AGHADA HURLING AND FOOTBALL CLUB

On Sat last in a well prepared but cold Lisgoold Aghada made sure of their third title this decade their 7th in all. Both teams were very even only for Aghada’s cork minor Cian Fleming who took the game by the scruff of the neck scoring five of Aghada’s eight points a fair achievement on a day when scores were as scarce as hen’s teeth. O but it could have been so different. Carrig dominated the opening exchanges with their Midfielder Martin Hickey pressing forward with ease causing the Aghada backline grief yet to no avail.
Then in a rare attract Aghada’s Kennett O’Brien found himself one and one with the keeper only to shoot into the keepers hands. From this miss Barry Casey Pointed a free to put Carrig into the lead. Aghada slowly got to grips with Tom Houlihan now out playing Hickey. Finally Fleming opened Aghada’s account on the 9th minute with a free. With both defences on top scores were hard to come by. Aghada’s Alan Morrissey, Shane Wall and Conor Rice were in superb from as were Diarmuid O’Driscoll and Tyrone Kennedy for Carrig. Aghada pressed forward in numbers but again unable to find the net when a Shane Scanlon rasper ricocheted of the cross bar. Then on the 18th m Aghada Capt Sean O’Donoghue pointed to put Aghada in front. Four minutes later Barry Casey replied for Carrig. With Fleming now operating on the forty Aghada added two more minors to leave the score at the short whistle 0-4 to 0-2

On resumption Carrignavar were again first to score with a Casey point but how Aghada responded three points in ten minutes two from placed balls by Fleming and one from the boot of Alan Creedon Aghada were now well on top but failed to put Carrig a way with goals going a begging . Carrignavar tried hard to get into the game moving Casey to centre forward this was followed with points from Mark Crowley and Martin Hickey to a free from Fleming left a goal between the sides. Stephen Casey moved from Centre back to mid field to partner Hickey and this gave Carrig and platform to come at Aghada as time ran down but to no avail.
Teams Aghada
Evan Kennedy, Conor Rice, Alan Morrissey, Shane Wall, Richie Condon, Paudie Wall, Eoin Healy, Sean O Donoghue (Captain) (0-1), Tom Houlihan, Alan Creedon (0-1), Michael Russell, Shane Scanlon, Ken O’Brien (0-1), Cian Fleming (0-5 4 frees), Finbarr Day subs Andrew O Donoghue for Russell 15th m (inj), Luke O Keeffe for Condon 38th m

Carrignavar Cian Dorgan, Richard Mullins, Diarmuid O’Driscoll (Captain), Daniel Coleman, Tyrone Kennedy, Stephen Casey, Darren Noonan, Martin Hickey (0-1), Michael Minihane, Paul O’Keeffe, Aidan Hegarty, John O’Sullivan, Ronan Spillane, Barrie Casey(0-3 2 frees ), Mark Crowley (0-1)

Last Saturday the 12th of April was a great day for Aghada when our U21 footballers were crowned East Cork A grade champions after a fine win over Carrignavar. Played in the splendid Lisgoold grounds, Kenneth O’Brien had the 1st real chance of a score but saw his goal bound effort well saved by the Carrignavar ‘keeper. A minute later the opening score did arrive with a pointed free for Carrig. The Aghada defence was in outstanding form however for the hour with Evan Kennedy extremely solid between the sticks and the 2 corner backs, Shane Wall and Conor Rice the pick of an excellent defensive unit. Up front, while scores were hard to come by, Aghada continued to create goal chances throughout the game. Shane Scanlon rattled the crossbar on 13 minutes; this was just after a Cian Fleming free had tied the game. Aghada were dealt a major blow when centre forward Michael Russell was forced off injured, however Andrew O’Donoghue won some great ball after he came on as replacement. At midfield Tom Holohan and Sean O’Donoghue gave Aghada a strong foothold in the contest and the latter chipped in with a fine point on 18 minutes. Carrignavar wasted no time responded with a like score, but Aghada finished the half strongly with 2 nice points from Fleming and O’Brien. Aghada would have the wind in the second half and led on a 04 V 0-2 scoreline. A free inside a minute of the restart, reduced the lead, but Aghada then hit 3 unanswered points from Alan Creedon, and 2 Cian Fleming frees. It was a 3 point game when Carrig pointed from play with a quarter to go. Ken O’Brien saw another goal chance deflected out for a ’45 which Cian Fleming pointed and Aghada were full value for the 4 point lead entering the closing stages. Carrignavar managed to pull one back with 3 minutes left, but from here to the final whistle, there was to be no more scores for either side. So Aghada were East Cork champions and it was left to the new East Cork Board chairman Michael O’Brien making his first ever presentation, to present the cup to captain Sean O’Donoghue. Well done to all involved plus manager Sean O’Keeffe and his selectors, Aiden Berry and Martin O’Donoghue.

Sat 5th April East Cork U21 A football Championship semi final

Aghada 1-8 Glenbower Rv. 0-5

Having lost out in last year’s U21 B final, Aghada are back this year to contest the A grade final after a comfortable victory over Glenbower Rovers in the semi final. Played in Ballymacoda on the 5th of April, Aghada totally dominated the opening exchanges and led by 5 points to 1 after 20 minutes. Shane Wall was outstanding at corner back, while the rest of his defensive colleagues also impressed during the 1st half. Glenbower did tack on 2 points just before the break and with the score 5 V 3 at half time, it was still anyone’s game. Cian Fleming opened the 2nd half scoring with what was his 3rd point from play and this was quickly followed by a like score from Alan Creedon. Mid way through the 2nd period Glenbower pointed a free and it looked like a nervy finish for all concerned. However the decisive score came a minute later, when Finbarr Day scored a great goal which propelled Aghada into a 6 point lead, a lead that was never under any serious threat from here to the finish. Another Glenbower free was matched by a placed ball from Michael Russell, and Aghada were through to the final, where they will face Carrignavar at a date yet to be decided. Aghada team and scorers –

Evan Kennedy,

Conor Rice, Alan Morrissey, Shane Wall,

Richie Condon, Paudie Wall, Eoin Healy,

Sean O’Donoghue, Tom Holihan,

Shane Scanlon(0-1), Michael Russell (0-3,2f), Alan Creedon (0-1),

Finbarr Day(1-0), Cian Fleming(0-3), Ken O’Brien.

Subs Used – Andrew O’Donoghue.