AHANE GAA CLUB NOTES

Ahane Minor Hurlers

On Saturday evening last, Ahane hosted Doon in the opening round of the premier minor hurling championship in Mackey park.

As storm Hannah was still winding down and heading Eastward, it was going to prove to have a deciding factor in the outcome of this game surely…

Doon won the toss and elected to play with the strong wind in the opening half but it was the home them that got the better of the opening exchanges and after 10 minutes of play,

the sides would be level at 2pts a piece. There were some brilliant passages of hard, honest hurling in that opening period and Ahane used the ball well keeping possession and worked tirelessly in defence to halt numerous Doon attacks.

It would be the home team that notched the first goal of the game after a great passage of play that saw the sliothar worked through the defensive lines swiftly into the inside forward line and to the back of the Doon net.

To their credit though, Doon regrouped and within minutes had responded with a goal for their own, sides level again on 1-03 each.. Doon looked like they might push on from there but credit to the home side, it was they who were to finish the half stronger, netting another goal and 2 further superb points from play. Half time Ahane 2-06 Doon 1-04.

On the resumption, Doon were quick out of the blocks and within 5 minutes had narrowed the gap to just 1 point with a quick fire point followed by a goal. Ahane regrouped and settled back in to the game again with some great passages of play leading to some well taken points and would hold onto the lead until 5 minutes before the long whistle when Doon would score their 3rd goal and takeover the lead by a single point. Another point from a free to Doon saw them into a 2 point lead with minutes remaining, but Ahane responded with another pointed free to leave just a single point between the sides with time nearly up. From the resultant puckout, Doon managed to find space on the wing for one of their forwards to run into and get the final score of the game.

Final score – Doon 3-13 Ahane 2-14. Credit to both sides for a highly entertaining game and with 6 more group games each, it wouldn’t be surprising if they meet each other again come September.

Ahane panel : Rob Magill, Evan O’Leary, Andy Rowsome, Shane O’Grady, Peter O’Grady, Padraig Harnett, Andrew Shanahan, Adam Murrihy, Kevin Morrissey, David Brennan, Cian Casey, Mark Hickey, Ronan Fox, Peter Donohoe, Mark Donnellan, Denis Hayes, Jack Barry, Glen Jones, William O’Leary, Conor O’Brien, Aiden Carroll, Liam O’Mara, Eddie Hartigan, Cormac Greaney, Alex Holmes, Craig O’Connell, Colm Wright.

Farewell to Ahane Minor Hurling S&C coach (Pics attached)

Ahane GAA has been blessed over the years to have some inspirational people coach in the club, both from within the parish boundaries and outside. So it was with great sadness, that the minor group learned that they were losing their Chinese Strength and Conditioning coach Chaoyue Ma, ahead of time.

Chaoyue joined forces with Ahane GAA in early January following completion of the Masters in Sports Performance from UL, in which he achieved a First Class Honours. He brought innovative, top class training techniques with him and did so in a jovial, friendly, warm manner. He won the hearts and minds of every player, coach and parent. He balanced this role with his work with Swim Ireland and various athletes. Had his time been extended, he would no doubt have been snapped up by a professional sporting group. For now he will have to do with a full time role as Conditioning trainer to the Chinese Ski team ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics in his native Beijing.

We wish the man fondly known as “Chin-up Chao” a safe trip home and look forward to his return to his second home in September, as promised to him by the minor squad.

Zhídào xià yīcì

Ahane Junior A hurlers played Caherline in Caherconlish earlier this evening in the sunshine and were unfortunate to come out the wrong side in a high scoring game, 4-15 to 0-22.

Caherline’s first two scores of the evening were both goals and they proved to be the difference in the end. The Ahane side had a mix of youth and experience, with Andy Rowesome continuing his fine form at full-back, having excelled in Fridays minor game against Doon, to big Mike Carr in the half forward line, who ended the day with 0-11 points, 3 of which were fine scores from play.

This game contained some fine passages of hurling from both sides, with the tackles hard and hurling fast. The first half saw some well created scores from Ahane through Seamus Richardson and Andrew Minihan at midfield, William Shanahan at 11, Tommy Clifford and Patrick Minihan as well as 0-4 from Mike Carr, leaving Ahane trailing 2-7 to 0-10 at the break having done a lot of the hurling. Credit must go to the work in defence setting up the play, combined with the honest work of the midfield and forwards including Brian Rolls as left half forward.

The second half saw more of the same – the Ahane half back line of Mike Hayes, Brian Collins and John Doheny hurling some great stuff, and while Ahane kept the scoreboard ticking over further up the field, unfortunately Caherline notched two more second half goals to keep the distance between the sides throughout, all despite some fine saves in goals from Jonathan Hayes and last ditch defending by Liam Ryan and Tristian O’Sullivan in the corner back positions.

While Ahane managed 0-12 in the second half, the crucial goals never came as they valiantly attempted to reel in Caherline’s lead. Points from Andrew and Patrick Minihan, Jim Power, two more from Tommy Clifford as well as 0-7 (0-5 frees) from Mike Carr were not enough to close the gap as Caherline ran out eventual winners.

Hard luck to all involved, including subs David Hessian and Stephen Ryan who both made impacts and to the management duo of Jim Hackett, Colm Barry and David Kennedy as well as the every reliable Larry O’Connor on First Aid.

Team: J. Hayes, L. Ryan, A. Rowesome, T. O’Sullivan, M. Hayes, B. Collins, J. Doheny, S. Richardson (0-1), A. Minihan (0-2), M. Carr (0-11), W. Shanahan (0-2), B. Rolls, J. Power (0-1), P. Minihan (0-2), T. Clifford (0-3). Subs: D. Hessian, S. Ryan, D. Hayes.

