First-half goal rush sends Aghada into Co-Op Superstores IHC final

Aghada 3-18 Sarsfields 1-14

Aghada booked their place in the Co-Op Superstores IHC final with a 3-18 to 1-14 win over Sarsfields at Dungourney on Friday night.

With the wind behind them, Aghada raced into a 0-4 lead. William Leahy, who finished with 1-5, converted a penalty. Charlie Terry struck straight back after a Sars goal, and John Looney netted on the stroke of half-time to leave it 3-13 to 1-8.

Sars rallied early in a low-scoring second half, led by Cian McCarthy’s 0-6, but Aghada held firm to close out a deserved victory.

winners of Bandon or Midleton will meet Aghada in the final.

Scorers for Aghada: W Leahy 1-5 (f), J Looney 1-2, C Terry 1-1, R O’Connell, S O’Driscoll, T Hartnett 0-2 each, F O’Connell, M Russell, R Murphy, F O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Sarsfields: C McCarthy 0-6 (3f), F O’Connor 1-1, R O’Brien 0-2, R Higgins, D McCarthy, S King, J Huggins, A Hackett 0-1 each.

AGHADA: J Walsh; K O’Shea, J McDonnell, A Kearns; F O’Connor, M Russell, F O’Connell; R O’Connell, T Hartnett; W Leahy, C Terry, S O’Driscoll; R Murphy, J Looney, J O’Hanlon.
Subs: N Devoy for F O’Connell (55), P O’Neill for C Terry (57), J Devoy for R O’Connell (58).

SARSFIELDS: D McCarthy; J Huggins, D Roche, R De Barra; Rory Higgins, K Crowley, J O’Leary; S McNamara, J Tierney; S King, E Murphy, S Bracken; R O’Brien, C McCarthy, F O’Connor.
Subs: C Condon for D Roche (ht), A Hackett for J O’Leary (44).

Referee: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).