AGHADA HURLING AND FOOTBALL CLUB

Avondhu looking menacing
Cork SFC: Avondhu 0-16 Aghada 1-6

Fintan O’Toole Irish Examiner Saturday, August 27, 2011

AVONDHU enter unchartered territory for the division in modern times when they contest the Cork SFC quarter-final next weekend after they fashioned an extra-time win over Aghada in last night’s fourth round replay in Castlelyons.

The north Cork men will be pitted against champions Nemo Rangers in Saturday’s quarter-final tie in Rathcormac, but a place in the last eight looked beyond them for large stages of normal time in this clash. After a subdued opening-half performance when they trailed 1-3 to 0-2 at the interval, they struggled again in the third quarter to produce any meaningful patterns of play.

Aghada held all the aces at that juncture as they possessed a 1-5 to 0-2 lead, yet remarkably, they would only score a single point, courtesy of substitute Brendan Crowley, in the remainder of the match. Avondhu produced a ferocious finish to normal time, ignited by a towering display from Paudie Kissane, who drove them on from centre-back and a free-scoring performance by Cian O’Riordan up front as he wriggled clear of the tight marking of Kieran O’Connor to land vital points.

It was fitting that Kissane and O’Riordan should land the final two points in the 58th and 59th minutes to crown Avondhu’s comeback and ensure additional periods would be required to settle this contest. When the floodlights were switched on for the start of extra-time, Avondhu maintained the momentum from their recovery operation and dominated all over the pitch. They fired over seven points without reply and ran out worthy winners at the finish.

It was a stunning transformation by Avondhu considering they kicked two points in the first 45 minutes of the game and then raised 14 white flags in the remaining 35 minutes. Their accuracy and composure in front of goal improved immeasurably but their ability to prise open the Aghada defence with greater frequency was also pivotal. That could be attributed to their greater athleticism at the finish as they benefitted hugely from the influx of fresh legs from the bench. Substitutes Eoin Stanton, who came on early in the first-half, Colm O’Connell and Denis Hayes all produced significant performances when they were introduced.

That was allied to the greater influence exerted by Kissane and O’Riordan at opposite ends of the pitch while Kevin Sheehan and Conor O’Sullivan, both members of the Cork minor side that reached last year’s All-Ireland final, impressed with the options they took when in possession and their sharp movement.

It was a dispiriting night for Aghada, who had began so well. They were intent on forcing the issue in the opening half and defended brilliantly. Avondhu’s shooting may have been erratic as they chalked up nine wides in the first-half yet the pressure being exerted by the likes of Kieran O’Connor, Stephen Cashman and JP O’Connor was also instrumental to that. Up front scores were hard to come by for Aghada but they struck a significant blow in the 12th minute when Cian Fleming showed good strength to barge through the Avondhu rearguard and finished clinically to the net.

But Avondhu landed two important points through O’Riordan and Tom Monaghan to settle. O’Riordan kicked five points in the final quarter with Sheehan and Kissane also chipping in. Then in extra-time they took over with a string of points and Aghada’s woes were compounded with the late dismissal of Michael Russell for a second yellow card.

Scorers for Avondhu: C O’Riordan 0-8 (0-6f), P Kissane, K Sheehan 0-2 each, E O’Connor, T Monaghan, C O’Sullivan, D Hayes 0-1 each.

Scorers for Aghada: C Fleming 1-2 (0-1 ’45, 0-1f), B Crowley, P O’Neill, T O’Neill, E Savage 0-1 each.

AVONDHU: C Quilligan (Mallow); N Barry (Grange), R Carey (Clyda Rovers), O O’Hanlon (Clyda Rovers); P O’Flynn (Ballyclough), P Kissane (Clyda Rovers), C O’Sullivan (Clyda Rovers); H Dockery (Mallow), J Hayes (Mallow); K Sheehan (Mallow), D O’Mahoney (Kilshannig), E O’Connor (Kildorrery); T Monaghan (Kildorrery), C O’Riordan (Mallow), T O’Shea (Ballyclough).

