AHANE GAA CLUB NOTES
Senior Hurling Club Championship
The lads resumed championship action with a hard fought win on Sunday evening against Garryspillane in Cappamore by 3-9 to 1-13. Having a win and a loss under the belt from the opening rounds of games, Ahane looked for a win to keep hopes alive of being in the shake-up at the end of the group stages. The opening quarter was very tentative from both sides with scores at a premium, but it was Ahane who secured more aided by a well taken goal from minor hurler Ronan Fox who made an impressive debut in the forward line. A rarity nowadays in hurling, the goal came from a first-time ground pull to the bottom corner of the net after the ball broke to the ground on the 14m line. The goal ensured the men in green and gold went in ahead at the break despite a number of wides in that half.
The second half saw some good competitive spells of hurling from both sides. While always chasing the game, the Bouncers never died away and despite being quite wasteful in front of goal, they kept the pressure on Ahane’s lead throughout the half. Timely goals in the second period ensured we always kept the noses ahead on the scoreboard. A second goal for Ahane through Ciaran O’Mara who latched on to a rebound from a save from another Ronan Fox effort was followed up by a third goal from Dan Morrissey who beat a number of Garryspillane defenders before cleverly slipping the ball past their keeper with an over-head flick. Ahane looked like easing to a win at this stage but a goaled penalty for the Bouncers and a succession of scores from distance narrowed the gap to the two point winning margin for Ahane in the end.
Ahane had some fine performances throughout especially in defence. The experienced half forward line always looked dangerous and controlled much of the play and was indeed where most of the scores over the hour emanated from, especially through Tom Morrissey who proved very accurate from frees again. It must be noted that many of this side are youthful in age, with the likes of current minors Padraig Harnett in midfield and Ronan Fox in corner forward, along with subs Andy Rowesome, Andrew Shanahan and Peter O’Grady, together with last year’s minors Conor Heffernan and Conor Morrissey – great to see these lads getting a chance at Senior and proving their worth.
Next up for Ahane is Knockainey on the 17th August in Caherconlish at 15:00.
Team: A. O’Brien, M. Foley, E. Enright, P. Morrissey, J. Enright, C. Barry, M. O’Halloran, P. O’Halloran, P. Harnett, T. Morrissey, N. Moran, D. Morrissey, R. Fox, W. Brennan, C. O’Mara
Subs: A. Shanahan, A. Rowesome, C. Heffernan, C. Morrissey, D. Laing, T. Doheny, M. Carr, P. O’Grady, D. Madden, R. Reale, P. Minihan, S. Power, M. Power
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
Ahane started their defence of their County title on Monday 5th as they played Granagh/Ballingarry in Mackey Park Ahane. Both sides are no strangers to each other and you knew from the get go this game was going to be a cracker, and it definitely did not disappoint. Judith Mulcahy got Ahane off the mark within the first 30 seconds as she scored a point, not to be outdone Granagh responded with a point of their own. Ahane showed some serious team play and from this team play they scored some wonderful scores. Niamh Mulcahy got on the end of one of these passages of play and buried the ball in the back of the Granagh net in the 3rd minute. She then followed it up with a point from a free. Granagh got their next score from a free in the 6th minute as corner forward Rebecca Noonan put it over the bar. Ahane got a free in the 7th minute which Niamh promptly slotted over the bar. Ahane’s next score came from their full forward Susie McGovern from a tight angle out near the sideline. Ahane got a penalty in the 12th minute of the game as Niamh was fouled inside the square, Niamh stepped up to take the penalty but it deflected off the Granagh goalkeeper’s hurley and went over the bar. Granagh tacked on two more points and at 15 minutes into the 1st half the scoreboard had it as Ahane 1-05 Granagh/Ballingarry 0-4. There was barely time to catch your breath in this end to end half and in the 17th minute Granagh’s midfielder Sarah Carey was fouled inside the square and the referee signaled for a penalty. Granagh buried the penalty in the back of the Ahane net meaning Granagh were now only a point behind.
