Aghabullogue win a thriller

REBEL ÓG NORTH UNDER 14 A FC DIV 1 FINAL

Aghabullogue 1-11 Buttevant 1-7

THIS was a thrilling Rebel Óg North Under 14 A FC Division 1 final at Blarney on Wednesday evening.

Aghabullogue with a physically stronger side emerged deserving winners in the end. Buttevant opened with an early point by Kai Whelan after good play by Aaron Trimm and David Hanlon.

James Lane levelled for the Mid Cork side. David Hanlon edged Buttevant ahead in the sixth minute. Impressive Aaron O’Sullivan tied the game at 0-2 each. The Avondhu side took the lead again when David Hanlon pointed a free.

Colm Gillespie was in great form for the winners working well with Oisin O’Connell who levelled at 0-3 each. Aaron O’Sullivan edged Aghabullogue in front with a very good point and they led for the rest of the game.

In the 22nd minute O’Sullivan placed Sean Barrett with the inrushing O’Sullivan taking the pass and having a well taken goal 1-4 to 0-3.

The winners were now well in control with Seán O’Sullivan, Colm Gillespie, Aaron O’Sullivan, Oisin O’Connell, James Lane and Breandan O’Sullivan all linking up well.

Gillespie pointed in the 27th minute with Odhran O’Connell placing James Lane who pointed 1-6 to 0-3. The winners moved Conor Gillespie to the ‘40 where he did very well scoring two rapid points. In the closing moments Billy O’Riordan pointed for Buttevant who trailed 1-8 to 0-4 at the break.

Buttevant did well on the resumption. David Hanlon pointed an early free. Hughie Spratt followed with a very good point. Buttevant keeper Brandon Hogan made a massive save from Breandan O’Sullivan in the 38th minute.

David Hanlon added another point as the lead was down to four 1-8 to 0-7. Aghabullogue recovered well. They had their first score of the second half in the 46th minute when Aaron O’Sullivan pointed a free.

The same player followed with a point in the 50th minute. Buttevant were right back in the hunt when Billy O’Riordan put David Hanlon through for a goal 1-10 to 1- 7. Aaron O’Sullivan followed with a pointed free that completed the scoring.

Buttevant tried very hard for a second goal in the closing moments.

Aghabullogue defence held firm and they emerged winners by a four point margin. After the game David O’Shea Rebel Óg presented the cup to the winning captain Breandan O’Sullivan.

AGHABULLOGUE: D Leahy, D O’Leary, S O’Sullivan, S Barrett, O Casey, C Gillespie 0-3 (0-1f) S Bermingham, A O’Sullivan 1-5 (0-4f), Oisin O’Connell 0-1, N Moynihan, B O’Sullivan, E Rembourg, J Lane 0-2, Odhran O’Connell, E Murphy. Subs: A Roche for O Casey, R Howe for E Murphy, C Thompson for E Rembourg

BUTTEVANT: B Hogan, D Fitzmaurice, C Cremin, J Salvin, J Hickey, E O’DonÓghue, T J McCarthy, H Spratt 0-1, K Whelan 0-1, B O’Riordan 0-1, D Ryan, C Horan, F O’Sullivan, D Hanlon 1-4 (0-2f). Subs: C O’Shea for F O’Sullivan, A Horgan 0-1 for D Fitzmaurice

REFEREE: Colin Lawless (Blarney)