AHANE GAA CLUB NOTES
Bons Secours Senior Hurling Championship
We’re staying up! Ahane secured their Senior A status on Saturday evening as they put in top class performance against Ballybrown in Mick Neville Park. Ahane started playing against the wind, but they did well, as within the first two minutes Tom Morrissey had slotted home a goal using his boot and Niall Moran added a point before Bruff got their opening score from Luke O’Connor. Tom added a free as the wind picked up and the clouds began to gather above the field. It was over and back for the next few minutes as Tom got a serious score from play and Ballybrown’s scores were gotten from Luke and Aidan O’Connor. Just over the ten-minute mark, Mark O’Halloran got Ahane’s fourth point, and all that was separating the teams was Tom’s first minute goal. Ballybrown bought it back to two points before Tom popped the ball over his shoulder and over the bar. First half water break score was Ahane 1-05 Ballybrown 0-05. The second quarter started and Ballybrown got the first two scores before Tom scored another beauty and then got on the end of a well struck Ciarán Barry free to put Ahane three points up once more. Killian Enright got in on the scoring action too and pushed the gap to four, but it was short lived as Ballybrown got a point from play. Half time the score was Ahane 1-08 Ballybrown 0-09. With it still all to play for, Ahane came out in the second half all guns blazing as Tom scored two points, one from play and one from a free. Showing that it is not just the Ahane forwards who can score, Adam O’Brien jogged out of his goal to take a free well inside his own half and drove it over the bar. Tom scored the next two points and words don’t do either of them justice. They were absolute magic! Ballybrown got their first score of the half in the 38th minute, but again Tom scored a free to keep the Ahane charges with a seven-point cushion. As was the theme throughout the game Ballybrown never gave up and they scored three unanswered points to bring the gap to four. Ronan Fox stepped up and scored for Ahane to keep it at five. The score at the water break was Ahane 1-15 Ballybrown 0-14. Again, it was Ahane that were quickest off the mark in the final quarter as Tom and Paul O’Halloran scored points. Ballybrown got one back before Ronan scored another Ahane point and then Tom scored a free. Ballybrown continued to try and find a gap in the Ahane defence, but they were rock solid with Ciarán Barry having a serious game at centre back, and Evan O’Leary having another super day. Adam O’Brien was called into action in the late stages of the half but he somehow managed to save the shot even with the crowd of players around him. Ballybrown were awarded two close range frees as the game ticked into injury time, but Ciarán made a serious save as did Adam to ensure that the ball never went into the net. Down the other end, Tom popped over another point from play and Ahane’s final point came from full back Padraig Harnett who had a serious game too. In the dying moments of the game Ballybrown did manage to break down the Ahane defence and get their goal but it was too little too late for them as the full-time whistle blew and the score was Ahane 1-21 Ballybrown 1-15. Huge well done to the lads on a super performance to retain Senior A status for next year. Huge thank you to their management team of Eamonn Meskell, John Meskell, Darren Harrington, and Denis Murrihy for all the hard work and time they have put into this year with the lads. Thanks to Rory O’Donnell and Brian O’Mara who have kept the lads in one piece over the season and to their kitman John Brennan for all his done this year! Finally, a massive thank you to our sponsor Unity Credit Union for their continued support, it is greatly appreciated!
Team: A. O’Brien, C. O’Mara, P. Harnett, E. O’Leary, C. Carroll, C. Barry, A. Shanahan; D. Morrissey, M. O’Halloran; D. Minehan, T. Morrissey, R. Fox, K. Enright, P. O’Halloran, N. Moran.
Substitutions: A. Murrihy, W. Brennan (1/2 time for N. Moran inj), M. Donnellan (2nd ½ K. Enright), M. Foley, P. Donohoe, A. Carroll (2nd ½ for M. O’Halloran), E. Enright (2nd ½ for P. O’Halloran), D. McCarthy (2nd ½ for D. Minehan), K. Morrissey, A. Hackett, C. Heffernan.
Woodlands House Hotel Junior A Hurling Championship
Sunday morning saw Ahane and Kilteely Dromkeen travel to St Pats to play in the fourth round of the Junior A Hurling Championship. With a gale force wind blowing and showers of rain throughout the game it was tough conditions for both sides. Kilteely Dromkeen were quickest of the mark and got some good scores. Ahane battled hard and got two points but playing against the wind really didn’t help their cause. Score at the first water break was Ahane 0-02 Kilteely Dromkeen 1-07. The second quarter got underway and Ahane dug deep and got a goal curtesy of Jack Barry. However Kilteely Dromkeen got a second goal and Ahane went down to 14 men due to an injury. Half time score was Ahane 1-04 Kilteely Dromkeen 2-12. Ahane had the wind in the second half but condition were difficult for both sides. Kilteely tacked on five more points to add to their half time score while Ahane only managed to get three and the score at the second water break was Ahane 1-07 Kilteely Dromkeen 2-17. Ahane never let the heads drop and each player gave 110% throught the game. The game finished on a score line of Ahane 1-08 Kilteely Dromkeen 2-21. A tough day for our Junior lads but like every day they go out, give their all and do the jersey proud!
Team: J. Hayes; P. O’Grady, A. Carroll, T. Doheny, J. Barry, J. Meskell, M. Hickey; P. O’Connor, P. Donohoe; L. Ryan, D. McCarthy, C. Heffernan, L. O’Mara, D. Laing, D. Hayes.
U17 Hurling
The Ahane U17 football squad put in a fantastic display last Friday evening to take a fine win over Knockaderry in the Division 2 Shield semi-final. The game was played under lights at Kilbreedy. The first half was evenly contested with the Ahane team starting well and scoring 2 early goals. Knockaderry came back strongly and there was little between the teams at half time. The Ahane players took control of the game in the second half with solid defending, increased work rate and there were some fine scores taken after periods of fantastic teamwork and controlled passing between the players. Well done to Charlie, Sean, Mark, James, Colm, Gavin, Danny, Ciaran, Ruairi, Adam, Dylan, Craig, Stephen, Will, John D, Kyle, Jack, Paddy and John C on a great performance to reach the Shield Final. Well done to Knockaderry GAA who contributed to a very sporting game of football. Thanks to all the parents and supporters who travelled to Staker Wallace GAA to roar on the team Friday evening.
Lotto Draw #3
Numbers drawn: 2, 26,31,33
Jackpot €6,500
No Jackpot Winner
Draw:
€200 John Flannery
€150 Dr Pat Murphy
€120 Joe Ryan
€120 Maura McNamara
€120 Barry Coffey
€120 David Simmons
€120 Denis O’Leary
€120 Derry Corbett
€120 Martin & Kathy Walsh
€120 Kieran & Sheila Reale
Prosecco Draw
Kevin Meskell
Our 4th Lotto draw will be held on Oct 14th. Huge thank you as always to everyone who supports the club lotto! We appreciate it.
Craic agus Gaeilge faoi 6
CLG Átháin is organising a 4/5 week fundamental movement course as Gaeilge for our u6 groups. Would you like your child to be involved? If so please contact Denis on [0879346102](tel:0879346102)!
The emphasis is on fun.…craic agus Gaeilge! All levels of Irish welcome.
Bígí linn
Cash for Clobber
We are holding another Cash for Clobber fundraiser over the coming weeks! We accept unwanted/unused clothes, belts, handbags, and shoes (in pairs). You can drop your bags to the dressing room at any of the training sessions!
Upcoming Fixtures
Woodlands House Hotel Junior A Hurling Championship Round 5: Ahane v St Kieran’s Thursday 7th Otcober