Our Intermediate A hurlers opened their 2025 championship campaign on a sun-soaked afternoon in Caherlag yesterday, and while the game ended in confusion, drama, and ultimately a draw, our lads can be very proud of a spirited second-half comeback that showed serious fight and determination.

In front of a strong and vocal Aghada crowd, the team showed immense character to claw their way back from a six-point halftime deficit — or four, depending on which scoreboard you were watching! The game will be remembered not only for its intense finish but also for an apparent scoreboard error that had our supporters scratching their heads at full-time.

It took 13 long minutes for Aghada to register our first score of the championship, with Willie Leahy settling the nerves by converting a free after a flurry of early wides. Moments later, Fionn O'Connor clipped over a tidy point from play, and with Will Leahy adding a 65 soon after, it looked like we were beginning to settle. However, Kildorrery struck for the first goal of the game, and suddenly we found ourselves five behind.

Will Leahy, who was in fine form all afternoon, kept us ticking over with some crucial scores, ably supported by Ronan Murphy’s tireless work around the middle. Charlie Terry also popped over a fine score from play before the break. As the clock ticked into the 31st minute, the scoreboard read Aghada 0-8 to Kildorrery’s 1-10. Will fired over one more before the break to seemingly leave us four in arrears.

Then came the confusion. That final Aghada point appeared to have been added to Kildorrery’s total instead, both on the official scoreboard and — crucially — in the referee’s notebook. Despite the protests, we found ourselves six down at the short whistle, facing into the second half against both the wind and the odds.

Our management team made two changes at the break, introducing Jamie O’Hanlon and Jordan Tynan, and both made an immediate impact. Jamie struck the first point of the second half and helped inject a new energy into our attack.

Our defence, led superbly by Kyle O’Shea and Michael Russell, held firm while our middle 8 began to take control around the breaks. Ronan Murphy grew into the game brilliantly, and Pearse O’Neill continued to dominate inside, causing havoc for the Kildorrery full-back line.

Points from Will Leahy, Noah Devoy, and Mark McCarthy helped narrow the margin, but Kildorrery hit for their second goal just when it looked like we were closing in. Instead of folding, our lads responded with their best spell of hurling in the match — sparked further by the introduction of Tomás Condon, whose pace and aggression gave us another outlet up front.

Fionn, Jamie, and Will all pointed to reduce the gap again. Then Rory O’Connell stepped up with a massive score that had us within a point — or three, depending on whose count you were trusting by this stage!

With time almost up, another high ball into the danger zone saw Pearse O’Neill torment the Kildorrery defence once again. The ball broke to Fionn O’Connor, who made no mistake from close range, firing to the net and seemingly putting us two ahead.

Kildorrery pointed once more, but Will Leahy had the final say, slotting over what looked to be the insurance point. However, when the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 1-22 to 2-19 — a draw. Aghada believed they had done enough to win it — and most in the ground agreed — but the referee’s book held sway as it always will.

In truth, a draw was probably a fair reflection of the game overall. Aghada will rue their first-half wastefulness in front of goal — a series of missed scoreable chances meant we were always chasing. However, credit must go to every one of the lads for digging in, especially in the final 15 minutes. John Walsh deserves special mention for his calmness and precision with puckouts, consistently finding teammates under pressure and launching attacks from deep while Pearse O'Neill gave an exhibition of his ball winning skills throughout the game. 

And while there was frustration at the final whistle over the scoring discrepancy, the referee Niall Hayes deserves credit for allowing the game to flow which contributed to an exciting spectacle for all. Onwards and upwards now as the championship rolls on. If our lads can replicate that second-half performance, there’s plenty to look forward to in the weeks ahead. Well done to all invloved. 

