AHANE GAA CLUB NOTES
U21 Hurling
Ahane headed to Doon to play Garryspillane on Tuesday evening in the second round of the U21 Championship. There was a seriously strong breeze that favoured Garryspillane in the first half which was reflected in the half time score as Garryspillane were up five points. Ahane’s first scores came from Mark Donnellan and Peter Donohoe who got on the end of a well-controlled ball from Kevin Morrissey to pull on the ball first time and slot it home meaning Ahane were only one point behind after nine minutes. Ronan Fox, who put in a man of the match worthy performance levelled the scores, but this didn’t last long as Garryspillane responded well with a point of their own. On several occasions Garryspillane tried to get in on goal but serious credit is due to our hard-working defenders and William in goal who dealt with the pressure well. Ronan got another point to level matters again before Garryspillane got a point and the score at the water break was Ahane 1-03 Garryspillane 0-07. Garryspillane got 1-01 in the opening minutes of the second quarter, as what could have been an Ahane goal down one end, was cleared well and Garryspillane made their move up the field leaving our defence and William with no chance of stopping the ball. In a great response to the goal, Ahane got a Peter Donohoe point and then after a lovely ball in from Conor Heffernan Kevin Morrissey slotted over a lovely point. Not a minute later and the ball from the Garryspillane puck out looked like it was going to go out over the side-line but somehow Ronan Fox controlled it in the air like a wizard, brought it down and then finished the move with a score, most definitely a contender for, if not the best score of the evening. The next three scores were all Garryspillane as they widened the gap back to five points, before Ronan brought it back to four with another serious point. At half time the score board read Ahane 1-07 Garryspillane 1-12. The wind died down a small bit in the second half, but Ahane got the first three scores all from placed balls taken by Ronan. The first one was at the left-hand side of the pitch, the second one was at the right-hand side of the pitch and the third one was from straight in front of goal with all three frees a good distance out. William was called into action again in goal and made another fine save to deny Garryspillane a sure goal. He was back in action again not three minutes later where he managed to get a touch to the ball and guided it over the bar. The second half water break score was Ahane 1-10 Garryspillane 1-15. The gap was brought back to four with another great score from Ronan. Padraig Hartnett showed he’s not just a top-class defender, but he can score too as he popped over a well taken free. Padraig at centre back, Aidan Carroll at full back and Evan O’Leary at corner back all had super games and if we were giving out man of the match awards, they would be in contention for it! Garryspillane got their second goal which was the killer blow in the 26th minute. A very well struck ball that gave the Ahane lads no chance of saving it. Garryspillane got two more points before Peter O’Grady steadied the Ahane ship with a point bringing the gap to eight. Andrew Shanahan added another point to bring it to seven and Peter Donohoe was clear in on goal, but a seriously well-timed hook denied him. Unfortunately for the Ahane lads, they an out of time and the final score was Ahane 1-14 Garryspillane 2-18.
Team: W. O’Leary, L. O’Sullivan, A. Carroll, E. O’Leary, A. Shanahan, P. Hartnett, M. Hickey, P. O’Grady, S. O’Grady, A. Rowsome, R. Fox, M. Donnellan, P. Donohoe, K. Morrissey, C. Heffernan.
Substitutions: J. Barry (2nd ½ for M. Hickey), E. Power (2nd ½ for K. Morrissey), J. O’Keeffe (2nd ½ for L. O’Sullivan)
Our U21’s were out again on Friday v Patrickswell in round 3 of the championship. On a cold and wet evening both teams took to the field in Caherdavin. It was a hectic first few minutes as both sides tried early on to get a goal, both keepers doing well to guard their goal and ensure that neither team conceded an early goal. Patrickswell got the first score of the game and then proceeded to get four more before Ronan Fox stepped up and got Ahane’s first score from a free. Ronan would go on to score nine more points. Ronan got two more points and Patrickswell got another point before the water break. Score was Ahane 0-3 Patrickswell 0-06. Patrickswell started the second quarter the stronger and got a point, before Padraig Harnett robbed the Patrickswell player, delivered the ball to Andy Rowsome, who passed it to Mark Donnellan who finished the move with a point. The first of the Patrickswell goals came in the 29th minute followed by another point to put Patrickswell up seven points. Mark Donnellan got another point for Ahane which was much needed as it closed the gap back to six points before the half time whistle was blown. Half time and the scores were Ahane 0-05 Patrickswell 1-08. The second half got underway, and Ronan was denied a goal which would have been the perfect start for Ahane. He did slot over a free to close the gap to six, then popped over another and the gap was five and things were looking up for us! Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last as Patrickswell scored 1-02 in the following ten minutes. Ronan kept the Ahane scores ticking over though as he got another point from a free. Once again, the Ahane defence are to be commended on a serious display and effort. Evan O’Leary and Padraig Harnett having great games throughout. Ronan scored another point before the water break. Score was Ahane 0-09 Patrickswell 2-11. The final quarter saw Patrickswell score three goals, the first two came minutes after the water break and happened within a minute of each other. Ronan got another point from a free, but Patrickswell got a point in response almost immediately. Ahane were denied two goals in the final minutes of the game. Up the other end of the field Patrickswell scored two more points before Ronan got another point. Patrickswell got their final goal in the 33rd minute which well and truly put the game to bed. Ronan got the last score of the game from play. Full time score Ahane 0-12 Patrickswell 5-15.
