U21 football: Aghada out as Glenville beat reigning champions by five

Aghada 0-6 

Glenville 0-11 

Reigning A grade champions Aghada are out of the East Cork U21 B Football Championship following a five-point defeat to Glenville on Sunday morning.

A dramatic contest under the new rules saw the result of last year’s final reversed, with Glenville now advancing to the quarter-final where they face Castlemartyr.

Both teams finished with 14 men as Colm O’Regan’s late black card meant he joined Aghada’s Fionn O’Connor on the sidelines.

Aghada did briefly play with 13 as James Motherway was shown a black card in the 37th minute, and didn’t return until just after O’Connor was sent off in the 46th minute.

The red card was hardly ideal, but Aghada only trailed 0-8 to 0-6. There was still time.

But Glenville set up shop and Aghada couldn’t find a way through.

No matter how many times they recycled the ball or looked for an opening, they were either turned over or forced to kick it wide.

One of those turnovers resulted in a brilliant long-distance kick from Ciaran O’Leary, and the orange flag moved them four in front. A minute later Eanna Fitzgerald kicked a point and with five points between them and as many minutes remaining, Aghada’s fate was sealed.

The hosts scored their sixth point in the 44th minute and wouldn’t hit the target again. Defensively Glenville were outstanding.

Though the visitors were undeniably the better side in a physical contest, Aghada can and will feel aggrieved at some of the refereeing decisions. The new rules were both a gift and a hindrance.

Cian Hegarty got the hosts underway as he kicked a beautiful two-pointer inside a minute, but they would be kept scoreless for the next 12 minutes as Glenville established control.

O’Leary worked the ball to Colm O’Regan, and the goal chance was on. He surged forward but got too close to goal – and had to settle for a fisted point.

Two minutes later Aghada got their first taste of the new dissent rules as referee Eoin Coleman brought a Glenville free forward, which was easily converted by O’Leary.

The teams would trade frees, before Glenville moved in front for the first time on 20 minutes as O’Leary landed his third white flag.

Aghada would level it for a third time, but O’Leary nudged Glenville back in front after half an hour, and they wouldn’t be caught – even if his goal chance a minute later was brilliantly stopped by Cian O’Shea.

In an effort to make a dent on the scoreboard Aghada moved John Walsh into full-forward. The high balls in were threatening, but Glenville’s defending was phenomenal.

Both Conor O’Mahony and Donal Sheehan starred.

Will neither side were particularly clinical, their defensive control ensured Glenville would power away in the second half.

Scorers for Aghada: C Hegarty 0-4 (0-2 f, 1 2pt score), J Motherway (f), C O’Regan 0-1 each.

Glenville: C O’Leary 0-6 (0-3 f, 1 2pt score), E Fitzgerald 0-2, C O’Regan, C Linehan (f), J O’Riordan 0-1 each.

AGHADA: C O’Shea; C Geary, C Baxx, E Crowley; D Wallis, F O’Connor, J O’Donnell; J Walsh, C Hegarty; T Condon, R Murphy, C Moore; J Hurley, R Dean, J Motherway.

Subs: N Devoy for Moore (44), S O’Callaghan for Hurley (48).

GLENVILLE: C Sheehan; S O’Leary, D Sheehan, C O’Mahony; D Forde, C O’Regan, C McHugh; B Ryan, C Linehan; D O’Bric, E Fitzgerald, J O’Riordan; C O’Mahony, C O’Leary, L Foley.

Subs: R Hennessy for O’Riordan (44), D Barry for O’Mahony (48, inj).

Referee: Eoin Coleman (Youghal)