Subs: E Stanton (Mallow) for J Hayes (inj) (13), C O’Connell (Killavullen) for O’Shea (36), D Hayes (Mallow) for Monaghan (45), J Hutchings (Fermoy) for O’Mahony (52), V O’Donoghue (Araglin) for O’Connor (77).

AGHADA: A O’Donoghue; B Hennessy, K O’Connor, S Cashman; E Savage, JP O’Connor, T O’Neill; E Healy, P O’Neill; J Connolly, J O’Shea, C Power; M Russell, B O’Flaherty, C Fleming.

Subs: B Crowley for Power (39), H Fanning for Connolly (70), A O’Connell for Savage (74), R Savage for O’Shea (77).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Nemo Rangers),

Andrew O’Donoghue,

Billy Hennessey, Kieran O’Connor, Stephen Cashman,

Eoin Savage (0-1), J P O’Connor, Tom O’Neill capt (0-1),

Eoin Healy, Pearse O’Neill (0-1),

John Connelly , Jose O’Shea , Colm Power,

Michael Russell (0-1), Cian Fleming (1-2), Brendan Flaherty,

subs used Brendan Crowley (0-1)39th m for Power. Hugh Fanning for Connelly 1/2time extra time.

On resumption Aghada hit hard and had four points on the board to two from the Divisional side by the 41st minute one each from Jose O’Shea and Pearse plus two placed balls from Fleming as Aghada went ahead for the first time. Back came the Avondhu men with two on the bounce as the pressure mounted. Fleming levelled matters again from a placed ball on the 50th m from there to the finish it was nail biting stuff.
While a draw complicates things the game would had done our lads the world of good.
Eoin Healy was the man of the match by a long way in this scribes view. The half backline of Eoin Savage, Tom O’Neill, and Kieran O’Connor were also outstanding as was Fleming. In truth when men were wanted Aghada stood up and all 17 players used gave of their all.

Team

Andrew O’Donoghue,

John Wall, J P O’Connor, Stephen Cashman,

Eoin Savage, Tom O’Neill (capt), Kieran O’Connor (0-1),

Eoin Healy, Pearse O’Neill (0-1),

Brendan Flaherty, Jose O’Shea (0-1), Colm Power,

Michael Russell (0-1), James O’Connell, Cian Fleming (0-6 all frees)

subs used 39th m Billy Hennessey for Wall. 50th m John Connelly for Savage.

The senior footballers travelled to Kerry for a training camp for the weekend and played Dingle on Sunday morning.
Aghada turned on the style winning by 4-12 to 1-8. A big improvement for the Friday night, with John Connelly and Ger Hurley flying at half back Aghada had the platform to go forward. James O’Connell in his first start of the year bagged 1-1 as did Brendan Flaherty. Sub Paudie Wall also bagged (1-1). Josh O’Shea’s landed five points from play the other scores came from Kieran O’Conner, Ger Hurley, and Cian Fleming a point each, while William Leahy goaled. Eoin Healy was also very impressive in the centre of the park. most of the work was done by the half time brake when we led by 3-7 to 1-5
Team

Andrew O’Donoghue,

Brian Wall, Kieran O’Conner, John Wall,

John Connelly, Hugh fanning, Ger Hurley,

Eoin Healy, Tom O’Neill,

William Leahy , Josh O’Shea, Colm Power,

James O’Connell, Brendan Flaherty, Cian Fleming.

Subs used Aidan O’Connell for Brian Wall 15m, Paudie Wall For Leahy , Jack Hayes for O’Donoghue 45m

