Aghada GAA One Club Newsletter August 2024

A Chara,

As August comes to an end and all the children head back to school, activities in Páirc Liam Uí Riain continue to thrive with young and old all enjoying our national games. The club got a major boost Friday night when our U21 Footballers captured the East Cork title after a great win over Glenville. More on this below. 

We have a number of big matches coming up over the next few weeks right across the club with our Hurling, Football, Camogie and Ladies Football teams all in championship action. 

Our Intermediate A hurlers were drawn in an extremely competitive group this year and have been unlucky in their opening two matches. In the first game, our lads faced Sarsfields in Dungourney. We battled well in the first half against the wind and only trailed our opponents by three at the halfway mark. There was great hope that we were in a good position at this stage and this hope grew as we came out in the second half all guns blazing. Unfortunately, Sars hit for a sucker punch of a goal just as our momentum was building and we ended up losing by five points in the end. In our second championship match, we faced Ballygiblin in Castlelyons. This match was similar to the first game in many respects as we faced into a stiff breeze in the opening half. Again, at half time we were in a positive position as we only trailed by two points. As was the case in Dungourney a few weeks earlier, our lads meant business in the second half and looked to be on course for a key victory halfway through the second half as Ballygiblin were reeled in. Willie Leahy was superb on frees on the day with Charlie Terry excelling from play. However, it was a case of deja vu as our opponents smothered the sliotar to the bag of the net with ten minutes remaining and even though our lads huffed and puffed, we just couldn't get our noses back in front losing out by two points in the end. So, if you look at the group table now, it doesn't look pretty but in truth this doesn't paint the full picture as we have been right in both our opening games and just didn't get the bit of luck we needed to come out on the right side of the result. 

Now, our hurlers face Midleton in Castlemartyr on Saturday the 7th of September at 4:30pm in a must win game to secure status in the Intermediate A grade for 2025. Our players and management of Derick Whyte, Richie Lewis, Pj Hurley & Martin Day have been working hard all year and need our support in this crucial game for the club. 

Unfortunately, our Junior B hurlers have suffered a similar fate to our intermediates in that they have lost both their opening championship group games. The first loss came against a youthful Watergrasshill side in Carrigtwohill. Our lads battled hard in this game and were unlucky to be on the end of a heavy defeat here. In fact, if we had taken some scores in the opening half we would have been right in this game towards the end. Last week, in our second match, we faced a strong Killeagh team in Cloyne. We were down a number of bodies in this game for a combination of reasons but the lads who were available tried their heart out. However, we came up against a team who was simply superior on the day and we ended up on the wrong side of the result. 

Now, our lads face Sarsfields TOMORROW, Sunday at 12 noon in COBH in a key game to make sure our second hurling team remains in the Junior B grade next year. Please support the team and management of Willie Wallace, Alan Walsh, Paul Walsh, Ger Lynch and Mark White if you can! 

Our Premier Intermediate Football team have completed two of their three opening championship group games but unfortunately, remain without a point in the group. Similar to our hurlers, our footballers were drawn in a very competitive group this year. Up first, we faced reigning Intermediate Football Champions Aghabullogue in Ballincollig. If we are honest, our lads would have been disappointed with our first half performance in this game but on the bright side we only trailed by three at the break. Whatever the management said at the break seemed to have worked in the second period as our performance level increased greatly and within 15 minutes we were back in the lead. We looked to be heading for an opening day victory but our opponents were not quite done as they came storming back at us to hit four points on the bounce to secure a narrow victory. In our second match things didn't get any easier as we faced a fancied Uibh Laoire side in Ballyanly. Again, in the first half we played against both the wind and a slight hill but in truth it was the men in green who seemed to be having more of the play. This first half was extremely tight and cagey as both teams tried to get a stranglehold on the game. We played some lovely football at times but unfortunately our final finish was leaving us down as we failed to convert our chances to scores. As the short whistle blew, we trailed the men from the west by the minimum but turned to play with all the elements at our back. Our lads really began to get their tails up as we progressed through the second half with a point from Diarmuid Byrne and three points in a row from Cian Hegarty sending us into the lead with 10 minutes to go in the contest. We looked to have the upper hand at this stage but we were playing one of the favourites for the competition and they came right back at us. In a nightmare few minutes, we went from a point up to six points down as Uibh Laoire hit 1-4 on the bounce. The game soon petered out as we left Ballyanly with nothing after a titanic battle that the scoreline didn't do justice. 

