Moran’s last gasp free gives Ahane the edge

Ballybrown 1-14 Ahane 2-11

Had they lost, last season’s winners would have been involved in a relegation battle and while they are still not safe, they at least improved their prospects of survival.

Amazingly, Ballybrown had just one point from play from Niall Doolin with the balance having come from placed balls from county team panellist Alan O’Connor.

It looked as if Ballybrown, who were also fighting to preserve senior status, would collect maximum points when they led 1-9 to 0-2 at the interval, with Ahane having had to wait until 15 minutes for John Mescall to get them off the mark from a free.

The Ahane revival started in 32 minutes when Paul O’Connor found the net and on 50 minutes, Olly Moran with another green flag had them just two behind 1-11 to 2-6.

It was point for point afterwards and Ballybrown had that look of winners about them until Moran chipped in with that last gasp score.

Scorers: Ballybrown; A. O’Connor 1-13, N. Doolin 0-1. Ahane; P. O’Connor, O. Moran 1-0 each, J. Mescall 0-4, N. Moran 0-3, P. Ryan 0-2, S. O’Connor, D. Laing, 0-1 each.

BALLYBROWN: D. Lyons, R. Quin, J. O’Connor, T. Ryan, R. Kenny, P. Hartigan, D. Kenny, R. Burke, J. Kennedy, A. O’Connor, I. Burke, N. Doolin, P. McCarthy, B. Hartigan, E. Loftus.

AHANE: F. McCarthy, A. Smith, C. Smith, D. Fitzgerald, D. O’Sullivan, O. Moran, C. Reilly, N. Moran, D. O’Connor, D. Laing, J. Mescall, P. O’Connor, K. Berkery, P. Ryan, B. Healy.

Referee: D. Enright (Dromin/Athlacca).

St Kieran’s 0-10 Monaleen 1-5

FOR the second time inside six days, St Kieran’s caused a major upset in the Limerick SFC when inflicting a first defeat on Monaleen, now no longer guaranteed safe passage to the semi-finals.

Having gained in confidence from their win over Ballylanders, the west Limerick side reigned supreme in injury time when Johnny McCarthy and Declan Quaide fired over the crucial points. Relegation material last week, they are now poised to make a bold bid for the semis.

Anthony Molyneaux gave them a bright start with a point, but when county player Muiris Gavin kicked over two at the other end, it looked as if Monaleen would march on.

However, it was not to be and they had to be satisfied with an equal share of six points at the interval.

Once more, Molyneaux put Kieran’s back in the driving seat. Gavin replied but enter Chris Madigan to give the winners the edge at 0-6 to 0-4. Substitute JP Stokes slotted home a penalty at 47 minutes to turn the tide the other way but that proved to be Monaleen’s final score.

Michael Greaney restored equality before McCarthy and Quaid emerged heroes in injury time.

Scorers: St Kierans: A. Molyneaux, S O’Donnell 0-2 each, J McCarthy, C Madigan, D Quaid, J Donovan, M Greaney, S. Byrnes 0-1 each. Monaleen: M. Gavin 0-4, JP Stokes 1-0, M Crowley 0-1.

ST KIERANS: T. Quin; B. Nolan, P. Windle, J. Windle, N. Kelly, J. McCarthy, S. Byrnes; M. Murphy, P.Woulfe; C. Madigan, D. Quaid, A. Molyneaux, S. O’Donnell, N. Broderick, J. Donovan. Sub. M Greaney for Madigan.

MONALEEN: P. O’Halloran; D. Burke, J. Cormican, B. Fitzpatrick, F. Melody, J. Marsh, P. Keating; A. Kitson, A. McEntee; F. Kinsey, M. Gavin, P. Russell, B. Geary, M. Crowley, J O’Brien. Sub JP Stokes for Russell.

Adare 3-10 Newcastle West 1-6

ADARE, still hurting from their late, late defeat by Claughaun in midweek, got back on track with a deserved 3-10 to 1-6 win over Newcastle West at Askeaton.

Needing maximum points to gain at least a play-off for the last four, Adare took an early lead following a Conor Fitzgerald goal which helped them to an interval lead of 1-7 to 0-2.

Stephen Kelly gave Newcastle a ray of hope with a second half goal, but Fitzgerald and Diarmuid Sexton sealed it with green flags at the other end.

The other senior football championship game between Athea and Fr Casey’s at Tournafulla was called off on Saturday afternoon following the death in an accident of a young man from the Athea area.