Aghabullogue win Intermediate A Football Championship

Photo: George Hatchell

MATCH REPORT FROM ECHO

Aghabullogue have been crowned Bon Secours Hospital IAFC winners after defeating Mitchelstown in the final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon.

It completes a remarkable double for the Coachford-based side after they won the IAHC two weeks ago. Aghabullogue lost the 2013, 2018 and 2022 finals but they have now crossed the line at the fourth attempt.

Mitchelstown were missing star Cathail O’Mahony after the Cork senior footballer picked up an injury in training. Aghabullogue’s brilliant first-half display against the wind laid the foundation for glory.

Mitchelstown were aided by the strong wind in the opening half and it took them just a minute to hit the front through a Seán Walsh point. That was quickly cancelled out by a long-range point from Ryan Dennehy.

Seán O’Sullivan restored Mitchelstown’s lead with a fine effort before Matthew Bradley converted a free for his side, 0-2 each in what was a lively opening seven minutes. Aghabullogue struck for a goal after eight minutes, a slick team move resulted in Aaron O’Sullivan setting up his older brother Cialan and the latter drilled the ball to the back of the net, an unstoppable finish.

Bradley was having a big say in proceedings and the lively forward sent over a gorgeous point to push Aghabullogue four points clear after 12 minutes, 1-3 to 0-2. Aghabullogue’s pace was too much for their opposition, and the Muskerry side raised their second green flag through David Thompson with Bradley providing the assist, 2-3 to 0-2 after 13 minutes.

Playing against the wind was no problem for the Coachford side, they hit three points on the trot to open up a ten-point advantage. Mitchelstown got their first score in 23 minutes when Cormac Hyland, just on the pitch, bisected the posts, which was followed by Shane Beston and Dylan Reidy Price white flags, 2-6 to 0-5 after 29 minutes.

Aghabullogue kicked two of the last three points of the half to lead 2-8 to 0-6 at the interval.

The team in green and white were now aided by the wind for the new half, but it was a slow burner as there were only two scores in the first 10 minutes, one from either team, 2-9 to 0-7. Mitchelstown raised five unanswered white flags with Shane Beston slotting over two of those, 2-9 to 0-12 with 15 minutes to play.

Thompson split the posts for Aghabullogue, a much-needed score for them to stem the tide. Aghabullogue netminder Ian O’Sullivan made an outstanding save to deny Beston a certain goal and they went down the other end to point from the boot of John Corkery, 2-11 to 0-12 after 48 minutes.

Aaron O’Sullivan converted a free for his side until Seán Walsh had a goal chance for the Avondhu side but missed the target from close-range. Michael Walsh bisected the posts for the Town before they were reduced to 14 players after 59 minutes when Hyland received a black card.

The sides traded white flags before Mitchelstown scored 1-1, the goal coming from the penalty spot through Shane Cahill, 2-13 to 1-15 after 63 minutes. Aghabullogue held on as they can look forward to playing Premier Intermediate in both codes in 2024.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: D Thompson 1-2, A O’Sullivan 0-4 (0-2 f), M Bradley 0-3 (0-1 f), C O’Sullivan 1-0, J Corkery 0-2, L Casey (f), R Dennehy 0-1 each.

Mitchelstown: S Beston 0-4, S Cahill 1-0 pen, S O’Sullivan, M Walsh (f), D Reidy Price, S Walsh 0-2 each, M Keane (f), J O’Sullivan, C Hyland 0-1 each.

AGHABULLOGUE: I O’Sullivan; B O’Sullivan, S Tarrant, B Casey; A Murphy, P Ring (c), C Smyth; R Dennehy, C Gillespie; J Corkery, M Bradley, A O’Sullivan; D Thompson, E O’Sullivan, C O’Sullivan.

Subs: M Dennehy for A Murphy (6, inj), T Long for B O’Sullivan (27, inj), B Dineen for B Casey (44), L Casey for C O’Sullivan (52), P O’Sullivan for M Bradley (56).