Now, our lads face a vital match against Ilen Rovers on the 14th of September in Brinny at 6:30pm where a win is critical to secure our Premier Intermediate status for 2025. Our management team of Mick Kiely, Larry Tomkins, Cathal McAllister, Aidan Berry, Christy Condon, Lar Collins, Tom O’Neill and all the players have been training incredibly hard over the last number of months and need our support in Brinny in two weeks time. 

Our Junior A Footballers have completed their championship campaign and finished third in their group after one win and two defeats. Our opening game in this group came against Castlemartyr on a wet July’s evening in Aghavine. This game was tight all the way through but Castlemartyr got the rub of the green in the final 10 minutes which enabled them to pull away late on. Next up for our lads was a daunting task as we faced a fancied Carrignavar team in round 2 in Caherlag. This game was undoubtedly our Juniors highlight of the season as they pulled off a great win with Neil Cunningham bagging a hat trick on the night! The final group match was against Erin’s Own in Dungourney but we had lost a number of players from the Carrignavar match as they had played Premier Intermediate Football at this stage! However, we had plenty of players who were more than capable of taking their place as we had a full dressing room to choose from yet again. Unfortunately, the game went away from us in the first half and we couldn't reel in the deficit in the second period. However, as we exited the competition, there were plenty of positives to take from the campaign as a large number of players got plenty of game time and exposure to Junior A Football which should benefit our adult teams in the years to come. Well done to Richie Condon who took over this team this year as manager and was ably assisted by John Connolly, Ben Walsh, Jimmy O’Leary and Darren Lee.

Our Junior C Footballers have also completed their group games in the East Cork Championship and have qualified for the quarter final after securing four points out of six in the group. The team lost out to Crarigtwohill in round one by four points after a great game of football but regrouped to defeat Glenville in round two by nine points. Bride Rovers then conceded the final game to us which sent us through to the quarter final of the competition where we will face Carrignavar away from home at 12 noon on Sunday the 15th of September. 

Our Premier Junior Camogie team got their championship campaign up and running on Monday evening when they faced Mallow in Whitechurch. The game was played in terrible wintery conditions and unfortunately our girls lost out by the minimum on the night. The team now turn their attention to the next championship game against Milford on Wednesday night at 6:30pm in Grenagh. This is a must win match so please make every effort to support if you can! The girls final group match will then be against Ballinascarthy on Wednesday 11th of September. Time and Venue: TBC. 

Best of luck to Manager Donal Godfrey, his management team and all the players in their remaining two group matches!

Our Senior Ladies Footballers have played two of four championship group games so far and the good news is they have won both! In their opening game, they defeated Éire Óg in Ovens after a ding dong battle. This was a huge win for the club as we had lost out to Éire Óg in the County Semi Final at the same venue last year. In round two we faced Bride Rovers in Rostellan and after a very assured performance we ended up coming out on top with a good team display. Our girls will now have their eyes firmly set on their next match where they must make the long trip to face Clonakilty away from home on Sunday the 15th of September. Time: TBC. The final game of the group is against Kinsale in Rostellan the following week on the 22nd of September at 3pm. Here’s hoping the girls can get two more wins in these two important matches. 

Best of luck to Eric Smith, his management team and all the players in their remaining two group matches!

Aghada 0-12

Glenville 0-10

Aghada are U21 East Cork Football Champions for 2024 after a superb match against Glenville last night in Cobh. Aghada beat Fr. O’Neills and Carrigwtohill in the opening rounds of the competition earlier in the year. The Final was due to take place in March but was called off due to inclement weather. With adult teams fixtures starting at this time, the game was pushed back to August. In what seems to be a trend in championship matches this year for Aghada, we played against the wind in the first half. We started well and our Vice Captain Eoin Motherway got the first score of the game after a well worked team score. Glenville came straight up the pitch and levelled soon after which set the tone for a game that was nip and tuck from start to finish. Aghada were struggling to break down Glenville's well organised defence but kept to their task throughout. Aghada’s defence was key to starting a number of Aghada attacks with Scott Whyte and Ronan Murphy driving forwards on numerous occasions. Aghada’s scorer in chief in the opening period was Eoin Motherway who finished the half with three beautifully executed long range points. Aghada were also dealt an early blow losing midfielder Conall Rooney to injury after seven minutes. By the time Pa O’Driscolls half time whistle sounded, the teams were locked on five points each but a big part of that was down to Jack Corkery, Conor Geary and Donagh Collins’ resolute defending. 

