, while his niece Una Brice is the current Irish junior and senior women’s champion in the pole vault, while also being the u18 girls record holder. Heartbreak, heroism the best run of her life by some distance, Ciara Mageean left it all on the track, exhausted and obviously disappointed after her agonizingly close run for a medal, she was still inspiring  as she said in the interview after the race “ For every little kid the length and breadth of Ireland, what ever dreams you have, be that sporting dreams, musical dreams or academic dreams follow them with your whole heart” yes a truly class act.

U15 football Challenge cup semi-final Aghada 3-12 Carrigtwohill 4-7

This challenge cup semi-final played in Rostellan enthralled from start to finish with the end-to-end nature of the game leaving the result in doubt heading into injury time. We started brightly with points from Jack Mulcahy and Cian Moore but were quickly pegged back by a resilient Carrigtwohill side. We struck for the first goal of the game, a smart finish from the boot of Tom Walsh, and this led to a dominant period from the boys in green that was not noticeable on the scoreboard as we failed to make that dominance count. A second goal from the influential Tom Walsh was sandwiched between 2 outstanding saves from our goalkeeper Jago Evans, the second from the penalty spot to keep Carrig at bay. Eventually the away side did find the net when a defensive mix-up played them in, and this left the half time score 2-4 v 1-5 in our favour. Jack Mull put us 3 points to the good on the resumption with a mighty effort a lead that was shortlived when Carrig struck for a goal. Tom and Jack put over points and we were back in front but once again we were undone when Carrig billowed the net, they were then awarded penalty number 2 that looked like a harsh call and this time made no mistake as the drama continued. We had to dig deep and driven on by Cillian Scanlon the team showed great character to level proceedings nearing the end of normal time with another quality goal from Tom for his hat trick. The nerves were dangling now as six minutes of injury time was played, but our lads were the ones who kept their composure to score 2 points and seal a deserved yet dramatic victory to set up a final appearance with Midleton on Monday 4th of September, more details will follow in due course but for now well done to the team and management on this hard fought and terrific win.

U17 Minor Football Championship St Colmcilles 2-14 Aghada 2-9

We suffered our first championship loss in the group stage against the Carrignavar and Whitescross amalgamation away in Whitescross last Wednesday night. In a six-team group where we already have three wins it will go down to the wire as no team has a 100% record and with one game to go, it could come down to scoring difference with our final match against fellow East Cork team Erins own. The first half of this encounter was played at a terrific tempo with both teams looking dangerous when they got the ball quickly into the forward line. We played Tomás Condon in a sweeping role, but the home side were quick to negate his influence by man marking him although this in turn left space inside that we used intelligently. We scored two cracking goals with defense splitting moves and fine finishes while in truth both goals we conceded were avoidable, we also missed some good scoring opportunities from play and frees that would have put us in a better position coming down the home stretch. The home side were first on the scoreboard with a couple of points and then hit us for a fortuitous goal. We roared back with two points from James Hurley, the first from a free when midfielder Samuel O’ Driscoll was fouled going through. The quick thinking of fellow midfielder David Wallace with a superb pass from a free released James Motherway and he found the in rushing Samuel who drove an unstoppable shot to the net for our first goal. The home side regained the lead with some quality points from nice passages of play and once again we hit back. James Motherway and Robert Dean hit a brace of points each that came from patient build up play. We then scored our second goal and what a cracker it was as center back Seán O’ Callaghan set the move in motion with a probing run through the middle, he passed to Samuel who brushed off a few tackles to put James Hurley in on goal he still had a nice bit to do and showed great killer instinct to rifle a shot into the bottom corner for a quality score. When the half time whistle went, we were deadlocked 2-6 v 1-9 after an absorbing half of football. Scores dried up significantly in the second half as both teams got to grips with each other. The home side did manage an early green flag that would prove pivotal as the game wore on and it took us 20 minutes to register the first of only three points we managed in the half. We did rally late on and tested the home keeper a couple of times and credit to our opponents who stood firm to take the win. A little setback on an otherwise good campaign so far with a lot more football to be played yet at the business end of this competition. Team & scorers Seán Corkery, Eanna Crowley, Ronan Devoy, Evan Crowley, Darragh O’ Conchubhaír, Séan O’ Callaghan, Conor Bakx, Samuel O’ Driscoll 1-0, David Wallace, James O’ Donnell, Robert Dean 0-2, Andrew Murphy, James Hurley 1-3 0-2f, James Motherway 0-3 0-2f, Tomás Condon 0-1. subs used Colm O’ Donoghue, Cormac Walsh.

