Morans strike early to pave way for Ahane

AHANE, the 19-times champions, will play Na Piarsaigh in the October 2 Limerick SHC final after last night’s 3-13 to 1-12 semi-final replay win over Emmets at the Gaelic Grounds.

Ahane got off to a flying start, with Moran brothers, Ollie and Niall, each scoring a goal inside the opening five minutes. They added a point each as Ahane raced into a 2-2 to 0-0 lead after just seven minutes. But they were to score just once more in the opening half, which ended level, 2-3 to 1-6.

Mike O’Brien had Emmets off the mark in the 10th minute and then Peter Ryan, Eoin Walsh and Paul Neenan frees cut the lead until Eoin O’Leary goaled in the 23rd minute.

A second goal from a 21-metre free by Niall Moran eight minutes into the second half to set Ahane on their way.

John Meskell and Richie Ryan notched two points each as they opened a meaningful lead midway through the half.

Meanwhile, on Saturday evening in Bruff, the Limerick SFC semi-final line-up was completed when champions Monaleen and former champions Dromcollogher-Broadford secured their places in the last four, along with Newcastle West and Fr Caseys.

After an indifferent round-robin campaign, Monaleen impressed from the off in their quarter-final and built an early advantage, Jason O’Brien, Peter Russell and Muiris Gavin all scoring in the opening minutes.

Although Kieran O’Callaghan hit back with frees, the early Monaleen momentum was rewarded when Eoin Keating goaled from a penalty after Ger Collins was upended. Collins then added two points himself to help his side to a 1-7 to 0-5 interval lead.

Jimmy Barry Murphy and Eoin Walsh kicked late Bally first-half points. But a Mike Mansell goal had the lead reduced with an early second half goal for Ballylanders.

Mike Crowley steadied Monaleen nerves with a point and then the initiative was cemented when Muris Gavin scored their second goal.

Danny Frewen kept Bally in touch and a late Kieran O’Callaghan goal gave them some hope but an Eoin Keating late score helped Monaleen progress, 2-9 to 2-6.

Dromcollogher-Broadford beat St Patrick’s 2-9 to 0-6. St Patrick’s did start well with Michael Geary and John Mullane points, but Ray Lynch and Patrick Donnelly soon had former champions Dromcollogher-Broadford level.

Then the former champions came to life when Jason Stokes blasted home a goal. Tom McLoughlin added a point and then Lynch scored their second goal for a 2-3 to 0-2 interval lead. Their dominance continued early in the second half with Donnelly and Lynch again scoring points.

Pat Mullins and Mullane replied with points but they couldn’t find the necessary goal to kick-start a fight back.

Two Patrick Donnelly frees stretched the lead and then Garrett Noonan and Eoin Barry capped off a fine nine point win for the champions of two years ago.

Picture: DRIVETIME: Ahane’s Brian Healy tries to break through the tackles of Emmets’ Gearóid Ó Laoire and Brian Kelleher during their County SHC semi-final replay at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. Picture: Brian Gavin