AHANE GAA CLUB NOTES
Junior A Football v Dromcollogher Broadford
Last Sunday week (30th August)evening saw the Ahane Junior footballers play their second championship match in 3 days following an opening round loss to Crecora / Manister. This time around the opposition was provided by Dromcolligher / Broadford in Ballingarry, and the prize for both parties in this contest was a place in next year’s newly constructed Junior Premier Division.
On a fantastic evening for football, with a pitch somewhat sticky underneath following the deluges during the week, Ahane started very brightly winning multiple possessions but struggled to convert this into scores. By the time Drom/Broadford kicked their first point, Ahane had already registered 3 wides and then Drom/Broadford pushed on to score the only goal of the game following a piercing run through the middle by their wing-forward.
Drom/Broadford continually found it easier to work the ball up the pitch and ensure the right player took the right chance, Ahane struggled with this aspect. Despite some outstanding runs by Paddy Morrissey, Ahane never quite seemed to get the ball to the person in the scoring position in time to allow an easier conversion opportunity.
By the first waterbreak, Drom/Broadford led by 4 and maintained a similar distance throughout the half. While Ahane gathered more possession and worked really hard to drive forward, Drom/Broadford used the ball they got intelligently, and found it easier to create scoring chances.
The second half was nip and tuck throughout but as Drom/Broadford maintained their advantage, they dropped deeper to prevent Ahane getting into position to score a goal. There was one outstanding chance which David Kennedy worked, but the Drom/Broadford keeper got down well to deflect a low goal-bound drive. From there through to the finish, driven on by a powerful Jamie Maguire in midfield and with the defense keeping Drom/Broadford to a manageable total, Ahane pushed on with everyone giving their all, but Drom/Broadford drew the majority of their players behind the ball and maintained a 3 point cushion to the end with a final scoreline of Drom/Broadford – 1-10, Ahane 0-10.
For Ahane, there is one final championship round this coming Wednesday (3rd game in 6 days) against Kilteely, with the opportunity to join the Junior Premier group now lost while they remain in Junior A for 2021. As Ahane gave debuts to 5 minor footballers during this campaign to date, there is definitely promise for next year.
Ahane team –
T. O’Sullivan, B. Murphy (capt), A. Minehan, S. Ryan, P.Morrissey, M. Hayes, J. O’Keeffe, G. Frawley, J. Maguire, T. Clifford, J. Kelly, T. Marsden, D. Kennedy, P. Darmody, T. Cross. Subs – E. Power, C. Ryan, J. Feerick, D. Kelly, J. Lynch, J. McDermott.
Minor A Hurling v Cois Laoi Gaels
On the back of a 6 point defeat to Garryspillane, Ahane’s minor side welcomed Cois Laoi Gaels to Mackey Park on Tuesday evening last week. Ahane needed to win the game by 6 points in order to progress in the competition. Ahane started off the stronger with two points coming from Mark Donnellan in the first four minutes. Mark Hickey also slotted over a stunning point in the sixth minute. Cois Laoi Gaels did get their scoring off to a start after the five minute mark as they got a point. Ahane continued to stay on top and got two more points again one from Mark Hickey and one from Adam Murrihy. The game was a tough physical one and both sides gave as good as they got. The game was level at 5 points a piece at the first water break. Both sides were putting the opposition backs under serious pressure and there was a period of 2-3 minutes where the ball was at the Cois Laoi Gael mouth but with some great defensive play from the visitors they managed to keep it out of the goal. It was score for score throughout the first half as both sides tried to get a lead in the game. At half time the score was Ahane 0-07 Cois Laoi Gaels 0-08.
The second half commenced and again it was more of the same, there was never more than a point or two between the teams. At one stage the ball was just travelling from one end of the field to the other as both sides tried to create a goal chance. Ahane got a near goal before the water break but it was cleared down the field where Cois Laoi Gaels nearly got a goal themselves but their forward was blown from steps. However Cois Laoi Gaels did manage to get themselves a goal and at the second water break it was Ahane 0-10 Cois Laoi Gaels 1-10. Ahane kept the heads and got a few more points after the water break. Ahane got a penalty in injury time which Adam stepped up and buried into the back of the Cois Laoi Gaels net. Not long after he scored the penalty, Adam got on another ball and buried that too so the score stood as Ahane 2-10 Cois Laoi Gaels 1-13. Both sides would go on to get another point each finishing the game on the score line of Ahane 2-11 Cois Laoi Gaels 1-14. A draw wasn’t enough to kept the Ahane lads in the competition so their year has come to an end. However they are a seriously talented bunch of lads who have a seriously bright future ahead of team. Huge thanks to their management team and their COVID Supervisor for all their hard work and dedication over the year.