MITCHELSTOWN: L Hanna; L Finn, F Herlihy, K Roche; J O’Sullivan, R Donegan, P Magee; M Keane, D Dineen; S O’Sullivan, D Reidy Price, M Walsh; S Walsh, S Cahill (c), S Beston.

Subs: D Flynn for R Donegan, C Hyland P Magee (both 24), J Sheehan for D Dineen (26), S Kenneally for J Sheehan (34, inj).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).

CORK REFEREE CONFERENCE AND THE LAUNCH OF CORK REFEREE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The County Referee Committee is thrilled to announce the Cork Referee Conference, which also marks the launch of the Cork Referee Development Plan. This vital event is scheduled to take place on the 25th of November, from 10am to 1pm. We cordially invite all match officials, including referees, linesmen, umpires, and administrative personnel, to participate in our upcoming conference at Páric Uí Chaoimh. We eagerly anticipate your attendance.

 

Register for Conference

 

 

Our Speakers

Our lineup of speakers for the event will be headlined by George Clancy and Barry Kelly. George Clancy is a former international rugby referee renowned for his expertise and experience in the field. Barry Kelly, on the other hand, is a four-time All-Ireland hurling referee, whose insights from his illustrious career are bound to be invaluable to all attendees. We are confident that their knowledge and experience will provide a wealth of information and encourage stimulating discussions.

Panel Discussion Featuring Five All-Ireland Referees from Cork

One of the key events of the conference will be a panel discussion featuring five All-Ireland referees hailing from Cork. Frank Murphy, Michael Collins, Diarmuid Kirwan, Conor Lane, and Colm Lyons are the five Cork men who have officiated All-Ireland Finals. Their collective wisdom, paired with their individual experiences, will undoubtedly provide a wealth of knowledge and insight for all participating officials. The panel discussion aims to not only share their experiences but also to inspire and guide the next generation of referees.

Venue and Registration

The conference will be held at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a prestigious venue that has hosted numerous sports events. For further information regarding the conference and to register your attendance, please visit our website: www.gaacork.ie/referees

We encourage all participants to register at the earliest to secure their spot at the conference.

The Cork Referee Conference is not just an event; it is a platform for growth, learning, and networking for all match officials. The launch of the Cork Referee Development Plan underlines our commitment to the continuous development and improvement of our match officials. We look forward to your active participation and fruitful discussions at the conference.

 

 

Match day information in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

MATCH DAY INFORMATION: BON SECOURS INTERMEDIATE ‘A’ FC FINAL AND CO-OP SUPERSTORES JUNIOR A HC Q-FINAL

Get ready for a thrilling day of football and hurling action on Sunday, 5th November 2023 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The day will feature two epic battles; the Bon Secours Intermediate ‘A’ FC Final and the Co-Op Superstores Junior A HC Q-Final.

Schedule

The day throws in at 13:00 with the Intermediate ‘A’ FC Final between Aghabullogue and Mitchelstown. This promises to be a tightly contested match with both teams looking to claim the title. Following this, at 15:00, we have the Junior A HC Q-Final featuring Ballinora Vs Clonakilty.

Match Tickets

To watch these exciting games live, ensure you have your tickets ready. Note that U16’s do not require a ticket. Tickets can be purchased on the Cork GAA website at

. However, we strongly recommend that you don’t travel without a ticket, as no tickets will be available for purchase at the venue.

Access to the stadium

The stadium will open at 12:00pm. Seating is unreserved, so it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure to print your ticket or download it and have it ready to scan on entry before arriving at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Also, ensure your phone is fully charged.

Food/Bar Kiosks

There will be food and bar kiosks open in the stadium to cater to your needs. So, you can grab a bite or a drink while enjoying the match.

Security

For your safety, it is crucial to comply with the directions given by stewards and An Garda. An inner cordon will operate on the roads around the stadium by An Garda Síochána from 11:30am.

