Aghabullogue power into county final but victory overshadowed by tragedy

An extra-time Intermediate A hurling championship semi-final thriller in Ballyanly on Saturday between Aghabullogue and Aghada was overshadowed by the death of Kerry Corcoran, wife of Aghabullogue footballer Dhani Merrick.

The 5-18 to 3-19 victory for the mid Cork side was hard to put into words.

“We’re all obsessed with sport and with hurling, but then you hear of Dhani’s wife and what they are going through,” Aghabullogue manager Micheál McGrath said.

“They have a young child, it is absolutely horrendous. You go back to thinking of your own children and how we would survive at home without a mother.

There is a group of lads who are all close, but there are three or four lads who are here today and are very close to Dhani and they are feeling it an awful lot.

“Our thoughts and wishes are with Dhani and his family.” 

On a bittersweet and emotional evening, the age-old saying that goals win games rang true. 

And while there were eight wonderful goals and the sources were just as important, the five that Aghabullogue registered came at times when Aghada were beginning to find their way.

BUSY

Luke Casey’s major was the cherry on top in the seventh minute of the second period of extra time. He was late arriving at the Inniscarra venue, nonetheless and similar to the other four substitutes, he laid down a marker.

“Luke was in Dublin this morning at Ireland Amateur soccer trials and Seán (McGrath, Micheál’s brother) went up and collected him in Abbottstown at 12.30pm. 

"I just hope they didn’t meet any speed vans or have points accrued,” he added.

Brendán O’Sullivan, was another sub, who delivered.

“Brendán was in tears after the game. He was injured. 

He is only 20 and he was superb. It is the young lads who are driving it. 

"Johnny Bucks (Buckley) and these lads, he’d go through a brick wall with a smile on his face, he is 33/34.” 

It was a helter-skelter of a game, the extra time forced by Aghada’s James O’Hanlon.

“You probably lose the run of yourself during the match. At times I couldn’t even calculate the score,” he said. 

“I was trying to figure out, are we up by three or four.

“When we went six up we thought we were home and hosed. In fairness to Aghada they kept coming back and digging it out. 

"They dominated that middle eight and we couldn’t get a hold of the ball. If you don’t win the middle eight you are going to lose the game.

“But our lads responded and the extra time was phenomenal. We keep asking more and more of them. 

"They are footballing again next weekend.” 

They outscored Aghada 1-8 to 1-3 in extra-time to book a final spot against Bandon.

“In no respect to the senior clubs but it is fabulous to have two first teams in the final. They’ll have two free weeks to prepare. Our lads will be back footballing on Tuesday.” 

VITAL

John Corkery, who is also captain of the football team, is sidelined due to injury.

“It is touch and go,” said McGrath. “Even up to this morning he was seeing if he was able. 

"He’ll give it every opportunity and we will give him every opportunity because he is so vital. Even for the lad himself, just to play in a county final. 

"He is a brilliant player.”