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I know it sounds like a cliché but it is true! Back then
in 1989 it was a very exciting time to be young. Training was hard
but fun, games were exciting and after the matches well, the stuff
of legends. Friendships were born that will last forever; it was
a real Parish and Club achievement. Cup after cup was won with a
broad spectrum of players. We started off in the winter under Tommy
O’ Reilly running up and down the sand dunes in the quarry,
that is now our second field, then along came Colm Murphy and at
the end of the year Aghada had climbed the mountain.
Life changes and so does the society we live in. However, 1989 will
always remain special in the hearts of all those who were privileged
to be a part of it. I hope one day we will see Aghada win another
County in hurling and football at adult level. They say the road
to success is often paved with smaller ones, the word’s “we
did it!” shouted while floating from cloud nine are greater
with “Congratulations!” and “I never doubted ye”
and perhaps it is because of those very people who care so much
that the feeling’s of joy are so great. 1989 had a lot of
small steps but in the end we took a gigantic step, we stood on
top of the mountain.
Climbing the Mountain:
Life is a journey not a destination - someone said.
The darkest hour is just before dawn and we all have been awake
at dawn sometime or other. But every tide does turn and there is
light at the end of the tunnel.
Why would someone bother to write all those clichés?
Remember you are not the first,
You won’t be the last
No matter how small or how big your personal mountain is
Do not give up. CLIMB IT.
AGHADA DO ENOUGH Imokilly People 15.06.1989
Aghada 2-9 St Catherine’s 0-3
Aghada junior footballers open their 1989 championship campaign
in good style with a comprehensive victory over St Catherine’s
at a bitterly cold Dungourney venue over the weekend.
St Catherine’s playing with a strong wind opened well and
Noel Carr had the ball over the bar in the first minute from a close
in free. Michael Lewis replied for Aghada in the 3rd minute after
a nice piece of fielding from Peter Cashman. Noel Carr put St Catherine’s
ahead again in the 5th minute with a good point from a 35 metre
free, but this lead was erased quickly as M Lewis equalised with
a long range point for Aghada.
B Ahern gave Aghada the lead shortly afterwards from a close in
free. A lead they were not too loose for the rest of the match.
Paul O’Donoghue stretched this lead with a good point after
a difficult solo run.
The next 18 minutes were undoubtedly the best and most entertaining
of the match with both sides serving up some great football. D O’Leary
for St Catherine’s played some lovely football and was unlucky
on more than one occasion not to score. Denis Walshe also did a
lot of good work playing from the number 11 position. On the other
side the Aghada half back line did Trojan work and broke the heart
in the St Catherine’s side with long penetrating runs. Peter
Cashman and M Hennessy also began the take control in the air. Half-time
score Aghada 0-4 St Catherine’s 0-2.
The second half was a much different affair with Aghada dominant
in about every quarter.
P O’Donoghue had the ball over the bar twice in the first
4 minutes and D Morrissey put over a spectacular point from a very
acute angle after a 60 metre solo run from Conor Counihan in the
12th minute.
Counihan had the ball in the Catherines net 3 minutes later having
received an inch perfect pass from Billy Aherne to give Aghada a
comfortable 8 point lead.
C Casey who had come on as a sub early in the second half for St
Catherine’s reduced this lead slightly with a well taken point
but scores from M Lewis and P O’Donoghue restored Aghada’s
comfortable lead. With 3 minutes to go Donal Morrissey field a high
pass from P Cashman and sent M Lewis through for a very well taken
goal to put the icing on the cake for Aghada.
Final score Aghada 2-9 St Catherine’s 0-4. Aghada while they
won easily in the end looked rusty especially in the forward line
and will have to improve if they intend on making a serious impression
on this year’s championship.
Best for St Catherines D O’Leary P Sullivan D Walsh and N
Carr.
Best for Aghada P Cashman M Hennessy D Healy M Lewis and B Aherne.
St Catherine’s Team: P Murphy D Buckner B Regan P O’Donoghue
S Neville M Hartnett J Spillane J Manning D O’Leary P O’Sullivan
D Walshe B Carr S Buckley D Barry N Carr.