team

Jack Hayes

Brian Wall, Billy Hennessy, J Wall

Tim Hartnett, Eoin Savage, Aidan O'Connell,

Eoin Healy, Tom O'Neill

Colm Power, Ger Hurley, William Leahy

Ray Savage, Brendan Flaherty, Cian Fleming

subs used Paudie Wall, Dermod Flynn

We had our fourth win in Div 2 of the S F L last Sunday morning when a young team travelled to Ballyvourney for a game against the home side.
Fielding six minors this was a great result for Aghada. The home side started the better and outplayed our lads but Aghada hung in there and only when in one point down at the brake 0-6 to 1-2 the goal coming from the boot of Jose O’Shea after he was set up by William Leahy.
The second half was a different affair as Aghada went about their business with gusto. The return of Ger Hurley was a big boost as he made a might contribution to the cause. As did the Wall twins and Kieran O’Connor. Goals win matches and it was the same here Hurley caped a fine display with one and the other came from Hugh Fanning who ghosted up from full back.
Team and scores Andrew O’Donoghue, John Wall, Kieran O’Connor (0-1), Ml Gilroy, Tim Hartnett, Hugh Fanning (1-0), Paudie Wall (0-1), Ger Hurley (1-2 frees 0-1), Eoin Healy, William Leahy , Jose O’Shea (1-2 frees 0-1), Colm Power, Ronan Kennedy, Brendan Flaherty, Raymond Savage.
Subs used Jack Hayes for Ml Gilroy, Brian Wall for Paudie Wall all half time. (Hayes went into goals and O’Donoghue went half back) top of the Div 2 league table now stands as follows

Team ---------Played --Won --Lost --Drawn-- PointsFor --Points Ast- Points Diff -Points
Newcestown -----8---- 7------ 1------ 0 --------129---------- --89----- 40--------- 14
Kiskeam ---------6 ----5 ------1 -------0 --------119 ------------81 -----38 ---------10
Naomh Aban----- 8---- 5------3 -------0 --------132 ------------106----- 26 --------10
Aghada -----------7 ----4 -----2------- 1 ---------92 -------------93 **** -1 ---------9
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Experience key as Aghada dig deepest

By Fintan O’Toole (Irish Examiner)
Monday, May 09, 2011

AGHADA are seasoned campaigners at senior football level and being able to draw on that reservoir of experience was a critical factor in helping them prevail in Saturday evening’s Cork SFC first round game in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Just 12 months ago they produced a glittering display of attacking football that saw them emphatically defeat Na Piarsaigh in the first round. Saturday on the Boreenmanna Road provided a sterner examination of their credentials against a young, energetic Valley Rovers team in brutal weather conditions.

But the East Cork men succeeded and that was a testament to their refusal to panic under pressure. They did not panic when trailing 0-6 to 0-3 approaching half-time after being outplayed for large chunks of the opening period. Instead they calmly engineered two frees, tapped over by the outstanding Cian Fleming, and were within touching distance at the interval.

Aghada’s experience was vital again in the finale when Valley Rovers possessed a 0-9 to 0-8 advantage and produced a late burst of three points on the trot from play courtesy of Michael Russell, Pearse O’Neill and Fleming.

Valley Rovers mounted a desperate late onslaught but Hughie O’Donovan slipped as he was about to kick a late free and the ball skewed wide. Then followed a piledriver over the bar from Fiachra Lynch in injury-time did not alter the eventual result.

The victory was immensely satisfying for Aghada. Easing relegation fears this early in the season was a welcome boost and for a dual club picking off a shallow pool of players, it also serves as an important fillip for their intermediate hurlers as fixture congestion is eased.

Long-term injury victim Brendan Crowley could be back in harness for the next round and he would enhance their defensive options.

Their rearguard were to the fore. Kieran O’Connor’s influence grew as the action progressed, both in restricting Valley Rovers forwards and launching attacking moves, while Billy Hennessy and JP O’Connor tightened up close to goal.

After shipping six points in the opening 26 minutes, Aghada conceded four points and only two of those were from play.

The presence of the game’s blue-chip forward Fleming in their lineup was a significant advantage for Aghada. At times Fleming’s shooting was erratic, from play and frees, but he kept showing for the ball and his pace posed difficulties for the Valley Rovers defence.

Indeed the Innishannon side were twice grateful to county netminder Alan Quirke for preventing Fleming from raising a green flag.

Featuring in only their second season at senior level, Valley Rovers were hugely competitive. They were without a key component of last year’s team in Kevin Canty who was a big loss around the middle of the park. While Chris O’Donovan and Fiachra Lynch formed an effective midfield partnership, they could have done with Lynch in attack.