Team: W. O’Leary, L. O’Sullivan, A. Carroll, E. O’Leary, A. Shanahan, P. Harnett, M. Hickey, P. O’Grady, S. O’Grady, K. Morrissey, R. Fox, M. Donnellan, P. Donohoe, A. Rowsome, C. Heffernan.
Substitutions: J. Barry (2nd ½ for M. Hickey), J. O’Keeffe (2nd ½ for L. O’Sullivan), E. Power (2nd ½ for P. Donohoe), L. O’Mara (2nd 1/2 for S. O’Grady).
U17 Football
A massive congratulations and well done to a special group of players who put in an incredible team effort to take a fine win over St. Senan’s this morning in Mick Neville Park and claim the Division 2 Football Shield. The squad have had a super campaign all year and turned in their best performance of the season to take a 6 point win. Thanks to Anne-Marie our Covid supervisor, guest coaches John Keane and Daniel Daly, those that helped with car parking, umpire, first aid and everyone involved in supporting and roaring on the team. Thank you to Mary H, Linda O’C and Ahane Bord na nOg and a very special mention to Jimmy F for his commitment to this group and all the underage football teams. We would like to acknowledge the display of St. Senan’s GAA on a very sporting and entertaining game of football. Well done to Sean, Mark, James, Colm, Ciaran, Dylan, Danny, Ruairi, Adam, Will, John D, Stephen, Jack, David, Kyle, Craig and Gavin and also our U15 players who supported
the team over the campaign and today – Cian, Charlie, Jamie, John C, Liam and Paddy. What a fantastic group of players and what a way to finish the season! Maith thú! Ahane abú.
After helping Ahane U17’s win the Division 2 Football Shield Final on Monday, Adam O’Connell was part of the Limerick U16 football team that took on Laois on Tuesday evening at Laois Centre of excellence, O’Moore Park, Portlaoise. We wish Adam, Will McCormack and all the U16 football players along with John Keane and the Limerick U16 management team all the very best for the games ahead to the end of the season.
Lotto Draw #5
Numbers Drawn 4, 8, 16, 36
Jackpot: €7,500
No Jackpot Winner
€200 Fr Willie Teehan
€150 Joe and Clare Ryan
€120 Pat and Breda Cregan
€120 Alan and Lorraine Collins
€120 Jim O’Neill
€120 Aidan O’Driscoll
€120 Mike and Ann Hayes
€120 Rose Lawlor
€120 Tom O’Neill
€120 Tony Kennedy
Prosecco Draw
Rhoda Corrigan
U13 Football Regional Blitz
Ahane was well represented at the U13 Hurling and Football Regional Squad Blitzes this week. First up were the hurlers and many thanks to the Limerick GAA Coaching mentors for ensuring a great morning of hurling in Mick Neville Park for all 156 players who took part on Thursday. There were some great skills on display from our future Limerick GAA stars of the future. Well done to Tom, Padraig, Ronan, Owen, Aodhan, Timothy and Shane who took part in the games. The Limerick GAA Coaching U13 Football regional blitz then took place on Friday morning. Well done to the 112 players from across Limerick that took part. Ahane was represented on the East Limerick team by Owen, Shane, Tony and Ronan. Thanks to all the Limerick GAA mentors for their time and positive encouragement with the U13 footballers and stars of the future.
U7 Hurling
Well done to our u7 hurlers who finished off their 2021 season with a blitz away to Murroe on a wet and wild October evening! 17 kids played some fantastic hurling in very wet conditions. This group have done so well all season and developed great skills. Well done to them all we’re very proud of them! Looking forward to seeing this group at u9 next year. Thanks to all the coaches and Covid Officers Orla McDonnell & Elaine Berkery. Thanks too to our hosts last night and to the parents for their support all year. Ahane abú!
Ciorcal Comhra
Reminder that we will be holding our monthly cirocal comhra on Thursday 4th November from 8-845 in the clubhouse! Come join us for a cup of tea and some banter as Gaeilge! All levels of Irish are welcome! Contact Denis Kelly on 0879346102 or Maura Tierney on 0879414753 in advance.
Upcoming Fixtures
U21 B Football Championship: Ahane v Belville Gaels Sunday November 7th 2021