Aghada Team: G Looney P Sisk B Counihan J O’Leary J Hartnett
A Devoy D Healy C Counihan P Cashman B Ahern M Hennessy R Lewis
D Morrissey P O’Donoghue M Lewis
BACK TO TOP
AGHADA WIN CLOSE CONTEST Aghada 0-9 Cobh 0-7
Saturday 15.07.1989
Aghada defeated last year’s title-holders Cobh in the semi-final
of the East Cork Junior Football Championship, but the fame was
spoilt by niggling fouls.
Both sides struck the woodwork twice, but some blatant misses from
close-in frees were hard to believe from such excellent free-takers
Billy Ahern and Ger Morgan, both missing vital efforts at crucial
parts of the game.
John Hegarty, who had a great hour for Cobh forced to line out without
Patsy Ronan and Michael Daly, opened the scoring with a fine point.
With close tackling and petty fouling, scores were hard to come
by and after 14 minutes only four points were chalked up, three
to Aghada, with Cobh getting the first point.
Aghada had one or two good chances but missed out and John Morgan
reduced the lead after 20 minutes.
A good move started by Conor Counihan, who received a rather heavy
tackle, saw Martin Hennessy and Mick Lewis set up Aidan Berry and
Aghada were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead with give minutes remaining.
Coming to grips in mid-field Cobh were on level terms at half-time
when Joe Murphy, their tall full-forward, scored two fine points.
Ger Morgan and Billy Aherne exchanged a brace of points and after
45 minutes they were level. Martin Hennessy put Aghada ahead in
the 47th minute but in quick succession Ger Morgan, normally lethal
from frees, saw his first effort strike the upright and the second
go harmlessly wide.
The sides were still lock together after 56 minutes and it looked
like another saga of Cobh v Aghada was on the cards. Billy Aherne
who like Morgan missed two good chances, made amends with a point
from a free and another from play to put Aghada through to what
could be a double, as their hurlers meet Carrigtwohill in the hurling
semi-final.
BACK TO TOP
AGHADA PIP BRAVE CARRIG (by Bob Lester)
East Cork Junior Football Final Aghada 1-4 Carrigtwohill 0-6
Aghada, so often the Imokilly kingpins, are the champions again.
But, spare a though for gallant Carrigtwohill, for, in their very
first East Cork junior football championship decider in Cobh on
Saturday night, they battled heroically before eventually biting
the dust in a contest that exploded into life in the second-half.
The stiff breeze made conditions very difficult and both sides must
be commended for their all-out effort. In the final analysis, a
golden goal from Aghada right half-forward, Richard Lewis, in the
25th minute decided the outcome, but they were stretched for long
periods of the second-half when most in the good sized crowd expected
them to dominate when playing with the breeze.
Carrig really came of age in this game and in Jim O’Connor
they had the star of the show. When he moved to midfield early in
the first –half a new urgency came into their play and with
a little luck it could have been their night, for an excellent defence,
that excelled en-bloc, easily copied with everything Aghada three
at them. However, they were found wanting up front and eventually
paid the full price.
Con O’Mahony gave Carrig the lead with a free in the second
minute, but Aghada equalized when Billy Aherne kicked a find free
10 minutes later. Phil Kidney restored Carrig’s lead in the
18th minute with another free and then O’Connor, so elegant,
made it 0-3 to 0-1 in the 20th minute.
When Tony O’Flynn kicked another Carrigtwohill point in the
24th minute things looked good for the debutants, but then, in a
flicker, Aghada show their mettle, Connor Counihan who had a good
outing, was at the helm and after a series of passes Lewis pick
his spot in the corner for a great goal to tied up the scores and
put life back into Aghada.
Unlucky Carrig did rally and full-forward Kidney hit the crossbar
just before the break, but the scores remained deadlocked at half
time 0-4 to 1-1.
