AGHADA HURLING AND FOOTBALL CLUB

Heartache for Aghada as they fall at the penultimate hurdle for the second year running after going under to the Dunmanway men in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Sunday.
Last year Aghada came out with all guns blazing in the semi final against Nemo Rangers, but in the end it just wasn’t good enough. The most disappointing thing this year is that we will be left wondering what might have been if Aghada had brought their game with them from the start of this clash. The truth is Aghada never came out of the blocks and this plus a glut of stray passes helped Dohenys to a comfortable 6 points to one lead after a quarter of the game. Aghada’s point was a free from Kevin Downes earned by James O’Connell. These two did look like they had the potential to worry the Dohenys but they never received a regular supply of ball. Aghada did have lots of possession, Pierce O’Neill saw to this at midfield, but lacked any form of penetration in the first half.
At the back, the pacey Doheny forwards had Aghada in all sorts of problems, with only Brendan Crowley and Ronan Dewane really getting to grips with their men. Aghada did come more into it but started to kick a few wides from a long way out. Downs and O’Connell added a point a piece from play and the score at half time was Aghada 0-3. Doheny’s 0-7.
The second half was a different affair as Aghada finally started to take them on up the middle. Doheny’s however were still finding it far easier to score and effortlessly replied to Aghada’s 2 opening points. Then Aghada started to really dominate, with both wing backs, Billy Hennessy and John Connolly coming more into the game. Billy earned a great free which Stephen O’Keeffe pointed and John saw a great goal chance sail just over the bar for a point of his own.
James O’Connell had earlier seen a similar effort again go just over instead of under the bar. Still O’Connell earned a few frees which Downes pointed and Aghada had the margin down to just 1 point. Back came Doheny’s again however and had a couple of goal chances of their own which they also failed to take.
Still it got them back their foothold in the game and they rattled off the last
3 points to make the final margin the same as it was at half time and run out very deserving winners. So that’s it for another year, but great credit is due to all involved for bringing us this far again this year. Special thanks to the players and the 3 selectors Declan Devoy, John Kennedy and Ger Looney for all their excellent hard work throughout the year.

Team
Evan Kennedy
Alan Morrissey, Ronan Dwane, Brendan Crowley
John Connelly (0-1), Kieran O’Connor (capt),Billy Hennessy
Pearse O’Neill , Aidan Kelleher
Stephan O’Keeffe (0-1) , Cormac O’Suilleabhan, Tom O’Neill
Kevin Downes (0-4), James O’Connell (0-2), Conor Hickey

subs 27m John Paul O’Connor for Tom O'Neill

43m Nigal Berry for O’Suilleabhan.

46th m Colm Power for Hickey

50th m Eoin O'Neill for Connelly

A man of the match display from Pearse showed why he was parachuted on to the Cork team. He set out his stall as early as the 6th minute when he pointed to follow a Stephen O’Keeffe free. 3 minutes later Ballincollig pointed just before Aidan Kelleher made it 3 – 1 to Aghada. With both Pearse and Kelleher dominating mid field the Aghada forwards had a field day. After a surging run up the field James O’Connell was dragged down in the square, up stepped John Connelly GOAL. Points followed from O’Keeffe (free) and the Cavan man Kevin Downes playing his 1st game for Aghada before Ballincollig scored again. Ballincollig added another before O’Keeffe pointed two frees. Ballincollig added two more before half time to leave the seasiders up 1-7 to 0-5 at the short whistle. John Paul O’Connor, his brother Kieran and Connelly had the half backline sewn up, while up front O’Connell had Ballincollig in all sorts of bother.
Aghada started the second half as they did the 1st with points from James O’Connell and centre forward Cormac O’Suilleabhan. Now Ballincollig started to rally with three unanswered points. Then Connelly scores one mighty point from forty yards we were back on track. Another point from O’Connell followed by one for O’Keeffe and Aghada were on their way. Ballincollig added one more, and then Pearse had his crowning glory with again a mighty point. Aghada were in complete control now and should have been out of sight as they missed easy scores but it mattered not because all Ballincollig could muster was a single point deep in injury time. Great credit must be given to this display and we now must have a chance of going all the way. Brendan Crowley had a mighty game at corner back on Weste
Team
Evan Kennedy
Alan Morrissey, Ronan Dwane, Brendan Crowley
John Connelly (1-1), Kieran O’Connor (capt), John Paul O’Connor
Pearse O’Neill (0-2), Aidan Kelleher (0-1)
Stephan O’Keeffe (0-5) 4 frees, Cormac O’Suilleabhan. (0-1) Tom O’Neill
Kevin Downes (0-1), James O’Connell (0-2), Conor Hickey
Subs Colm Power for John Paul O’Connor 40m (inj), Billy Hennessy for Hickey (45th m), Owen O’Neill for O’Suilleabhan, Nigel Berry for Tom O’Neill all 56th m

