'We respected Éire Óg, respected the rivalry — and proved it to ourselves' — Aghabullogue end 52-year wait in style

Aghabullogue coach Cormac O’Reilly said Sunday evening’s 3-22 to 2-15 victory over Éire Óg in Cloughduv was about far more than two points — it was about proving to themselves that they belong at this level again.

The win, their first championship hurling victory over their neighbours in 52 years, carried both historical weight and a sense of redemption.

The Coachford-based outfit won by 10 points in this Co-Op SuperStores PIHC Group 1 Round 1 game.

Speaking after the final whistle, O’Reilly was measured but clearly proud of the group’s response to the challenge.

“After last year winning the county, it was all about redemption,” he said post-match.

“It was about making sure we got back up to the grade we feel we should be at — and thankfully we achieved that with a win.

“Coming back up this year, we knew we had a fight to prove ourselves. It was something we read, something we embraced. We wanted that first win and that was our full focus.” 

He stressed that nothing about the build-up was taken for granted.

“We respected Éire Óg. We respected the rivalry. Our preparation was good, and we were focused on getting two points. We got them today.

“A really good performance. Our work rate was good. The two goals were disappointing — we’ll look back at the video and go through that with the video analyst and the coaching staff. We’ll rectify it. But outside of that, we were really happy.

“We were quite composed. We were system-based. The lads read the game well. It was just one or two small pieces of that system we need to tidy up. But across the 60 minutes, we used the ball really well.” 

Even when Éire Óg narrowed the gap in the second half, Aghabullogue never looked like losing control.

“That’s down to where these players have come to in the last couple of years,” O’Reilly says.

“They’ve grown. They’ve matured. They’ve taken ownership. I think it’s the first win over Éire Óg in 52 years. It was mentioned.

“You can’t ignore something like that. But it wasn’t something we leaned on. It wasn’t something that added pressure. If anything, it gave a bit of proof of the work being done behind the scenes.

“They knew the history. They knew the wait. But they also knew that none of that wins you a ball in the middle of the field. None of that gets you a score. What mattered was performing today — and they did.” 

Aghabullogue now move into a three-week break before their next Group 1 fixture against Bishopstown, followed by Ballincollig in the final group game, and O’Reilly outlined a clear plan for the block.

“We’ll keep things technical. The lads will recover. The support staff will help in every way. It’s just a case of best practice now for the next few weeks.

“We’ll be back on the track then for Bishopstown. We’ll be ready for it.” 

For a club that has endured relegation, narrow losses, and the frustration of tight calls in recent meetings with Éire Óg, Sunday’s victory felt like a statement. 

“It was important for the group to prove it to themselves. Traditionally, the team that wins the county in any grade and goes up usually holds their own. 

"We were probably the first team to buck that trend with relegation in 2024. This evening was about showing that we’re back where we should be.”