Strong showing in county semi-final

Having defeated Buttevant to secure the Cavanagh’s of Fermoy Division 3 Football League title in recent weeks, confidence was high amongst the Araglin camp in advance of their county semi-final encounter with Freemount at Doneraile.

Only leading by a single point at the half way stage, Araglin came good in the second half to record a decisive win, on a final scoreline of Araglin 2-10 Freemount 1-4. James ‘Gus’ Kearney top scored for the Glen boys, with 1-3, closely followed by an impressive tally of 1-2 from Paul Hynes.

Following a slow start, Araglin gradually got on terms and registered points from Sean Motherway, James Kearney and Paul Hynes, as they led at the water break 0-3 to 0-2.

On the restart however, Ian Guiney goaled for the Duhallow side but Araglin recovered well, with points by James Kearney and Sean Hegarty forcing the issue level. Another Kearney score gave Araglin a single point lead at the break, 0-6 to 1-2.

It was soon a five point lead shortly after the restart, after Paul Hynes goaled following a 3 man attack. A Tom Kenneally white flag kept the momentum for the Glensiders, as Araglin led 1-8 to 1-4 at the second water break.

It was then double-scores and effectively game over, when James Kearney goaled, leaving it 2-8 to 1-4. Despite Freemount’s efforts to get back in contention, late points by Sean Hegarty and Tom Kenneally for Araglin, sealed their path to this weekend’s county final, when they face what is sure to be stiff opposition from Lismire.

Araglin team/scorers: Tommy Feeney, Laurance Lomasney, Shay Russell, Shane Keane, Fionnan Hickey, Cain O’Mahony, Jack Kearney, Sean Hegarty (0-2), Ben Carey, Keelan Condon, Tom Kenneally (0-2), Paul Hynes (1-2), Sean Motherway (0-1), James Kearney (1-3), Aaron Hegarty. Subs: Dave Browne for Keelan Condon, Paddy Kenneally for Shay Russell, Brendan Allen for Sean Motherway, Liam Keane for Ben Carey, David Neligan for Jack Kearney.

(Pic: John Ahern) MUCH APPRECIATED SPONSORSHIP: Local companies have once again got behind Araglin GAA by providing generous sponsorship in the run up to Saturday’s final. Pictured, front, are Alan Hegarty (Hegarty Fabrics), along with Kevin Fitzgerald and Deirdre Daly (Fitzgerald Hurleys) presenting a cheque to club chairman, Tom Kenneally. Back is Michael Lyons Sr. presenting to football coach, Denis Twomey, while treasurer, Tony Hyland accepts a donation from Mark Hickey (Lissmark Engineering & Fabrication).

(Pic: John Ahern) Mark Hickey, Lissmark Engineering & Fabrication Ltd (back 2nd right), who has generously sponsored a set of jerseys for Araglin juvenile players, pictured with some of those players at last Saturday’s open training session in Araglin. With him are juvenile coaches, P.J. Kenneally, Jim Kenneally and Pauraic Evans.

(Pic: John Ahern) SUPPORT FROM ‘GLENN THE GRIZZLEY’ - Araglin supporters, getting to grips with team mascot, Glenn The Grizzly, at last Saturday’s open training session in advance of this weekend’s county football final between Araglin and Lismire in Páirc Uí Rinn, l-r: Caoimhe Hynes, Fiadh Meehan, Aida Browne and Aine O’Loughlin.