Aghada stormed into action in the second-half, but they were unable
to make any real headway despite playing with the breeze. As in
the first-half, they were always willing to play football but they
could not penetrate a tough tackling Carrig defence. Ber Tynan and
Martin Hennessy began to get a brief grip at midfield against the
excellent O’Connor and two points from Declan Devoy and Aidan
Berry gave them a two-point cushion by the 37th minute.
Billy Aherne stretched Aghada’s advantage with a free in the
40th minute, but it was to be their last score as Carrig cam at
them in an all-out effort to save the game. First substitute Kieran
Horgan pointed, then the immaculate O’Connor and entering
the last quarter just a point separated the sides and the crowed
were on their feet.
In a nail-biting finish, Con O’Mahony, Kieran Horgan and Phil
Kidney all had chances to tie up the scores, but it was not to be
and Aghada held on for a victory and that was very hard earned indeed.
Scores for Aghada: R Lewis 1-0 B Aherne 0-2 from frees D Devoy and
A Berry 0-1 each.
Carrigtwohill: J O’Connor 0-2 C O’Mahony a free P Kidney
a free T O’Flynn and K Horgan 0-1 each
Aghada : G Looney P Sisk A Devoy J O’Leary J Hartnett C Counihan
D Healy B Tynan M Hennessy R Lewis P Cashman A Berry M Lewis D Devoy
B Aherne Sub D Morrissey for M Lewis
Carrigtwohill: N Dunlea P Horgan J Horgan A Barry S Cashman P Hogan
T O’Brien T O’Flynn D Scannell J O’Connor K Horgan
J Ronan C O’Mahony P Kidney L Manning Sub D O’Sullivan
for Ronan Referee: G Crowe (Cobh).
BACK TO TOP
Exciting win for Aghada 1st Round county Aghada 1-11, Bandon 2-6
The Aghada junior footballers set themselves up for a county semi-final
meeting with Shamrocks by virtue of their exciting two points victory
over Bandon at Delany’s Grounds yesterday.
A strong wind assisted Bandon in the opening half but it just wasn’t
their day as they were forced to field without midfielder Martin
Connolly and then their outstanding wing back Tim O’Donovan
was also unable to resume after the interval due to injury.
They needed all their forces, however, because Aghada were very
sharp and led for most of the first half until substitute David
Long and Mickey O’Donovan notched lovely points to leave Bandon
ahead 0-4 to 0-3 at the break.
Billy Aherne and Peter Cashman were responsible for the Aghada scores
in that half and after Frank O’Shea had pushed Bandon two
points clear at the start of the second half, it was sharp-shooter
Aherne who tied the scores with two excellent frees. Two lovely
points by Richard Lewis pushed Aghada two points clear after forty
minutes but the game was back in the melting pot when Bandon’s
Danny Minihane poached a goal following a center by David Long.
Aherne again leveled scores before Aghada hit a purple patch in
which they scored 1-3 while Bandon failed from a penalty which might
have changed the trend of the game. Aidan Berry with the help of
a defender was accredited with the winners’ goal while Bandon’s
Niall Crowley had to look in anguish as his penalty shot ran right
of the goal.
Bamdon trailing by six points, exerted severe pressure on the Aghada
goal in the closing stages but even though Frank Lyons cracked in
a goal and Niall Crowley pointed a free, time ran out and Aghada
were through to the semi-final.
Scorers; Aghada B. Aherne 0-5 (0-4 from frees) , A. Berry 1-1, P.
Cashman and r. Lewis 0-2 each, M. Lewis 0-1.
BACK TO TOP
Final Quarter Decisive as Aghada Qualify for County Final
Aghada 1-10 V Shamrock’s 0-7
The doughty warriors from Aghada duly qualified for their second
County Junior football final of the eighties when they finished
six points ahead of South East side Shamrock’s at Pairc Ui
Chaoimh on Sunday last. Shamrock’s were the better side during
the opening two minutes when Aghada were slow to settle down. The
Ringaskiddy side moved the ball well and did not seem to be affected
by the treacherous underfoot conditions which prevailed as they
opened up a 0-3 lead after ten minutes. Slowly but surely the East
Cork side began to make their presence felt and when midfielders
Martin Hennessy and Bernard Tynan gained the upperhand they fed
their forwards well. Peter Cashman was flying at left half forward
and opening the scoring for his side with a beautiful effort from
the left wing, all of thirty-five metres out, in the eleventh minute.