U12 Hurlers start their hurling league campaign.

The U12 hurlers got their league season off to a flying start this evening. With two teams entered in the 11 a side league, the Gold team travelled to Crecora and the Green team made the trip to Patrickswell. There were 32 x Ahane U11 and U12 players take to the field tonight in both venues. The two teams made winning starts to the league campaign and showed some great skill and effort so early in the season. A big thank you to Crecora and Patrickswell GAA Clubs for hosting our young players and for ensuring everything ran smoothly in both venues. The mentors were very pleased with the great numbers attending the games this evening and for the large group of parents and supporters who made the trips to Crecora and Patrickswell to cheer on the players.

Bord na nÓg – Games for this week

Mon 29th Apr : U16 Hurling v Garryspillane – in Mackey Park – 1830 start

Wed 01st May : U14 Hurling v Bruff – in Bruff – 1830 start

Thur 02nd May : U12 Football v Hospital/Herbertstown – in Mackey Park – 1845 start

All support for the players at the games is greatly appreciated.

Ahane Camogie – a great weekend

Ahane’s Senior team travelled to Ballyagran on Sunday morning for their third round league game against Ballyagran. Ahane got off to flying start with a goal coming from Aine Reynolds within the first minute. This set the tone for the game and Ahane went on to dominate the first half. Goals came from Susie McGovern, and Margaret Meskell. Ahane also got some fine points from play and frees courtesy of Niamh Mulcahy, Aine Reynolds, Roisin O’Mara, and Susie McGovern. Ballyagran scored two points in the first half coming from their free taker and their wing back. Half time had the score as Ahane 3-12 Ballyagran 0-02.

Ballyagran started the second half with two unanswered points but Ahane soon began to dominate the second half and Margaret Meskell scored three more goals to bring her personal tally for the day to 4-01. Judith Mulcahy also got her name on the score sheet as she got points from frees. The full time score was Ahane 6-16 Ballyagran 0-04. Ahane are now in the league semi-final next Sunday against Newcastle West. Keep an eye on our social media pages for further details during the week.

Ahane Team: Aoife Quinn; Caoimhe Hackett, Niamh Power, Aisling Herbert, Noreen Flanagan, Kate Herbert; Judith Mulcahy; Niamh Mulcahy, Susie McGovern, Marguerita McCarthy; Aine Reynolds, Roisin O’Mara.

Substitutes: Ann Kennedy, Ciara Greaney, Cliodhna Twomey, Margaret Meskell, Robyn Nugent.

Ahane’s Junior team started what was a great weekend for Ahane Camogie. They took to the field in Mackey Park against Murroe/Boher on Saturday evening. The team which was a mixture of youth and experience went out and played some fantastic team play and showed some great skill. Anna Nagle got one point from a free and four points from play. Ciara Macken also got in on the scoring action by scoring a point to add to Ahane’s tally. Not to be outdone Murroe/Boher also got some great scores and both teams put it up to each other throughout the game. Ahane’s goals came from, Robyn Nugent and Ailish Reynolds who scored her goal from a long range free. The game ended on a scoreline of Ahane 2-06 to Murroe/Boher 2-02.

Ahane Team: Caoimhe Hackett; Shona Enright, Orla Twomey, Ciara Greaney; Ailish Reynolds, Ciara Macken, Aine O’Curry; Sinead O’Curry, Niamh Reynolds; Anna Nagel, Margaret Hayes, Margaret Meskell, Robyn Nugent.

U16 To finish the great weekend the Ahane Under 16’s travelled to Boher to play Adare in the Under 16 ‘B’ league semi final. Both teams started strongly but Ahane began to get on top after Éle Madigan scored Ahane’s first point in the seventh minute. Ahane remained dominant throughout the first half. Rachael Donellan scored Ahane’s first goal which was followed on with some fantastic points from Ciara Oliver and Niamh Brennan. There was some excellent fielding throughout the game and Ahane played some lovely balls into their full forward line. There was great passages of play where the girls were pinpoint accurate with their passes. Ahane scored three more goals in the first half coming from Sarah Cosgrave, Sarah Hogan, and Niamh Brennan. Ahane also got some fantastic points from Fiona Herbert and Rachael Donnellan. The first half ended on a score line of Ahane 4-07 Adare 0-00.

Ahane continued to dominate the second half with points coming again from Ciara Oliver, who scored Ahane’s fifth goal in the 3rd minute of the second half. Seven minutes into the second half Niamh Brennan scored her second goal of the evening. Lauren McGill also got two goals for Ahane in the second half. Fiona added to Ahane’s tally with a point from a free, Sarah Cosgrave scored another point. Adare got their first and only point of the game in the fifteenth minute of the second half. They did get through on goal twice in the second half but both shots were saved by Rachael Donnellan. The game ended on a scoreline of Ahane 8-12 Adare 0-01. Ahane are now in the Under 16 ‘B’ league final on May 9th. Keep an eye on out on our social media pages for all the details.

Ahane Team: Ciara Slattery Wright; Aine Conway, Aoife Whelan, Lauren McGill; Ella Ryan, Aine Herbert, Molly Hussey; Éle Madigan, Fiona Herbert; Ciara Keavney, Rachael Donnellan, Sarah Cosgrave; Sarah Hogan, Ciara Oliver, Niamh Brennan.

Substitutes: Alison O’Hanlon, Lucy Cusack, Abby Murrihy, Tara Madigan, Ava Corrigan.

Huge thank you to everyone who came out and supported all the girls this weekend, it is much appreciated!

Image may contain: 1 person, text