Pearse O'Neill is still delivering for Aghada: 'His intelligence is top-class'

Perhaps the standout result from the second round of group games in the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Championship came from Kilmichael three weeks ago.

Aghada stunned a strong Bantry Blues side in Group 1 of the PIFC, as the Imokilly team scored a remarkable six goals to win 6-8 to 1-17.

It gives Aghada a fighting chance of qualifying for the knockout stages tomorrow evening. They face Aghabullogue in the final group game in Ballincollig (6pm).

The Muskerry men are top on four points with Nemo Rangers’ second team and Aghada on two points. Bantry Blues are bottom and are without any points.

The display and victory last month will give Aghada huge confidence going into this crucial tie.

“It was a great performance, the lads were very focused,” Aghada manager Mick Kiely says on the win over Bantry Blues.

“We were very disappointed to lose to Nemo the first day out. We had a lot of scoring chances, but we just didn’t convert them. We sat down the following day and got back to work and looked back at the mistakes we made.

“The conversion rate, especially in relation to scoring goals, was excellent against Bantry."

2010 All-Ireland winner with the Cork senior footballers Pearse O’Neill is still ticking along nicely for Aghada. 

The 45-year-old has put in some fantastic performances this year most notably last time out against Bantry Blues.

He has been like a fine wine with incredible intelligence. You can’t buy that.

“Pearse is a very important person in our group,” Kiely said.

“There are a lot of young fellas on our panel. The way he guides them and talks to them on the field is just great.

“We were nine points down at one stage to Nemo in the opening round, we brought Pearse out from the full-forward line into midfield. He actually brought us back into the game.

“He just calms things down and his intelligence is just top-class. His DNA should be frozen and sent around to other people. He’s an excellent player.” 

Aghada pushed Aghabullogue hard last year in the first game of their group stage, eventually losing by three points. There will be more pressure on tomorrow’s game.

“Aghabullogue are a very good team. Ray Keane is a very smart guy and he will have his team booming for us. We will be up against it. They got to the county final last year and are really well organised. We will give it a go anyway.”