Shortly afterwards young Richie Lewis pointed after a great solo
run and once again Peter Cashman, who had a brilliant opening half,
pointed from play to leave the sides level after sixteen minutes
play. Billy Ahern gave the Aghada men the lead for the first time
in the game when he pointed a twenty metre free after eighteen minutes
play. Oddly enough this proved to be the last score of the opening
half when the East Cork side were totally dominant but missed some
easy scoring chances.
Shamrock’s took the game to Aghada after the interval and
were unlucky when burly full forward James O’ Callaghan had
a goal disallowed in the thirty-fifth minute when the referee blew
for an earlier infringement and they had to be satisfied with a
point from a free to level the scores again at 0-4 apiece. Martin
Hennessy pointed well from play after thirty-eight minutes, followed
by the best score of the game which came from fellow midfielder
Bernard Tynan. This was an enjoyable game of football to watch and
great credit to all concerned for an entertaining hour. Aghada were
in pretty good form although they kicked an amount of wides and
they will be hoping to rectify this on final day v Knocknagree.
Scorers for Aghada Aidan Berry 1-1, P. Cashman 0-2, R. Lewis 0-2,
D.Creedon 0-1, M. Lewis 0-1, M. Hennessy 0-1, B. Tynan 0-1 and B.
Ahern 0-1. ‘Man of the Match Brendan Counihan’.
BACK TO TOP
Preview Knocknagree have edge on Aghada
Knocknagree will be favorites in Sunday’s Cork county junior
football final at Ballyanley, (3pm), after being successful in the
1984 final and spending the next three years in intermediate ranks.
Their opponents, Aghada, on the other hand, have never won the
title and, in fact, only captured the first of four divisional championships
in this grade in 1980. Former Nemo Rangers star Colm Murphy, who
lives locally, is the team trainer.
Nine years ago, Aghada went as far as the county semi-final at their
first attempt, only to lose to Kilmurry. The following year, they
were runners-up to Ballincollig in the decider and in 1983, met
St. Nicholas three times at the semi-final stage before losing.
Conor Counihan, who plays in his regular position at centre-back,
is the club’s best-known player. His brother Brendan plays
at full-back, team captain Alan Devoy at left corner-back and hurling
keeper Martin Hennessy fills one of the midfield positions. The
panel includes five of the minor side which won the East Cork ‘A’
championship this year, with two of them in the actual team, Leslie
Berry at right half –back and Richard Lewis at right half-forward.
Apart from Conor Counihan, ‘keeper Gerard Looney, Alan Devoy
and full-forward Billy Aherne were members of the senior championship-winning
Imokilly panels and Brendan Counihan played with the division in
the early eighties.
The selectors are Maurice Cashman, Jim Eady and Liam Wall and the
club officers are: Chairman-Cyril Reaney, Vice-Chairman –
Tom Cashman, Secretary- Anthony Cashman, Treasurer- Dan Wall and
P.R.O. – Jim Reaney.
BACK TO TOP
Cork County Football final Aghada 0-9 Knocknagree 0-9
A mighty effort in the last quarter, when they really came into
their own, earned Aghada a deserved replay against Knocknagree in
the Cork County junior football championship decider at Ballyanly
yesterday. And few in the good sized attendance could quibble with
the result.
Perhaps the Duhallow champions looked that bit sharper overall,
but when Aghada needed to produce the goods and raise their game,
they were not found wanting and they are still more than capable
of capturing their first title.
It was a close, but tough battle all through, with referee Sean
O’ Keeffe, who had a good match, booking five players, Knocknagree’s
Donal O’Connor, Patrick Mahoney and Brendan O’Connor
and Aghada’s Conor Counihane and Richard Lewis, but it was
as always played in a sporting fashion and it should be a cracking
replay.
