Fantastic achievement
Araglin’s footballers capped a remarkable season by claiming the Bon Secours sponsored Cork county junior C football championship in Páirc Uí Rinn last Saturday evening – this is in addition to the junior B county hurling championship they won earlier this year.
In bitterly cold conditions, Araglin warmed the hearts of their supporters by putting together a performance that was characterised by intelligent football, an unrelenting work ethic – and yes, plenty of goals.
The occasion was especially sweet for captain, James Kearney, who led by example and justifiably earned the ‘man of the match’ accolade. Former player and north Cork administrator, team coach, Denis Twomey was another happy man, having masterminded a county campaign that saw his team undefeated. The victory also justified his decision to put together a five strong selection team, which is almost unheard of in GAA circles – for the record, his selector were: Peter O’Loughlin, Alan Hegarty, James G. Kearney, Sean Allen and Kevin Fitzgerald.
DIE HARD SUPPORTERS
On hand to roar their team to success were Araglin’s ever loyal supporters, who’ve had to endure plenty of heartache over the years – their invaluable role was acknowledged by team captain, James ‘Gus’ Kearney in his post-match speech.
HOMEWARD BOUND
Formalities complete, Team Araglin and their fans departed Páirc Uí Rinn in triumph en route to a well deserved meal in the Corbett Court, followed by the traditional visit to The Village Inn, Kilworth, before touching down in south Tipperary, where the warmest of welcomes awaited from successful businessman, team sponsor and all round nice guy, Christy Aherne, proprietor of The Swallow Inn.
It was a night that will live long in the memory and hopefully an indicator of more good things to come from the boys in green.
Araglin 4-9 Lismire 0-9
Winning county titles is not an easy business – prior to last Saturday night, it was something that had eluded Araglin’s footballers.
A perfect scenario for any team is to save their best performance till last and that’s exactly what happened in a cold and windy Páirc Uí Rinn. Araglin had the comfort of fielding an unchanged side that accounted for Freemount in the county semi-final.
Fired up from the start, we started brightly, showing no big match nerves. Fittingly, it was Ballyheaphy hit man, James ‘Gus’ Kearney, who got us off the mark. The next score went to Paul Hynes, who was set up nicely by corner forward, Aaron Hegarty. Gus knocked over our 3rd point in the 8th minute, while a minute later, Tommy ‘Tots’ Feeney produced a brilliant save to prevent Lismire from raising a green flag. Tommy was to receive plenty of help from a very well marshalled defence. Anchored by Shay Russell, with Laurence Lomasney and Shane Keane in the corners, this trio were once again superb. A solo effort from Gus, who was absolutely flying at this stage, made it Araglin 0-4 Lismire 0-2 at the water break.
Things got even better for the men in green and white on the resumption, when midfielder, Ben Carey, stormed through the Lismire defence before finishing to the net – what a tonic that was. Gus, who else, was back on the scoresheet again, when he pointed from 30 metres. Kealan Condon, wearing number 10, steadied himself nicely to rifle over a lovely point. In the 27th minute, an increasingly influential Paul Hynes goaled to leave it Araglin 2-6 to 0-3 at the half-time break.
LOOKING GOOD ENTERING 2ND HALF
Denis Twomey and his management team were delighted with the lads at the interval and the message was to press ahead, sustain the effort and keep up the work rate.
It was a determined and focused Araglin side that emerged from the dressingroom. Playmaker in chief, Tom ‘Dooner’ Kenneally came very close to scoring on the resumption, however, he was forced on to his weaker left foot and the result was a wide.
Introduced at half-time, Dave Browne lost no time making an impact, bouncing off the remarkably dry surface, he picked out some fantastic passes before helping himself to a great point before the second water break – we were playing some super stuff at this stage and looking good.
The introduction of Brendan Allen for Aaron Hegarty didn’t weaken the side and even when we lost Shane Keane to a black card, we retained our shape and composure.
Ben Carey provided the offload to Gus, who hit over our 8th point. When Paul Hynes got the second of his goals, we were really in the driving seat. Paul, who had a stormer of a game, then made way for the always reliable Paddy Kenneally; another change saw David Neligan introduced for Kealan Condon. Dave’s contribution was to put the ball on a plate for Gus, whose thunderbolt of a shot ricocheted off the crossbar before ending up in the net.
Gus saluted the crowd, we were nearly there. Liam Keane, who has been another great servant to the club since his juvenile days, had the honour of coming on for club stalwart and current chairman, Dooner.
With the finishing line in sight and the Araglin supporters in full voice, the last couple of minutes were pure perfection. It was absolutely appropriate that ‘Captain Fantastic’, Gus, would have the last say. His final act was to shoot over a routine free. A gallant Lismire side had given of their best, but had been beaten by the better team. The final whistle blew and the celebrations began in earnest.
FURST CLASS EFFORT
Looking back on the Araglin performance, we really played well as a unit. The work rate of Sean Motherway and Aaron Hegarty couldn’t be faulted. Paul Hynes ended up with 2-1 in a county final – what more can you say? Ben Carey and Sean Hegarty ruled the roost in the middle of the park, while Dooner helped knit it all together. Kealan Condon covered a huge amount of ground as well as contributing to the scoreboard. Jack Kearney was a bundle of productive energy and on the shortlist for man of the match.
If you were to really analyse this game, you would have to say the basis for our victory was the standard of defending – Shay Russell and Cain O’Mahony were on the money from the first whistle and their experience really shone through.
We’ve already referred to Tommy Feeney’s crucial first half save. If there was to be an award for consistency throughout the season, Fionnan Hickey, would be a serious contender. He was foot perfect again on Saturday night.
Laurence Lomasney also showed his class as a defender. In Gus, we had our man of the match, in Fionnan Hickey the most consistent player. That just leaves ‘ most improved player’. Minus match experience for several years, new recruit Shane Keane, has been a revelation this season; yes, he picked up a black card in the final, but these things happen and sometimes ‘must happen’. Overall, his discipline, reading of the game and awareness of things around him was superb.
As a team and a panel, we really turned up in Páirc Uí Rinn last Saturday and everyone involved deserves the highest praise. Greater challenges lie ahead for both our footballers and hurlers, but that’s a debate for another day.
TEAM, PANEL AND SCORERS
Tommy Feeney (GK), Shane Keane, Shay Russell, Laurence Lomasney, Fionnan Hickey, Cain O’Mahony, Jack Kearney, Sean Hegarty, Ben Carey (1-0), Kealan Condon (0-1), Tom ‘Dooner’ Kenneally, Paul Hynes (2-1), Sean Motherway, James ‘Gus’ Kearney (1-6, 1 free) and Aaron Hegarty. Subs: Dave Browne (0-1) for Sean Motherway, Brendan Allen for Aaron Hegarty, Dave Neligan for Kealan Condon, Paddy Kenneally for Paul Hynes and Liam Keane for Dooner. Panel: Paul Hickey, Nelius Kearney, Kieran O’Donovan, P.J. Aherne and Conor Twomey.
Referee: Cathan Treacy (Nemo Rangers).
THANKS
A special word of thanks to our commentary team of Niall Herlihy from Ballygiblin on video along with match commentators, Seamie O’Gorman and Kevin Condon.