O'Neill and Kelleher power Aghada through

IMPRESSIVE midfield partners Pierce O'Neill and Aidan Kelleher paved the Way for Aghada's sweet five points triumph over Ballincollig in the Evening Echo Cork Co SFC quarter-final n Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday O'Neill and Kelleher were two dynamic figures as Aghada again proved
What marvellous championship performers they are. Full-forward James O'Connell, wing-back John Connolly and ace free-taker Stephen O'Keeffe also conrrihuted handsomely but it was mainly because of the supremacy enjoyed by O'Neill and Kelleher that Ballincollig were never allowed to impose their will on proceedings. Having promised much with three straight wins at the expense of champions Nemo Rangers, former kingpins Castlehaven and a much-vaunted Ilen Rv. side. Ballincollig's great deeds of the recent past went down the drain. Admittedly, their confidence was not helped by the fact they missed an open goal after just two minutes, Aghada had thundered into the lead with a pointed free from O'Keeffe following the very first attack of the match when Ballincollig full-forward John Kelly was gifted a chance but with the goal at his mercy he shot wide. This was a calamitous start from Ballincollig, one from which they never recovered. With O'Neill and Kelleher lording it, scoring a point apiece, Aghada were two points to the good coming up to the end of the first quarter when wily full-forward O'Connell was fouled going through and from the resultant penalty kick wing back Connelly steered the ball neatly into the corner of the net. Ballincollig were always struggling against Aghada rising tide. They did manage to get a few consolation scores near the end of the first-half courtesy of Alan Donovan and Liam O'Toole but they never fired on all cylinders, and with O Keeffe pointing accurately
From place-ball situations Aghada led 1-7 to 0-5 at the interval continuing to rule the roost after the resumption with two invaluable points from O’Connell and centre-forward Cormac O’Suileabhain, Aghada left their opponents with a mountain to climb, one which Ballincollig never really looked like scaling. The introduction of former Cork senior Podsie O’Mahony for the off form Michael Greene did succeed, however in sparking a brief Ballincollig revival at this stage eight minutes into the second half they seven points in arrears. Then Colin Weste pointed a 45 and O’Mahony set up Liam O'Toole and Peter Corcoran, for two points in rapid succession. Only four points separated them Ballincollig could never earn the upper-hand over their opponents. Points from Connolly and O'Keeffe who kicked over his fifth free at close of the third quarter. Finally I
The back in Ballincollig’s challenge Launched Aghada firmly on the path glory

