Ahane Junior Hurlers take the Brian Butler Cup miserable conditions Ahane Junior Hurlers faced down Pallasgreen in the Brian Butler Junior Hurling Cup Final  in Cappamore. Captain Conor Quirke won the toss and had his team play with a stiff breeze in the first half. Given the heavy rain which fell through-out that first half the wind did not prove as advantageous as it may otherwise have. Scores were hard to come by and both teams found it hard to control of the ball in the very wet and slippery conditions. Ahane goal minder Cathal O'Connor and fullback line of Brian Collins, Mike Hayes and Shane Hackett were put to the pin of their collar to keep a dangerous Pallas full forward goalless through the first half but they stuck doggedly to their task.

At the other end of the pitch Ahane's Stephen Ryan, Niall Collins and the other Hackett on the team, Arron, in the Ahane full forward line tried their best to force to convert their chances into goals but it just wouldn't happen for them in that first half. Even when referee Philip O'Dea awarded what Ahane supporters thought was a surprise penalty decision to Pallasgreen, the resultant penalty shot went over the bar to leave the half-time score of 6 points to 4 in Ahane's favour.

Ahane's team management of Louis Quirke, Tony Condon, Denis Murrihy and George Lee sent their team back out onto the pitch with just one change in the 2nd half asking Andrew Minihan to step in for Stephen Ryan. At this stage Ollie Moran moved from centre half back to centre half forward with John Doheny sitting back into the centre half back position and both players made a bigger impact in their new berths. Padraig O'Connor and Colm Carroll delivered much more ball from the half back line through-out the second half  with Ciaran O'Mara and Enda Carroll winning the dirty ball around the middle of the park. In the half forward line a very lively Mark O'Halloran and Andrew Minihan were constant thorns in the side of a never say die Pallasgreen side. O'Halloran had a goal bound shot expertly saved and  Minihan was taken down inside the big square for another penalty but this time to the Ahane side.

Ahane captain, Conor Quirke stepped up to cooly pop the ball over the bar to give his side a safe 4 point lead with 2 minutes remaining. Pallasgreen continued to push right into additional time but could only pull back a single point to leave the final score 12 points to Ahane and 9 points to Pallasgreen. Chairman of the East Board Louis Quirke complimented the Cappamore ground staff for having the pitch and dressing rooms in such good condition and available for both sides and presented the Brian Butler Cup to Ahane Captain Conor Quirke. Conor in turn thanked the referee Philip O'Dea for the tough job he had given the conditions and then thanked his team and team management for their commitment through-out the season before complimenting Pallasgreen for the tough and sporting game and giving them three cheers. If was a great way to finish a long and rewarding season and augers well for next season given the mix of youth and experience in this talented squad. Well done to all involved …….

 

Well Done

To  Niamh Mulcahy on recieving her award at the recent Camoige Awards night

Minor Hurlers

At the moment County Final Fixed for 23rd Nov venue and time tbc.

As the playing season is at an end the club would like to extend thanks to players,mentors,parents and anyone that has given a hand during the year.Without your continued help our games would not be played. During the next few weeks we will review the year.

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