Ahascragh-Fohenagh defeat Kinvara in opener

By Oisín Noone

AHASCRAGH-FOHENAGH began life in the Premier Intermediate Championship with a winning start over Kinvara after a hard-fought, physical battle. The sides were level on four occasions, but Jimmy Browne’s side kept their noses in front thereafter to pick up two valuable points on Friday evening in Loughrea.

There was little to separate last year’s respective Senior B and Intermediate runners-up. Twelve of Kinvara’s starting line-up from their final defeat to Meelick-Eyrecourt returned, while Ahascragh-Fohenagh’s starting XV showed more change, with former starters Eoghain Delaney, Noel Warde and Sean Bleahene away this year, and dual player Robbie Greene currently injured.

Results matter more than performances in Round 1, a mantra Ahascragh-Fohenagh would gladly embrace after successfully navigating their first championship outing outside senior status since 2016. Darragh Gavin’s three second half points, along with substitute Andrew Fitzgerald’s 45th minute goal, gave them the impetus to see off a wasteful Kinvara side.

Gerry Fahy’s charges doubled Ahascragh-Fohenagh’s wide count before half-time, with their tally reaching double figures after the break as their accuracy deserted them.

Sharper shooting could have seen Kinvara ahead at the break, having started positively and struck first. Luca Danjou fired over seconds after the throw-in as the 2019 Intermediate champions began at a good tempo.

The sides traded blows, finding themselves level at 1-3 apiece after the first quarter. Luke Murray and Cathal Mannion pointed either side of a crafty goal by Luke Kennedy. After the initial delivery bypassed him, the Galway U-20 player picked the pocket of goalkeeper Cathal Corless for an Ahascragh-Fohenagh major after two minutes.

Kinvara responded strongly, exclusively through chief scorer Darragh Helebert who finished with 1-8. A free and a point from play preceded a fine goal, Helebert escaping a ruck with a direct path to goal to briefly put Kinvara ahead. Mannion levelled with a free.

Helebert increased his tally before putting Michael Curtin through for what was almost Kinvara’s second goal, but Colm Freyne was alert to the danger and saved. Diarmuid O’Brien and Conor Whelan exchanged scores before a series of Cathal Mannion frees saw Ahascragh-Fohenagh take a 1-7 to 1-5 half-time lead despite creating fewer chances.

The third quarter produced the game’s best passage of free-flowing hurling. Helebert and Mannion continued to add scores, but Darragh Gavin rose to prominence as two points from play within five minutes after the restart left Ahascragh-Fohenagh three clear.

Going route one did the trick for Kinvara as two-time All-Star Conor Whelan won the aerial battle before embarking on a trademark run towards goal, his shot nestling in the corner to level matters.

Ahascragh-Fohenagh were not perturbed, as Padraic Mannion’s point restored their lead, which they never relinquished. Kennedy threw over a great score before Mannion drove his side further clear, squaring to substitute Fitzgerald as the eventual winners moved five ahead.

Helebert’s efforts were complemented by Michael Curtin and substitute Kian Pyne, who added two points, but Murray, Ronan Kelly, Kennedy, Gavin and Cathal Mannion helped ensure an Ahascragh-Fohenagh victory.

Aside from their finishing, chance creation, pace and some nice build-up play are positives that Kinvara can take ahead of their clash with Meelick-Eyrecourt, a repeat of last year’s Intermediate decider. Ahascragh-Fohenagh recorded 1-36 in their championship opener in 2025 with Portumna and will look for similar attacking form.

Meelick-Eyrecourt were 2-29 to 4-12 victors over Portumna on Saturday in Killimor.

AHASCRAGH-FOHENAGH: C. Freyne; C. Kelly, S. Kelly, J. Finnerty; A. Moclair, P. Mannion (0-1), L. Cosgrove; M. Kelly (Jnr), R. Kelly (0-1); L. Kennedy (1-2), C. Mannion (0-7, 0-6 frees, captain), D. Gavin (0-3); D. O’Brien (0-1), O. Naughton, L. Murray (0-2). Subs: A. Fitzgerald (1-0), for M. Kelly (Jnr), half-time; M. Kelly (Snr), for Finnerty, 50 mins.

KINVARA: C. Corless; O. Ivers, S. Byrne (captain), D. Burke; T. Heavey, J. O’Connor, R. O’Connor; L. Heavey, L. Danjou (0-1); C. Mongan, D. Helebert (1-8, 0-5 frees), M. Curtin (0-1); P. Conole, C. Whelan (1-1), M. Meares. Subs: L. Martyn, for P. Conole, 38 mins; K. Pyne (0-2), for Mongan, 44 mins; J. Meares, for Heavey, 52 mins.

REFEREE: John Keane.

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH: Darragh Gavin (Ahascragh-Fohenagh).