by Bob Lester Irish Examiner
They may have been slick and fast in the first-half, but Aghada had to with-
stand a searching second-half test from Naomh Abán at Páirc UI Rinn before
booking their place in the Evening Echo Cork Co SFC quarter-finals a last minute James O’Connell goal securing a hard earned passage.
Naomh Aban, will bemoan a second quarter collapse With Pierce O'Neill and Aidan Kelleher giving Aghada a grip at midfield, it was a lapse the Ballyvourney men never fully recovered from They came close, but Aghada deserved their victory despite playing second fiddle in the second-half . Selector Declan Devoy was happy. "I though we played some good football in the first-half and deserved to be in font. but I knew they would come at us in the second-half and we had to be really strong to come through. We can
take a rest from football for a while now and concentrate on our hurling relegation battle. We beat a good Ballyvourney side and we have to be happy with that:
There was a splendid opening to this fourth round contest, good pace and movement right through a free-flowing first-half which Aghada dominated. They led 0-3 to 0-1 after six minutes; three sweetly struck free’s from Steve O’Keeffe replying to Daire O’
Sóilleabháin's lead point for Naomh Abán. Micheál 0 Crôinin soon reduced
the gap and, with Antaine 0 Loinsigh and Pierce O'Neill having a mighty
midfield battle, the action was non stop as a point from the Aghada midfielder earned his side a 0-4 to 0-2 first quarter lead. With O'Connell proving an able target man for Aghada, a terrific move involving the full-forward and Brian Morrissey culminated in O’Keeffe stretching Aghada’s lead. Although 0 Crôinin kicked his second point for Naomh Abán, the Imokilly men turned on the style in the closing eight minutes of the half, with Kieran and John O’Connor proving exciting attacking flankers
Opening up the Naomh Aban rearguard at will, a couple of long range frees from Eoin O'Neill and a point apiece from play by Aidan Kelleher and John O'Connor earned Aghada a nice 0-9 to 0-3 interval lead, though they did have to play against the strong
breeze in the second-half Naomh Abán had substitute Jaic Loinsigh partnering Seanacháin McCárthaigh at midfield for the second period, with Antaine O'Loinsigh moving to wing-forward. 0 Crôinin thundered into the action with two
fine points and the gap was reduced to 0-9 to 0-5 entering the final quarter Aghada were lucky in the 42nd minute when 0 Crôinin set up McCárthaigh only for his rasping shot to Canon back off the upright It was all Naomi, Aban now. Two more Ó Cróinin points and one from substitute Eoin 0 Scanaill left just one between the sides by the 49th minute. Naomh Abán, firing on all cylinders. continued to, pound the Aghada defence. With 0 Loinsigh now outstanding in a roving role, 0 Cróinin missed two gilt-edged chances to level the scores and, ultimately, they were to pay a heavy price
Kelleher lifted the siege with a cracking 55th minute point and, to seal their place in the quarter-finals, substitute Colin Power set up O’Connell for a goal he often threatened in the first-half.
Scorer, for Aghada: S O’Keeffe 0-4 (0-a frees).J. O’Connell 1-0, A. Kelleher. Eoin O'Neill (frees) 0-2 each, P O’Neill. .J. O Connor 0-1 each.
Naomh. Aban; 4. O Cróinin 0-6 0-2 frees- A Sóilleabháin’s. F, 0 Scanaill 0-1 each-
AGHADA;
E. Kennedy;
A. Morrissey, J. Connolly. J. Wall;
K, O'Connor. Ronan Dwane J.P O’Connor:
P.O'Neill, A. Kelleher;
B. Morrissey, S. O’Keeffe, T O'Neill;
T.O’Keeffe. J O'Connell, E O'Neill.
Sub.: C- Power, for A- O’Neill C. O' Sóilleabháin’s for T O'Neill, B- Crowley for B Morrissey

Referee: J. Kearney Na Piarsaigh.

Aghada qualified for their 4th quarter final in as many years thanks to a hard fought victory over Naomh Aban on Saturday last. Aghada had the aid of a stiff breeze blowing straight down the Pairc Ui Rinn venue in the first half, and it was here that the foundations for victory were laid. Naomh Aban did have the opening point from play, but full forward James O’Connell was about to really come to the fore for Aghada. 3 frees all earned by James, were converted by Stephen and Trevor O’Keeffe. O’Connell had the Ballyvourney full back line in the horrors, the West Cork men forced to try at least 3 different markers on him. Elsewhere, Pierce O’Neill and Aiden Kelleher were on top in the middle of the park, and the 3 half forwards were all heavily involved in the game. It was the half back line of John Connolly and especially the 2 O’Connors, Kieran and John that really set up Aghada’s first half dominance. So much so, that Aghada’s full back line had as comfortable a 30 minutes of football as they are ever likely to have again. Both O’Neill and Kelleher had points coming forward from midfield as did John O’Connor from wing back. And with Eoin O’Neill kicking 2 excellent long distance frees, Aghada had a sizeable 9pts to 3 interval lead.
It all changed in the second half as we were treated to the proverbial games of 2 halves. The Gaelteacht side thundered back into the game after the resumption, and with ex Cork star Micheal O Cróinín in devastating form at full forward, they slowly kicked their way back into the contest. Aghada did have a few opportunities to add to the first half tally, but failed to take any of them. With a quarter to play, it was nearly all Naomh Aban. Aghada needed fresh legs, as some players had ran themselves to a standstill, and they came in the form of substitutes Colm Power, Cormac O’Suileabhain, Brendan Crowley and Nigel Berry (not a misprint, but a Lazarus like comeback from a few years in the retirement wilderness!). All four made a telling contribution when introduced, with Crowley especially carrying a lot of ball forward for Aghada, to help lift the siege. Still with 5 minutes to go there was only a point between the sides, and Aghada had yet to score in the second half. Aiden Kelleher with his second point changed that, and with it came the feeling that Aghada had survived the best Ballyvourney could throw at them. Then came an extraordinary move from Aghada. The excellent Alan Morrissey won possession at corner back for Aghada. Probably about a dozen passes later and the ball still hadn’t come outside the Aghada ’21, as the defenders and goalie played a bit of World cup like keep ball. Eventually, after another 6 passes, the ball came to Berry who pinged an excellent pass to Colm Power. He matched that pass with a super ball of his own to James O’Connell, who rounded his marker and billowed the Naomh Aban net, to give Aghada a well merited victory. Aghada will now await the winners of the Ballincollig versus Ilen Rovers tie in the quarter final.
Aghada Team and Scorers – E.Kennedy, A.Morrissey, R.Dewane, J.Wall, J.Connolly, K.O’Connor(capt.). J.O’Connor (0-1), A,Kelleher(0-2), P.O’Neill(0-1), B.Morrissey, S.O’Keeffe(0-3,2f), T.O’Neill, T.O’Keeffe(0-1f), J.O’Connell (1-0), E.O’Neill(0-2f). Subs Used – C.Power, C.O’Suilleabhain, B.Crowley, N.Berry.

