Back-to-back promotions for Gary Brennan’s Ahane as rugby ace Seán Cronin shines
The victory clinched back to back promotions for Ahane after they added the Premier Junior A crown to the Junior A title in 2024. File picture
Ahane are Limerick Premier Junior A football champions following a 0-10 to 0-9 victory over Fr Caseys in Askeaton.
The east Limerick side fought off a Trojan second half comeback from their Abbeyfeale opponents with late scores from captain Craig O’Connell and Adam O’Connell proving decisive.
Ahane had led by five points at the break but Caseys had that back to one-point in the closing stages but couldn’t find the levelling score.
The victory clinched back to back promotions for Ahane after they added the Premier Junior A crown to the Junior A title in 2024.
Former Irish international rugby star Seán Cronin was crucial to the victory from centre back in a team that is managed by ex-Clare All-Star Gary Brennan.
Brennan’s on field action has been hampered by injury this year but played a key role in guiding Ahane to victory.
“It’s a fantastic win,” said Brennan after the full time whistle. “There has been plenty of good work done in Ahane before I came near the place.
“There are a lot of talented underage players and there is a new team really this year. The carry-over from last year wasn’t massive.
“We had to do it the hard way today. We have had better performances but I said to the lads at half time that you don’t win championships without coming through a day like this.”
The game was played in heavy underfoot conditions in Askeaton and it was Brennan’s men that made a great start with scores from Liam Óg Glynn (2) and Donal Dawson putting them 0-3 to 0-0 up after 15 minutes.
Fr Caseys responded with a Jake Quirke score but Ahane were soon back on top after a couple of efforts from Glynn.
Billy Quirke added a second point for Caseys before the break but a two-point free from Ahane keeper Tristan O’Sullivan that saw them lead 0-7 to 0-2 at half time.
Ahane made a positive start to the second half with Glynn hitting the target for his fifth but it was to be their last score for 18 minutes as Caseys bounced back into the game.
Cathal Harnett got Caseys going with a fine effort that was quickly followed by a superb two-pointer from play by Robert Browne..
Two quick-fire points from Billy Quirke brought Caseys to within a point at 0-8 to 0-7 but the intervention from Craig and Adam O'Connell soon had Ahane three-clear again.
Jamie Dore and Marc Nolan gave Caseys late hope but Ahane held on for a dramatic win that sealed back-to-back promotions.
Ahane will play Buttevant in the Munster Club Junior Football semi-final on November 22 and Brennan is looking forward to a provincial road that he has plenty of experience to draw from.
“It’s going to be a big test,” Brennan admitted. “I have good and bad experiences of Munster but they are times to be enjoyed. You don’t get to play in them often.”
L Óg Glynn 0-5 (4f), T O’Sullivan 0-2 (1 2pf), D Dawson, C O’Connell and A O’Connell 0-1 each.
B Quirke 0-3, R Browne 0-2 (1 2pt) J Quirke, C Harnett, J Dore and M Nolan 0-1 each.
T O’Sullivan; A Donohue, P O’Grady, D O’Connell; M Murphy, S Cronin, C O’Connell; R Fox, G Rowsome; P Harnett, L Óg Glynn, P Hussey; D Dawson, M Donnellan, A O’Connell.
C Bickford for Murphy (41).
S Scannell; C Cotter, T O’Keeffe, C O’Connor; C Harnett, R Browne, J Quirke; B Scannell, C Woulfe; M Scannell, E O’Connell., J Dore; B Quirke, P McEnery, D O’Connor.
L O’Connor for O’Connell (39), E McEnery for Woulfe (44), D O’Connell for Harnett (49), M Nolan for O’Connor (60).
J Hayes (St Senans).
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