Scorers: Will Leahy (0-14, 9F, 1 ’65), Fionn O’Connor (1-2), Jamie O’Hanlon (0-2), Ronan Murphy, Mark McCarthy, Noah Devoy, Rory O’Connell, Charlie Terry (0-1 each)

Team: John Walsh, Tim Hartnett, Mark McCarthy, Kyle O’Shea, Jack Norris, Michael Russell, Jack McDonnell, Rory O’Connell, Noah Devoy, Charlie Terry, William Leahy, Fionn O’Connor, Samuel O’Driscoll, Pearse O’Neill, Ronan Murphy.
Subs Used: Jamie O’Hanlon, Jordan Tynan, Tomás Condon. 

Our Premier Intermediate Footballers began their 2025 championship campaign with a battling performance in Cobh last Saturday, ultimately falling short against a sharp Nemo Rangers side on a scoreline of 2-13 to 2-9. Despite a disastrous opening 15 minutes, our lads showed serious character to claw their way back into the contest, and although the result didn’t go our way, the attitude, commitment, and quality on show bode well for the remainder of the group.

A huge crowd filled the picturesque Cobh venue, but unfortunately, it was Nemo who hit the ground running. Inside 13 minutes, Aghada found themselves staring at a 1-6 to 0-0 deficit — a blistering start from Nemo and a real gut punch for our lads, who struggled to settle early. But our lads didn’t flinch. The comeback began with a hard-earned score from Seamus Moloney after excellent defensive work and transition play by Tim Hartnett and David Wallace. Moments later, Pearse O’Neill curled over a fine point from play, sparking belief across the team and among the Aghada faithful in the stands.

With momentum now swinging our way, Diarmuid Byrne raced through the heart of the Nemo defence and buried a goal past the keeper — a superb finish that reignited the contest. Nemo did respond with a point, but the tide had turned. Five minutes before the break, we were awarded a penalty after sustained pressure. Jamie O’Hanlon stepped up with confidence and coolly slotted it home, reducing the gap to just three. Cian Hegarty then added a lovely point to leave us just two behind at the break, 2-3 to 1-8, a scoreline that felt like a minor miracle after such a shaky opening.

Aghada picked up where they left off after the restart, with Hego knocking over another point to reduce the margin to the minimum. Diarmuid Phelan began to influence proceedings around the middle third, while Kyle O’Shea launched several surging runs from defence, driving the team forward at every opportunity.

However, just as it looked like we might push ahead for the first time, Nemo found their groove again and struck two points to open up a bit of daylight. We created chances but couldn’t convert — a mix of wayward shooting and bad luck in front of goal meant we couldn’t capitalise on our possession.

Then came the sucker punch: a second goal for Nemo midway through the half stretched the lead again, and from there it was always going to be a tall order. But if nothing else, our lads showed heart and refused to drop their heads. Fintan Cody made an immediate impact off the bench with a well-taken point, followed quickly by Ronan Murphy, who clipped over after some excellent build-up play. Though Nemo kept replying to each score we got, Aghada never stopped probing for goals to force a late comeback.

With three minutes to play, Diarmuid Byrne struck a brilliant two-point score from range, and Cian Hegarty added his third of the evening to reduce the deficit to just four. It was a brave effort, but time simply ran out.

At full time, the scoreboard read Aghada 2-9, Nemo Rangers 2-13. The result may have been disappointing, but the performance — particularly after the nightmare start — showed real character and plenty to build on. With two vital games still to come in the round-robin format against Bantry Blues and Aghabullogue, our championship is still very much alive.

Scorers:
Diarmuid Byrne (1-2), Jamie O’Hanlon (1-0 pen), Cian Hegarty (0-3), Seamus Moloney (0-1), Pearse O’Neill (0-1), Fintan Cody (0-1), Ronan Murphy (0-1)

Team: Cian O’Shea, Ronan Murphy, Jack Colbert, Kyle O’Shea, Scott Whyte, Jordan Tynan, Tim Hartnett, Diarmuid Phelan, David Wallace, Cian Hegarty, Seamus Moloney, Diarmuid Byrne, Fintan Cody, Jamie O’Hnalon, Pearse O’Neill.
Subs Used: Tomás Condon, Jack Norris, Jake O’Donoghue, Fintan Cody, Joe McKenna.