Liam Twohig inspires Aghinagh to second Mid Cork Junior A crown against Kilmichael
Liam Twohig (Aghinagh) receives the Muskerry Junior A Football Championship Final Man of the Match Award from Concubhar Murray, Ross Oil in the presence of Tim Holland. Picture: John Tarrant
For the second time in their history, Aghinagh have secured Muskerry Junior A Football Championship glory.
Appearing in their third Mid Cork football final in a row, Bobbie O’Dwyer’s Aghinagh side showed desire in abundance to successfully get over the finishing line, after what was a titanic tussle against a very spirited Kilmichael side.
After winning their historic first Muskerry crown in 2021, Aghinagh have suffered final heartbreak in recent years. But on this October Bank Holiday weekend, they are the kingpins of Mid Cork once more.
It was Kilmichael, in their first Mid Cork football decider since 2013, who came roaring out of the traps, holding a 0-6 to 0-0 advantage at the midway point of the opening half.
During his fruitful spell, a gem of a point from Tom Browne and a sweetly taken two-pointer by Daniel Twomey was a firm indication of the Kilmichael intent.
Aghinagh gradually mustered a strong spell of their own, with William Coakley and Liam Twohig successfully spitting the posts.
Things then got even better for Aghinagh, as Con Buckley found the back of the net, reacting quickest to fire home after an initial effort by Twohig was saved.
By the 26th minute, Aghinagh went into a two-point lead at 1-6 to 0-7. Twohig once again was proving why he is such a reliable operator.
The sides went in level at the break at 1-6 to 0-9, with Tom Browne scoring a quite simply majestic score for Kilmichael from the tightest of angles.
The second half got off to the most ideal of starts for Aghinagh, as they found a second goal. Liam Twohig is the only one who can answer if the meant find a green flag, with his long-range attempt at a point ending up somehow in the back of the net.
By the 45-minute mark, Aghinagh appeared to have one hand on the cup, holding a five-point advantage at 2-9 to 0-10, with Twohig slotting another over.
Kilmichael showed ferocious work-rate and desire. They reduced the deficit back down to just a single point on the 50-minute mark, as Brendan Cotter planted the ball home with a low strike to the net.
But when the chips were down, Aghinagh came up with the right answers. Further points from the ever-reliable Twohig saw his side go into a three-point advantage as the contest entered into second-half stoppage time.
Kilmichael ensured there was a grandstand finish as a point by Ronan Murphy reduced the gap back to two. But on this October night, Aghinagh were not going to be denied.
L Twohig 1-7 (0-2 f), C Buckley 1-0, W Coakley 0-2, S Corkery, TJ Buckley, S Cummins 0-1 each.
B Cotter 1-0, J Browne (f), T Browne (0-1 f) 0-3 each, D Twomey (1 2pt), B Horgan, R Murphy 0-2 each, C McCarthy 0-1
C Lucey; Dylan O’Riordan, Donagh O’Riordan, N O’Leary; D Ambrose, T Buckley, L O’Leary; M McCarthy, S Corkery; D O’Shea, C Buckley, S O’Riordan; W Coakley, L Twohig, S Cummins.
TJ Buckley for N O’Leary (47), T Morgans for S O’Riordan (40), D McCarthy for D O’Shea (52), J Lynch for Dylan O’Riordan (53).
S Masters; F Buckley, C Cotter, E Murphy; S Hennigan, I Wood, M Downey; S Foley, C Foley; C McCarthy, T Browne, B Horgan; R Murphy, D Twomey, J Browne.
C Horgan for S Masters (21, inj), K Murphy for S Hennigan (HT), B Cotter for C Foley (45).
Luke Knight (Kilmurry).
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