Our Aghada Premier Junior Camogie team have been crowned SE Systems Premier Junior County Champions for 2025, after a thrilling victory over Bishopstown in Castle Road on Saturday. The result secures promotion to the Intermediate grade for 2026 — a massive achievement for our players, mentors, and the entire club community.
It has been a fantastic year for this group, with memorable wins over Mallow (twice) and Bishopstown en route to the final. However, this weekend presented an extra challenge, as many of our players were also preparing for their senior ladies football final the following day — a situation that was deeply disappointing. It once again highlights the need for greater integration across associations, with common sense needing to prevail sooner rather than later as this simply is not acceptable. Player welfare needs to come first. Despite this, our girls represented the club with immense pride, leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for a huge weekend.
Bishopstown got off to the perfect start, pointing inside the first thirty seconds. Aghada responded through Clare Walsh, who finished a lovely move involving Shanua Whyte. Bishopstown then hit a mini purple patch, adding two more points to edge ahead by two.
Aghada steadied through the accuracy of Ali Smith, who pointed a free after being fouled, followed quickly by an exceptional score from play from May Collins. Our full-back line of Sally McAllister, Sarah Walsh, and Clodagh Walsh were immense as Bishopstown threatened during this spell but our girls stood firm.
Points from Ali Smith and Abigail Ring helped Aghada settle, but Bishopstown struck for a goal to regain the momentum. True to form, our girls responded brilliantly — Mary Leahy, Courtney O’Keeffe, and Cara Twomey combined superbly to set up Isabel Barry, who finished brilliantly to the top corner. From the resulting puck-out, Cara Twomey added a fine point to stretch the lead to three.
Bishopstown battled back with two frees before Ali Smith hit another placed ball after great play by Abigail Ring and Maeve McGrath. However, two late Bishopstown points before the break left the sides level at 1-7 apiece at half-time.
With the wind slightly favouring Bishopstown in the second half, Aghada knew they needed the performance of their lives to lift the title. The introduction of inspirational leader Rachel Leahy proved a turning point as she covered every blade of grass in the Mahon venue.
Bishopstown struck first after the restart, but Ali Smith quickly replied. The game remained finely balanced until Bishopstown nudged ahead after 43 minutes — only for the defining moment to arrive. After an intelligent cross-field ball from Mary Leahy, Rachel Leahy struck a low shot that dipped under the crossbar and into the net, catching everyone off guard. Aghada led again — and would not relinquish it.
As the game entered its final quarter, Cork senior star Aoife Healy began to dominate midfield, landing a superb point to extend the lead. Ali Smith kept the scoreboard ticking with another free, won by the tireless May Collins.
Then came the killer blow. Abigail Ring went on a blistering run through the heart of the Bishopstown defence before finding Clare Walsh, who coolly rounded her marker and buried an unstoppable shot to the net. That goal put Aghada six clear, soon stretched to seven when Ali Smith added another from play.
Bishopstown rallied late, hitting 1-1 to cut the gap to three, but goalkeeper Carol Geaney produced a magnificent save to deny what looked like a certain goal. Late introductions of Anabel O’Brien, Isabel Colbert, and Marissa Godfrey added vital energy to help see the game out.
A final free from Ali Smith deep into injury time sealed a famous 3-12 to 2-11 victory — and glory for Aghada.
At the final whistle, captain Rachel Leahy lifted the trophy to huge cheers from the large travelling Aghada supporters. May Collins, outstanding throughout both the semi-final and final, was deservedly named the official Echo Player of the Match.
Every player, including those who didn’t feature on the day but contributed massively all season, deserves enormous credit. The achievement reflects incredible teamwork, and pride in the Aghada jersey.
A huge congratulations to the entire panel and management — SE Systems Premier Junior Camogie County Champions 2025. Bring on the intermediate grade in 2026!
Team: Carol Geaney, Sally McAllister, Sarah Walsh, Clodagh Walsh, Shauna Whyte, Rachel Leahy (1-0), Mary Leahy, Aoife Healy (0-1), Abigail Ring (0-1), Cara Twomey (0-1), Ali Smith (0-7), Isabel Barry (1-0), May Collins (0-1), Clare Walsh (1-1), Courtney O’Keeffe, Clodagh Twomey, Marisa Godfrey, Maeve McGrath, Roise Steele, Claire Byrne, Ally Rose, Anabel O’Brien, Kiera O’Hanlon, Lauren McAllister, Fia Lane, Isabel Colbert, Kate Bowden, Kelly Crowley, Miriam Farrell.
