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A severely depleted Aghada side travelled to Copper alley last Saturday to play Youghal in this league fixture. Short a number of players through holidays, injury, work, and some who just hadn’t the decency to turn up, Aghada were under pressure from the word go. Selector Rory O’Connor made his playing debut for Aghada between the posts, and had a stormer, making a number of fine saves. O’Connor a former Glen Rovers man played wing back for Cork in an All-Ireland minor final back when Croke Park was still called by its orginal name – “City and Suburban racecourse”. But he still had the old touch. Regular ‘keeper Martin Day made his “outfield” debut and scored two fine points from wing forward, while inside him, Charlie Mc Carthy in his first game of hurling ever, chipped in with a point of his own. Overall however, Youghal were far too strong and despite other good performances from Stephen Cashman and Kenneth O’Keeffe, Youghal were easy winners on a 1-20 V 0-9 scoreline. Aghada Team and scorers –

R.O’Connor,

S.Cashman, D.Lee, B.Crowley,

J.Connolly, R.Dewane, K.O’Keeffe,

T.O’Keeffe(0-2), J.O’Connor,

A.Walsh, J.Murphy (0-2), M.Day(0-2),

P.Wall (0-1), F,Day (0-1), C.Mc Carthy (0-1)

.Subs Used D.Condon. D.O’Keeffe.

By Michael Ellard Irish Examiner

TWO late points from substitute Brian Morrissey and Jason Barrett clinched victory for Imokilly in a rip-roaring Evening Echo Cork Co SHC first round clash with Muskerry at River-stick on Saturday.
The sides were level no fewer than eight occasions in a titanic duel before Imokilly saw off a game Muskerry side who were reduced to 14 men follow¬ing the dismissal of centre-forward Ger Burke in the 52nd minute.
Things were not always rosy for Imokilly however... They hit 13 wides as they struggled to come to grips with their game in the first half and a much more economical Muskerry side, with wing forward John Hurley accurate from frees, made the early running de¬spite losing full -back Pat O’Riordan and right corner back Barry Moylan in the first quarter through injury Undeterred, Muskerry took a four-point lead before Imokilly fought back to level with a fine goal from the full forward Pearse O’Neill two min¬utes into injury time, it was l- 4 to 0-7 at the break and the scene was set for an absorbing showpiece with a tram-formed Imokilly side finding their scoring touch and Muskerry battling bravely to stem the flow. The switch of NiaII McCarthy from centre-back to centre-forward worked for Imokilly, who could not miss; it seemed, after full-forward John O’Driscoll set up corner forward Tom O'Mahony for a peach of a Muskerry goal two minutes after the break. A mere 60 seconds later it was back to square one when O’Neill got his second goal and sparked an incredible fight to the death with both sides scor¬ing some delightful points. Trevor O’Keeffe, with seven points, five from frees and Barrett, who scored five from play were most effective in the scoring stakes for Imokilly, while Hurley scored Muskerry’s second goal from a 25 metre free in the 37th minute. It was nip and tuck all the way, never more than two points separating them. Muskerry's cause was not helped when the linesman drew referee John Kearney's attention to an off-the-ball incident and Burke was shown a red card. Making most of the numerical advantage, Imokilly with some great
Scores from Barrett, O’Keeffe and NiaII McCarthy, scorched into a four-point lead and it looked as if the bubble had burst for Muskerry
Battling against the odds, Muskerry threw the game back into the melting pot when goalkeeper Ronan Byrne struck a fierce drive from a 2O-metre free to the back of the Imokilly net five minutes from time. But, responding to the challenge, `Imokilly swooped to sew up things with Morrissey and Barrett's strikes at the close Scorer.: Imokilly : P O'Neill 2-1, T O’Keeffe 0-7 (0-5 frees. 0-2 65s); J. Barrett 0-5, N McCarthy 0-2, E. O'Loughlin, S. O’Callaghan, B, Morrissey 0-1 each.
Muskerry: J. Hurley 1-5 all frees T O’Mahony 1-1, P. Byrne 1-0 free), J. O’Driscoll 0-2 Russell, M. McCarthy, & Burke, K. Walsh 0-1 each.
Imokilly:

C. Coleman (Youghal):
S. Flannery Carrigtwohill); J. P. O’Connor (Aghada), N. Furlong (Carrigtwohill);
S. O’Leary (Watergrasshill), N McCarthy (Carrigtwohill). B. Coleman (Youghal);
P. O'Regan (Watergrasshill), D Ring (Youghal);
S. O’Callaghan (Watergrasshill), J. Barrett (Carrigtwohill), E O’Loughlin (St Ita’s)
G O’Leary (Fr. O'Neill's), P. O'Neill (Aghada), T O’Keeffe (Aghada).
Subs: L. Greaney (Cobh) for Flannery; B Morrissey (Aghada) for O'Leary.

