Ahane Senior Hurlers

The senior hurlers rounded off their season with the County Cup final against Knockainey on Saturday last in the Na Piarsaigh grounds in Caherdavin. Neither club were expecting this game to be played and had assumed their respective seasons had ended with their last Championship group games back in September. With the game having being fixed for this late date, we were without a management team and had multiple players unavailable for different reasons also including Tom and Dan Morrissey who were with Limerick over in Boston. That told, the lads who made themselves available put up a brave battle against a more experienced Knockainey side, losing out to a last gasp goal in extra time.

Ahane played against the elements in the first half and the youthful side worked hard, even going in a point to the good at the break, 1-5 to 0-7. We lost the influential Evan Enright to an unfortunate shoulder injury after only 3 minutes. However, as with every cloud there is silver lining and we had this in affording minor Luke O’Sullivan an opportunity to play his first competitive senior game having come on as the replacement – and how he excelled throughout, looking at home and performing beyond his years. Some great work by the backs in general during the half helped limit the All Blacks attacks to points only, with Mike Fox and Aaron Hackett working hard. Anchored by the experienced Seamus Harnett at 3, the lively Knockainey forwards never breached Adam O’Brien’s net when the pressure was well and truly applied. At midfield Paddy Morrissey and Paul O’Halloran worked hard assisting the defence and supplying the forwards, which allowed William Brennan, Tom Doheny and defender-come-forward Dan Minihan keep the scoreboard ticking over, while Ciaran O’Mara at full-forward poached a goal at a vital time in the half. Collum Carroll also knocked over a few timely frees during this period.

Almost immediately after the restart, Ahane lost another wing-back in Mark Foley to a straight red card which somewhat curtailed the advantage of having the elements with us in the second half. Despite the setback, with both teams finding their hurling getting a little crisper as time progressed, the game ebbed and flowed throughout a second half that ended up in a stalemate. Some great scores from Collum Carroll, Paul O’Halloran and Conor Morrissey - also making his senior debut and showing some great form - kept the Knockainey responses in check. Upon his introduction, Seamus Richardson powered into the game alongside centre back Ciaran Barry who dominated throughout. As normal time ran out, both sides remained tied with the scored even at 1-11 to 0-14.

Given the previous months of inactivity on the field, the both sides were delighted to hear extra time was to be played!

Knockainey raced into 2 point lead at the interval, leading 0-18 to 1-13. Showing great resilience and fighting qualities, Ahane battled back in the second half of extra time, to go into a one point lead through great scores from Conor Morrissey, Willie Brennan and Collum Carroll and looked to be in control of the fixture when it mattered most. But one last twist in the game came at the wrong end for us as we were approaching full time when Knockainey struck the fatal blow. The impressive Pádraig Barron raced in from the side-line to score a goal from the tightest of angles to give Knockainey a two point lead. One last Ahane attack was held at bay meaning the County Cup went south to Knockainey.

Well done to all involved on the day and to those who helped out. Jack Barry on Logistics, Colm Barry, Mary Ryan, Larry O’Connor and John Meskell.

TEAM: Adam O’Brien; Aaron Hackett, Séamus Harnett, Mike Fox; Evan Enright, Ciarán Barry, Mark Foley; Paddy Morrissey, Paul O’Halloran; Dan Minihan, Collum Carroll, Mark O’Halloran; William Brennan, Ciarán O’Mara, Tom Doheny. SUBS: Luke O’Sullivan for Evan Enright (injured, 4 minutes), Pat Minihan for Tom Doheny (2nd half), Shane Hackett for Aaron Hackett (2nd half), Conor Morrissey for William Brennan (2nd half), Séamus Richardson for Dan Minihan (2nd half), William Brennan for red card (extra time), Aaron Hackett for Mike Fox (half-time extra time), Tom Doheny for Pat Minihan (half-time extra time)