Aghabullogue's late surge sees off Aghada in Cork Premier Intermediate football opener
Aghabullogue's Luke Casey is tackled by Aghada's Diarmuid Byrne, during their Premier IFC clash at Ballincollig. Picture: David Keane.
Aghabullogue kicked the last four points of the game to claim the points in Group 1 of the McCarthy Insurance Cork PIFC in Ballincollig on Sunday evening.
It was a deserved victory, and the newly promoted side will be thrilled with how they responded to Aghada’s second half surge.
The Muskerry side led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the break, but Larry Tompkins’ Aghada were transformed after the interval. A couple of points from Danny Creedon and one from Tim Hartnett outdid a John Corkery point for Aghabullogue before points from David Thompson and Matthew Bradley put the winners back in control.
Aghada weren’t going anywhere, however, and three in-a-row from Diarmuid Byrne, Aaron Berry and Hartnett levelled the game for the second time going into the final quarter.
Berry then put them ahead, but Aghabullogue’s responses was impressive. John Corkery earned a couple of frees, Thompson and Matthew Bradley converted them before two more from Thompson put his side three ahead with six to play.
Aghada kept plugging away, looking for the goal they needed but heroic defending from Breandán O’Sullivan and Paul Dilworth denied them, and Aghabullogue had done just about enough to deserve their victory.
If you like your football tough and hard, well this was the place to be. Neither side was found wanting in an extremely physical opening period, but it was the newcomers from Muskerry who showed that bit more class.
They moved the ball at pace and were willing to takes risks with their foot passing, and as the half wore on, they got more and more reward for their endeavour.
They kicked the opening two points of the game through Pádraig and Evan O’Sullivan as they dominated possession. Gradually, Aghada gained a foothold in the game, working their short kick-out well and Cian Hegarty opened their account in the eighth minute with a free.
Aaron O’Sullivan then pointed a free for Aghabullogue before a classy effort from Hegarty left Aghada training by 0-3 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter.
Luke Casey then got a sight of goal after being put through by Evan O’Sullivan forcing Aghada ‘keeper, Ciarán O’Shea, to save brilliantly. Hartnett then levelled the game after good work from Berry and Hegarty.
From there Aghabullogue looked the more likely, but their five wides were becoming a concern as half time approached. Luckily for them Bradley was getting on the ball more often and he assisted three times, twice for Thompson and once for Brendan O’Sullivan to leave Aghabullogue leading by 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval.
They had three points to spare again in the end, and they will fancy their chances of getting out of the group if they can beat Ilen Rovers in three weeks’ time. Aghada will face Uibh Laoire, hoping to improve enough to get their season back on track.
D Thompson (0-6, 0-1M, 0-2 frees), M Bradley (0-2, 0-1 free), A O’Sullivan (free), B O’Sullivan, E O’Sullivan, J Corkery and P O’Sullivan (0-1 each).
T Hartnett (0-3), A Berry, C Hegarty (0-1 free) and D Creedon (0-2 each), D Byrne (0-1).
I O’Sullivan; C Smith, M Dennehy, P Dilworth; A O’Sullivan, T Long, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, D Merrick; P O’Sullivan, E O’Sullivan, J Corkery (c); M Bradley, D Thompson, L Casey.
C O’Sullivan for E O’Sullivan (43).
C O’Shea; S Whyte, J Colbert, D Collins; A O’Connell, E Leahy, J O’Donoghue; D Phelan, P O’Neill; D Byrne, T Hartnett, C Hegarty; N Cunningham, A Berry (c), D Creedon.
R Murphy for O’Connell (23), J O’Hanlon for Cunningham (37, M Russell for Byrne (58).
Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers).
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