They settled quicker with Gary Farrell, Denis Collins and Lynch all knocking over points to create a 0-4 to 0-1 advantage. While Aghada trimmed that lead before the break, Valley Rovers produced another strong rally in the second-half.

The introduction of Cork minor Darragh Murphy to defence and Eamonn Collins to attack paid off and a brace of Collins points paved the way for their 0-9 to 0-8 lead entering the closing stages.

But with Pearse O’Neill thundering into the match at midfield, Aghada produced the decisive closing kick.

Scorers for Aghada: C Fleming 0-8 (0-5f); P O’Neill 0-2; M Russell 0-1.

Scorers for Valley Rovers: H O’Donovan (0-2f), F Lynch (0-1f), E Collins 0-2 each; D Collins, G Farrell, J Walsh, E Manning 0-1 each.

AGHADA: A O’Donoghue; B Hennessy, JP O’Connor, S Cashman; E Savage, K O’Connor, A O’Connell; E Healy, T O’Neill; J O’Shea, P O’Neill, C Power; M Russell, B O’Flaherty, C Fleming. Subs: J Connolly for Power (53).

VALLEY ROVERS: A Quirke; B Lehane, M O’Brien, F Coughlan; D Crowley, D Lynch, R Lehane; C O’Donovan, F Lynch; G Farrell, S Nolan, D Collins; J Walsh, E Manning, H O’Donovan. Subs: E Collins for Nolan (36), D Murphy for D Collins (36), G Rice for Walsh (58), N O’Donovan for R Lehane (58).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Nemo Rangers)

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, May 09, 2011

On resumption Fleming slipped his man and levelled the game from the throw in. Aghada were now on the ascendency and should have had a goal minutes later. Tom O’Neill and Eoin Healy had a grip in the middle of the park and Aghada used it to go ahead for the 1st time on the 37th m from a free by Fleming. For the next seven minutes it was stale mate which was broken by the boot of Fleming again from a placed ball and Aghada were two clear.
Valleys hit back with three minors on the trot to lead again as Aghada had to soak the pressure and found themselves a point behind with nine minutes left on the clock.
With ours backs to the wall we found that extra gear as Russell levelled on the 56th m, Pearse gave us the lead two minutes later and Fleming hit the insurance a minute later, and as it turned out we needed it.

A great display indeed as Aghada showed their old never say die attitude. Aidan O’Connell, Stephen Cashman and Owen Savage stepped up to the plate and played like veterans. It was a team effort with all the lines showing well Colm Power covered might ground and had it all given when John Connelly was introduced. Kieran was outstanding at the heart of the defence indeed no one could be faulted on a wet and miserable night for football. The league points also went on this game.
Roll on the hurling
Team
Andy O’Donoghue
Stephen Cashman, J P O’Connor, Billy Hennessy
Aidan O’Connell, Kieran O’Connor, Eoin Savage
Tom O’Neill (Capt), Eoin Healy
Josh O’Shea, Pearse O’Neill (0-2), Colm Power
Michael Russell (0-1), Brendan Flaherty, Cian Fleming (0-8 frees 0-6)
Sub John Connelly for Power 54th m

Last Sunday night we had the last run out Against St Nicks down in Rostellan. Aghada opened well enough to lead at the short whistle by six points to three.
On resumption we added a point but the Saints hit back to score five points on trot. before added two points to leval the game at 0-10 each at the long whistle.

Team and scores
Andy O’Donoghue,

Stephen Cashman, Billy Hennessey, Brian Wall,

Eoin Savage, Hugh Fanning, Aidan O’Connell,

Pearse O’Neill (0-1), Eoin Healy

Matt O’Connor, Josh O’Shea (0-2 frees1), J P O’Connor,

Cian Fleming (0-5 frees 4), Brendan Flaherty, Michael Russell(0-1)

A serious injury to a Newcestown player delayed the game for 6 minutes lets hope he is ok. Newcestown goaled on the 13th minute but Russell replied with a sublime point (a full 34 minutes since our last score). From the kick out Newcestown goaled again to lead for the 1st time in the game. Aghada upped their game and points followed from Fleming (2) and Russell. But the westerners were by now on fire and went on to score three more goals to win with some comfort