MUSKERRY

R. Byrne Blarney):
B, Moylan (Ballincollig), P O’Riordan (Dripsey), D. Cronin (Blarney);
J. Hughes (Blarney), J. Olden (Inniscarra), N. Buckley (Aghabullogue);
J. Russell (Grenagh), M. McCarthy Blarney);
M. O'Sullivan (Dripsey), G. Burke (Inniscarra), J. Hurley Blarney);
T. O’Mahony (Cloughduv), J O'Driscoll (Ballincollig), K. Walsh (Cloughduv.
Subs E. O'Sullivan (Ballincollig) for P O’Riordan (injured); B, Corkery (Eire 0g) for Moylan (injured).

Ref....: J. Kearney (Na Piarsaigh).

Courcey’s send Aghada packing

By Therese O’Callaghan

BOTH Courcey Rovers and Aghada have been knocking on the championship door for quite some time, so it was inevitable this do-or-the Evening Echo Premier IHC second round tie at Páirc UI Rinn last evening would go down to the wire.
That is exactly how it panned out, and with passion mid fervour runmng extremely high Courcey Rovers maintained their earlier dominance to gain a merited three point win. But, it was no surprise to see Aghada shoot back with a brace of goals from Pierce O’Neill in the closing five minutes to ensure a nail-biting finish. However, Courcey’s always had that bit more in the tank. Aghada. who came into this sudden death section after missing out to Bishopstown in round one, suffered a cruel blow after 19 minutes when they lost captain and full-back - J P O’Connor with a leg injury. Subsequently, they also seemed to lose their shape and could only watch as Courcey Rovers finished the half rifling over points at will, Niall Murphy, Seamus Hayes, Michael O’Donovan, Killian Moloney, and John Murphy and even half back Timothy Lordan getting in on the act. Prior to this the opening stages were fervently contested with the east Cork side answering Courceys in all sectors and when corner-forward Kenneth O’Keeffe fired a blistering shot past Anto Hegarty. They held a rare lead after 15 minutes. However, their ascendancy was short lived as the Ballinspittle side gradually began to show their true form at the break, Courcey’s held a worthy 0-12 to I-5 lead.
And when John Murphy was on hand to goal, after Michael O’Donovan’s shot was bravely stopped by Martin Day, the floodgates had burst open for the southeast side. Skipper O’Connor came back into the action seven minutes after the restart, but this time resuming at centre- forward, while his return was inspirational, last year finalists could never gain the upper hand, to their credit, and as expected, they never gave up the fight. Points from Trevor (two) and Kenneth O’Keeffe pushed them closer, but Courcey’s, playing some delightful hurling placed further daylight with points from John Murphy and Vincent Hurley (1-17) to (1-8).
Michael O’Donovan also came into his own breaking through the Aghada rearguard to notch two crucial white flags that left his team in a commanding eight-point lead coming down the home stretch. Then came the scorching finish from the losers with Pierce O’Neill bulging the net two minutes from normal time to leave a four-point deficit. Brian Hayes and Niall Murphy edged Courcey’s further ahead again but the resilient O’Neill pounced once more. But, his resurgence was too late as the Rovers held out to go forward to round three, while also avoiding the dreaded relegation battle.

Scorers: Courcey Rv.: J Murphy 1-2, M O’Donovan 0-4, N Murphy (0-4 frees), S Hayes
0-3 K Moloney 0-2, V Hurley 0-2 (0-1 free), T Lordan and B Hayes 0-I each

Aghada; T O’Keeffe 0-8 (0-6 frees), P O’Neill 2-0, K O’Keeffe 1-1, S O’Keeffe 0-1.

COURCEY ROVERS
A Hegarty;
D Murphy. B Downing, A Collins;
D Duggan, T Lordan, V Hurley;
N Murphy, D Hayes;
K Moloney; S Hurley, S Hayes;
J Murphy, M O’Donovan, G Moloney.

