CLG Áth Fhada Newsletter 17-10-2024 - County Final this Sunday

 

A Chara,

What a huge weekend we have in store! Not one but TWO County Finals to look forward to!

The excitement around the parish is palpable and it’s safe to say we can't wait for Sunday! Please enjoy the build up to the big matches below. 

This Sunday will mark a truly historic moment for Aghada GAA, as our Senior Ladies Football team competes in the Senior A County Final at 4pm in MTU Cork (formally CIT). This fixture is one of the most significant in the club’s long and proud history, dating back to 1885. It’s been a remarkable journey for the team, and we want the entire parish to get behind the girls as they chase County glory. It’s time to show your colours! Let’s decorate our homes and streets in green and white, and let’s fill the stand IN MTU to cheer on our team.

The team is led by the ever-dependable Róisín Phelan, who has shown exceptional leadership throughout this campaign. Of course, Róisín isn’t the only great leader on the team, with players from all over the panel stepping up in key moments in different matches throughout the year. It really has been a panel effort for our girls to reach this point, with every single player having a key input into the season so far. Manager Eric Smith has been at the helm for three years now, steadily building a team and management structure that is dedicated, professional, and committed. 

This management team includes Eoin O'Neill as Coach, whose tactical expertise and motivational leadership have been key on the training ground and in matches. Ger Looney, Goalkeeper Coach/Selector, has sharpened the reflexes and skills of our goalkeepers, ensuring that the girls are ready to perform on match day. Cathal Cronin and Richard Good, acting as Selectors, bring additional key insights into team selection and match-day tactics, while Brian Walsh, our Statistician, draws on his wealth of experience from his time with the Cork Senior Footballers to provide crucial data and performance analysis. Special mention must go to Cathal who also does logistics for the team. Cathal (with the help of Áine!), makes sure the dressing room is kitted out on match day and that all our girls have enough match day snacks to keep an army going!

Backing this effort are our tireless FLOs, Áine Cronin and Sheila Lenihan, who ensure the team runs smoothly behind the scenes. Denis O'Leary, our Strength & Conditioning Coach and masseuse, has been vital to keeping the team fit and injury-free throughout the season. His role is even more remarkable given that Denis is involved in two County Senior Finals this Sunday, as he is also involved with the Imokilly Senior Hurlers. We are also fortunate to have John O'Connor as our Video Analyst, who offers detailed analysis from match videos. 

Aghada’s road to the final has been nothing short of thrilling. In the group stages, the girls recorded victories over Éire Óg, Bride Rovers, and Clonakilty, along with a hard-fought draw against a talented Kinsale side. These performances earned them a spot in the semi-finals, where they faced their local rivals, Glanmire, in what proved to be an unforgettable contest.

The semi-final against Glanmire will be remembered for its drama, intensity, and sheer determination from both teams. From the outset, Glanmire came out with intent, putting our defence under early pressure. However, our defensive unit stood firm, soaking up the early attacks and launching counterattacks of their own. The match was a true battle of wills, with both teams exchanging points in a nail-biting first half. 

As the game progressed, it became clear that this contest was heading for a dramatic finish. With only minutes remaining and Glanmire ahead by a slender margin, Aghada showed their true fighting spirit. A brilliant attacking move led to an equalising score that sent the game into extra time. The tension was palpable, with both teams pushing to secure a place in the final.

In extra time, Aghada took control. The team, driven on by the vocal support of the crowd, dug deep and found another gear. After a tense contest, our girls found the much needed scores to get over the line and in doing so, secured their place in the County Senior Football Final!

The players themselves have been fantastic ambassadors for our club throughout the season. Their commitment to training, matches, and representing CLG Áth Fhada is second to none. The camaraderie and bond between the girls is evident every time they take to the field, and that unity has been one of the keys to their success. The most important part of any team is its players, and our Senior Ladies have demonstrated immense character, resilience, and teamwork in every challenge they’ve faced. This group truly embodies what it means to play for Aghada, and their togetherness and determination are a credit to the club.

Now, all eyes turn to MTU Cork this Sunday. This team has already made history by reaching the final, but hopefully they are not done yet. Let’s make sure to give them the support they deserve. We urge everyone in Aghada to come out in force—let’s make MTU a sea of green and white and give our Senior Ladies the backing they need to bring home the County title!

We want to extend our very best wishes to the Aghada lads involved with the Imokilly Senior Hurling team as they take on Sarsfields in the County Senior Hurling Final this Sunday at 4pm in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Aghada will be proudly represented on the day by players Michael Russell, Mark McCarthy, Charlie Terry, and Willie Leahy, who have all been in excellent form throughout the season. Their contributions have been vital to Imokilly’s success, and we are hopeful that they’ll bring County medals back to the parish this weekend.