Plan your Journey

Make sure to plan your journey to the stadium as traffic may be heavy in the area before & after the game. Also, some local roads may be closed before and after the game.

Ways to Get to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

The stadium is a 20-minute walk from Cork City Centre. If you’re driving, you can park at all City Car Parks. Walk towards the Marina along Centre Park Road to reach the stadium. When driving to the stadium, spectators are encouraged to use City Centre car parks, Kennedy Quay, and Boreenmana Road for parking. Please respect our local neighbours- Don’t park illegally. Note that the Live at Marquee Car park is closed.

Alternatively, you can take public transport. The stadium is served by Bus Eireann Public Bus. The 202 and 212 Bus Route are the closest routes to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The stop for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is in Ballintemple on the Blackrock Road (by the pharmacy).

Dress for Weather

Lastly, please be aware of weather conditions before you travel and dress for the weather. We want you to enjoy the match in comfort. We look forward to seeing you there for a day of thrilling GAA action.

Sports Direct Extends its successful partnership with Cork GAA

SPORTS DIRECT EXTENDS ITS SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH CORK GAA

New Cork GAA training kits launch exclusively with Sports Direct on November 2nd Sports Direct is extending its current 5 year partnership with Cork GAA to 8 years. The partnership has proven to be one of the most successful in Irish sports sponsorship in recent years, and this extension reflects Sports Direct’s belief in the future of Cork GAA.

The deal will include the continued sponsorship of the Cork Senior hurling and football teams as well as the Minor and U20 teams. The Sports Direct name and branding will be emblazoned across the new training kit for the 2024 season, which is also being launched this week.

The eye-catching red and black jersey features lightning strikes all over and will be available across multiple age groups. As the official retail partner of Cork GAA, the new kits will launch on November 2nd next, with exclusive sales in Sports Direct’s six Cork stores.

The tagline for the new campaign is “Train. Transform. Triumph” as Cork GAA asks people if they have what it takes to train for their county.

Marc Sheehan, Chairperson Cork GAA, said; “We are very excited to be extending our partnership with Sports Direct which has had a really positive impact for Cork GAA. Having the backing of Sports Direct lets us embark on our future journey with confidence and the belief that our training programmes are helping to transform our players into triumphant stars of GAA and we hope that we can give our fans something to get excited about. We are delighted now to launch our new training kit which incorporates a very unique design for Cork GAA and one that I hope will be well-received by both players and fans. The lightning strikes represent the power of our players and the strength of our teams as they face future challenges over the next season.”

Leonard Brassel, Managing Director of Sports Direct Ireland said; “We have been extremely proud of our partnership with Cork GAA both on and off the pitch and are delighted to extend the current partnership to eight years. The seamless collaboration with Cork GAA has helped us to champion the legend in everyone and while we support both codes across six teams the supporters are equally important to us. We understand the fans’ passion and commitment to the game and county which is brought into the
unparalleled design of the latest training kit. We are equally as ambitious as Cork in the success of this partnership.”

The new Cork Kit, manufactured by O’Neills, goes on sale exclusively in Sports Direct Stores or online at https://ie.sportsdirect.com/ and oneills.com on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023. Sports Direct has six stores in Cork.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND CONFIRM RETURN TO IRELAND IN 2024 

 

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND CONFIRM RETURN TO IRELAND IN 2024 

9 MAY 2024 – BELFAST

 Boucher Road 

12 MAY 2024 – KILKENNY

Nowlan Park

16 MAY 2024 – CORK 

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

19 MAY 2024 – DUBLIN

Croke Park 

TICKETS ON SALE THIS MONDAY 6 NOVEMBER AT 8AM

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band Add 22 European Stadium Shows to 2024 World Tour

 

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band delivered “the greatest show on earth” (Billboard) across Europe this past summer, and they’ll make a triumphant return to the continent in 2024 with a just-announced 22-show stadium run. Kicking off on May 5 in Cardiff, Wales, Springsteen and The E Street Band will bring their “rapturous and cathartic” (USA Today)” 2024 world tour to Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway — before bookending in the UK with a date at London’s Wembley Stadium on July 25. Full list of performance dates and on-sale times below.

