Aghada take title

Aghada 1-10

Taking a scalp like Kerry champions Kerins O’Rahillys made this AIB Munster Club Football League Division One final win all the sweeter for the Corkmen in Ballyvourney yesterday.

James O’Connell, scorer of four of Aghada’s first-half points, was on fire, continually beating both John Kelly, who went off injured, and Paul Heaslip as the seasiders led 0-2 to 0-1 after the opening quarter.

The Cork side led 0-6 to 0-2 at the break.

And after with O’Neill and James O’Connor stretching their lead in the second half after some terrific play, got a real fillip for Aghada in the 40th minute when, after Sweeney had made a fine save from O’Connell, centre-forward Flaherty nipped in to dispossess goalkeeper Sweeney for a goal which fired Aghada into a commanding 1-8 to 0-4 lead entering the final quarter, Quill pointing his second free for Rahillys.

It looked all over but in true Kerry fashion Rahillys battled back. to shake Aghada. With Barry O’Shea, now at midfield and Michael Quirke, now making a real nuisance of himself at full-forward, on form Quirke goaled in the 47th minute and Quill brought the deficit down to just a goal in the 51st minute with his third free.

Then a super save by O’Connell denied Quill and inspired his team-mates Trevor O’Keeffe and Melvin to grab points at the other end.

It wasn’t over yet though, as two smashing points from Quill again left just a goal between the sides. Rahilly were all over Aghada now and it was down to O’Connell to save his side with another terrific save from Quill.

Scorers for Aghada: J. O’Connell 0-5 (0-3 frees), B. Flaherty 1-1, G. Melvin 0-2, P. O’Neill, T. O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

Kerins O’Rahillys: D. Quill 0-5 (0-3 frees), M. Quirke 1-0, G. Molloy, J. O’Connor 0-1 each.

AGHADA: S. O’Connell; D. Lee, K. O’Connor, E. O’Neill; C. O’Brien, W. O’Donoghue, P. Kilbane; P. O’Neill, R. Dwane; K. O’Keeffe, B. Flaherry, T. O’Keeffe; G. Melvin, D. Creedon, J. O’Connor. Sub: M. Lewis for Creedon.

KERINS O’RAHILLYS: D. Sweeney; J. Kelly, K. Savage, M. O’Shea; G. Walsh, B. O’Shea, P. Heaslip; M. Quirke, T. O’Sullivan; P. Madden, G. Molloy, O. Molloy; J. O’Connor, D. Quill, A. Murphy. Subs: R. Holohan for Kelly, A. Daly for Madden, J. W. O’Connor for Murphy