As our lads turned to play with the wind in the second half, Glenville came flying out of the traps and hit two points on the bounce. The men from Aghada looked in trouble. Our lads didn’t panic though and Jack Colbert began to boss the defence and drive forward with the ball. Cian Hegarty was also starting to spray some nice passes around now and Fintan Cody stepped up to kick two great points to draw the game. Fintan ended the game with a haul of 5 points from play. At this stage, our two wing forwards Tomás Condon and John Walsh were working tirelessly to turn over our opponents and get us on the front foot going forward. James Motherway was working hard in the inside line and eventually a pass was worked to him after hard work out the field. He swivelled and popped over the first of his two points on the night. Glenville kept coming back tough and narrowed the gap once again. The score of the game soon followed to send us back into the lead as the ball was kicked into James Motherway. Instead of catching the ball, he flicked the ball towards the oncoming Diarmuid Byrne who sent over a lovely score. Subs Rob Dean and Samuel O’Driscoll were beginning to get on a lot of ball now as Aghada searched for another point to send them three clear. However, we couldn't get it which led to a fierce assault on the Aghada goal from our opponents in the closing minutes. Aghada were defending well but were indebted to their goalkeeper Cian O’Shea who made not one, not two but three top class saves to deny Glenville the goal they needed. James Hurley was introduced late on to see out the game and soon after the final whistle sounded. The scenes that followed were brilliant and Donagh Collins as Captain received the trophy which led to mighty celebrations. It was great to see a big Aghada crowd on the pitch after the match celebrating the win. A win the club really needed. Well done lads!

Best on the day for Aghada were Cian O’Shea, Scott Whyte, Eoin Motherway and Fintan Cody. 

Well done to all the players, Manager John O’Connor, his selectors Philip Moore, Cathal McAllister and the one and only Tommy Foley. 

The club is delighted to announce that we will take part in the Relay For Life again this year. The event is a great fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society and also allows families to celebrate cancer survivors and remember loved ones who have lost the fight to cancer. The event takes place in Midleton on September 14/15th. We would be delighted if you would consider walking for an hour in the relay on the day. If you are interested, contact any of the women listed below: 

The women will be selling candle bags to remember loved ones which will line the route for the relay over the next few weeks. The bags will be for sale down in the club over the next few weeks.

The candle bag sales are in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. 

Thanks to Gill, Elaine, Anne Marie, Saundra and Áine for organising the club's involvement in the event again this year. 

A great night was held in Midleton GAA club a few weeks ago to commemorate Imokilly Senior footballers two fantastic County Championship victories in the 1980's.  

Aghada had huge involvement with both winning teams. Anthony Cashman spearheaded the management of both title wins with Conor Counihan leading the players on the pitch from centre back in both campaigns. The other Aghada players involved in both victorious Imokilly outfits were Aidan Berry, and the late and great Billy Ahern. St Finbarrs were the opponents in both County finals held in Pairc Uí Chaoimh. In 1984, we also had players Joe Hartnett, Alan Devoy and Kevin O’Connell along with Pa O’Connor Senior in the management set up. In 1986, we also had Ger Looney, Jim Reaney, Martin Hennessy, Patsy Rice and Donal Morrissey win County Senior Football medals with their division.

Thanks to Imokilly Board for organising the event which was a great night and enjoyed by the big crowd who attended!

The Healthy Club has been busy during the Summer!

They hosted a 4 week Jiving course which was great fun and put everyone's fitness to the test! A great initiative which was enjoyed by all. 

Last week, the Healthy Club welcomed the Men's Shed for lunch in the clubhouse. A lively bunch who were glad to sit, eat and chat!

Keep an eye out for upcoming events that the Healthy Club will be organising over the coming months. Thanks to all the women on the Healthy Club committee for all the work they do here. 

