While professional sports stars returning to the GAA after their careers come to an end is something that occurs on a fairly regular basis, it’s fair to say that you would not expect to see a pair of former Ireland rugby internationals named in the teams for a Limerick Premier Junior ‘A’ Football Championship.
Ahane would win the county’s third tier football championship on Saturday, overcoming Fr Casey’s on a scoreline of 10- to 0-9 in Askeaton. It capped off what has been a brilliant couple of years to the club, sealing back-to-back promotions after their triumph in the fourth tier in 2024.
We’re going up ⬆️
Premier Junior A Football Champions 2025 💚💛
Intermediate Football secured for 2026 ✅
What a group of absolute legends, managed by a group of incredible people 🙌🏻🥳
Huge thank you to everyone who made the trip to Askeaton today to support the lads 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/jHoGAFmbPT
— Ahane GAA Club (CLG Átháin) (@AhaneGAAClub) November 8, 2025
For most neutrals, the most eye-catching aspect of the game was the presence of a couple of familiar faces in Ahane’s named starting XV.
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Ex Ireland Rugby Stars Help Limerick GAA Club To Junior Title
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Those who saw the starting teams for yesterday’s Limerick Premier Junior ‘A’ Football Championship final may have noticed a couple of standout names among the Ahane team.
They would feature no less than two former Ireland rugby internationals, with both Sean Cronin and Ian Keatley among the starting XV.
There’s one change to the starting 15:
Mark Murphy comes in for Ian Keatley due to injury
Throw in is 2pm, weather is shocking ☔️
📲Updates in Twitter throughout pic.twitter.com/XyZibDBpBy
— Ahane GAA Club (CLG Átháin) (@AhaneGAAClub) November 8, 2025
Unfortunately Ian Keatley would go on to miss the contest due to injury, although he has been a key part of the team’s campaign.
Cronin would go on to play a starring role in the game. Lining out at centre back, he produced a top class display to help his club to victory. The 72-cap former Ireland hooker had previously won a Limerick senior title with Monaleen back in 2005 before committing to rugby on a full-time basis.
Keatley only took up Gaelic football after retiring from rugby, scoring 1-2 on his debut for Ahane back in 2022. Another former Ireland rugby international, Tommy O’Donnell, has also been part of the club’s panel in recent seasons.
Ahane will now play in the Limerick intermediate ranks in 2026. While Cronin and Keatley are now aged 39 and 38 respectively, it would be no surprise to see them among the club’s charges next season as they go in search of what would be a third successive promotion.
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