AHANE SENIORS REPORT ON KILMACUD 7s 2017
Ahane's Senior hurlers went to Dublin last Saturday 2nd September to take part in the prestigious Kilmacud Crokes 7s Hurling Tournament. Ahane were based in Bray Emmetts for the group stage.This was a 1st outing outside of Limerick for our new Munster Tree Surgeons sponsored jerseys.
1st up for Ahane was Shinrone from Offaly at 10am - a very tight and tentative game as it was obvious that neither team wanted to lose the 1st game of the tournament, but Ahane went in at half time 3-03 to 2-03 ahead thanks to 2 goals from Pat Minehan 1-01 from Killian Enright and a point from Mark Foley and Colum Carroll.
The 2nd half saw Ahane fail to raise a green flag but still did just enough with 4 points from Colum Carroll and 3 from Killian Enright, although Ahane did let in 3 goals but squeezed home 3-10 to 5-03 for the all important 1st win.

2nd up was the highly fancied St. Brigids club from Dublin at 11am which was another tight affair although Ahane were defending with their lives at times, but still Ahane went in at the halfway stage just 1 point down 1-04 to 1-03 thanks to some heroic goalkeeping from Adam O Brien, 1-01 from Colum Carroll, and a point from Dan Morrissey and John Meskell.
2nd half saw Ahane under the cosh at times with Adam O Brien again in splendid form as well as the Ahane backs of Mark Foley, Ciarán Barry and Jeffrey Enright,but Ahane dug deep and helped by 2 Colum Carroll goals a point from Ciarán O Mara and John Meskell and a sublime lob over the keeper for a goal by John Meskell at the death to win by 2 points on a scoreline of 4-05 to 2-09.
The 3rd & last opponent in the group stage was Padraig Pearse's from Galway at 12 noon, which Ahane dominated throughout and led by 2-05 to 1-01 at half time thanks to 2 goals from Pat Minehan and points from Killian Enright, John Meskell, Ciarán O Mara, Colum Carroll and Dan Morrissey.
The 2nd half was one sided as Ahane were very dominant and finished the game comfortably 4-09 to 1-01 winners thanks to 2 Colum Carroll goals and points from Killian Enright, Ciarán O Mara and John Meskell.
So with 3 wins from 3, Ahane were straight into the quarterfinal stage at the Kilmacud main pitch against favourites Whitegate from Clare with Clare goalie Andrew Fahy and Brendan Bugler among their line up.
Ahane started the brighter and in a tight match, were 1-05 to 1-03 up leading up to halftime thanks to a goal from Dan Morrissey, 2 points from Ciarán Barry and 1 from Killian Enright, Colum Carroll and John Meskell but suddenly Whitegate rattled in 2 breakaway goals inside a minute to lead 3-03 to 1-05 at the break.
Although Ahane rallied well with another Pat Minehan Goal and a point from Killian Enright, Whitegate finished ahead 3-08 to 2-06.
Overall Ahane equipped themselves very well in the Kilmacud 7s Tournament and were well up there with the best in Ireland as Whitegate finished the tournament as finalists and only narrowly lost the final to eventual champions Beagh from Galway. This was also a great team bonding session as well as being a great experience for Ahane's young team which included: Adam O Brien, Jeffrey Enright, Ciarán Barry, Mark Foley, Dan Morrissey, Ciarán O Mara, John Meskell, Killian Enright, Colum Carroll and Pat Minehan.
Many thanks must go to the senior management team for organising the day so well.
AHANE ABÚ!!!