Andrew O’Donoghue
Stephen Cashman, John Paul O’Connor, Billy Hennessey
Aidan O’Connell, Kieran O’Connor, Hugh Fanning
Aidan Kelleher, Eoin Healy
Colm Power, Cian Fleming (0-3 f 0-1), John O’Connor
Josh O’Shea, Michael Russell (2-2), Matt O’Connor
Sub Diarmuid Flynn for Cashman 22m

Jack Hayes

James Daly, Aidan Kelliher, Aidan O'Connell

Tim Hartnett, Andrew O'Donoghue, Dermot Furlong

Tom O'Neill, Hugh Fanning

Colm Power, Ml Russell, Eoin Healy

William Leahy, Cian Fleming, Matt O'Connor

subs used Ml Gilroy, Raymond Savage, Ken O'Gorman

The Second period was a different affair as the city boys came out all guns blazing and had two points on the board before Matt O’Connor replied. The city boys had most of the play now as Aghada struggled to get the fluency of the first half it was point for point as the city side outscored Aghada 7 points to 6 in the second half. To be fair it would be hard for any team to keep up the momentum of the first half, as it was the pace of the game never dropped but Aghada could never open the na Piarsaigh defence as they did with so much easy in the opening half. As time ran down Aghada got on top again but were guilty of poor shooting and decision making but over all a good day at the office.
Team
Andy O’Donoghue
Aidan O’Connell, Kieran O’Connor (0-1), John Wall,

Shane Wall(0-1)l, J P O’Connor (0-1), Ronan Power,

Tom O’Neill, Eoin Healy,

Eoin Savage (0-2), Pearse O’Neill, Colm Power,

Michael Russell (1-1), Brendan Flaherty (2-4), Matt O’Connor (0-4)

Subs used John Connelly for Healy 41st m. Brian Wall for John Wall (injured) 42nd m. Tony Wall (0-1) for Matt O’Connor 44th M. James Daly for Aidan O’Connell 50th M .

Subs Brian Wall for Dave Creedon 25h M. Tommy Dobbin, for Matt O'Connor 54th m

Aghada opened with the wind and within 5 minutes Cian Fleming pointed two placed balls. Aghada now hit the golden period with Brendan Flaherty lording it at midfield. Half back Owen Savage hit two great points from play as Aghada were well on top and when Fleming added one from play it was all Aghada as they led by 5 points to nil after 20 minutes. Just as Fleming left the field of play, Newcestown scored their opening point.

Newcestown now coped well with the elements and had Aghada under a lot of pressure which resulted with a goal for the visitors. Minutes later they drew level before Tony Wall saved our blushes with a late free just as the short whistle went to leave Aghada ahead by 0-6 to 1-2. While Newcestown had most of the play for the last ten minutes of the opening half Aghada spurned two gilt edged chances for goals.

On resumption the inevitable happened as Newcestown pushed forward and as the 3rd quarter ended had 1-3 on the scoreboard before Matt O’Connor replied with a places ball for Aghada’s first score of the half. The story was the same to the finish, with Newcestown running out handy winners by 2-9 to 8 points.

Team

Andy O’Donoghue,

John Wall, Billy Hennessy, Aidan O’Connell,

Eoin Savage (0-2), Ronnie Power, Shane Wall,

John P O’Connor, Brendan Flaherty (0-1)

James Daly, Tony Wall (0-1 f), Tim Hartnett,

Finbarr Day, Cian Fleming (0-3 frees 2), Matt O’Connor (0-1 f)

subs Brian Wall for Tim Hartnett inj 10m, William Leahy for Fleming inj 20m.

