What a night of football, there was a huge crowd at this weekday match. The weather held up, the pitch held up and Aghinagh are champions.

Thanks to both clubs for a great night of sporting football.  Thank you to the referee Dave Murnane and his team.  Also thank you to Macroom GAA who as always have their complex in order to host this Final. A huge thank you to Ross Oil company who have sponsored this competition for many years.

 Ross Oil Mid Cork Junior Football Final

 Aghinagh   1 – 12     Ballincollig   0 – 9
 History was made at the Castle Grounds Macroom when Aghinagh won their first ever Ross Oil Mid Cork Junior Football title after a smashing game of football to which Ballincollig making a significant contribution.  Aghinagh were appearing in their fifth ever final and have suffered heartbreaks down the years but all that agony was forgotten as the new champions got off to a fine start, led by four points at the half way mark, survived a severe onslaught in the third quarter and put in a great last ten minutes to romp home in style with their huge and vocal support driving them on to victory.
 Whenever this victory will be recalled then the name of Liam Twohig will be foremost in the minds of anyone present.  The lightly built centre forward scored no less than 1-11 of his sides tally, 1-4 from play, and his goal was a score for the ages.  It came after six minutes of the start, Twohig and Gearóid O’Sullivan worked a 1 / 2 in the right corner to release Twohig for a clear shot at goal but at a tight angle, and the ball hit the far corner of the Ballincollig net before anyone could move. It gave Aghinagh a four point lead, and kept their noses in front at many stages subsequently when Ballincollig threatened to get on top.  Another star performer for Aghinagh was wing back Declan Ambrose who has been a constant leading light for the past decade and other experienced  players like Dave Barry, Donal Corkery, Michael O’Brien, Gearóid O’Sullivan, Seán Kelleher, all stepped up to the mark on this occasion.
 There was a huge crowd present for this final with a novel pairing, played on a Tuesday night under lights at Macroom. Liam Twohig put Aghinagh into the lead with a point from play in the 2nd minute and fired in the only goal of the match four minutes later to settle any nerves Aghinagh might have had.  Stephen Wills immediately opened the Ballincollig account and after a scoreless period Twohig punished a foul on Richard O’Sullivan with a point from a free to which Wills replied, also from a free, to leave Aghinagh leading by 1-2 to 0-2 at the water break on 17.
 The two teams continued to defend well and probe for openings going forward and Liam Twohig pointed a free from over 40metres after he was fouled.  Liam O’Connell, a dangerous midfielder for Ballincollig, came forward to kick a fine point, Twohig pointed another free from long range, Stephen Wills pointed another Ballincollig free after O’Connell was fouled as he again came forward.  A foul on Richard O’Sullivan yielded another point from an Aghinagh free and they led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the half way mark, all their scores coming from Twohig.
 The third quarter saw Ballincollig begin to gradually gain control.  In the opening minute Liam O’Connell set up Seán O’Donoghue for a close range blast but Jason McCarthy was equal to his effort and two minutes later Dylan Ebili’s fierce shot from close range went screaming just over the Aghinagh bar.  Twohig relieved the pressure for Aghinagh but Ballincollig answered with a superb point from Jordan O’Connor in the 36th minute to again leave only a goal between the teams.  Stephen Wills cut the gap to two points from a free in the 41st minute and Ballincollig had Aghinagh under pressure but the winner’s defence was very solid under pressure.  Micheál Horgan became the only other scorer apart from Twohig in the 46th minute but Wills pointed a Ballincollig free just before the water break in reply to leave Aghinagh only two points in front, 1-7 to 0-8 and by no means in a secure position.
 Aghinagh finished this game in the style befitting champions.  Liam Twohig was fouled in the 51st minute and pointed the resultant free and the teams went at it hammer and thongs to the delight of the spectators.  Aghinagh showed great composure in this period and worked very hard to keep possession and Twohig pointed a free in the 57th minute to open up a four point gap at last.  It was a vital score, Aghinagh continued to defend magnificently and finished out the game with Twohig scoring from play, then from a free and when Stephen Wills scored a Ballincollig point from a close range free, Twohig kicked over his 11th point to a rapturous reception from the excited Aghinagh supporters who gave full vent to their joyous feelings when the final whistle sounded.
 Scorers: Aghinagh L Twohig 1-11 (0-7f), M Horgan 0-1.   Ballincollig: S Wills 0-6 (0-5f), L O’Connell, D Ebili and J O’Connor 0-1 each.
 Aghinagh: Jason McCarthy: Donagh O’Riordan, Dave Barry, John Lynch: Donal Corkery, Luke O’Leary, Declan Ambrose: Gearóid O’Sullivan, Michael O’Brien: Mathew McCarthy, Liam Twohig, Richard O’Sullivan: Seán Kelleher, Micheál Horgan, T J Buckley. Subs: Aodh Twomey for M McCarthy inj 45, Tadgh Sheehan (blood 55-57).
 Ballincollig: Shane Hogan: Pádraig Harrington, Shane Buckley, Chris Twomey: Jason O’Connor, Fenton Denny, Mattie O’Sullivan: Seán Dore, Liam O’Connell: Seán O’Donoghue, Jason O’Connor, Henry Ahearne: Stephen Wills, Dylan Ebili, Callum Sheehan.  Subs: Robbie Bourke, Olan Dorgan, Eoin O’Reilly, Adam Wills.
 Referee: Dave Murnane, Macroom

 Ross Oil Man of the Match award: Liam Twohig (Aghinagh)

Here a couple of pics.