Aghada, playing with the fresh breeze in the first-half, were first
to pounce when Peter Cashman pointed after Bernard tynan’s
shot came back off the upright, but Niall O’Connor, who had
an out-standing first half, soon leveled for Knocknagree with a
free.
Indeed Niall was behind most of his side’s scores in the first-half
as the Duhallow champions made life difficult for Aghada with quick
breaks out of defence. Donal O’Connor, too, was magnificent,
playing all over the park as a third midfielder and with Denny O’Connor
keeping Conor Counihan more than busy, Aghada struggled for scores.
It was Knocknagree who led after the first quarter, 0-4 to 0-3,
Denny O’Connor, Patrick Mahoney and Pat O’Connor adding
to Knocknagree’s total and Billy Aherne from a free and Mickey
Lewis replying for Aghada, but it was Knocknagree who were shaping
up the better outfit.
Counihan again tied up the scores in the 16th minute with a fine
point, and after Mahoney for Knocknagree and Tynan for Aghada exchanged
points, Knocknagree really began to blossom. First in the 24th minute,
Donie Fitzgerald shot narrowly wide when clean through and a minute
later Aghada ‘keeper Ger Looney brought off a fine save from
Pat O’Connor.
Benny O’Connor did point just before the break and Knocknagree
deserved their slender 0-6 to 0-5 half-time lead and must have been
very confident for the second-half.
As in the opening half, Aghada again struck early, with Aidan Berry
tieing up the scores again a minute after the restart but then stepped
in the stylish Niall O’Connor with a peach of a point and
then a free to put two points between the sides for the first time
in the game on the 37th minute and Aghada looked in trouble.
Then Aghada made changes to the full back line, moving Alan Devoy
to full back, Denis Healy to his position in the corner and bringing
on substitute Jim O’Leary to the half-back line. The switches
paid a rich dividend for Knocknagree were never the same force afterwards.
Richard Lewis reduced the gap in the 41st minute and although Donal
O’Connor again made it a two point cushion, Billy Aherne with
a free reduced the deficit to the minimum entering the last quarter.
Niall O’Conner, now shackled more securely, then missed an
easy free and suddenly Aghada took over. Counihan began to sparkle,
the two Lewis’s Richard and Mickey, were mighty warriors as
the East Cork champions went all out in search of an equalizer.
However, chance after chance went abegging and just when it seemed
that Knocknagree would hold out, that richly deserved equalizer
came Aghada’s way a minute from time from substitute Declan
Devoy.
Scorers for Aghada : B.Aherne 0-2 from frees, P.Cashman, M.Lewis,
C.Counihan, B.Tynan, A.Berry, R.Lewis, D.Devoy 0-1 each
REPLAY
AGHADA CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN
By Micheal Ellard
Aghada 0-8 Knocknagree 0-4
Aghada’s cup of joy was filled to the brim at Ballyanley
yesterday when the glory-seekers from the east inscribed their name
in the history books by winning the Cork county junior football
championship title for the first time after defeating Knocknagree
in a remarkable final replay.
The new champions had their backs well and truly to the wall at
the interval break when they led by just two points having played
with an exceptional strong breeze.
A physically stronger Knocknagree side, playing with great confidence
and panache, looked the superior side in skill and resolve. Their
defence built around center half back Brendan O’Connor firmly
held the Aghada attack under lock and key while their attack, spearheaded
by wily center forward Denis O’ Connor, showed that they had
the ability to carve out match winning opportunities.
Knocknagree must have been rubbing their hands with glee at half-time
when they trailed by 0-5 to 0-3 while Aghada, who had been forced
to endure the traumatic experience of seeing a great goalscoring
effort from wing forward Richard Lewis whistle inches wide of the
post in the 26th minute, found themselves with a mountain to climb
in view of the prevailing elements and the greater quality of football
shown by the Duhallow champions up to this point.
