AGHADA HURLING AND FOOTBALL CLUB

The minor footballers played their first 2 league games of the year last weekend and took home maximum points, after two good victories over Castlegould(3-7 v 0-11) and Kiltha Og(3-10 v 2-4). The 2 main scorers for Aghada on both occasions were centre forward Kenneth O’Brien and full forward Shane Scanlon. This pair notched up 2-2 between them against Castlegould and 3-7 against Kiltha Og. The same 15 started both games and they were as follows – E. Kennedy, D. Wall, S. Gilroy, D. Morrissey, P. Wall, A. Morrissey, R. Condon, D. Morrissey, L. Day, D. Hartnett, K .O’Brien, S. O’Donoghue, D. Kidney, S. Scanlon, A .Creedon Subs Used: P. Murphy, B. Kearney, L. Curtin.

Fri 3rd Sept minor A football Championship Aghada 2-7 Glenville 1-6

Aghada’s minor footballers had an excellent first round victory, after a close, hard fought battle with Glenville on Friday night last. Aghada had the better of the exchanges in the opening half, with a Shane Scanlon goal putting a bit of daylight between the 2 teams. Glenville fought back however, and a converted penalty just before half time gave them a one-point lead going in at half time. The score at the short whistle was Aghada 1-3 Glenville 1-4. It was a Paudie Wall inspired Aghada in the second half; with the wingback kicking 2 fabulous points from play as well as contributing handsomely in generally plays. Davy Hartnett on the other wing was also playing well, while Sean O’Donoghue at midfield was the pick of the midfielders on view. The decisive score of the game came with 5 minutes to go and the sides all square. Wing forward, Richie Condon broke through the middle of the Glenville defence and struck for a super goal. A minute later substitute Davy Leahy went through for a point which was the insurance score for the Aghada side, and they held on for the 4 point victory. Team– E.Kennedy,D.Wall,S.Gilroy,P.Murphy,P.Wall,A.Morrissey,D.Hartnett,S.O’Donoghue, D.Morrissey,L.Day,K.O’Brien,R.Condon,B.Kearney,S.Scanlon,A.Creedon. Subs Used: D. Leahy.

Fri 10th Sept minor A football Championship semi final Aghada 2-7 Kiltha Óg 1-4

Aghada’s minor footballers marched into the east cork A final after a semi-final victory over Kiltha Og on Friday night last. In wet and windy conditions in Lisgoold, Aghada, after a slow start, still managed to produce some excellent football. It was a comfortable win in the end, and victory was virtually guaranteed after a Kenneth O’Brien goal midway through the second half. This however doesn’t paint the full picture as Aghada ‘keeper Evan Kennedy was outstanding throughout the contest. Kiltha Og with the wind in the first half had most of the possession, and chances, but couldn’t find a way past the Aghada net minder. A string of high balls into the square were all well dealt with, and he also produced 2 magnificent saves (one from a penalty). Elsewhere Alan Morrissey and Davy Hartnett were defending well, while up front Ken O’Brien and Shane Scanlon always looked dangerous, while corner forward Alan Creedon was at the heart of all Aghada’s good moves. At half time the Dungourney/Castlemartyr combination were 2 points down on a 1-2 to 3 points scoreline. The Aghada goal came from Shane Scanlon after a good move involving Richie Condon and Alan Creedon. Turing to play with the elements, Aghada had 2 more points on the board before O’Brien’s goal (again set up by Creedon), which gave Aghada a 7 point lead. Try as they might Kiltha Og couldn’t make up this difference. They did score a consolation goal right at the death and had another disallowed in injury time, but it was all in vain as Aghada booked their place in the final. Aghada team & Scorers –
E. Kennedy, D. Wall, S. Gilroy, P. Murphy, P. Wall(0-1), A. Morrissey, D. Hartnett, D. Morrissey(0-1), S. O’Donoghue, R. Condon, K. O’Brien(1-4), L. Day, B. Kearney, S. Scanlon(1-0), A. Creedon(0-1). Subs used D. Kidney, D. Leahy.

Sat 2nd Oct East Cork Minor A football championship final Aghada 0-8 Glanmire 1-12

More disappointment for the parish when the minor footballers lost this East Cork Final to a superior Glanmire team on Saturday last. Played in a dry but windy Ballinacurra, it was Aghada who opened the scoring through a Kenneth O’Brien free after some hard work by Liam Day at wing forward. Glanmire had the next 2 points, both from play, and then on 8 minutes Aghada had the first of 3 goal chances they would create in the opening half. This time it was the other wing forward Richie Condon who did the hard work before off loading to Alan Creedon. He in turn put Daryl Kidney through one on one with the ‘keeper, only to see his effort blaze wind of the posts. Quarter of an hour was gone, when trailing 4 points to 2, Aghada had their second chance. Outstanding full forward Shane Scanlon made a super break beating a couple of defenders, but the Glanmire ‘keeper got down well to save his goal bound effort. Buoyed by this save, Glanmire really started to dominate proceedings. On top in most positions, they kicked 5 unanswered points. During this period Aghada gave away a lot of needless fouls, and the selectors were forced into a number of positional switches to try and stem the tide. With 2 minutes to go to the beak, Aghada were trailing by 7 points. Shane again took on the Glanmire defence, but this time his shot rattled the side netting. On the stroke of half time, captain Paudie Wall, now at midfield, kicked a super score to leave the score board reading 9 v 3 in Glanmire’s favour. Shane and Paudie were Aghada’s best players in that opening period.
Again Aghada started the better in the second half. Kenneth finished off a good move with a point after just 2 minutes, and 2 minutes later Sean O’Donoghue had another to reduce the gap to 4 points. Now Aghada earned two very score able frees, but missed them both. Glanmire went up the field had scored an easy free, after an Aghada player needlessly touched the ball on the ground. Back came Aghada again when substitute Shane Morrissey, who played well when introduced, scored another Aghada point. A minute later, Peter Murphy, who had a good second half, pointed another, to leave just a goal between the sides and everything to play for. On 20 minutes however this all changed and the game was effectively over when Glanmire pounced for a goal. Aghada never gave up however, and their spirit was epitomised by Liam Day, who was playing his heart out. Alan Creedon volleyed over a beautiful point on 25 minutes, but it was to be Aghada’s last score. Glanmire kicked 3 more points on their way to a deserved victory.
Aghada Team and scorers – E. Kennedy, D. Wall, S. Gilroy, P. Murphy (0-1), P. Wall(0-1), A. Morrissey, D. Hartnett, S. O’Donoghue(0-1), D. Morrissey, L. Day, K. O’Brien(0-2), R. Condon, A. Creedon (0-1), S. Scanlon(0-1),D. Kidney. Subs Used S. Morrissey (0-1), D. Leahy.

Sat 13th Nov Minor football league final Aghada 3-8 Glenville 1-3

Sat 20th Nov county minor Football league Aghada lost to Carrigaline