U12 Football League Erins Own 1-4 Aghada 4-10

Our first u12 team took to the field in Caherlag last Monday night and from the outset showed they meant business as they took the game to our opponents playing football on the front foot. We orchestrated some good scores in the first half from Jack Kelleher, Conor O’ Reilly and a well worked goal from MJ Duggan who was on hand to finish a fine free flowing move. The home side were unlucky not to score a goal on a few occasions in the first half but steady defending from Luke Hickey, Bobby O’ Riordan and Conor O’ Neill kept them at bay. We powered on in the second half and deservedly came away with a comprehensive win with Cathal Grehan, Cormac Byrne, Seán Day and Conor O’ Reilly in impressive form. Team Conor O Neill, Luke Hickey, Dara Callanan, Leon Joyce, Bobby O Riordan, Mike McCrae, James Irwin, Jack Kelleher, Leon O Connor, Cathal Grehan, Ben Duggan, Cormac Byrne, Conor O Reilly, Jake O Sullivan, MJ Duggan. Subs used Seán Day, Maidhc Collins.

U12 Football League Midleton 5-5 Aghada 3-11.

Our second u12 football side made the short journey to the new Midleton GAA facility in Park South last Tuesday evening. We played a fine brand of football in the first half, scoring 2-6 with a great goal from Gavin Conway and quality well worked points from Michael Creedon, Bobby Creedon and Seánie Walsh. We continued to play great football in the second half with Gavin, Michael and Dara Kelleher kicking lovely scores added to a well struck goal from Seánie. We had to dig deep at times with Darragh Kenny, Ronan Callanan and Luca Hurley showing well but the young magpies managed to conjure up an equalizing point with the final kick and both teams were happy to share the spoils after a hugely entertaining game of football. Team & scorers Darragh Kenny, Dylan Crowley, Alex Gill, Rory Casey, Ronan Callanan 0-1, Luca Hurley, Bobby Creedon 0-2, Michael Creedon 0-3, Cormac O’ Brien, Dara Kelleher 1-2, Fionn Musgrave, Cian Sawyer, Gavin Conway 1-1, Mason Sheehan, Seán Walsh 1-2 ,Eoin Rooney.

The best of luck to all our members getting their Leaving Cert exam results. Remember there is a place in life for everyone. We all have hopes for the future, we dream of what might be. The ups and downs of the road ahead are just part of our journey. Made easier because we travel it together.

Divided family loyalties will be on show next Saturday when Aghada Camogie take on Sliabh Rua in the next round of the junior A championship. The Aghada coach is the evergreen Donie Morrissey, one of our greatest ever hurlers and the winning captain for the hurlers during our historic double year success in the East Cork junior championship of 1980. While in the other dugout will be his son Vincent another star player for the club and an All-Ireland intermediate hurling medal winner with Cork. Who will Noreen be shouting for, or will it be the first match where she says nothing at all!!

Candle bags for the Relay of life 24-hour cancer society fundraiser taking place on the 2nd and 3rd of September are available in the clubhouse at a cost of 5 euro each. The clubhouse will be open from 5.45 to 7.30pm on Friday 25th, Tuesday 29th Wednesday 30th and Saturday morning 26th August from 9.45 to 11.30am. Also, if you would like to walk in the event contact Gill Murphy 0879437698 Elaine Counihan 0863499461 Saundra Walsh 0868033185 Aíne Motherway 0879525358 or Anne Marie McAllister 0861687463.

The best of luck to all our club players involved with cork underage squads this weekend as the national hurling and football finals take place at u14, u15 and u16 level.

Fixtures.

Fri 25th U13 Football League St Colmans v Aghada 19:00 Shanagarry.

Sun 27th U12 Hurling league Aghada v Youghal 11am Rostellan.

Sun 27th U15 c-3 Football League Mitchelstown v Aghada 12:30 Mitchelstown.

Mon 28th U12 Hurling League Aghada v St Colmcilles 19:00 Rostellan.

Wed 30th U17 Premier 1 Hurling Championship Midleton v Aghada 18:45 Midleton.

Fri 1st September U13 Hurling league Whitechurch v Aghada 19:00 Whitechurch.

Slán go fóill

Be seen wear the Green.