We also want to acknowledge Aidan Kelleher, who has been an integral part of the backroom team as a Selector, helping to guide the team tactically throughout the campaign. Aidan's insight and dedication have been crucial to their run in this year's championship. Best wishes also to Denis O'Leary, who serves as Strength and Conditioning Coach for Imokilly. Denis’s experience in preparing athletes for peak performance has been instrumental in ensuring the team is in top physical shape for each game. Best wishes also to Dr. Diarmuid Mulcahy who is the team doctor with the Candy Stripes. 

Imokilly's path to the final has been a testament to their resilience and quality. Earlier this summer, they were crowned Divisional Section champions, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the county yet again. In the championship quarter-final, they faced a stiff challenge from Fr. O'Neills, but their discipline and determination saw them advance to the next stage.

In the semi-final, Imokilly came up against Blackrock, a formidable opponent with a rich history in Cork hurling. The game was a thrilling contest, but Imokilly's tactical acumen and strong all-around performance saw them through, booking their place in the final. Now, they prepare for an exciting East Cork derby against Sarsfields, a team that has shown their own quality throughout the season as reigning champions. This final promises to be a fantastic showdown between two top sides.

Best of luck to all the Aghada lads involved and to the entire Imokilly team on Sunday! Here's hoping the lads can bring another County Senior Hurling title back to East Cork! 

A special word of thanks to this year’s Intermediate Hurling management team. The season had its ups and downs, but the team’s hard work and determination were rewarded with a crucial victory over Cloughduv in the relegation playoff. That win not only preserved our Intermediate status but also showcased the team’s grit and ability to compete at this level.

Huge credit goes to Derick Whyte and his management team, who have given their all over the last two years. They are now stepping back for a well-deserved break, but their contributions won’t be forgotten. If anyone is interested in getting involved with the Intermediate Hurlers for 2025, please contact the club executive.

Please note that our clubhouse will be closed for at least a week from Monday, the 21st of October to allow for the final touches to be made in the ongoing refurbishment project. Over the past six weeks, significant improvements have been made, including the installation of new windows and doors, and a fresh coat of green and white paint throughout the interior. A big thank you to all the club members who volunteered their time and effort to make this happen.

A reminder that the Juvenile AGM will take place this Friday, the 18th of October. This is a key event in the club’s calendar, offering members the chance to reflect on the fantastic achievements of our young hurlers and footballers throughout 2024. We encourage all club members to attend and show their support for the next generation of Aghada players. This end of year meeting is a great opportunity to hear about the progress and development of our underage teams, as well as to plan for the future. Your input and support are invaluable in ensuring the continued success of our juvenile teams.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, the 26th of October, when Aghada will host the East Cork Junior A Football Final in Rostellan. This is East Cork’s flagship football competition, and we are expecting a fantastic game between two top teams. The event promises to be a highlight of the local GAA calendar, so make sure to come down to the club to enjoy the action.

It has been fantastic to see so many of our young players compete in the Parish Leagues over the past few weeks across hurling, football, camogie, and ladies football. The atmosphere at each of these events has been uplifting, with great crowds coming out to support the young players. The sense of community and togetherness was a real credit to the organisers across all sections of our club—GAA, Camogie, and LGFA. Well done to everyone involved for making these leagues such a success and for fostering such a positive environment for our future stars!

A big congratulations to our U16 hurlers, who recently became East Cork Champions after a thrilling final against local rivals St. Colmans. The match was a tense, high-quality encounter, but our lads showed tremendous heart and determination to come out on top. Well done to the players and management for their hard work throughout the season!

In addition to their success in hurling, this talented group of U16 players also qualified for the East Cork Football Final. Facing Midleton in the final, they played with heart and skill, and a last-minute penalty forced a dramatic draw. The replay is set for a few weeks’ time, and we wish them the best of luck.

Meanwhile, our U21 hurlers were in action last Sunday against Castlelyons in the first round of the East Cork Championship. Despite wet and difficult conditions, the team played some great hurling, with notable performances from Noah Devoy up front and strong defensive displays by Cian Hegarty, Donagh Collins, and Fionn O’Connor. They now face Fr. O’Neills in round two this Saturday at 5pm in Aghavine. Please come along and support the lads as they continue their championship journey.

Hard luck to our U14 Ladies Football team who lost out in last weekend's County Final. It wasn't the girls day but they should still be incredibly proud of themselves for reaching the final!

Even though we are heading into November, there are still plenty of important games to be played, so let's keep the support going strong for all our teams.

We have been asked to share the below information on a very worthy fundraiser Killeagh GAA are organising for one of their club players, Rory Motherway: 

As we conclude, all of our attention now turns to the Senior Ladies Football County Final this Sunday at 4pm in MTU. This team has been a fantastic representation of what our club stands for—commitment, camaraderie, and a will to succeed. They have worked incredibly hard throughout the season, and their bond as a team has been evident in every match they’ve played. Let’s show them the support they deserve on this historic occasion. Let’s make MTU Cork a sea of green and white and cheer our team all the way to victory.

Slán,

Vince