And when Niall O Connor expertly kicked over a point from a free
in the 41st minute to leave just the bare minimum between the sides
Knocknagree’s stock of hope soared. In the most admirable
and heroic style imaginable however Aghada, inspired by Cork star
Conor Counihan, midfielder Bernard Tynan and the Lewis brothers
Richard and Michael, responded magnificently. Digging their heels
in and fighting for every ball with tigerish Aghada proceeded to
knock the stuffing out of Knocknagree.
Counihan, who had received more than his fair share of trouble from
Denis O’Connor early on, was truly a colossus as the Aghada
defence bravely and determinedly put up the shutters and testimony
of their greatness lies in the fact that the aforementioned pointed
free by O’Connor was the only score registered by Knocknagree
in the second half.
While Aghada with Tynan lording it at midfield grew in stature with
every passing moment. The two Lewis brothers, particularly 17 years
old Richard, playing tremendous football.
As Knocknagree visibly wilted the Lewis brothers between them kicked
the three points in the closing quarter to ensure Aghada’s
day of victory.
Scorers- Aghada: R. Lewis 0-4 (0-1 from free), M. Lewis 0-2, D.
Devoy and B. Aherne (free) 0-1 each
BACK TO TOP
Aghada County Football Champions 1989
Come all you sportsmen and listen to my song,
I will just give you one verse or two.
I won’t detain you long.
It is about a gallant football team,
who are coming back to fame,
they are belong to old Aghada,
they are heroes of the game.
They played in Ballyanly,
against the boys in white and blue,
the boys from Knocknagree,
were good give them their due,
but the boys from famed Aghada,
they battled all the way,
determined now that victory,
would surely come their way.
Now Knocknagree were leading,
For Aghada things looked blue,
They soon put on the pressure.
It was a case of die or do.
The ball came to Devoy,
an opening there he saw,
make no mistake about it,
he made the game a draw.
The replay was in Ballyanly,
on a damp and dirty day,
the people came from far and near,
to see those footballers play,
Knocknagree were defeated,
outclassed in every way,
and Aghada were the champions,
on a bleak November day.
The scoreboard told its story,
There is no more to say,
we wish them luck in every game,
we hope they have come to stay.
They are a credit to Aghada,
as the men before have been,
so make no boast,
we will drink a toast
to Aghada’s white and green.
Written by Patrick Kelly- Ballinrostig.
Quotes from 1989:
“I go up to Cork training and players say to me what club
are you from again and I proudly say Aghada. Their next question
is where is Aghada?
I would give up All-Irelands, All Stars, everything I have achieved
with Cork just to win one County with my club.
-Conor Counihan to the players and management before the County
Junior Football Final 1989
“I will retire a happy man if we can win a County with my
club”
-Martin Hennessy before the County Junior Football Final 1989.
Martin went on to win an Intermediate County in 1991 and play senior
football after that.
“ I would like to thank Colm Murphy for training us to win
the All Ireland Final”
-Alan Devoy speaking at the victory dinner dance, of course he meant
county final!
BACK TO TOP
AGHADA WIN “B” FOOTBALL TITLE
Aghada captured their fourth title in East Cork, on Sunday last
where they beat Bride rovers 1-7 to 1-6 in a close hard fought contest,
where a tremendous late rally, saw Bride Rovers come from four points
in arrears to within one point with four minutes to go.
Aghada, however held on to win by the narrowest of margins at Midleton.
Aghada had the edge in midfield, where Donal Walsh was outstanding
both both attacks had good chances, only to see gifts been thrown
away. Bride Rovers, lacked the craft of Aghada, yet their all out
effort and dedication saw them hit back when Aghada looked home
and dry. Kenneth O’Keeffe opened the scoring for Aghada in
the eighth minute when after a thirty meters run down the right
wing he pointed. Bride Rovers, aided by a stiff breeze hit back
strongly, but twice when in good positions their efforts of a score
was deflected by the tenacious Aghada full-back line. Barry Hazelwood
opened Rovers account with a point in the 10th minute, before a
good ball from midfield found Donal Walsh in the Bride Rovers goalmouth
and punched the ball to the net. Walsh pointed in the 17th minute
and despite the stiff breeze, Aghada looked the more dangerous.
