Sunday morning saw Ahane welcome Bruff to Mackey Park to play the second round of the Neville Jewellers Senior Camogie Championship. Having lost to Newcastle West two weeks ago Ahane had to get the win on Sunday. Weather conditions were not favourable for either side as the wind picked up and some awful showers poured at various times during the game. Niamh Brennan kicked off the scoring as she got Ahane’s first point within the first minute. Sarah Cosgrove added to that and then Niamh tacked on another point to put Ahane three points in the clear after 13 minutes. From the throw in, the work rate from both sides was phenomenal. There were hooks and blocks going in all over the field, and both sets of players crowded out the other side when they had the ball which meant both sides found it difficult to get scores on the board. Bruff got their first point in the 15th minute. Aine Reynolds scored a point from the placed ball in the 17th minute just before the water break. Ahane 0-04 Bruff 0-01 at the first half water break. The second quarter got underway, and Ann Kennedy made a super save as the Bruff forward tried to bury the ball. The ball was cleared much to the relief of the Ahane supporters in attendance. The next scorer was a beauty, and it came from Ahane’s Susie McGovern after a lovely pass in from Aine Reynolds. Aine then got a point of her own, again some excellent interlinking plays out the field, which lead to Noreen getting the ball and passing it off to Aine who got the point. The final score of the half went to Bruff as they got a point from play. Half time Ahane 0-06 Bruff 0-02.
Second half started as did the second heavy shower of rain, but that didn’t stop Éle Madigan getting on the ball 30 seconds in and popping it over. Bruff were awarded a free from around the middle of the field, the ball dropped short and in under the bar to see Bruff score the only goal of the game. In a fantastic response to the goal Ahane were next to score as captain Noreen Flanagan struck a beauty of a point. Sarah added her second point and Ahane’s 10th and then Aine added another point to see the gap stretch to six. Bruff got their 3rd point in the 16th minute and again the heavens opened much to the delight of the crowd! Niamh Brennan was accurate as always and added another point to her personal tally and Ahane’s for the day. Bruff hit a bit of a purple patch as they scored four points, three from frees and one from play, which saw the gap close to two points. The score at the second water break was Ahane 0-12 Bruff 1-07. The final few minutes were nerve wrecking for the Ahane supporters as Bruff tried to close the gap and go ahead. Credit where it is due, the Ahane girls dug deep and dealt with the pressure well. Noreen scored another point before Bruff made a shot on goal, but Niamh Power did enough to push it up and over the bar, which was welcomed by a huge sign of relief from the Ahane supporters. Making her run all the way from centre back Judith Mulcahy got on the ball and scored a lovely point. But the game wasn’t over yet as Bruff scored a point and the gap was two again. The final score came from Aine Reynolds who with little or no backswing struck the ball over the bar to see Ahane win out by three points. Full time score Ahane 0-15 Bruff 1-09.

Team: N. Power; E. Ryan, S. Crotty, Á. Herbert, K. Herbert, J. Mulcahy, R. Donnellan; A. Kennedy, M. Hussey; S. Cosgrove, Á. Reynolds, S. McGovern, N. Brennan, N. Flanagan, S. Darcy.

Substitutions: É. Madigan (1st ½ for S. Darcy), C. Oliver (2nd ½ for S. McGovern), C. Keaveney (2nd ½ for A. Kennedy). A. Murrihy, A. Quinn, M. Meskell, A. Whelan, A. Nagle, C. Macken, C. Macken, L. Cusack, K. Clohessy, A. Mitchell.