Aghinagh get U-21 championship off to winning start

PLAYERS from the Aghinagh and Iveleary Under-21 football teams had the privilege of getting this year’s Muskerry GAA on-field action on the road. They were in action on Sunday afternoon at Annahalla where they contested the first round of the Under-21 ‘B’ football championship.

A good hour’s football manifested itself on a cold miserable afternoon with Aghinagh securing a narrow victory. Iveleary had the edge in the opening moiety as Chris Óg Jones made a major impact in their attack and they enjoyed a 1-8 to 1-3 advantage at the short whistle. The second period saw the Aghinagh defence performing more effectively so Iveleary found it hard to make progress. The former slowly but surely reduced the arrears and a goal by Con Buckley tilted the balance in their favour.

Aghinagh will be happy with this boost to their football stock while Iveleary will now have to travel by the scenic route. They will face the losers of next Sunday’s Canovee v Aghabullogue first round encounter.

Next weekend will see the Muskerry Macroom Motors U-21 football championship really moving into top gear with first round games down for decision in the (A), (B) and (C) grades.

The good quality football contest on last week in the opening game of under 21 football action is hopefully a good omen for the remaining action at this level of Muskerry football. Title holders Cill Na Martra will be hoping to make progress in the defence of their title when they face Eire Óg at Kilmurry in one of the first round under 21 (A) contests. The former have been great performers at under 21 football championship level and their historic under 21 (A) title victory in 2017 was significant. On Saturday next at Kilmurry however they will they will enter the fray against Eire Óg slightly as underdogs. The latter have two of the leading members in last season’s Cork minor team in Jack Murphy and Colm O’Callaghan and the fact that the club’s minor team captured both the premier championship and league title means that they have an amount of talent moving up to make their presence felt at under 21 level. From the older players on their panel they can call on John Cooper, Jason Twomey and Cahal Mullins and they clearly appear to be a formidable side. The pundits favour them to have the edge over the title holders but they will not find the going easy against a side that includes in their ranks players like Danno Dúinnín, Tadg Ó Corcora, Damien Ó Úrdail, Antoín Ó Cúana, Eóin Ó Ceilleachair and Seán Ó Foirreidhe.

In the second under 21 (A) semi-final Naomh Abán who are promoted to the top grade may find the going hard against Ballincollig but the game fixed for Macroom should produce a good hour’s football. U-21 ‘B’ Championship U-21 ‘C’ Football Championship

Patrons should note that venues for these games are subject to they being playable. Please check Muskerry GAA website to clarify the situation.