Strong AGB outfit see off gallant Aughrim side
AUGHRIM faced up to AGB, the Division 2 League winners, in the ‘B’ Shield final in Ballinakill on Saturday last.
AGB won the toss and captain Jack Mullen chose to play with a very strong wind. This proved to be a decisive move.
AGB dominated possession throughout the first half and took a commanding 1-7 to 0-0 lead into the half-time break. Aughrim defended resolutely in particular through Ryan Kinsella, Lorcan Toomey and Sam Healy and really did well to keep the score down.
Mikey Kinsella had AGB on the board after three minutes, Sean O’Neill, Paul Moore (2) and Eabhan Kinch (2) had it at 0-6 to 0-0 after 29 minutes and the Aughrim side were looking rather pleased having played against a strong wind and having only three wides to show for their efforts, however just before the half-time whistle Tiernan Gahan hit a massive point for the winners, which was followed up with a fisted goal from Callum Dempsey, there was calls for a square ball but the goal stood.
This was a big blow to the Aughrim side and a tonic to AGB going in at half-time. Aughrim knew they would have to start the second half well if they were going to make any impression on this game and to be fair, they came out with all guns blazing.
Conaill O’Brien kicked a free wide in the opening play, he was taken down on three minutes and hit the net from the penalty kick. He was fouled again on the fourth and sixth minute and pointed to leave it 1-7 to 1-2, but then three bad wides from Aughrim gave AGB a bit of breathing space and a quick break down the right wing by Sean O Neill and an inch-perfect pass to Paul Moore saw him stroke the ball to the back of the Aughrim net on 10 minutes.
Aughrim hit back with two more points by Conaill O’Brien from frees, but when AGB scored a third goal from a looping shot from Sean O’Neill on the 14th minute the game was up.
Sean O’Neill hit a further point for AGB, Jack Byrne responded with a single for Aughrim but Callum Dempsey replied with another three-pointer for AGB to leave the final score at 4-8 to 1-5.
AGB had strong players all around the field, Adam O’Leary, Luke McGrath and Tiernan Gahan were very good in defence. Man of the match Jack Mullen and Mikey Kinsella were colossal around the middle and they had plenty of players well able to take their points in the forward line, none better than Sean O’Neill and Paul Moore.
Aughrim were a much smaller team but defended well with Sam Healy, Ryan Kinsella and Lorcan Toomey, Charlie O’Connor and Jack Byrne were strong at midfield and Conaill O’Brien. Aughrim’s full-forward deserved a lot more protection from the referee, but all in all AGB were worthy winners and deserving of their ‘B’ Shield success.
Owen Doyle presented AGB captain Jack Mullen with the Shield and the Division 2 League trophy in front of a very happy AGB crowd, with Mikey Kinsella receiving the Wicklow People Man of the Match award from referee Ciaran Gaskin.