Aghabullogue riding the crest of a never-ending campaign

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025 - 19:02

Cork IAHC final

The gift that keeps on giving. Supporters of Aghabullogue have been on some journey over the past couple of years including double championship titles in 2023 and 2025.

This latest one-point Co-Op Superstores Cork Intermediate A hurling championship final victory in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday - after being relegated last year - saw them regain their Premier Intermediate status.

The ice-cool Matthew Bradley, who provided the winning point in the sixth minute of stoppage time, did likewise a fortnight ago in the Premier Intermediate football final - a game Aghabullogue also won by a solitary point.

It enabled leader Paul Ring collect the Paddy Walsh Cup. The same Paul Ring who was man-of-the-match in the football decider.

“There is no point in saying we were unlucky last year to be relegated because we had plenty of chances and it went to a replay. So we can’t really say it was down to that. But we do feel we have a bit of unfinished business up there,” the inspirational skipper said.

“It is the same bunch of lads for both. The only real difference is whether you are putting on a helmet going out on the field.”

Of man-of-the-match Bradley, he had this to say. “Anything he puts his hand to, he is very good at - hurling, football, soccer, road-bowling, darts - he is unbelievable. I’d love to know how many games he’s played this year. Himself and Luke Casey played a soccer match on Friday night. I don’t know how they keep going, “I’m broke up after this and I won’t be right for a week. Matthew has been around for a long while and he is as cool as they come. I’d put my house on him. I was kind of looking away nearly at the end with the free but I should have known better, that man has done it so many times.”

This action-packed showdown wheeled one way and then the other before Bradley notched his 11th point from a free after James Lane drew the foul.

Bandon gave it everything, only to come up short, captain Michael Cahalane especially, who equalled Bradley’s tally of 11 points.

Aghabullogue put a shaky start behind them when Lane first-timed his ground shot to the net in the 10th minute after Bradley provided the assist, 1-1 to 0-4.

Bradley and Long swapped points before Eolann McSweeney put Bandon in front.

Aghabullogue posted an immediate and emphatic reply, shooting the next eight points to Bandon’s one.

The white flags from Bradley, Luke Casey and John Corkery.

Bandon appeared to be in a bit of bother trailing 1-10 to 0-7 approaching half-time. They also had a goal chance taken off the line by Tom Long in the 26th minute. A huge let-off for the mid Cork side.

Undeterred, they roared back with Cahalane whipping over two points and one from Darren Crowley.

They added another brace in stoppage time, back in contention 1-11 to 0-12.

It only took 20 seconds again for Bandon to score in the second half, this time another superb Cahalane point from midfield.

Aghabullogue managed to keep their noses in front, be it by two or three-points. That is until another pair of Cahalane points drew Bandon level in the 38th minute, 1-13 to 0-16.

A brilliant over the shoulder point from Bradley kept his side narrowly ahead. Meanwhile, TJ Buckley had to be alert in the Aghabullogue defence to avert a goal chance.

The teams were deadlocked twice more before Hannon put Bandon into the ascendancy in the 47th minute.

Aghabullogue’s inaccuracy was taking its toll and Bandon remained in front until three minutes from time.

The Aghabullogue bench made a huge impact - sub Daniel Dineen landed a brace and they regained the initiative. They held a one-point lead until Bandon sub Seán Carey levelled in the 65th minute.

There was still time for one more play for Micheál McGrath’s incredible side.

Aghabullogue will return to Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Sunday as their attention turns to a Munster Club IFC semi-final against Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: M Bradley (0-11, 7 frees), J Lane (1-1), L Casey (0-3), J Corkery and D Dineen (0-2 each), S Furey and O O’Connell (0-1 each).

Scorers for Bandon: M Cahalane (0-11, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65), C Long, K Hannon and E McSweeney (0-2 each), C Lynch, P Murphy, C McCarthy, D Crowley, J Cullinane and S Carey (0-1 each).

AGHABULLOGUE: I Barry Murphy; T Long C Timmons TJ Buckley; C Gillespie, P Ring (Capt), P O’Sullivan; S Furey, O O’Connell; J Corkery, J Foley S Tarrant; L Casey M Bradley J Lane.

Subs: M Dennehy for S Furey (40) C Furey for O O’Connell (42), D Dineen for J Foley (44).

BANDON: P Barry; P Callanan, T Twohig C Twomey; C Lynch, P Murphy, D O’Donovan; C McCarthy M Cahalane (Capt); D Crowley, C Calnan, C Long; K Hannon, E McSweeney, J Cullinane.

Subs: R Long for C McCarthy (13-14 temp), M Sugrue for C Calnan (40), N McCarthy for P Callanan (42), J Mulcahy for D O’Donovan (49), S Carey for D Crowley (54), R Long for C Long (63).

Referee: Willie Wallace (Aghada).