Subs; K Quinn for S Hurley (h/ t), B Hayes for G Moloney 44 mint).

Aghada:

M Day;

K O’Connor, .J P O’Connor, B Hennessy;

A Cotter. R Dwane, A Morrissey;

B Morrissey, S O’Keeffe;

-J Connolly, T Wall. P O’Neill:

V Morrissey, T O’Keeffe, K O’Keeffe,

Subs S Cashman for J P O’Connor (15 mins) J P O’Connor for V Morrissey 37 mins

Pat Cashman for A Cotter (42 mins) V Morrissey for T Wall (54mins) D Creedon for J Connolly (55mins)

Referee..: D O’Leary (ClougIuduv).

Murphy goal helps see Courcey Rovers through
By RORY NOONAN

COURCEY ROVERS advanced to the next round of the Evening Echo sponsored Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship last night after an entertaining game at Páirc Uí Rim. Over the hour they were the better side but they were made to fight all the way by Aghada.
After the game Courceys Coach Dave McCarthy was delighted to go through to the next round. We are thrilled to get over this hurdle,” said Dave. “We didn’t give a good account of ourselves in the last round against Blarney and we were determined to make up for that tonight. “We have worked hard in training since that defeat and I am delighted. For the lads tonight.”
In a frantic start Aghada were first of the mark when Trevor O’Keeffe pointed after two minutes but from the puck-out Mall Murphy was fouled and he picked himself up to tap over the bar to equalize for Courceys. O’Keeffe, who got all Aghada’s points in the first-half, put his side back in front after five minutes. Two points from Seamus Hayes saw Courceys lead 0-3 to 0-2 with 10
Minutes gone~ but again O’Keeffe equalised for Aghada from another free. A great passage -of play saw Kenneth O’Keeffe play Trevor O’Keeffe in but he squandered the chance to goal. The ball was cleared and at the other end Michael O’Donovan made no mistake to put Courceys back in front. However a minute later the O’Keeffe’s combined again, but this time Trevor set up Kenneth and he blasted to the back of the net to make it 1-3 to 0-4 with 15 minutes gone. The goal seemed to wake Courceys up and they shot over five ml-answered points to put them three points in front, 0-9 to 1-3. Trevor O’Keeffe added a point for Aghada. But again Courceys showed their class as they hit back with points from Seamus Hayes John Murphy and Killian Moloney to make it 0-12 to 1-4. On the stroke of half-time Trevor O’Keeffe pulled a point back for Aghada. Courceys got the perfect start to the second-half when John Murphy goaled after two minutes. This put them 1-12 to 1-5 in front and Aghada looked dead and buried.
Again, like the first-hat the goal lifted the opposition more than the scorers and two quick points from Trevor and Kenneth O’Keeffe reduced the deficit. But Courceys rallied and led 1-17 to 1-9 with 50 minutes gone. Four minutes later Stephen O’Keeffe pointed for Aghada and from the puck-out won back posses¬sion and Trevor O’Keeffe set up~ Pierce O’Neill *ho blasted to the back of the net to give his side some hope.
Points from Brian Hayes and Niall Murphy made it 1-19 to 2-10 to Courceys but Aghada weren’t finished yet. In the last minute of the game O’Neill got his second goal of the game to put only three points between the sides.
But despite their best efforts for the few minutes of injury time, they couldn’t break down the Courcey defence.

Echo stats Courtesy Rovers/Aghada

Goals: 1/3.
Points. 9/10.
Frees: 8/8.
65s: 0/0-
Wides.: 4/5.
Yellow card.: 1/1
Red cards: 0/0.
Top scorers: J Murphy. 1-2/T O’Keeffe, 0-8
Man of the Match:, Vincent Hurley
Crowd: 500.
Weather Dry but pitch heavy from earlier rain.
Entertainment value 8/10.
Echo verdict: A good game that Courcey Revert deserved to win, but they were made to fight all the way by a resilient Aghada side.