 

Springsteen and The E Street Band’s 2023 European tour sold over 1.6 million tickets, and earned widespread praise as some of the best shows of the band’s career. The 2023 European run received praise as “one of the greatest shows ever” (Daily Telegraph) as well as five-star reviews from The Times, The Independent, NME and many others across its 14 countries. Highlights included a two-night kick-off in Barcelona which “unleashed euphoria” (El Correo) as well as performances to over 130,000 fans across two dates in London’s Hyde Park and a final night to over 70,000 in Monza, Italy.

 

Returning to North America at the tail end of summer, Springsteen and The E Street Band’s first U.S. stadium show in seven years — at Chicago’s Wrigley Field — was lauded as “something without equal” (Chicago Tribune) and one of “Wrigley Field’s brightest moments” (Chicago Sun-Times). A three-night New Jersey homecoming at MetLife Stadium over Labor Day weekend was praised as “blistering and time-eclipsing” (Salon) and “a joyous affair where nobody felt like saying goodbye” (Rolling Stone).

 

Please visit https://brucespringsteen.net/ for more information.

 

Please visit https://shorefire.com/roster/bruce-springsteen for new photos.

Photo Credit: Rob DeMarti

 

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band 2024 World Tour:

 

New European Dates Announced:

 

May 5 – Cardiff, Wales @ Principality Stadium (On-sale: Friday, Nov. 3 at 10am*)

 

May 9 – Belfast, Northern Ireland @ Boucher Road (On-sale: Monday, Nov. 6 at 8am*) 

 

May 12 – Kilkenny, Ireland @ Nowlan Park (On-sale: Monday, Nov. 6 at 8am*) 

 

May 16 – Cork, Ireland @ SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (On-sale: Monday, Nov. 6 at 8am*) 

 

May 19 – Dublin, Ireland @ Croke Park (On-sale: Monday, Nov. 6 at 8am*) 

 

May 22 – Sunderland, England @ Stadium of Light (On-sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 10am*)

 

May 25 – Marseille, France @ Orange Vélodrome (On-sale Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 10am*) 

 

May 28 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Airport Letnany (On-sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 10am*)

 

June 1 – Milan, Italy @ San Siro Stadium (On-sale Monday, Nov. 6 at 12pm*) 

 

June 3 – Milan, Italy @ San Siro Stadium (On-sale Monday, Nov. 6 at 12pm*) 

 

June 12 – Madrid, Spain @ Cívitas Metropolitano (On-sale Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 10am*)

 

June 14 – Madrid, Spain @ Cívitas Metropolitano (On-sale Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 10am*)

 

June 20 – Barcelona, Spain @ Estadi Olímpic (On-sale Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 10am*)

 

June 27 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Goffertpark (On-sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 9am*)

 

July 2 – Werchter, Belgium @ Werchter Park (On-sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 10am*)

 

July 5 – Hannover, Germany @ Heinz von Heiden Arena (On-sale Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 10am*)

 

July 9 – Odense, Denmark @ Dyrskuepladsen (On-sale Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10am*)

 

July 12 – Helsinki, Finland @ Olympic Stadium (On-sale Monday, Nov. 6 at 11am*)

 

July 15 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Friends Arena (On-sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 10am*)

 

July 18 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Friends Arena (On-sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 10am*)

 

July 21 – Bergen, Norway @ Dokken (On-sale Monday, Nov. 6 at 10am*)

 

July 25 – London, England @ Wembley Stadium connected by EE (On-sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 10am*)

 

*All on-sale times are local time

Tickets for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band in Belfast, Kilkenny, Cork and Dublin go on sale this Monday 6 November at 8am from Ticketmaster.ie

For more concert information see aikenpromotions.com