All-Ireland Final
Congratulations to Jack Peters and the Tipperary minor team on the All-Ireland victory. Jack becomes the sixth MacDonaghs player to win an all-Ireland minor medal. The previous winners were: Eamon O’Shea and Enda Hogan (1976); Michael Conway (1980); Seamus Hennessy (2006 & 2007) and Eoin Hogan (2006).
Tipp Manager
Congratulations to Eamon O’Shea on his appointment as the Tipperary senior hurling manager. He has a proven track record and we are confident that he can bring Tipperary back to the top once again. Everybody wishes him well.
Eamon O’Shea
Eamon O’Shea was coach to the Tipperary senior hurling team from 2008 to 2010, during which time Tipperary won the All-Ireland hurling championship in 2010, the Munster championship in 2008 and 2009, and the Allianz Hurling league in 2008. Eamon played senior hurling championship for Tipperary between 1979 and 1986 and also played inter-county championship hurling with Dublin. He won Munster and All-Ireland minor championships with Tipperary in 1976, Munster and All-Ireland U-21 championships in 1979 and a National League medal in 1979. Eamon won four county SH championships with Kilruane MacDonaghs and an All-Ireland club medal in 1986. He now resides in Galway, where he is head of the Economics discipline in NUIG, and is an active member of the Salthill/Knocknacrra GAA club.
Paddy Quinlan Tournament
The annual U10 Paddy Quinlan tournament takes place in MacDonagh Park on this Sunday morning October 7th, commencing at 10.30. Ballina (2), Kilruane MacDonaghs (2), Borrisokane and Kildangan will be participating. The club is also producing a souvenir programme for the tournament. All members of the juvenile committee are asked to attend to help ensure the smooth running of this tournament.
Paddy Quinlan (1930-2008)
Paddy Quinlan, one of a family of six, was born in Loughmore in 1930. In 1943 he played on the Loughmore U-15 team which defeated Kilruane MacDonaghs in the county final. Paddy attended Cistercian College in Roscrea and he was selected on the Leinster Colleges interprovincial hurling team. He wore the blue and gold of Tipperary with the minor footballers. In 1958 Paddy and his wife Chris bought a farm in Clermont and raised their family of five boys and two girls there. In the late sixties Paddy immersed himself in the affairs of the juvenile club as his children donned the black and white of MacDonaghs.
He was a mentor on various juvenile teams in a golden era for the club. In 1973 he was a selector on the senior hurling team which reached the county final. One of Paddy’s proudest days came in 1975 when he guided the Kilruane MacDonaghs senior football team, which included his son John, to victory against his native Loughmore in the county final. As a mentor Paddy was generous with praise and sparing with criticism. He was a good judge of a player, a shrewd operator on the line and the personification of calmness under pressure. His qualities didn’t go unrecognised at county level and he was a selector with Tipperary minor, U-21 and senior football teams.
Paddy never sought the limelight but his leadership qualities saw him elected chairman of the senior club in 1977. He was a calm and unifying force in the chair and he had a tremendous rapport with colleagues, supporters and players. His three years at the helm saw MaDonaghs achieve unprecedented success, including the historic year of 1978 when four county and six north titles came to the parish. When Paddy vacated the chair he continued to be an active and effective member of the committee, where his counsel was often sought and his advice was generally heeded. For a number of years he represented the North division on County Board, championing the interests of all clubs both big and small.
Paddy was one of nature’s gentlemen, admired and respected by all who knew him. He was an iconic figure in the history of the Kilruane MacDonaghs club. He had a passionate interest in promoting juvenile games. Sunday’s tournament is a fitting way to honour his memory. Young hurlers from four clubs displaying their skills in MacDonagh Park would have received Paddy’s seal of approval.
Minor
The minors have a busy schedule this week. On Friday the footballers take on Inane Rovers in the semi-final in Ballingarry at 7.30pm. On Sunday the hurlers have a home game against Kildangan at 6.00pm.
Under 6
The U-6 hurlers wrapped up their training for the season with the final session on last Friday night. Thirty three players and a large cohort of parents assembled in the complex. Thanks to the parents who provided and served the refreshments. On behalf of the club, Gilbert Williams thanked the players, parents and coaches for making the sessions so successful. He reserved particular praise for the coaches Matt Cleary, Mick Cleary, Mark O’Leary, Michael O’Meara and John O’Meara, whose commitment and dedication ensured that the young boys flocked to training in great numbers and derived great benefit from the weekly gatherings. The following boys were presented with medals in recognition of their attendance and effort at training: Fiachra Ahearne Woods, Steven Armitage, Jamie Burris, Tommy Burris, Sarah Cleary, Shane Cleary, Michael Cleary, Daniel Connolly, Michael Costello, Arron Coughlan, Ferghal Doheny, Cathal England, Peter Flannery, Rian Haverty, Cathain Gaffney, Cian Hayes, Cillian Healy, Michael Hennelly, William Jones, Barry Keays, Colm McAteer, Cathal McIntyre Paul Molloy, Cian Moyles, Johnny Naughnane, Darragh O’Leary, Darragh O’Looney, Brian O’Meara, Donncha O’Meara, Ray Quinlivan, Tom Smyth, Cillian Tanner and Darragh White,
Sean Ghael
A Kilruane MacDonaghs clubman will be honoured at the annual Sean-Ghael Awards. Who will follow in the footsteps of Mick O’Meara (R.I.P.), Jimmy Gibson (R.I.P.), Roche Williams, Michael Banaghan and Tom Cleary? Under strict instructions the identity of the recipient cannot be revealed at this time. Watch this space!
Committee Meeting
The monthly meeting of the committee will be held in the clubroom on Friday October 12th at 8.00pm. All members are asked to make a huge effort to attend this important meeting. We anticipate a full attendance. A text reminder will be sent early that week.
Astro Turf
Some tidying up and trimming needs to be completed after the erection of the fencing at the Astro Turf. All committee members are asked to make themselves available on Saturday October 13th at 9.00am to finish this work. No previous experience is necessary. Onsite training will be provided. To celebrate the completion of the work a BBQ will be held. Veggie burgers will be available for vegetarians. All are welcome.
Hurling Wall
The club intends to install extra lighting at the Hurling Wall so that our teams can derive maximum benefit from this fantastic facility during the winter months. Planning is at the initial stages. Michael Cahill, Michael Hogan, Seamus Hennessy and Gilbert Williams visited the Hurling Walls at Durlas Og and Holycross to observe their systems in action. They will report on their findings and make recommendations at the next committee meeting.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting will be held in the clubroom on Friday December 8th at 8.00pm. It will be preceded by Mass for deceased members in Cloughjordan Church at 7.30pm.
Sympathy
The club would like to extend its sympathy to the Coughlan family Wilton, Ballymackey on the death of Paddy Coughlan.