Lets get on to the game seldom is the replay better then the original but this one was a cracker from start to finish
The Town came out of the blocks at the rate of knots and had two minors before a minute was out. Another followed 2 minutes later and Aghada looked on the rack. On the 6th m Aghada won a line ball but was badly hit, the town won it a short pass and a goal. Aghada tried hard and got into the pace of the game with the Mighty John Paul playing a captains part. A few misses for Aghada left Bishopstown off the hook. Then a bad decision by the linesman gifted the town a point. Now ahead 1-4 to 0-0 it looked all over, up steps Tony Wall to open the scoring with a point after 11m of play. The town added three more before Trigger pointed on the 22nd m. Aghada now have the measure of the city boys. With Pierce O’Neill leading the charge, like last Sunday the woodwork saved the town as Aghada turned the screw. With Brian Morrissey and Stephen O’Keeffe now in control in the middle of the park our forwards had more scope. Trigger scored again before Vincent Morrissey had a minor Trevor finished the half with two frees to see Aghada back in the game. By now the game was played at fierce pace could it be kept up? Indeed it was and maybe more
On resumption the Town again scored 1st but now came Aghada unanswered points from Trevor, Vincent, Pierce and Tony Wall (0-2) rocked the Town as Johno and company were outstanding in the backline. The town hit back with three points (one of these a 65 where they was none). Aghada again with there backs to the wall, but how they finished when on the 55m Trevor drilled a free to the back of the net after the mighty Pierce was pulled down heading for goal. Try as we might we could not get a score then 2m into injury time a superb effort from Trevor, now only the minimum between the sides, Pierce plucks a ball out of the sky and was fouled 80meters from goal and on the sideline. Richie Lewis scored one in 1991 to draw the county final could history repeat it self. Yes what a point from the Trigger DRAW..
We have many fond memories of mighty games Aghada played but this must rank as one of the best of them. No team deserved to lose on a night like this but the show had to go on.
The town again started the scoring when we should have cleared two minutes later they scored again . Trevor again pointed. Then came the turning point a perfect goal from Paudie Wall was disallowed by the umpire when all in the ground as well as all in the city could see it was a fair goal. The town tacked a minor to leave themselves ahead at half time by two points.
On resumption the town were again first to score again within a minute of the game restarting . Now Aghada had to put it all into attack and when sub Dave Creedon shot hit off the goalie our goose was cooked.
Fair play to Bishopstown they never gave in and when Aghada got on top they always came back. They have some outstanding players and we wish them all the best. A pity we can’t say the same about our friend and his merry band of officials

Team
Martin Day,
Stephen Cashman, John Paul O’Conner, Kieran O’Connor
Billy Hennessy , Ronan Dwane , Aidan Cotter
Brian Morrissey , Stephen O’Keeffe
John Connelly , Kenneth O’Keeffe , Pierce O’Neill (0-1)
Trevor O’Keeffe (1-9)( 0-1 from play), Vincent Morrissey (0-2), Tony Wall.(0-2)
Subs Alan Morrissey for Hennessy 20m. Dave Creedon for Kenneth O’Keeffe 48m, Paudie Wall for Tony Wall (injured) 52m. Billy Hennessy for Paudie Wall 70th m, Pat Cashman for Connelly 72nd m.

Ref Peter Downey (Inniscarra)

What a game could have won, lucky to draw, we also saw the best new hurler in Cork; add in the worst ref in Ireland a bit of everything
Baile Na Easpaig opened the scoring with two points to set the tone, another minor and Aghada were in trouble. Up steps Trevor O’Keeffe for Aghada’s 1st score on the 8th minute from a placed ball. Aghada now had the bit between the teeth. A great point from Vincent Morrissey (back after his sabbatical) had us in touch. Aghada were now in control with Billy (boots) Hennessey having Eoin Conway in his pocket. As the 1st quarter finished outstanding mid fielder Brian Morrissey pointed to level matters. The impressive Pa Cronin put the city boys ahead from the puck out. A minute later Trevor O’Keeffe levelled matters again from a free. Then came the score of the night Boots wining a ball from Conway, pointing from 80 meters to but the seasiders ahead for the 1st time. Trevor added two more frees before Bishopstown scored again with a free from Cronin. Then to finish the half the outstanding Brian Morrissey following from bother Vincent pointed to leave Aghada ahead at the brake 0-8 to 0-5
On resumption the City lads made the move of the game putting Conway to mid field and what a revelation from been out played to scoring 1-3 turned the game.
The 1st score of the second half fell to John Connelly. Two minors from young Murray and Conway cut Aghada’s lead. A mighty free from centre back Shane O’Neill left only a point between the teams. Trigger added a point but from the puck out Conway added another. Both teams were now guilty of bad misses and one felt that the next score would win the game how wrong we were. Trigger again pointed on the 49th minute and from the puck out so did Conway. Both teams tried hard to score. Now Aghada made their move with Pierce O’Neill now at centre forward Aghada started to get on top and when Trigger pointed with a minute left on the clock was it game over. Up steps the new Cork hurler Conway again wins the puck out this time he runs at the Aghada defence and bang goal. All over, no Aghada come again free in. up steps Trevor wide, 2 minutes into injury time. Pierce wins puck out another long range free, Trevor tries again short another free straight in front of the goals, DRAW GAME 3 minutes into injury time would he blow no. the city men try again and were robbed of a free as the Ref Peter Downey (Inniscarra) blew up. While for most of the game we felt the ref was against us he made up for it as the game came to an end and the city boys felt he wronged them. Downey did not add to this fine game of hurling. The O’Connor bothers Kieran began as he left off as year on top of his game. While full back and captain Johno showed us the way. Bring on Thursday night.