The defending all over the field was top class from both teams and no ball was won easy. Granagh pushed on and got their second goal in the 19th minute after Ahane keeper Aoife Quinn saved the first shot, but Granagh put the rebound into the net. Ahane never let their heads drop though and responded to the goal by getting a point from Niamh. Susie popped up again with another outrageous point a minute before half time. The teams went in at half time on a scoreline of Ahane 1-07 Granagh/Ballingarry 2-07
The teams came back out for the second half and Ahane got off the mark first with a fantastic long range score from Niamh. 2 minutes into the second half and Niamh got on the end of a great passage of play from her teammates outside her and she put the ball over the bar. The standard of camogie on display on Monday evening was incredible, some of the sideline cuts and points that were scored were unbelievable. One of these great scores was Ahane’s 2nd goal which came from wing forward Shauna D’Arcy. Shauna got a pin point perfect ball from Noreen Flanagan in centre back and she ran straight through the heart of the Granagh defence and smashed it into the net, which delighted the large crowd of Ahane supporters. Niamh tapped over another point after she made a blistering run through the middle which left the scores at Ahane 2-10 Granagh 2-07. Sarah Carey stood up for Granagh and got their next score to close the gap to two points. Susie got her third point from another ridiculous angle and Niamh stuck over another free. In the 17th minute Granagh got the first and only 45 of the game as the ball came off Ahane’s full back Rose Collins after some great defending by the six Ahane backs. Granagh’s Rebecca Noonan slotted over the 45 with ease. Niamh and Judith Mulcahy got Ahane’s next four points with Niamh scoring two from frees and a beauty from play. Judith scored a wonderful point from play after she ran from the middle of the field. Rebecca Noonan kept Granagh’s scores ticking over as she scored two points from frees. Susie added to her three points tally with a cracker of a goal in the 32nd minute after corner forwards Aine Reynolds and Sarah Cosgrave did some fantastic defending in the Ahane full forward line to insure the ball was not cleared. The game ended on a scoreline of Ahane 3-16 Granagh/ Ballingarry 2-13. Ahane have gotten their campaign off to a positive start, they now play Kileedy in their next game. Keep an eye out on the Ahane Camogie Club social media pages for all details of this fixture.
Ahane Team: Aoife Quinn; Caoimhe Macken, Rose Collins, Sarah Crotty, Kate Herbert, Noreen Flanagan, Aisling Herbert; Judith Mulcahy, Ann Kennedy; Roisin O’Mara, Niamh Mulcahy, Aine Reynolds, Shauna D’Arcy, Susie McGovern, Ailish Reynolds.
Substitutions: Laura Nash for Caoimhe Macken (25 minutes 1st half), Sarah Cosgrove for Ailish Reynolds (19 minutes 2nd half), Nora Moloney for Roisin O’Mara (24 minutes 2nd half)
All Ireland Junior Camogie Semi Final Win
The Premier Limerick Junior Camogie team took to Cusack Park Ennis to play Roscommon in the All Ireland Semi Final on Saturday. In very wet conditions Limerick were first off the blocks but after the initial few minutes Roscommon settled and the teams traded points. Unfortunately Limerick lost mid-fielder Ann Kennedy to a shoulder injury minutes before half time but substitute Leanne Browne came on and played well with her mid-field partner Orlaith Kelleher. Limerick went in four points up at half time on a scoreline of 0-08 to 0-04.
Roscommon came out all guns blazing in the second half but Limerick held strong with great defensive performances from their backs and goalkeeper Leah O’Carroll. But the real piece of magic came in the 32 minute of the 2nd half when Shauna D’Arcy who was only on the field seconds got the ball and buried it in the net which delighted the Limerick crowd! The game finished on a score line of Limerick 1-12 Roscommon 0-08
Ahane Camogie club would like to congratulate the three girls, Kate, Shauna, and Ann from the club, and the Limerick Camogie team and their management on a great win today which now sees them playing in the All Ireland Final in Croke Park on September 8th!
We also would like to wish Ann a speedy recovery from her shoulder injury
All Ireland U16B Semi Final Win
The Limerick U16 team took to MacDonagh Park in Nenagh Sunday afternoon to play Laois in the All Ireland B Semi Final. The game was slow to start with the first score not coming until the 8th minute of the first half with Laois getting a point. Laois got four more points before Limerick got off the mark in the 23rd minute of the half with a point which they followed up with a goal from full forward Megan Walsh. The teams went in at half time Limerick 1-01 Laois 0-5.
Limerick came out in the second half like women on a mission and got four unanswered points in the first 9 minutes. Limericks wing forward Ella Hession scored some fine points and put in a good shift over the 60 minutes. Limerick’s number nine, Aoife Nelligan, who covered a serious amount of ground over the 60 plus minutes, also had a great game in the green and white today. Laois kept their heads though and got some good points to keep them in the game. Limerick got their second goal in the 26th minute from centre forward Sinead Barry. The game wasn’t over yet though as Laois scored their own goal and two points which brought game level. 32 minutes into the second half and Limerick were awarded a 45 which midfielder Nadine White held her nerve and put it over the bar. The game ended in a one point win for Limerick 2-07 to Laois 1-09.
The All Ireland is fixed for Sunday 25th August in a venue to be confirmed. Limerick will face Waterford after they beat Carlow in their Semi Final.
We are beyond proud of Fiona and Áine who both played great games today for Limerick! They are flying the Ahane flag on the U16 inter county scene!
Huge thank you to everyone who has come out and supported both the junior and U16 teams this weekend! It’s been a great weekend for the county and for our club as we now have five girls playing in All Ireland Finals!