Aghinagh survive scare from Éire Óg to reach Mid Cork final

Aghinagh 2-8 Éire Óg 0-13

Aghinagh are now just one step away from Muskerry JAFC glory following this hard-earned semi-final victory against Éire Óg in Coachford.

Managed by the former Cork minor and U20 football manager Bobbie O'Dwyer, Aghinagh will be looking to secure the Mid Cork crown for just the second time in their history, following on from a memorable maiden title success in 2021.

They'll face Donoughmore in what should be a cracking Mid Cork final.

Scores from Liam Twohig (0-4), Con Buckley (1-2) and a William Coakley goal proved decisive for Aghinagh, in what overall proved a very difficult assignment against the second string of Éire Óg.

Aghinagh gave themselves an early boost in the opening minutes, as Con Buckley planted the ball to the back of the net with a neat finish.

However, rather than Aghinagh kicking on, it was Éire Óg that proved more clinical and accurate in the scoring stakes as the opening half progressed.

Sean Murphy, Sean Hurley and Michael Murphy all slotted over for Éire Óg, as they held a half-time advantage of three points at 0-8 to 1-2.

The early stages of the second half proved tight and cagey, with the opening score after the break coming through a much-needed Aghinagh point by Twohig.

Another Hurley point on 41 minutes saw Éire Óg keep in control of their destiny. Was a shock on the cards?

The turning point came after 46 minutes. William Coakley finished to the net after being teed up by Con Buckley, who himself slotted over a fine two-pointer a few moments later.

Points by Sean Cummins and Tadhg Sheehan had Aghinagh now right in the groove.

The experienced Kevin Hallissey slotted over a two-pointer for Éire Óg in stoppage time to leave just one point between the teams. However, Aghinagh held on to progress.

Awaiting in the final for Aghinagh in the decider will be Donoughmore, who defeated Grenagh comfortably in the other semi-final: 2-14 to 0-7.

Scorers for Aghinagh: C Buckley 1-2 (1 2pt), L Twohig 0-4 (0-1 f), W Coakley 1-0, S Cummins, T Sheehan 0-1 each.

Éire Óg: S Hurley (0-3 f), S Murphy (0-3 f) 0-4 each, K Hallissey (1 2pt), M Murphy 0-2 each, D Kirwan 0-1.

AGHINAGH: J McCarthy; J Lynch, D O'Riordan, O Cummins; D Ambrose, L O'Leary, TJ Buckley; M McCarthy, T Morgans; J Kearney, C Buckley, S Corkery; W Coakley, L Twohig, G O'Sullivan.

Subs: S O'Riordan for Kearney (17), T Buckley for Lynch (47), T Sheehan for O'Sullivan (50), S Cummins for Coakley (56), J Ambrose for Corkery (58).

ÉIRE ÓG: E Kelleher; C Murphy, J Kelleher, K Cooper; A McCarthy, D O'Herlihy, D O'Connor; O O'Shea, M Kelleher; D Murphy, B Thompson, D Kirwan; S Murphy, M Murphy, S Hurley.

Subs: K Hallissey for Cooper (40), K Beechinor for Kelleher, E O'Shea for Thompson (both 50), D Casey for M Murphy, C Quigley for D Murphy (both 57).

Referee: Peter O'Leary (Cloughduv).