Aghada turned in a mighty performance to win this
opening u15 hurling championship game against Russell Rovers in
a wind swept Rostellan.
Starting against the strong wind Michael Russell opened the scoring
with a point. Rovers replied with two minors before Russell levelled
matters again. The rovers using the wind advantage had our lads
under pressure. Full back and Captain Conor Rice was equal to
the task as he cleared ball after ball. Then just as we entered
the last ten minutes of the opening half the rovers got a goal
and a point to open a lead. Now Aghada had to dig deep as the
Rovers came all guns blazing. Giorgio Corigliano, Gearóid
Murphy and Andrew O’Donoghue fought hard to stem the tide.
Russell added another minor to ease the pressure. Cian Fleming
added another but Rovers got one on the stroke of halt time to
lead on the score line of 1-4 to 0-4 but they now had to turn
and face the wind.
Aghada rejiged the team at half time. Andrew went to full back
while Rice went Centre back Michael Desmond replaced Barry Cashman
at corner forward. Two minutes into the half John Martin got injured
and was replaced by Chris Cashman. The Rovers opened the scoring
against the wind but Dessie replied after a minute. Then came
the master switch with Fleming going to full forward were he gathered
the ball and rattled the net for a great goal to level matters
once again on the 40th minute. Now the game became stalemate as
both sets of backs got on top then in the 50th minute Rovers went
ahead again. Fleming now back at centre field got a mighty point
to level the game for the 4th time. Then came the bit of luck
we need Eoin Healy won a great ball and from 40 yards lobed the
goalie to put Aghada in the driving seat as time closed in. Now
Aghada went for the kill points from Russell (0-3) and Fleming
(0-1) put a gloss on the score line but Aghada had a very tight
game no matter what the score line said.
Team
Pa. Crowley
Giorgio Corigliano, Conor Rice (captain), Eoin Savage
Gearóid Murphy, James Daly, Andrew O’Donoghue
Cian Fleming (1-3), William O’Shea
Shane Wall, Eoin Healy (1-0), John Martin
Cathal Mulry, Michael Russell (0-6) Barry Cashman
Subs used Michael Desmond (0-1) for Cashman, Chris Cashman for
Martin 32nd minute, John O’Brien for Murphy 55th minute,
Pádraig Mulry for Cathal 57th minute.Other subs Dave Rice
, Brian Condon.