Michael John "Gah" Ahern (22 May 1905 – 30 December 1946) was an Irish hurler who played as a full-forward for the Cork senior team.
He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork junior team before later joining the senior side.
As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, he won two Railway Cup medals.
Ahern's career tally of 35 goals and 27 points was a record score for a Cork player which stood until 22 June 1952 when it was surpassed by Christy Ring.
It was the beginning of a great era of success for the club as further final victories over Glen Rovers in 1930 and Éire Óg in 1931 brother Ahern's championship medal tally to six.
He won a Munster medal that year, after scoring a hat trick of goals in a 6–3 to 4–2 defeat of Clare in the decider.
On 2 August 1925 Ahern made his senior championship debut in a 5–3 to 5–1 Munster semi-final defeat by Tipperary.
Cork fought back in the third quarter, however, an expert display of goalkeeping by Tommy Daly saved the day by keeping Ahern scoreless, as Dublin went on to win by 4–8 to 1–3.
A rout ensued as "the Rebels" and Ahern claimed a third All-Ireland title from four final appearances with a 4–9 to 1–3 victory.
Cork exited the championship at the first hurdle in 1930, however, Ahern finished the year by winning a second league medal following a 3–5 to 3–0 defeat of Dublin the decider.
Kilkenny's Lory Meagher was playing the best hurling of his career at this time and scored a magnificent point from 90 yards out the field.
In spite of this great effort a winner couldn't be found and both sides finished level again at 2–5 apiece.
It was also suggested at a meeting of Central Council that both teams be declared joint champions and that half an All-Ireland medal by given to each player.
As the All-Ireland saga went to a third meeting on 1 November 1931, Kilkenny's captain Meagher was ruled out of the game because of broken ribs sustained in the first replay.
Such was the esteem in which he was held the game was virtually conceded to Cork since the star player couldn't play.
In 1926 Ahern was chosen on the inaugural Munster inter-provincial team which narrowly fell to Leinster in the decider.
In 1932 Ahern's prowess as one of the top forwards of his era was recognised when he was chosen for the Ireland national hurling team for the Tailteann Games .