Aghada Gaa

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Senior football Championship – Aghada 3-8 v O’Donovan Rossa 1-16

Our senior footballers lost the 1st round of championship last Saturday night, going down by two points to Skibbereen outfit O’Donovan Rossa’s in Pairc Ui Rinn. In what was a good game of football, the West Cork team deserved their victory, but credit to Aghada also, who battled right to the death. 7 points down with 10 minutes to play, the writing looked on the wall at that point, but Aghada finished the stronger in those closing 10 minutes. Cian Fleming earned and pointed a free on 53 minutes. Rossa’s replied from play on 54 minutes, but next up Josh O’Shea kicked a super point with 2 minutes of normal time to play. Aghada still needed a goal and after a good move Ronan Kennedy got through the Skibb defence but his shot flew just over the bar. As the clock ticked into injury time, Aghada came again. This time Josh floated a high ball into the square, which Mathew O’Connor kept in play and broke the ball to Kevin O’Hanlon who finished smartly to the back of the net. Suddenly there was only 2 points in it and still time on the clock. O Donovan Rossa won the kickout however and played a bit of keep ball for the final seconds before the referee finnaly blew the full time whistle to bring procedings to a close in this East v West contest.

Rossa’s came out of the blocks fast on the night, hitting two points in the opening two minutes, one from play and one from a free. Their top forward Kevin Davis missed very little for the night and was a major thorn in Aghada’s side all through. Aghada got the scoreboard moving from a Fleming brace, again one was a free and one was from play. The latter set up by a strong run from defence by Tim Hartnett. Rossa’s had 2 more minors, before Aghada struck for the 1st of their 3 goals. Charlie Terry won the mark from the kickout, and quickly released Aaron Berry. The wing forward made a strong 40 yard run before off loading to Shane Bennett, who calmly slotted home to the bottom right corner soccer style. Again Skibb hit two in a row to retake the lead, but then came Aghada’s second goal. Bennett intercepted a sideline kick and then passed to Fleming, who in turn set Kennedy through on goals and he slotted home under the ‘keeper. Next up however, Rossa’s struck for an important score, when straight from the resulting kickout, they went the length of the field and raised a green flag of their own. They could have had a second major a minute later, but Andy O’Donoghue in the Aghada goal made a fine save. The resulting ’45 was dispatched over the bar. From there to half time Skibb outscored Aghada 4 points to 2. Aghada’s scores came from  Josh O’Shea and Ronan Kennedy who was set up by a fine pass from O’Shea. At halftime it was a 4 point game 1-11 v 2-4.

The sides exchanged points in the opening 5 minutes after the restart, but Aghada would go the best part of 20 minutes without scoring again. Skibb hit 3 points in the same period to open up that 7 point lead going into the final 10. Next came the Aghada fightback, which ultimatley came up just short and its O’Donovan Rossa who take the direct route in this year’s championship. Aghada will face Clyda Rovers in Round 2, after the Mourne Abbey men lost to Nemo Rangers in the preceeding game.

Aghada team and scorers – Andy O’Donoghue, Tim Hartnett, Jake O’Donoghue, Kyle O’Shea, Tommy O’Donoghue, Jordan Tynan, Aiden O’Connell, Marcus Leahy, Charlie Terry, Aaron Berry, Josh O’Shea(0-2), Conor O Driscoll, Shane Bennett (1-0), Cian Fleming (0-4,3f’s),Ronan Kennedy (1-2). Subs Used – Matt O’Connor, Daniel Creedon, Kevin O’Hanlon(1-0).

JB Hurling League – Aghada 5-25 V Bride Rovers 1-9

The JB hurlers got their 2018 league campaign off to a flyer with a comprehensive victory over Bride Rovers. A totally one sided first half gave Aghada a massive 1-19 v 1pt lead at half time (we are trying to establish whose man got the point). Aghada’s goal came from an unusual source in Stevie Keeffe (they’ll be coming along like buses now Stevie!). Mark McCarthy with 6 points in this opening half, stood out in a half where everyone was on top of their game. Rovers rallied to some extent in the second half, hitting 1-3 in the opening 5 minutes after the restart, before Aghada once again took over. More goals followed - 1 from the impressive Luke O’Connell, Kevin O’Hanlon hit two, and Kalen O’Donoghue also raised a green flag. The result was never in doubt really and Aghada have two points on the board to kick-start this year’s league campaign.

Congrats

Congratulations to Diarmaid Phelan, who had the major honour of captaining his county when the Cork minor footballers took on Waterford in this year’s Munster 1st round. Cork recorded a comprehensive win on the night and now face Kerry in the semi final in Tralee at the start of May.

Fixtures

Prem Intermediate hurling league – Aghada v Tracton in Minane Bridge, Wednesday 18th of April at 7:15pm

Prem Intermediate hurling league – Aghada v Valley Rovers in Brinny, Saturday 21st of April at 5pm

Prem Intermediate hurling Championship – Aghada v Fr O’Neills in Killeagh, Saturday 28th April at 6pm

Aghada Community Centre Host a Spectacular G.A.A. Exhibition

On Sunday the 22nd of April from 11am to 4pm Denis O’Sullivan from Ballynoe will bring his incredible collection of G.A.A. Memorabilia to Aghada. On display will be an extensive collection of photo albums which include hurling and camogie teams from all grades from many decades and from all corners of the country. There will be a large collection of recordings of Hurling and Camogie on audio cassettes, CD’s and D.V.D.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to hear selected scores on audio cassettes by legendary broadcasters Michéal O’ Hehir, Michéal O’Muircheartaigh, John Cashman, Paudie Palmer and Declan Drake.

One of the highlights of the exhibition will be the collection of memorabilia on Cork hurling legend Christy Ring.

There will also be signed hurleys, jerseys and other items too numerous to mention on display.

Admission is FREE and All are welcome.

Lotto

The current Lotto jackpot is €8,250 and will take place in The Long Point on April 19th. Congrats to Cannon Kelleher, Kerry Kelleher, Ann Lehane, Mary O’Neill, and Dermot Curtain who won €30 in last week’s draw.