Missing a few regulars, Aghada left the league points behind them in Mallow on Tuesday last. 2 goals (both soft) in the first half for Mallow, ultimately proved the difference between 2 otherwise evenly matched sides. Colm Power at corner forward scored 1-1, taking his goal very well mid-way through the second period. James O’Connell at full forward scored 4 points and seemed to have the beatings of the Mallow full back line every time he got the ball. Tom O’Neill was brought down for a penalty which Trevor O’Keeffe failed to convert to a score and with it went any chance of Aghada putting pressure on the Mallow lead. Aghada team and scorers –

E. Kennedy

R.Good, J.O’Connor (0-2), J.Wall,

A.Morrissey, R.Dewane, J.Connolly,

P.O’Neill (0-1), N.Berry,

T.O’Neill, B.Morrissey, C.Hickey,

T.O’Keeffe, J.O’Connell(0-4), C.Power (1-1).

Subs Used C.O’Suileabháin, D. Morrissey.

With 3 minutes left on the clock and Na Piarsaigh going into the lead for the 1st time you would say the game was up. But up steps Billy Boots Hennessey and points a mighty sideline ball against the wind from all of fifty meters. The city boys come back down the field but again Boots was there to disarm the mighty John Gardiner. Aghada make one more attack a fast ball into James O’Connell from which Aghada won a free and Trevor made no mistake to see us into round 3

What a time to produce the first win of the year, and what a way to do it also.
Trailing by a point, against the wind, first a large slice of luck as a Billy Hennessy sideline bounces over the bar and then a good move finishes with James O’Connell running at his man and being hauled to the ground. 3 minutes into injury time and Trevor O’Keeffe calmly slots the resulting free between the uprights for the winning point. The final whistle was like a pressure relief valve lifting as the celebrations showed how much this victory meant to everybody.
In the first year of relegation coming into to play, the loss of 5 of last years team for various reasons, couldn’t have come at a worse time for Aghada, but any worries of that scenario will be a distant memory by the time Aghada play the third round contemplating hopefully another long championship run.
Aghada had the wind in the first half, but the city men settled quickly and led by 2 points to one after 10 minutes. From here to the break it was nearly all Aghada. A new look full back line of Alan Morrissey, Billy Hennessy and John Wall, never put a foot wrong for the night, with Billy being particularly impressive. At midfield, the returning Pierce O’Neill was simply phenomenal, while his brother Tom also played very well at wing forward. Inside James O’Connell and especially Trevor O’Keeffe were winning ball at will. Points from play from Eoin O’Neill, Tom O’Neill and Trevor as well as 2 Stephen O’Keeffe frees helped Aghada to a 6 points to 2 interval lead.
Ten minutes before the break, Piarsaighs had been reduced to 14 men, but as the second half got underway, it was impossible to see who had the extra man.
In less than 6 minutes the lead was down to a point. Trevor kicked a good free to steady the Aghada ship, but Na Piarsaigh continued to kick some spectacular scores, and soon had the lead at 8 points to 7. Another Trevor free equalised, but Na Piarsaigh retook the lead with the final whistle approaching. Fresh legs in the form of John Connolly, Cormac O’ Suileabhain and Mark Lewis gave Aghada some fresh impetus. Then came Billy and Trevor’s late scores and the celebrations
Team Evan Kennedy
Alan Morrissey, Billy Hennessey (0-1) John Wall
Kieran O’Connor (capt), Ronan Dwane, John Paul O’Connor
Pierce O’Neill, Aidan Kelleher
Stephen O’Keeffe (0-2 f), Brian Morrissey, Tom O’Neill (0-1)
Trevor O’Keeffe (0-5 f), James O’Connell, Eoin O’Neill (0-1)
Subs 48m John Connolly for Alan Morrissey. 52m Cormac O’Suileabhain for Eoin O’Neill, 57m Mark Lewis for Brian Morrissey

Thursday 29th March Kelleher Shield

Aghada 0-3 Douglas 1-11

. Aghada Team & Scorers –

E.Kennedy,

B.Wall, J.O’Connor, J.Wall,

J.Connolly, R.Dewane, C.Hickey(0-1),

C.O’Suilleabhan, N.Berry,

T.O’Keeffe(0-1), S.O’Keeffe, T.O’Neill,

B.Morrissey(0-1), E.O’Neill, C.Power.

