AHANE GAA CLUB NOTES
Senior Hurling Club Championship
Following the 4th round of games, Ahane are joint top of the group with neighbours Monaleen on 6pts having achieved 3 wins on the bounce, leaving them in a strong position with one game remaining in the group stages. A last gasp win against Knockainey on Saturday afternoon last by 1-15 to 0-17 saw them gain full points, much to the relief of manager Davey Givens.
This was a hard fought and competitive game throughout, and a strong crosswind in Caherconlish meaning scores were not easily managed. Dan Morrissey had Ahane off the mark with a close range point after a four minutes and the scoring remained largely tit-for-tat throughout the half between the sides, with Tom Morrissey nailing a number of frees and one from play, Willie Brennan with one, a super score from minor player Ronan Fox showing a slick touch and wrists, along with one from his minor coach Niall Moran. At half time the scores were 0-9 each, setting it up nicely for either side to kick on in the second half.
Knockainey appeared to gain a foothold in the middle third as the sides locked horns for the second thirty minutes and looked to be finding scores a little easier to come by. Credit must be given to the Ahane backs as they never looked like conceding a goal throughout, despite being under pressure from some lively players and well-structured Knockainey attacks. Veteran Niall Moran added two badly needed scores from play for Ahane during a period where they struggled to find their range in the tough conditions and Knockainey pressure. Tom added a couple of good frees to stay in touch but the lads remained three points down as time was running out.
The magic moment for the men in green and gold came following a speculative cross-field ball to another minor player Andrew Shanahan who had only entered the fray minutes earlier. Andrew caught the ball high in the air over the Knockainey corner back and despite being stripped of his hurley in the aerial battle, he showed remarkable composure to find the on-rushing Dan Morrissey with a hand-pass and Dan clinically finished to the net from 10m, notching his second goal in two games. This was the shot in the arm they needed and with this boost and momentum behind them, they showed great character to seek out a winner from what looked like a losing position as the game entered added time. While the Ahane management to their credit showed great faith in youth with 3 minors playing, they must be credited for adding the not-so-youthful Davey “the bomber” Laing to the fray midway through the second half. Davey’s physical presence was immediate when introduced and he broke up some ball in the last period of the game as well as rattling a few Knockainey bodies in the process. Indeed one of his efforts led to the winning score for Dan Morrissey when Dan ran onto at flick from Davey around the 45m line, slotting between the sticks and win the game for Ahane by the smallest of margins. It was fitting that Dan ended the scoring proceedings having started the tally on the day.
Well done to the players and management for digging out the result which now leaves them in a great position.
The lads face Murroe/Boher on the 1st of September at 1pm in Caherconlish knowing a win will see us make the top two in the group and a place in the quarterfinals of the championship.
Team: A. O’Brien, P. Harnett, E. Enright, P. Morrissey, J. Enright, C. Barry, M. O’Halloran, P. O’Halloran, S. Power, T. Morrissey, N. Moran, D. Morrissey, R. Fox, W. Brennan, C. O’Mara
Subs: A. Shanahan, D. Laing, A. Rowesome, C. Heffernan, C. Morrissey, , T. Doheny, P. O’Grady, D. Madden, R. Reale, P. Minihan, M. Power
Ahane Minor Hurlers
The lads will play Na Piarsaigh in Ahane on Friday 23rd at 7pm in round 6 of their campaign. With 2 wins, a draw and a loss to date, another win will leave the lads are in a strong position to progress to the semi-finals. Be sure and come out to support the lads.
Hurling Camp run by Dan & Tom Morrissey
There will be a hurling camp from Monday 19th – Thursday 22nd August in Ahane GAA Club for boys and girls aged 8-14 years .
Advance registration is required available from: morrisseyhurlingcamp@gmail.com or via the link on the ClubZap App news item.
Participants must be a member of a GAA Club
Senior Camogie Championship Rnd 1
Sunday saw the second round of the Limerick Senior Camogie County Championship take place. Ahane took on Killeedy in Killeedy at 11:30 on a wet and windy morning. Both teams are no strangers to each other and they both fought hard throughout the game. Niamh Mulcahy got Ahane’s first score from a free within the first thirty seconds which settled the Ahane team. Killeedy got their first score in the third minute against a strong breeze. Ahane took advantage of the strong wind at their backs and Niamh Mulcahy got her’s and Ahane’s first score from play in the ninth minute. The youngest member of the Ahane team Sarah Cosgrave, had a great game at corner forward, nine minutes in and she caught a great ball and put it over the bar to get Ahane’s fourth point. Niamh popped over another free in the tenth minute, putting the scores at Ahane 0-05 Killeedy 0-02.
The Ahane backs were fantastic throughout the game, led by Rose Collins at full back and Noreen Flanagan at centre back, with Kate Herbert and Sarah Crotty anchoring the half back line to make it nearly impossible to get through. Goalkeeper Aoife Quinn made some great saves and cleared the ball away from the danger zone with the help of her backs. Niamh got three more points and Killeedy knocked over two more points. The teams went in at half time on a score line of Ahane 0-08 Killeedy 0-04.
Killedy were quickest off the mark in the second half and with the strong wind now in their favour they found their scores came easier. They bought the gap back to one point by in the seventh minute of the second half mid fielder Judith Mulcahy came bursting through the middle of the Killeedy defence and struck the ball into the Killeedy net. The next few minutes was all about the battling all over the field and both teams put in great tackles, hooks and blocks. Rose Collins defended and cleared some fantastic ball for the Ahane full back line. Killeedy eventually got through the Ahane defence and after some great defending Killeedy got their goal from a rebound. The goal meant the teams were now level at 1-08 a piece.
Half way through the second half the heavy rain started to fall and the wind picked up even more to make conditions even tougher. The wind played havoc with the scoring chances and Ahane saw a few of their shots go wide due to the strong wind. The game was coming towards the thirty minute mark and both teams were looking for the last point to get them over the line. The Killeedy goalkeeper pucked the ball out and Ahane’s Aisling Herbert rose through the air and plucked the ball out of the sky in a absolute monster catch that was definitely a highlight of the game. After thirty two minutes of camogie played referee Kevin O’Brien blew the full time whistle. The game ended on with Ahane 1-08 Killeedy 1-08.
Ahane Team: A. Quinn; C.Macken, R.Collins, N. Power, S. Crotty, N. Flanagan, K.Herbert; A. Herbert, J. Mulcahy; L. Nash, N. Mulcahy, N. Collins, S. Cosgrave, S. McGovern, A. Reynolds.
Substitutions: Ciara Macken for Caoimhe Macken (HT)
U12s Hurlers played Newtownshandrum of Cork
The U12 Hurlers and Management team hosted Newtownshandrum from Cork earlier today in Mackey Park where all those in attendance got to see a very entertaining and competitive game of hurling. The Ahane U12 group were missing a few players due to holidays and injuries but the 17 players on duty this morning put in a fantastic display where there was great defending, teamwork and excellent scores to get a fine win. A big THANK YOU to the large group of parents and supporters who came to see and roar on the players, to Seanie Carey who did a super job of the refereeing duties and who encouraged both teams on the field and to Linda for providing fruit and refreshments to all the Ahane and Newtownshandrum players – it was great to see all the players enjoy the fine array of fruit which included bananas, apples, oranges and melons – Moore Street would not get a look in!!!!!! A special mention to Justine for suggesting the great initiative. The players will get to develop their skills further during the Hurling Camp run by our two Senior Stars Dan and Tom Morrissey in Ahane GAA Club next week – a fantastic few days is planned in Mackey Park starting on Monday.