Ahane GAA : Weekly Notes 14th August 2017

Senior Hurling : The Senior hurlers continued training on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday this week as they prepare for the SHC Round 5 tie against South Liberties which has been confirmed for Sunday 27th August in Caherconlish with a throw in time of 6.45pm.  A challenge match against Bruree has also been confirmed for Tuesday 15th at 7.30pm in Mackey Park.  We would like to thank our Main Sponsor "Munster Tree Surgeons" for their continued sponsorship and we would urge all Ahane supporters to please support "Munster Tree Surgeons" wherever possible.

Minor Hurling : The Minor Hurlers continue training on Thursday and Sunday this week as they get ready for the visit of Adare next Friday 18th in the Premier Minor Championship which is fixed for a throw in time of 7.00pm in Mackey Park.  We look forward to our Minors hopefully finishing the season on a high with a positive result against Adare and as ever all support on the evening will be very much appreciated. 

As Gaeilge : Beidh foireann iomána faoi 21 Luimnigh ag imirt in aghaidh na Gaillimhe sa chluiche leath cheannais na hÉireann Dé Sathairn seo chugainn I Stáid Semple, Dúrlas. Go néirí le Tom Morrissey agus a fhoireann. Cé gur Luimneach rogha na coitiantachta caithfidh siad bheith thar barr toisc go bhfuil  muintir na Gaillimhe faoi lán seoil le déanaí. Beidh an cluiche ar siúl 19ú Lúnasa ar a 6.00 in.  Ag deireadh na míosa beidh foireann sinsir Atháin ar ais sa choimhlint in aghaidh Saor Theas.

U14 : the U14 footballers welcomed Askeaton to Mackey Park on Wednesday last for a Round#7 Football league fixture. The Ahane side were short a large number of regulars due to the Summer holiday schedule and thanks to the O’Mara’s (Liam and Cathal) and John Donohoe who all travelled back to make the game. The game was played in balmy sunshine on front of a large crowd with Captain Cormac Greaney Captain on the night.  Askeaton were first to settle with some long range points and a goal from a side that were well drilled and well able to play a running football game. Ahane stuck well to their task and Cormac Greaney’s performance in goals stopping some great shots and placing some clever tactical kick-outs were a feature of that first half. Cormac had to retire just before half time due to a wrist injury and was replaced by the third and youngest O’Leary playing on the night, Cian. The Ahane side came in for the half time break trailing Askeaton 4-2 to 1-2 with the back line of Cathal O’Mara, Colm Slattery Wright and Ciaran Buckley all playing stormers!  The second half saw Ahane really run at Askeaton. The half back line of Craig O’Connell, Evan O’Leary and Niall Byrnes along with the hard-working duo of Shane O’Grady and Liam O’Mara were key to the recovery and the forward line including Conor Moloughney, Donnacha O’Leary, Kieran Coulter, Ryan O’Keeffe, Gavin Rowsome, Paddy Hussey, Jamie Conway and John Donohoe all played their part. Ahane had a 15 minute dominant period in that second half and took full advantage scoring 4 goals to come within a point of Askeaton. Ultimately Askeaton found just a bit more in the tank and pulled away again in the last 5 minutes to see a very sporting and completive game finish in Askeaton’s favor on a score-line of 7-6 to 5-3.  The U14 hurlers have an away league game against Kilmallock on Wednesday evening at 7pm.

U16:  On Monday evening, our U16 hurlers hosted Adare in Mackey park in the final group game knowing that victory would ensure qualification to a county semi-final.  Ahane took the lead with a great point from Ronan Fox after good defensive work by Andy Rowsome and Ryan O’Connell. Adare drew level 2 minutes later with a fine score from distance. The supporters were treated to hard and fast hurling with the sides level on 4 occasions in the half with points from Kevin Morrissey, Ronan Fox and Adam Murrihy from placed balls following good work in the full forward line from Mark Donnellan, William O’Leary & David Brennan.  Approaching half time, both sides had goal chances with Ronan Fox skimming a shot off the crossbar and at the other end in goal, Robert McGill kept the home team in the game with some great saves and assurance under the high balls. The first half drew to a close with Ahane just shading it on a scoreline of 7 points to 6.  The second half saw Ahane play with the aid of a slight breeze but it was Adare who were quick off the blocks with a goal inside 2 minutes after a defensive lapse. This seemed to spark the home team into life and they took the game to Adare, running at their defence time and again drawing fouls which Adam Murrihy converted into scores from placed balls. The home defence was well on top at this stage marshalled by Padraig Harnett from centre back, Aiden Carroll and Denis Hayes and Andrew Shanahan cleared numerous balls upfield to the forward line. Peter Donohoe and Mark Donnellan came more & more into the game and delivering great ball to the full forward line where Peter O’Grady got on the end of 2 such passes and finished the ball to the back of the Adare net twice in the space of 5 minutes. The game was hard and tense as it entered the final 10 minutes where Ahane were reduced to 14 men with Ryan O’Connell unlucky to pick up a second yellow card. Adare knew they had to get a goal to bring them back into the game but try as they did, Robert McGill stood firm pulling off 3 top class saves and Andy Rowsome stood firm in front of him. Further points from play from Ronan Fox & Adam Murrihy settled the home team again and Conor O’Brien & Glen Jones were introduced as bodies tired. With Adare still attacking for goals, the backs stood firm and a long clearance up the field saw Conor O’Brien win possession on the Adare 21 yard line holding off 3 defenders and finishing to the back of the net to ensure a home win.  Final scoreline read Ahane 3-13 Adare 1-09. Ahane now qualify for a county semi-final against Ballybrown.  Ahane team lined out as follows: Robert Mc Gill, Aiden Carroll, Andy Rowsome, Denis Hayes, Ryan O’Connell, Padraig Harnett, Andy Rowsome, Adam Murrihy, Peter O’Grady, Mark Donnellan, Kevin Morrissey, Peter Donohoe, David Brennan, Ronan Fox, William O’Leary. Conor O’Brien, Glen Jones, Paddy Hoen-Quinn, Conor Burke, Mark Hickey, Tom O’Hanlon, Jack Barry, Shane O’Grady, Gavin Cole, Liam O’Mara.

Limerick U21 Hurlers : We would like to wish Tom Morrissey and all the Limerick U21 team the very best against Galway in the Bord Gais Energy GAA Hurling All-Ireland Under 21 Championship Semi-Final on Saturday August 19th at 6pm in Semple Stadium Thurles.