Entering the last ten minutes a ball from Hughie Kelleher was half
blocked by Kevin Dineen and Barry Hogan was in quickly to goal.
Tom Mulcahy had the sides level in the 22nd minute and a point from
full-forward Anthony Cahill, put Bride Rovers ahead. Aghada missed
three golden opportunities in the last five minutes of this half,
where they trailed by 1-2 to 1-3 at the interval.
Points from Kevin Higgins, Leslie Barry and young Donal Creedon,
who had a great outing, saw Aghada open a two points lead and when
skipper Tony Horgan availed of a gift chance it looks as if Aghada
would win comfortably.
Bride Rovers throwing caution to the wind came storming back, but
substitute William McCann for Aghada had another good point. While
Aghada had some misses, Bride Rovers especially Barry Hogan, will
long remember his miss from a metre out when with the goal at his
mercy, just before the break struck the upright.
With 12 minutes to go, Rovers won a close in free, one converted
by Hughie Kelleher and with Bride Rovers adding two more points
from frees, the game hung in the balance and a relieved Aghada added
their third football trophy to the minor ‘B’ hurling
title.
BACK TO TOP
SUPERB AGHADA TAKE COUNTY TITLE
Minor B Grade County Hurling Final
Aghada Rovers 4-9 Mayfield 3-7 Imokilly People 12-10-1989
A well balance and skilful Aghada Rovers side took their first
Minor hurling County title in Riverstown on Sunday last when they
comprehensively beat a physically stronger Mayfield side in an excellent
and most enjoyable game of hurling played before an extremely large
crowd.
Willie McCann opened the scoring for Aghada with a nicely taken
point from the 21m line in the sixth minute. This was quickly followed
by points from Richie Lewis and Ronan Dwane before John Murphy,
who had an excellent game between the posts , made a spectacular
save and delivered the ball to Noel Murray who struck over a delightful
point from 70 metres. Lewis again was on target with a well taken
free in the eleventh minute before Conor O’Leary opened the
Mayfield account with a scrambled goal in the twelfth minute. Padraig
Murray narrowed the gap shortly afterwards with a very well taken
point to leave the score 1-1 to 0-5. In fact Mayfield began to take
control for a short period at this stage mainly due to excellent
work done by their half back line. Unfortunately for them they failed
to capitalize on their dominance, having numerous wides. Full credit
to the Aghada Rovers backs who withstood the pressure well. Lewis
and Brian O’Driscoll exchanged points before Padraig Murray
slotted over two points in succession to leave Mayfield leading
at half time by 1-4 to 0-6.
On the resumption Murray stretched Mayfield’s lead to a two
points before Ronan Dwane struck home a great goal for Aghada in
the seventh minute to give them the lead. Lewis struck over another
long range point before setting up Dwane for his second goal in
five minutes. Kevin Walsh and Willie McCann added two further points
before Murray replied for Mayfield. Aghada Rovers were cruising
at this stage and when Dwane set up Mark O’Connor for yet
another goal in the twentieth minute it looked to be fairly safe
Mayfield, however, had other ideas and Murray replied with a good
goal in the twenty-fifth to leave the score 3-9 to 2-6.
Mark O’Connor sealed victory for the Aghada lads with a fantastic
goal hit off the ground thirty metres out to the roof of the net.
In the twenty eight minute K. O’Sullivan scored a consolation
goal and Brian Huggins put over a point on the blow of the full
time whistle for Mayfield, but it was not enough to deny this well
balance Aghada Rovers team of their much deserved and long awaited
victory. While every member of the Aghada Rovers side play excellent
hurling over the hours, two performances stick out in my mind, that
of midfielder Richard Lewis who once again gave a performance of
sheer brilliance playing an attacking role one minute and the next
turning up in the full back line to help out there. But ‘Man
of the Match’ must go to goalkeeper John Murphy who despite
having three goals pass him gave an outstanding display, making
several saves of what appeared to be certain goals. His quick thinking
and delivery of the ball also set up his forwards for valuable scores.
