Ahane travelled to Killeedy to play Killeedy in the Senior Camogie County Semi Final on Sunday afternoon. No strangers to each other both sides knew that this was going to be a tough battle. Killeedy started the stronger and had scored 1-01 within the first five minutes. Their second goal came in the 9th minute and things were not looking great for the girls in green and gold. However Ahane held strong and held their heads and started to get some scores. Éle Madigan got on to a beautiful ball that was controlled perfectly by Aisling Herbert at wing back, Éle went for her own score and the ball dropped and dipped in under the bar to result in a goal for Ahane. This was followed up by a point from Niamh Mulcahy. As the teams headed in for the first water break the score was Ahane 1-02 Killeedy 2-03. Audrey Mitchell in goal made a super save to stop a sure Killeedy goal but Killeedy continued to put pressure on the Ahane backs, who dealt with it extremely well. Ahane were anchored at the back by Kate Herbert who had another solid game alongside her two corner backs Ella Ryan and Aine Herbert who both had great games again too. Just before half time Ahane got a penalty that Niamh struck over the bar. As the referee blew for half time the teams stood as Ahane 1-04 Killeedy 2-05.
The second half started and again Killeedy started the better and got their third goal of the game. Ahane struggled to get possession in their half forward line and the Killeedy defenders worked tirelessly to ensure that the Ahane forwards got nothing easy. Judith Mulcahy had another great game on Sunday following on from her super performance on Wednesday evening against Newcastle West. She scored two points on Sunday against Killeedy. Killeedy continued to pop over the points and 30 minutes gone in the second half the gap was 9 points in Killeedy’s favour. Áine a Reynolds slotted a ball over the bar for Ahane but it wasn’t enough as Killeedy ran out 14 point winners with the final score reading Ahane 1-07 Killeedy 5-09. Killeedy now face either Newcastle West or Granagh/Ballingarry in the County final on September 20th and we wish them the very best of luck.
It was a hard day for the Ahane girls and their management but they are a seriously young team with a number of their starting team making their senior debuts this year. There is a great group of girls there and a fantastic amount of talent that can be built on for next year and the years afterwards. On behalf of the club we want to thank the girls for all their dedication, time and hard work that they put in this year especially considering the crazy year we have gone through! We also want to thank their management team of Jonathan Hayes, Michael McNamara, and Sarah Crotty for all the time and hard work they have given to the girls and the club this year. To Toni Macken who is their first aid and chief medic, thank you for keeping the girls in one piece and for all you do it’s much appreciated!
Finally, there’s one very special thank you we want to give to Rose Collins who is hanging up her boots after a hugely successful career at both club and county level. Rose is an All Star, she’s a role model, she’s one of the strongest women to enter a field of play and she has been the loudest, most encouraging voice to our girls both on and off the field of play. Anyone who knows Rose, knows that she will always give 110% to everything she does, she was our back bone in 2018 when we won the County and she will always be an Ahane woman! We are forever thankful for all the time she has given to the club!
