AGHADA HURLING AND FOOTBALL CLUB

Anthony Conway Tournament a Great Success
On Saturday last the Carrigaline club organised an under-14 football tournament to honour the memory of the late Anthony Conway who died unexpectedly just prior to last Christmas. At the time of his death Anthony had been Manager of the Under-13 Hurling and Football teams so it was appropriate that the inaugural tournament in his honour featured his team and five other invited clubs, Aghada, Canovee, Nemo Rangers, St Finbarrs and Valley Rvs.
The six teams were divided into two groups of three; Carrigaline, Aghada and St Finbarrs in Group 1 with Nemo Rangers, Valley Rvs and Canovee in Group 2.
Following the initial round-robin series of games Carrigaline qualified to meet Nemo Rangers in one semi-final and St Finbarrs faced Valley Rvs in the second semi-final
Aghada and Canovee qualified to meet in the C Final.
In their meeting with Nemo, Carrigaline were in a strong position at half-time, leading 1-5 to 0-2. However Nemo came back strongly in the second period and scored some well-worked goals to win on a scoreline of 5-4 to 1-9. It was this ability of the talented Nemo forwards to score goals that was also to prove decisive in the final against city rivals St Finbarrs. What a marvellous final it was and a fitting end to a great day’s sport. The game ebbed and flowed throughout with the lead changing hands on several occasions. Barrs led 2-5 to 3-1 at the interval and extended their lead with a successful penalty conversion after the break. Nemo were not to be denied however, and came roaring back with some scintillating football to run out winners on a 6-5 to 4-6 scoreline.
In the C Final Aghada were winners over Canovee after a closely-fought game while Carrigaline easily accounted for SE rivals Valley Rvs in the B Final.

Following the finals the presentation ceremony took place. Carrigaline Under-Age GAA Chairman, Pat Dineen, welcomed all the teams and their supporters and thanked them for their participation in the tournament. In welcoming the Conway family he paid tribute to the late Anthony, praising him for his dedication and commitment to the club and especially to his young hurling and footballing charges. He said that he was greatly missed by all members of the club but especially by his wife Breda and children Jason, Lorraine, Cormac and Padraic, a playing member of the Carrigaline under-14 team.
Anthony’s wife, Breda, then presented each team captain with a commemorative plaque and his children presented medals to all the players. Finally, Breda presented the Anthony Conway Perpetual Cup to the winning Nemo Rangers captain.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Billy Fennel thanked all the teams for giving a wonderful display of football and he thanked the Carrigaline club for organising the tournament in honour of Anthony.
So ended what was in some ways a sad day but also a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much time and energy in caring for some of the youth of Carrigaline.

Referees for the day were Rod Allen and Michael Harrington of the host club and Brendan Keohane of Ballinhassig. A special word of thanks to the stewards and umpires and especially to all the ladies who did a superb job in catering for the teams and the adults. John Dwane did an excellent job as co-ordinator of the tournament

Results:
Group 1
Carrigaline 1-2 St Finbarrs 2-2
Aghada 2-1 St Finbarrs 2-9
Carrigaline 9-7 Aghada 0-0

Group 2
Nemo Rangers 1-13 Canovee 2-2
Valley Rvs 5-5 Canovee 5-4
Nemo Rangers 3-10 Valley Rvs 0-4

Semi-Finals
St Finbarrs 5-9 Valley Rvs 0-2
Nemo Rangers 5-4 Carrigaline 1-9

Finals
A – Nemo Rangers 6-5 St Finbarrs 4-6

B – Carrigaline 5-9 Valley Rvs 0-0

C – Aghada 2-4 Canovee 0-6

Sun 19th Mar at 5-00pm Feile Na Óg 2006

A grade
Aghada lost to St. Brogans