Referee Richard Murphy for an experienced referee gave a very poor
display, being behind the play by 70/80 metres at times. His team
of officials must take some criticism as they failed to draw his
attention to blatant infringements of the rules.
Aghada Rovers team: John Murphy Patrick O’Brien Mark Crowley
Ray Cashman Ger Murray Pat Cashman Jim Motherway(capt) Noel Murray
Richard Lewis Colm O’Riordan Dave Creedon Willie McCann Mark
O’Connor Ronan Dwane Kevin Walsh Sub: Colm O’Brien for
Ger Murray.
Mayfield team: C O’Donovan J Lucey D Curtis C McCarthy M Hurley
O .Murray D O’Regan B Huggins(capt) P Walsh D Carroll K O’Sullivan
G Conroy P Murray C O’Leary B O’Driscoll
BACK TO TOP
Success;
The long hours spent
The Commitment
The Sacrifices
When you finally achieve what you have striven for
It feels absolutely great.
Team work;
A bunch of people working together can succeed but a good team can
excel!
When we work as a unit and not as a group of individuals our achievements
increase and so proportionally does our enjoyment and rewards.
Succeeding on your own is great
But succeeding as a team is even better!
World and nearer to home Events that took place in 1989
Salman Rushie is sentenced to death by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini
for his book – The Satanic Verses
Thousands of Chinese students are killed in Beijings’s Tiananmen
Square as they demonstrate for democracy
96 fans are killed at Hillsborough during FA cup game between Liverpool
and Nottingham Forrest
The Berlin Wall is knocked as the East is finally open to the west
Romania rebels against Communist rule and executes their former
President – Ceausescu.
US Troops invade Panama, seeking capture of General Manuel Noriega
Dalai Lama wins the Nobel peace prize
Rain man wins best picture at the Oscars
San Francisco ‘49ers are Super Bowl champions
Becker and Graff are the Wimbledon champions
The Guildford 4 are released from prison after 14 years
Ireland qualify for World Cup finals for 1st time ever
Cork, with Counihan starring, beat Mayo to win All Ireland football.
Tipp beat Antrim in the hurling.
The average weekly wage in Euros was €271.91 while the pint
was €1.87.
The World Windsurfing championships are held in Lower Aghada.
What was on the radio in 1989
Cher: If I Could Turn Back Time
Stone Roses: Fool's Gold
Guns and Roses: Sweet Child Of Mine
Van Morrison: Have I Told You Lately
Billy Joel: We Didn't Start The Fire
The 4 Of Us: Mary
Mary Black: No Frontiers
Black Box: Ride On Time
U2 - All I Want Is You
Aghada Parish Schools’ Hurling League 1989.
The teams were:
Team A:
Patrick O’Connor (capt), Michael O’Connell, Eric Owers,
Joseph Wall, Paul Mullaney, Patrick Rolston, Vincent Morrissey,
James O’Connell, Kieran O’ Connor, Seamus Murphy, Kieran
Wall.
Team B:
Paul Kilbane (capt), Cathal Roche, Kevin Morrissey, John P. Crowley,
William Hayes, James Seward, Gerard Melvin, Edwin Cashman, Padraig
Deady, Nigel Condon, Michael O’ Shea, Keith Roche.
Team C:
James Walsh (capt), Eoin Murphy, Noel O’Brien, John Kenny,
James Cahill, Anthony Connolly, Ciaran O’ Gorman, Cathal O’
Gorman, William O’ Donoghue, Colin O’Brien, Padraig
Nolan.
Team D:
Derry O’ Brien, Peter Tynan, Anthony O’ Callaghan, Brian
O’ Brien, Kieran Falvey, Desmond O’ Driscoll, Peter
Murphy, Brian Baldwin, John Cunningham, Trevor O’ Keeffe,
Stephen O’ Driscoll.
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