Aghabullogue defeat Aghada in cracking Intermediate A Hurling semi-final after extra time drama

Aghabullogue 5-18 Aghada 3-19 (AET) 

A poignant victory for Aghabullogue in the Co-Op Superstores Cork IAHC semi-final at Ballyanly on Saturday after Kerry Corcoran passed away during the week, Kerry is the wife of Aghabullogue footballer Dhani Merrick.  An air of gloom had descended over the Inniscarra venue.

They came good in extra-time to book their place against Bandon in the final. Goals win matches, and this ran true for the winners, who were reeled in by a James O’Hanlon point in the 66th minute, 2-16 to 4-10.

The strong wind had an impact, making shooting difficult.

James Lane kickstarted their green flag run in the eighth minute in reply to two William Leahy points. James Foley grabbed their second goal 10 minutes later and that would enable them lead 2-6 to 0-9 interval. Leahy was impressive for Aghada.

The second half was only two minutes old when Aghabullogue struck for goal number three, this time from Ódhran O’Connell - an Aghabullogue side without the injured John Corkery. Led by a James O’Hanlon goal - set up by the evergreen Pearse O’Neill - Aghada started to get their act together, 1-12 to 3-7.

It remained a one-point game until Lane registered his second goal and Aghabullogue’s fourth in the 50th minute.

But Aghada pulled themselves together again and Charlie Terry’s major had them right back in it with four minutes remaining.

Matthew Bradley, who worked so hard throughout, scored Aghabullogue’s final flag in the 57th minute to put them 4-10 to 2-14 up as Cillian Timmons and Paul Ring did sterling work in the Aghabullogue defence.

Sub John Looney left it a one-point match and in the sixth minute of added time O’Hanlon levelled.

Brendán O’Sullivan came on for Aghabullogue towards the end of regulation - unable to start due to injury - and his presence had a steadying effect.

They dominated the opening period of extra-time to forge 4-15 to 2-17 ahead.

Luke Casey’s goal enabled them to take control again and lead by seven.

But credit to Aghada, who can take so many positives from this display, Fionn O’Connor cut the difference with their third goal at the finish.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: M Bradley 0-10 (0-5 f), J Lane 2-1, L Casey 1-3, Odhran O’Connell 1-2, J Foley 1-1, S Tarrant 0-1.

Aghada: W Leahy 0-9 (0-7 f, 0-1 65), J O’Hanlon, F O’Connor 1-2 each, C Terry 1-1, M McCarthy 0-2 (0-1 65), T Hartnett, R O’Connell, R Murphy 0-1 each.

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

Subs: L Casey for J Buckley (39), B O’Sullivan for C Furey, M Dennehy for T Long (both 50), Oisín O’Connell for P O’Sullivan (57), J Buckley for J Lane (69).

AGHADA: J Walsh; K O’Shea, J McDonnell, F O’Connell; J Tynan, M Russell (c), T Hartnett; R O’Connell, W Leahy; N Devoy, C Terry, F O’Connor; R Murphy, P O’Neill, J O’Hanlon.

Subs: A Stafford for F O’Connell (20), J Looney for N Devoy (half-time), M McCarthy for J Tynan (38), C Fleming for R Murphy (48), S O’Callaghan for A Stafford (70), O Slye for R O’Connell (70), J Norris for M Russell (71).

Referee: Niall Fahy (Brian Dillons).