Aghada deliver when it counts to reach IAHC knockout stages as Kilbrittain bow out

Aghada: 1-23 

Kilbrittain: 0-18 

Aghada delivered a statement performance just when it was required, booking their spot in the business end of the Co-Op SuperStores IAHC after a comfortable win over Kilbrittain in Cloughduv on Friday evening.

The men in green and white arrived with just one point to their name, but knew a victory would give them the best possible chance of progressing — and they did so with eight points to spare. They advance on the head-to-head rule over Kilbrittain. 

It was nip and tuck for much of the first half, but a Jamie O’Hanlon goal not long before the short whistle proved the perfect fillip for Aghada. In truth, they never looked back after that.

It was an aggressive and efficient display from the Imokilly side, capped by great celebrations afterwards. A first win of the championship season — and what a time to produce it.

It’s the end of the road for last year’s Premier JHC winners Kilbrittain. They had their destiny in their own hands coming into this final Group 1 game, but Joe Ryan’s side can have little complaint about the outcome. Too many wides also didn’t help their cause.

It was score for score in a breathless opening 30 minutes, the sides level at 0-5 apiece after the first quarter. There was real championship tempo, with some fantastic scores and blocking.

There was still very little between the teams as a Mark Hickey free edged Kilbrittain in front once more, but six wides at that stage were hindering them.

William Leahy (free) and Ronan Murphy restored Aghada’s advantage for the second time, but a Hickey placed ball and a fine effort from Ronan Crowley handed Kilbrittain a 0-8 to 0-7 lead after 24 minutes.

A crucial moment arrived a minute later — and it was exactly what the game needed. Samuel O’Driscoll did brilliantly to set up O’Hanlon for an Aghada goal, which he finished calmly. It was followed by a Fionn O’Connell point.

The sides traded scores until a John Looney effort gave Aghada a 1-10 to 0-9 buffer. A booming free from Aaron Holland kept Kilbrittain in touch, but Aghada — more efficient throughout the first half — had the final say, Leahy converting a free to leave it 1-11 to 0-10 at the interval.

Aghada started the new half strongly, with points from Looney and O’Hanlon as they continued to build on the goal’s momentum.

Kilbrittain replied through a Crowley free and a Hickey point, but four unanswered Aghada scores pushed the gap to 1-17 to 0-12 after 42 minutes.

Josh O’Donovan grabbed a much-needed score for Kilbrittain, followed by efforts from Luke Griffin and Crowley (free). O’Hanlon then had a half-chance of a goal that could have sealed it for Aghada.

The sides swapped points as Aghada led 1-18 to 0-16 with 10 minutes remaining. There would be no denying the Imokilly men.

They hit four of the next five points, the pick of them from the evergreen Pearse O’Neill, who made an impact off the bench.

The game petered out in added time as the teams traded points. Aghada had done more than enough, sparking joyous celebrations at the final whistle.

Scorers for Aghada: W Leahy (0-5 f), J Looney 0-5 each, J O’Hanlon 1-1, F O’Connell, C Terry, R Murphy, S O’Driscoll 0-2 each, N Devoy, T Hartnett, H Mulcahy, P O’Neill 0-1 each.

Kilbrittain: R Crowley 0-7 (0-4 f), M Hickey 0-4 (0-3 f), L Griffin 0-3, J O’Donovan 0-2, A Holland (0-1 f), A Griffin 0-1 each.

AGHADA: J Walsh; K O’Shea, J McDonnell, A Kearns; F O’Connor, M Russell, F O’Connell; N Devoy, T Hartnett; W Leahy, C Terry, S O’Driscoll; R Murphy, J Looney, J O’Hanlon.

Subs: P O’Neill for C Terry (57), J Devoy for N Devoy (59), H Mulcahy for R Murphy (61).

KILBRITTAIN: D Desmond; E O'Neill, J Hurley, E Byrne; A Holland, T Sheehan, C Sheehan; S Sexton, A Griffin; M Hickey, R Crowley, L Griffin; J O’Donovan, P Wall, C Hogan.

Subs: F Ustianowski for A Griffin (39), C Ustianowski for C Hogan (45).

Referee: Niall Hayes (Blarney).