Junior A Hurling v Staker Wallace
The Ahane Junior hurlers travelled to Caherelly on Sunday evening to take on Staker Wallace in the Woodlands House Hotel Junior A County Championship. Ahane had already played Monagea, Creocra/Manister and Claughaun and have come away with a draw and two losses. They hit the ground running on Sunday evening however as from a long ball in from the throw in, full forward James Hayes got a flick on it and the ball landed in the back of the net. Staker Wallace however got the following two points and that set the tone for the evening. Both sides were nip and tuck throughout the game and at stages it was score for score with the game being level on many an occasion. Ahane got some good scores from Kevin Morrissey, Andrew Shanahan who took some fine frees, Conor Heffernan and James Hayes. As the referee blew for the first water break the score stood as Ahane 1-05 Staker Wallace 1-06. Again Ahane levelled it but the relief was short lived as Staker Wallace fired over another point in response. The game was a seriously physical one and the referee had to go to his pocket on four occasions to show yellow cards to two players on both sides. Ahane fought hard for ball in the midfield and half forwards area but won nothing easy as the Staker Wallace defence made life very difficult for them. Ahane’s William O’Leary in goal had a stormer of a game and made four fantastic saves throughout the game. The teams went in at half time as Ahane 1-07 Staker Wallace 1-09.
The second half got underway and again it was more of the same. Some more good points from Andrew, Kevin, Adam Murrihy and Diarmuid McCarthy kept the Ahane scores ticking over. However there was a stage in the second half that Ahane were down 4 points. Every time Ahane levelled the game, Staker Wallace would get a score to ensure they remained the point ahead. However as the clocked ticked through injury time Adam slotted a free over the bar to level it and from the puck out Luke O’Sullivan put the balk over the bar so that Ahane were one up with time nearly up. But alas with the last puck of the ball Staker Wallace put the ball over the bar to make it a drawn game. The score at full time was Ahane 1-17 Staker Wallace 1-17. A seriously entertaining game of hurling from both sides
.
Under 16 Hurling
Ahane U16 hurlers played Ballybrown in a competitive game on Monday 31st August in Mackey Park. Ahane started the game well going into an early 3 pts to 1 lead. At half time score was 3-8 to 1-6 I think. The second half was very hard fought particularly in midfield. Both sides dug in but Ahane would not give in and won through definitively with a final score of 4-15 to 3-10. Well done to all the players and management on a superb win.
U16 v Bruff
Despite a late goal for Ahane and an all round excellent performance Bruff edged it with a final score of Ahane 2-15 to 23 points for Bruff. Heart break for the lads.
U14 Football
Ahane boys U14 played their third match of the championship in Ahane on Wednesday 2nd September against St Kierans.
The sides were evenly matches for the first 15 minutes in warm weather. Ahane went ahead scoring 3 goals in the last 10 minutes of the first half. Conditions deteriorated quickly in the second half with heavy rain. St Kierans fought hard and came back strong scoring 2-4 to come within 3 points of Ahane. Ahane pulled away with another 3 goals to earn the win with a final score of 7-6 to 3-7. Well done boys!
The Under 14 Mentors would like to thank the opposition for a great game and all our parents who supported and helped out on the night with pitch set up, COVID Supervision, First Aid, Umpiring & Parking.
Ahane’s last game in this round is away to South Liberties/Crecora Manister next Wednesday 9th September at 7.
Upcoming fixtures:
U14 Football Round 3: Ahane v South Liberties/Crecora Manister. Wednesday 9th September at 7pm in Crecora.
Junior A Hurling: Dromcollogher Broadford v Ahane. Sunday 13th at 5pm in Bruff.
Senior Hurling: Relegation play off Ahane v Adare. Sunday 13th at 12pm in Claughaun.