Aghabullogue booked their place in the Rebel Óg North Under-15 Division 1 Hurling Championship final after a pulsating 3-11 to 1-15 victory over St. Colmcille’s at Carraig na bhFear on Saturday morning. Despite heavy rain in the days leading up to the fixture, the pitch held up admirably and provided the stage for an absorbing, high-quality semi-final that went right down to the final whistle.
Both sides began brightly, trading early points in a fast-paced opening quarter. Kevin Cooney, Aghabullogue’s chief marksman, settled quickly with a free and a long-range 65, before adding another from play to put his side in front. St. Colmcille’s responded through the sharp-shooting Cathal Geaney, who struck two fine scores from play to level matters. With Tadgh Harden adding a free and Joe Coughlan showing his accuracy from open play, the teams were locked together in a tight and tactical battle.
Cooney, ever reliable, added further points to keep Aghabullogue in touch, but Colmcille’s gradually gained control around midfield, with Aidan Russell and Eamon Tattan working tirelessly to win turnovers. Geaney, who finished with an impressive personal tally of 0-6, continued to torment the Aghabullogue defence, while Coughlan chipped in with two well-taken points.
The crucial moment of the first half came in the 20th minute when Tim Buckley pounced on a loose ball to scoop to the net for Aghabullogue, momentarily swinging momentum their way. Yet Colmcille’s refused to panic—Geaney and Russell replied with fine scores before Coughlan’s late point ensured the East Cork side went into the break with a slender 0-11 to 1-7 advantage.
The second half continued at a blistering pace. Within five minutes of the restart, Aghabullogue’s Cillian Twomey made his mark, finding the net after a powerful run to restore their lead. Twomey then added two points in quick succession as the Muskerry outfit began to turn the screw, Cooney chipping in again to make it 2-10 to 0-12 approaching the final quarter.
St. Colmcille’s battled bravely, with Michael Gubbins leading by example at the back, turning over possession several times to launch attacks. Geaney added another free, and Harden and Geaney again reduced the deficit as the game entered its closing stages. But just as Colmcille’s looked to be clawing their way back, Aghabullogue struck a killer blow—Eoghan Dineen running onto a loose ball and tipping home their third goal in the 54th minute to make it 3-11 to 0-15.
Still, Colmcille’s refused to yield. Deep in stoppage time, Cillian Manley seemed to be the one that got the flick on the ball to raise a green flag, setting up a nervy finish, but Aghabullogue’s defence, marshalled by Nathan Perrott and Eoghan Buckley, held firm to see out a two-point win.
For Aghabullogue, Kevin Cooney (0-8) and Cillian Twomey (1-3) were the standout performers, while for St. Colmcille’s, Cathal Geaney’s scoring and Michael Gubbins’ defensive tenacity shone brightest.
St. Colmcille’s
1 – Carthach Kelleher
2 – Cian Barry
3 – Michael Gubbins
4 – Ethan Roche
5 – Oisin Arrigan
6 – Alan Murphy
7 – Eamon Tattan
8 – Aidan Russell
9 – Tadgh Harden
10 – Cillian Manley
11 – Sam Dunne
12 – Cathal Geaney
13 – David Lynch
14 – Padraig Murphy
15 – Joe Coughlan
Aghabullogue
1 – Jack Dineen
2 – Max McCarthy
3 – Seamus Foley
4 – Donncha Kelleher
5 – Eoghan Buckley
6 – Nathan Perrott
7 – Patrick Merrigan
8 – Donal O’Riordan
9 – Cillian Twomey
10 – Tommy Ross
11 – Kevin Cooney
12 – Tim Buckley
13 – Charlie Lane
14 – Sean Twomey
15 – Eoghan Dineen
Scorers:
St. Colmcille’s – C. Geaney 0-6, J. Coughlan 0-3, S. Dunne 0-2, T. Harden 0-2, A. Russell 0-1, C. Manley 1-0.
Aghabullogue – K. Cooney 0-8, C. Twomey 1-3, T. Buckley 1-0, E. Dineen 1-1.