Team
Andy O'Donoghue
John Wall Billy, Hennessy, Adian O’Connell
Shane Wall, Ronan Power, Owen Savage
Pearse O’Neill, Eoin Healy
Colm Power Michael Russell Cian Fleming
James Daly Brendan Flaherty, Mathew O’Connor
Subs Tim Hartnett and Tommy Dobbyn

Senior Football league Fixture 2011

Round 1

Aghada - - Bantry Blues Aghada 20/02/
Beara - - Glenville Beara 20/02/
Kiskeam - - Na Piarsaigh Kiskeam 20/02/
Naomh Aban - - Nemo Rangers Ballyvourney 20/02/
Newcestown - - St Michaels Newcestown 20/02/
St Nicks - - Valley Rovers St Nicks 20/02/

Round 2
Glenville - - Aghada Glenville 27/02/2011
Valley Rovers - - Newcestown Brinny (Valley Rvs) 27/02/
St Michaels - - Naomh Aban St Michaels 27/02/
Nemo Rangers - - Kiskeam Nemo Rangers 27/02
Na Piarsaigh - - Beara Na Piarsaigh 27/02/
Bantry Blues - - St Nicks Bantry 27/02/

Round 3
Bantry Blues - - Glenville Bantry 06/03/
Aghada - - Na Piarsaigh Aghada 06/03/
Beara - - Nemo Rangers Beara 06/03/
Kiskeam - - St Michaels Kiskeam 06/03/
Naomh Aban - - Valley Rovers Ballyvourney 06/03/
St Nicks - - Newcestown St Nicks 06/03/

Round 4
Nemo Rangers - - Aghada Nemo Rangers 27/03/
Na Piarsaigh - - Bantry Blues Na Piarsaigh 27/03/
Newcestown - - Naomh Aban Newcestown 27/03/
Valley Rovers - - Kiskeam Brinny (Valley Rvs) 27/03/
St Michaels - - Beara St Michaels 27/03/
Glenville - - St Nicks Glenville 27/03/

Round 5
Glenville - - Na Piarsaigh Glenville 10/04/
Bantry Blues - - Nemo Rangers Bantry 10/04/
Aghada - - St Michaels Aghada 10/04/
Beara - - Valley Rovers Beara 10/04/
Kiskeam - - Newcestown Kiskeam 10/04/
St Nicks - - Naomh Aban St Nicks 10/04/

Round 6
Valley Rovers - - Aghada Brinny (Valley Rvs) 17/04/
St Michaels - - Bantry Blues St Michaels 17/04/
Nemo Rangers - - Glenville Nemo Rangers 17/04/
Naomh Aban - - Kiskeam Ballyvourney 17/04/
Newcestown - - Beara Newcestown 17/04/
Na Piarsaigh - - St Nicks Na Piarsaigh 17/04/

Round 7
Na Piarsaigh - - Nemo Rangers Na Piarsaigh
Glenville - - St Michaels Glenville
Bantry Blues - - Valley Rovers Bantry
Aghada - - Newcestown Aghada
Beara - - Naomh Aban Beara
St Nicks - - Kiskeam St Nicks

Round 8
Naomh Aban - - Aghada Ballyvourney
Newcestown - - Bantry Blues Newcestown
Valley Rovers - - Glenville Brinny (Valley Rvs)
St Michaels - - Na Piarsaigh St Michaels
Kiskeam - - Beara Kiskeam
Nemo Rangers - - St Nicks Nemo Rangers

Round 9
Nemo Rangers - - St Michaels Nemo Rangers
Na Piarsaigh - - Valley Rovers Na Piarsaigh
Glenville - - Newcestown Glenville
Bantry Blues - - Naomh Aban Bantry
Aghada - - Kiskeam Aghada
St Nicks - - Beara St Nicks

Round 10
Beara - - Aghada Beara
Kiskeam - - Bantry Blues Kiskeam
Naomh Aban - - Glenville Ballyvourney
Newcestown - - Na Piarsaigh Newcestown
Valley Rovers - - Nemo Rangers Brinny (Valley Rvs)
St Michaels - - St Nicks St Michaels

Round 11
St Michaels - - Valley Rovers St Michaels
Nemo Rangers - - Newcestown Nemo Rangers
Na Piarsaigh - - Naomh Aban Na Piarsaigh
Glenville - - Kiskeam Glenville
Bantry Blues - - Beara Bantry
Aghada - - St Nicks Aghada