Tom Morrissey first half goal key in Ahane's narrow win over Mungret
GOAL THE KEY: Tom Morrissey about to blasts the ball to the back of the net for Ahane's only goal. Picture: Kieran Ryan-Benson
Ahane made a winning start to the 2024 Limerick Senior Hurling Championship on a 1-17 to 0-20 scoreline in Claughaun.
Limerick star Tom Morrissey bagged a goal in the first half and it proved to be the crucial score in an entertaining contest.
Morrissey finished with 1-7 in total, with all but three of his scores coming from placed balls. Ronan Fox chipped in with 0-5, while former Clare footballer Gary Brennan raised three white flags in an impressive debut for his new club.
Mungret, in their first tilt at Senior A in over 30 years, gave a great account of themselves but never managed to lead in what was a tightly fought contest.
Ahane were aided by a strong breeze in the opening half hour but struggled to make full use of it in the opening quarter.
However, they eventually clicked into gear with Tom Morrissey, Fox and Brennan leading the charge and into a 0-6 to 0-1 advantage.
The vital score of the game came on 19 minutes with Dan Minihin delivered into the full forward line where Morrissey fought hard to win dirty ball and finish with power beyond the reach of Mungret netminder Conor O’Brien.
The concession of the goal seemed to click Mungret into gear as they hit four of the next five scores to cut Ahane’s lead to five.
Barry Duff then raced through on goal for Mungret but his arrowed effort was expertly stopped by Ahane keeper Cathal Ryan.
O’Brien’s prowess in front of goal kept Mungret in touch, however, and the score was at 1-9 to 0-8 in Ahane’s favour at the break.
Morrissey kept his form up in the early stages of the second half with two excellent points, before Barry Duff got Mungret on the board.
O’Brien and Morrissey kept up their scoring battle as the half continued but Mungret began to exert a bit of control and had the deficit back to a goal with 15 left to play.
Two O’Brien frees then reduced that margin to one but Fox slotted his fourth of the game to put Ahane two ahead.
Sean Duff then brought it to a one-point game yet again but two Morrissey frees saw his side into a bit of breathing space.
Mungret were unable to fashion a realistic goal chance in the second half with Dan Morrissey and Evan O’Leary mopping up brilliantly for John Meskell’s side at the back.
O’Brien hit two frees in the dying embers to give Brian Begley Begley’s men further hope of a late rally but time wasn’t on their side and it was Ahane that held out for a win by the minimum margin.
: T Morrissey 1-7 (3f), R Fox 0-5, G Brennan 0-3, D Minihin and C O’Connell 0-1 each
: P O’Brien 0-10 (7f), S Duff, B O’Meara and B Duff 0-2 each, S Barry, F Fitzgerald and R Duff 0-1 each.
C Ryan; D Morrissey, E O’Leary, P Harnett; M Hickey, C Barry, D Minihan; G Rowsome, C Heffernan; J Butler, R Fox, G Brennan; C O’Connell, T Morrissey, C O’Mara.
: W Brennan for O’Mara (h-t), S Power for Rowsome (60).
: C O’Brien; B Molyneaux, M O’Sullivan, L Harrington; B Barry, P Begley, E O’Doherty; B Duff, R Duff; S Barry, F Fitzgerald, B O’Meara; C O’Halloran, S Duff, P O’Brien.
: D O’Hagan for O’Halloran (44), J McCarthy for S Barry (53).
J Murphy (Ballylanders).
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