Subs Used – P.Wall, M.Morrissey, B.Hennessy, C.Mc Carthy.

Aghada were soundly beaten by Clonakilty in Rostellan on Sunday afternoon last. Aghada playing, with a slight wind, had the better of the opening exchanges and led by 2 points to no score after quarter of an hour. Clon had served notice of what was to come by hitting the crossbar twice in quick succession. Aghada’s points came from Conor Hickey and a super score from wing back Michael Morrissey. Clonakilty came more and more into the game and rattled off 1-3 to just points from Stephen O’Keeffe and James O’Connell in reply. At the interval it was 1-3 to 4 points in favour of the West Cork men. The second half was a non event for Aghada as Clonakilty were in total supremacy. 2 Trevor O’Keeffe frees was Aghada’s lot in this half as Clon piled on the scores. Probably only John Wall at corner back could be happy with his overall performance. Aghada Team and Scorers –

B.Wall,

J.Connolly, R.Dewane, J.Wall,

M.Morrissey (0-1), J.O’Connor, A.Morrissey,

T.O’Neill, T.O’Keeffe (0-2),

S.O’Keeffe (0-1), B.Morrissey, R.Good,

C.Hickey (0-1), J.O’Connell (0-1), K.O’Connor.

Subs Used – S.Gilroy, D.Morrissey, C.Mc Carthy, S.Cashman.

Aghada made their way to Rosscarbery to play Carbery Rangers for the first time ever in the Kelleher Shield on Sunday last. Aghada got off to a great start and opened up a 1-3 to no score lead. The goal was an excellent finish from Stephen O’Keeffe. Aghada’s defence were on top at this stage, being well marshalled from the central positions by Ronan Dewane and Kieran O’Connor. Trevor O’Keeffe was playing well at midfield, playing good ball into the forwards where, Stephen, Mark Lewis and James O’Connell were showing up well. Slowly Rangers fought their way back into the match with a succession of well taken points. Aghada wouldn’t score again for the remainder of the half, but did spurn two glorious goal chances when first Charlie Mc Carthy (on his Keller shield debut) shot narrowly wide and then James blazed wide with the keeper to beat. At half time it was all square 1-3 to 0- 6.

Carbery Rangers started the second half just as they had ended the first, notching up 1 – 4 , to just a James O’Connell point in reply. Aghada dug deep had started to claw their way back in to the game, with O’Connor and O’Connell particularly impressive. Points from James and Stephen had the lead down to a goal, but then Carbery were awarded a penalty which they duly dispatched to the back of the net to put the game beyond doubt. Aghada Team and Scorers –

E.Kennedy,

Brian .Wall, Ronan.Dewane, Ml.Morrissey,

Alan.Morrissey, Kerian.O’Connor(0-1), Conor.Hickey,

Trevor .O’Keeffe, Tom.O’Neill,

Richard .Good, Mark. Lewis, Stephen O’Keeffe(1-3,0-2f),

Declan .Morrissey, James.O’Connell (0-4), Charlie .McCarthy.

Subs Used – D. Cashman.

A gale force wind going straight down the pitch didn’t help this opening fixture for Aghada’s seniors. Playing into the wind, despite living on very limited possession, Aghada were in a great position only a point down with just minutes left to the break. 1-1 from the Skibb men right at the death, changed all that however and when they got a second goal soon after the restart Aghada were in trouble. To their credit they rallied with points from Stephen O’Keeffe, Mark Lewis, and James O’Connell, and Brian Morrissey could have doubled his goal tally but saw a great chance saved, but in the end Rossa’s were full value for their victory. Team and Scorers –

E.Kennedy,

J. Wall, J. Connolly, B.Wall,

M.Morrissey, R.Dewane, A.Morrissey,

A.Kelleher, T.O’Neill,

Step O’Keeffe (0-2), J.O’Connor, C.Hickey,

Mk. Lewis (0-3 2f), J.O’Connell (0-1), B.Morrissey (1-0)

. Subs Used T.O’Keeffe (0-1, 1f), K.O’Brien.