This year we had not one but TWO Cúl Camps in CLG Áth Fhada. Our first Cúl Camp took place in July and had over 180 children attend to have fun and games with all their friends. The weather gods didn’t quite play ball with us on the opening day but great fun was had as our fantastic young club coaches played games in dressing rooms and the club hall to make sure every child went home with a smile on their face! Thankfully, the rain stayed away for the rest of the week and plenty of hurling, football, camogie and ladies football was on display on our playing pitches. We were also lucky to have Cork Senior Selector Fergal Condon visit the camp ahead of the All Ireland Final. Our children were also lucky enough to get photographs taken with our Cork Ladies Football stars Abigail Ring, Ameilia Cooper, Rachel Leahy and Kaitlin Smith. This camp was run by Helen Walsh, Elaine Counihan,Úna Cashaman and Niamh Callanan. Thanks to the girls for all their hard work in running this July Cúl Camp! 

In August, we had our second Cúl Camp with over 100 children attending. The weather gods were a bit more considerate for this camp with most of the week remaining rain free. Great fun was had at this camp also with all children delighted with the experience. On the Thursday of camp, we were delighted to welcome All Ireland Champion Aoife Healy to Camp. Aoife spoke with all the children and encouraged them to continue playing sport along with signing numerous autographs. Thanks Aoife, you are a great ambassador for both Aghada and Cork Camogie!  Thanks to Vera Terry and Ann Marie O’Hanlon who did a great job running this camp. Special thanks to head coach Donagh Collins who ensured every child got to experience the best of what gaelic games has to offer! As was the case with their first camp, the children were treated to ice cream on the final day of camp and we had a special visit from Irving Oil’s fire engine also. Thanks to the lads in the refinery for organising this for both camps. 

Finally, without our fabulous young club coaches these Cúl Camps wouldn't have been possible. Well done to every single one of ye who did an absolutely tremendous job!

We have had a fantastic season following the Cork Senior Hurlers this year with many highlights including that last minute Patrick Horgan penalty in the Páirc which sent the stadium into delirium which was followed by the day we stopped Limerick’s drive for five in Croke Park. The season culminated in a trip to Croke Park on All Ireland Final day where the rebels faced Clare. Unfortunately, after a game for the ages, the banner came away with Liam McCarthy but there's no donut the men in red and white will be hoping to go one step further in 2025. We were incredibly proud to have our own Fergal Condon involved as selector with the team. Fergal has been a fantastic ambassador for our club and has even managed to train our minor hurlers while performing his key role with Cork. Well done Fergal and we all wish you the best of luck in 2025! 

As everyone knows, it's great when the rebels reach the All Ireland but one down side is when a Cork team is in the final, tickets turn into gold. Club secretaries around the county had their phones blowing up with messages for tickets the minute we defeated Limerick in the All Ireland semi final. None more so than our own secretary John Murphy. Thanks to John for doing this difficult job of distributing these tickets ahead of the final. A thankless job! 

The Cork Camogie team have captured the O’Duffy Cup for a second year in a row after defeating Galway in a heart stopping final in Croke Park. Well done to club players Aoife Healy, Hannah Looney & Amy O’Connor who climbed the steps of the Hogan with the team! A fantastic achievement yet again girls and we are all extremely proud of ye all here in Aghada. 

Well done to our camogie committee who organised a supporters bus from Aghada to the big match. It was great to see so many young girls heading to HQ to support the rebels. 

Congratulations to Paddy O’Shea and his wife Frankie who closed up their Post Office in Upper Aghada for the final time at the end of July  after serving our community for 47 years!

Paddy has been a lifelong supporter of Aghada GAA and served as Aghada Juvenile Secretary along with East Cork Board Juvenile Secretary for a number of years. On top of this Paddy & Frankie have sold our club lotto tickets since our lotto began over 30 years ago and in doing so have collected huge funds for the development of our club!

A huge thanks to Paddy, Frankie and all the O‘Shea family for their support of our club and for looking after our community so well over the last 5 decades.

On behalf of the club, John Motherway and Mick O’Neill presented Paddy & Frankie with a token of appreciation from all in CLG Áth Fhada.

Well done and thank you to everyone who came out today to help give our club grounds a bit of a spruce up ahead of the winter season. It is great to see so many willing to give up their time to make sure our grounds are looking their best! Of course, a shout out here to Pat O’Connell who is the one who makes sure our facilities are in tip top shape year round and to John Motherway who ensures our playing pitches are in top order for all our matches throughout the year!

That's it for now. Please make every effort to support our teams over the coming weeks! Remember to wear the club colours if you can!

Slán, 

   

Ár nDícheall Go Deo