Aghada hold on for first success

All-Ireland Sevens / Aghada 4-16 Na Fianna 4-9: Aghada pulled off a remarkable victory at Glenalbyn on Saturday to capture their…

All-Ireland Sevens / Aghada 4-16 Na Fianna 4-9: Aghada pulled off a remarkable victory at Glenalbyn on Saturday to capture their first All-Ireland Sevens title with a seven-point victory over Na Fianna.Up against the former three-in-a-row Dublin champions Na Fianna, Aghada, from east Cork, pulled out all the stops to protect a second-half lead after Brian Flaherty had fisted in a goal just after the interval.

Conor Counihan, who won back-to-back All-Ireland medals with Cork in 1989 and 1990, manages the Aghada team and his influence was evident in the second half as Na Fianna went for broke. With Dublin forwards Senan Connell and Jason Sherlock leading the Na Fianna attack, Aghada, having established a seven-point lead, were then put on the defensive.

But a superb goalline clearance by Aghada defender Brendan Crowley from a Micheal Colleran shot typified Aghada's determination.

And with Eoin O'Neill making a very telling contribution of 0-6 from midfield, Aghada remained in control with Dave Creedon's two goals in the second half also proving vital.

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QUARTER-FINALS: Nemo Rangers (Cork) 1-8, Na Fianna 4-7; Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 1-7, Corofin (Galway) 1-7, (Kilmacud won 2-1, on penalties); Bellaghy (Derry) 5-11, St Mary's (Sligo) 3-11; Aghada (Cork) 2-8, An Riocht (Down) 0-13. SEMI-FINALS: Aghada 2-13, Bellaghy 2-9; Na Fianna 1-17, Kilmacud Crokes 1-11. FINAL: Aghada 4-16 - D Creedon 2-2, E O'Neill 0-6 (three frees), B Flahery 2-0, S O'Connell 0-3, W O' Donoghue 0-2, P O' Neill, B Crowley, T O' Neill 0-1 each, Na Fianna 4-9 (S Connell 1-3, E Ledwith 1-2, J Sherlock 1-2 (two frees), D Lynch 1-0, K Donnelly 0-1, M Colleran 0-1 (Free).