Team
Martin Day,
Stephen Cashman, John Paul O’Conner, Kieran O’Connor
Billy Hennessy (0-1), Ronan Dwane, Aidan Cotter
Brian Morrissey (0-2), Stephen O’Keeffe
John Connelly (0-1), Kenneth O’Keeffe, Pierce O’Neill
Trevor O’Keeffe (0-8 one from play), Vincent Morrissey (0-1), Tony Wall.
Blood sub Pat Cashman for Brian Morrissey 17th m Morrissey back 20th m

Aghada went down to East Cork rivals Watergrasshill in the first league game of the season played in Rostellan on last Tuesday week. Aghada started well and picked off some nice points, the pick of which was a well worked move which saw ‘keeper Martin Day pick out midfielder Brian Morrissey, who cleverly switched play and found Vincent Morrissey who duly slotted the sliothar between the posts. It was all square with only two minutes to go to the short whistle, but the ‘Hill struck for 2 goals and a point in this space of time and led at the break 2-9 V 0- 9 points. A third goal inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half left Aghada with a huge uphill battle. It was Aghada’s third game in 4 days and maybe this was partly the reason that they never got the same rhythm going in the second half as they did in the first 20 minutes. 2 Trevor O’ Keeffe frees and points from play from Stephen O’Keeffe and Tony Wall kept them in touch, but the scores dried up for the last quarter. Aghada’s next (and final) score came in the 29th minute when Pierce O’Neill blazed just over the bar while going for a goal. In the end Watergrasshill had a deserved victory on a 3 – 12 v 0-14 scoreline. Aghada Team and Scorers –

M.Day,

A.Morrissey, B.Hennessy, K.O’Keeffe,

A.Cotter, R.Dewane, J.O’Connor,

S.O’Keeffe(0-1), B.Morrissey(0-1),

J.Connolly, T.Wall(0-1), P.O’Neill(0-1),

V.Morrissey(0-1), D.O’Keeffe, T.O’Keeffe(0-9,6f).

Subs Used – P.Cashman, A.Connolly.

Liam Breathnach Cup

On Sunday evening last, the intermediate hurlers took on Coursey Rovers in Rostellan. Short a number of regulars, they struggled to contain a Rovers team, who played some very good hurling considering the conditions, espiceally in the opening half. Their 1st two scores were goals, and Aghada had it all to do, even from this early stage. With only Brian Morrissey and Tony Wall making any sort of impression up front, scores were hard to come by. Stephen O’Keeffe hurled a lot of ball around the middle of the park, while Stephen Cashman, did play well at both corner and wing back until forced off injured in the second half. The “poacher” came on up front near the end and showed he still knows where the posts are with a well taken point, but Aghada were struggling in too many positions to put it up to Coursey’s.

. Aghada Team and Scorers –

M.Day,

S.Cashman, P.Cashman, C.O’Gorman,

A.Heavin, J.O’Connor, T.O’Neill,

S.O’Keeffe (0-2), J.Connolly,

B.Morrissey (0-1), D.O’Keeffe, D.Cashman,

A.Morrissey, A.O’Brien, T.Wall (0-1).

Subs Used – S.Gilroy, S.Morrissey, A.Creedon, My. Lewis (0-1).