FitzGibbon Cup
Congratulations to Seamus Hennessy and Shane Quinlan who were on the victorious NUIG team which overcame WIT in the FitzGibbon Cup final. Seamus gave an outstanding performance in the number six shirt while Shane was very influential when introduced, setting up the crucial goal and the wining point. Commiserations to Ray McLoughney and Brian O Meara who scored a brace of points each for a WIT team which ran out of steam in the end. Gerry McCarthy was the first Kilruane MacDonaghs player to win a FitzGibbon Cup medal in 1956 and Eamon O Shea, David Quinlan, Mark O Leary, Kevin O Brien and Ray McLoughney have all followed in his footsteps.
Hogan Cup
The senior hurlers bowed out of the Hogan Cup when they lost at home to Moneygall on a 5-15 to 1-12 scoreline. MacDonaghs led by two points at the break but Moneygall were the better team in the second half and deservedly booked a place in the final. Team: Ger Corcoran, Diarmuid Cahill, Stephen Murphy (0-1) Padraig Kelly, Liam Gibson, Kevin Ryan (0-2), Gavin McAvinchey, Freddie Williams, Kevin Quinlan, Declan Barrett, Pat Williams, Pat Conway, Mikey Costello (0-7), Shane Williams (1-1) and Darren Killackey (0-1). Subs: Thomas Cleary, Eanna Hogan, Michael Reddan, Niall Murphy and Timmy Walsh
U-10 Blitz
The club hosted an U-10 hurling blitz in MacDonagh Park last Saturday. Roscrea, Nenagh Eire Og and Borris-Ileigh were the visitors. Well done to the U-10 management team who ensured that the day ran smoothly and punctually.
Senior Championship
The senior hurlers have been drawn against Portroe in the first round of the North championship for the third year in a row. This game has been penciled in for the weekend of April 11th. Moneygall, Kildangan and Nenagh Eire Og are also in the group.
County League
The senior hurlers are away to Moycarkey-Borris in the first round of the county league which commences on the weekend of March 28th. Loughmore-Castleiney, Cappawhite, Lorrha & Dorrha, Portroe, Kildangan and JK Brackens complete the group.
U-21 Hurling
The U-21 hurlers will face Nenagh Eire Og in the first round of the championship.
Junior Hurling Leagues
The junior A hurlers are at home to Burgess in the first round of the league which begins at the end of March or in early April. They will also face Moneygall, Kildangan and Lorrha in the group. The junior C hurlers start their campaign with an away game against Knockshegowna. Ballina, Ballinahinch, Shannon Rovers and Toomevara are also in the group.
Hurling Wall
The official launch of the hurling wall took place last week with a very productive session conducted by Damien Coleman from Portumna. The Portumna fullback Eugene McEntee also joined in the session and his presence helped raise the intensity of the training. In order to regulate usage managers are reminded to book their slot on the wall with caretaker Pat Williams.
Medal Presentation
The presentation of the divisional medals to the U-21 hurlers and the O Riain Cup medals to the senior hurlers takes place on Friday Mach 19th in The Complex at 8.00 p.m. The Kilruane MacDonaghs junior hurling team of 1960 which defeated the Moycarkey-Borris intermediate team to win the county title will be guests of honour on the night. This promises to be a great social occasion with the reunion of the 1960 team generating huge interest in the club. A full meal will be served at the function and tickets at the subsidized price of ten euro are available from George O Leary, Kay Cahalan, Mary McLoughney, Susan O Brien, Michael Cahill and Gilbert Williams.
Indoor Training
The indoor hurling sessions continue to gather momentum. On Monday nights the U-8s swing into action at 6.30 p.m., followed by the U-10s at 7.30 p.m. On Tuesday nights the U-12s take to the floor at 7 o clock. The U-16 footballers have a session with Stephen Murphy on Monday March 15th at 8.30 p.m.
Membership
The March 31st deadline for membership renewal is now looming. The fee for 2010 is 40 euro for adult players, 20 euro for student players and non playing adults and 10 euro for juveniles. Membership is mandatory for all players.
Summer Camp
The annual hurling and camogie Cul Camp is scheduled to begin on Monday July 5th in MacDonagh Park. This professionally run camp will be open to all boys and girls aged seven upwards. Application forms will be available later in the month.
Schools Handball
Ardcroney N.S. had great success in this year’s Cumann na mBunscoil handball. The school had seven county champions with Kevin Shinnors, Roisin Cahill, Jerome Cahill, Daniel Ryan, Sile Spain, Gillian McSherry, Grainne Molloy all qualifying for the Munster championship which was held on February 27th in Clare. There was some tremendous handball and all participants acquitted themselves well. Jerome Cahill and Daniel Ryan were crowned Munster U-11 doubles champions and will play in the All-Ireland series in Croke Park after Easter. Roisin Cahill stepped up to the mark to become U-13 girls Munster champion. Roisin, Jerome and Daniel are wished continued success. The school would like to thank Martin Spain and Vincent O Shea for all their work with the young handball players.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the relatives of the late Dermot Boyle Ballystena and the family of the late Mick Quinn Ballinwear. Mick travelled on that memorable trip to New York with the senior hurlers in 1982.
