Donoughmore land first Muskerry title since 2011 after battling back in epic replay against Aghinagh

Donoughmore 2-15 (2-3-9) Aghinagh 2-14 (2-2-10)

 The Ross Oil Muskerry Junior A Football Championship title is heading to Donoughmore after winning this absolutely thrilling final replay in the most dramatic of fashion against Aghinagh.

This is the first time since 2011 that Donoughmore have won the Mid Cork football crown. 

Trailing by six points with just three minutes remaining they looked dead and buried. But two late fisted goals from Sean O’Hanlon and a point by Gavin O’Sullivan sparked wild scenes of celebrations.  

Donoughmore began brightly and led 0-4 to 0-1 after five minutes, with scores from Scott Barrett, Declan Keating and a two-pointer by Gavin O’Sullivan.

Aghinagh though went up the gears as the half progressed, with Con Buckley and Liam Twohig showcasing their talents in the attacking third of the pitch. 

Aghinagh then found the back of the net. It was an exquisite finish from Twohig, who slotted impressively to the net, with his side leading 1-8 to 0-4 after 23 minutes. Donoughmore ended the opening half strongly and points by Declan Keating and O’Sullivan saw them reduce the deficit down to four points, as Aghinagh led 1-9 to 0-8 at half time.

Early second-half scores by Twohig and Buckley saw Aghinagh extend their lead. But Donoughmore found a wave of momentum again, with O’Sullivan, Keating and Kevin O’Connell all pointing with the score at 1-12 to 0-12 in favor of Aghinagh after 45 minutes.

When Aghinagh found the top corner of the net thanks to Sean Cummins, followed by points from Cummins and Twohig, the side from Rusheen looked to have completed their mission.

Dnoughmore clearly did not read the script. Heading into second-half stoppage time, a long ball was fisted to the net by O’Hanlon to see just three points between the two teams.

Donoughmore were not finished there as O’Hanlon was on hand to finish from close range in what was another fisted goal.

O’Sullivan proved a reliable scorer all day so it was fitting he had the decisive say, keeping his composure to slot over from a placed ball to edge his side ahead.

When referee Pat O’Leary blew his final whistle, there were scenes of sheer euphoria from Donoughmore. The Aghinagh players and management were left absolutely shellshocked.

Scorers for Donoughmore: S O’Hanlon 2-1, G O’Sullivan 0-7 (2 2pt f, 0-2 f, 0-1 45), D Keating 0-5 (1 2pt f, 0-2 f), S Barrett, K O’Connell 0-1 each.

Aghinagh: L Twohig 1-8 (1 2pt, 0-4 f), S Cummins 1-1, C Buckley 0-3 (1 2pt), S Corkery, S O’Riordan 0-1 each.

DONOUGHMORE: K O’Riordan; F Honohan, M Foley, S Broderick; R Honohan, J Crowley, K O’Connell; S O’Hanlon, M Lucey; A Dinan, G O’Sullivan, D Holland; D Keating, J McCarthy, S Barrett 

Subs: D McDonnell for Barrett (24, inj), D Morrissey for McCarthy (39), L O’Sullivan for Honohan (43), J Murphy for Dinan (51), D Forde for Foley (59).

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

Subs: S Cummins for O’Sullivan, T Sheehan for O’Riordan (both 43), J Kearney for Buckley (52), A Twomey for Coakley (53).

Referee: Pat O’Leary (Kilmurry).