Ahane’s Junior hurlers travelled to Bruff on Sunday evening to play Dromcollogher Broadford in their 5th game of the championship. They came in on the back on two loses and two drawn games. Dromcollogher Broadford started the stronger and held their dominance for the whole game. Ahane were on the back foot straight off the bat as Dromcollogher Broadford scored a goal inside the first minute.

Conor Morrissey got Ahane off the mark as he scored a point. Dromcollogher Broadford popped over two points before Ahane got a goal chance that was very well saved by the keeper and knocked out for a 65’ which Johnny Meskell popped over the bar. The Ahane six backs were under serious pressure throughout the game as Dromcollogher Broadford dropped in ball and tried to run through the defence put credit where it is due the Ahane defence played well and handled the pressure. Ahane will be disappointed with their wide count over the game but especially in the first half when they had the advantage of the wind. Just before the first water break Dromcollogher Broadford broke through the Ahane defence and scored a goal that William O’Leary who had another good game between the post, could do nothing about. The scores at the first water break were Ahane 0-04 Dromcollogher Broadford 1-07.

Ahane started the second quarter of the first half well and out hurled Dromcollogher Broadford for the fifteen minutes. Scores from Johnny Meskell, Patrick Minehan and Diarmuid McCarthy kept Ahane in the game up to half time. Andrew Shanahan got a super score from centre back that really got the Ahane lads going and substitute Kevin Morrissey came on and got a point within two minutes of being introduced which bought the gap to two points. Tommy Clifford then got a point and the game was down to a 1 point gap but unfortunately Ahane could never get the equalising score as Dromcollogher Broadford got a point and the gap went back to two. Half time and the score was Ahane 0-11 Dromcollogher Broadford 1-10.

The second half started and Johnny got things moving for Ahane once again with a point. Again there was more great defensive play from Aidan Carroll, Shane Hackett, Andrew Shanahan, Luke O’Sullivan, Peter O’Grady, and Mike Hayes who led the team from full back. Tommy Clifford got another point for Ahane and the gap was back to 1. Another great save from William O’Leary ensured that the gap stayed at one. However as the half went on Dromcollogher Broadford started to move up the gears and they got another goal after a save initially from O’Leary. At the second water break the score was Ahane 0-14 Dromcollogher Broadford 2-13. Ahane were awarded a close range free but the Dromcollogher Broadford keeper saved it and it went out for a 65’. The gap came back to 5 points but again Dromcollogher Broadford upped it another gear and Ahane just couldn’t match them. Dromcollogher Broadford got a goal in the final few minutes of the game that sealed their win, but Ahane never gave up and got three more points after the goal to end the game on a score line of Ahane 1-18 Dromcollogher Broadford 3-20.

A tough loss for the Ahane lads who have put in some great performances over the season. Huge thank you to Jim and Colm and all the management and backroom team for all their time and dedication to the lads and to the lads themselves for all the work and effort they put in over the year

Ahane Team: W. O’Leary; P. O’Grady, M. Hayes, A. Carroll, S. Hackett, A. Shanahan, L. O’Sullivan; J.Meskell, C. Heffernan; P. Minehan, D. McCarthy, M. Hickey, T. Clifford, J. Hayes, C. Morrissey.

Substitutions:

J. Barry (for M. Hickey 1st half), K. Morrissey (for C. Morrissey 1st half), P. Donohoe (for J. Hayes 2nd ½), L. Ryan (for C. Heffernan) C. Morrissey (P. Minehan 2nd Half) G. Harnett, P. Ryan, D. Hayes.