Aghada 10-7, Shamrocks 4-16
They say goals win games and one look at the scoreline will prove that – Shamrocks scored 20 times at home to Aghada and that would normally be enough to win any game of football but this is 12 a side u14 football where systems dont come into it and unfortunately for Shamrocks on this occasion, the concession of 10 of them proved their undoing in this very exciting game.
Shamrocks elected to play with the stong breeze in the first half but Aghada scored two of those tgoals in the first minute and had three by the 8th minute. However, Shamrocks settled down and started to patiently play their way back into it and scored 2 goals and scored some lovely points to bring themselves right back into it at HT, Aghada 3-3, Shamrocks 2-6. They just couldnt convert the majority of possession into enough scores and in fairness, Aghada defended well at times. A lot of hard work ahead in the second half then.
Again, a terrible start stymied Shamrocks, conceding 1-2 within a few minutes of the restart. It was a tall task but once again the lads responded. They got a goal back from Shane Darcy and added on some great points and eventhough Aghada scored another goal to go two points up, Shamrocks worked the ball through the hands into Seán Andrews who buried it to the Aghada net and Shamrocks were a point ahead and looking good with 10 minutes left. However, the game turned when Aghada scored a goal below and the house of cards fell in – they scored another 3 goals in the last 5 minutes despite more points from Sean Andrews when a goal really was what was needed.
Shamrocks play Valley Rovers in a challenge next Monday night and play St Catherines away in the championship teh following Thursday.
Panel: D. O’Brien, D. Gregson, M. Foy, D. Carroll, A. McSweeney, A. Brady, M. Sisk, S. Darcy, S. Andrews, A. Maye, H. Andrews, C. O’Flaherty, D. Howard, R. Barrett.