Paddy Quinlan Tournament
The Paddy Quinlan U-10 tournament was held on a beautiful autumnal day in MacDonagh Park last Sunday. The pitch was in excellent condition and everything was in excellent order for the annual feast of hurling. The two semi-finals were played simultaneously. Kilruane MacDonaghs took on Borrisokane. The home side dominated possession but didn’t make it pay on the scoreboard. David Sullivan was outstanding at centre-back and James Loughnane was very influential in the middle of the park. MacDonaghs should have this game wrapped up long before the finish, but a late Borrisokane goal sent the game into extra time. Kilruane secured their place in the final by tacking on 1-2, while Borrisokane were held scoreless in the added ten minutes. Final score: Kilruane MacDonaghs 3-6 Borrisokane 3-1. In the other semi-final Ballina got the better of Kildangan on 4-1 to 1-2 scoreline. In the Shield Final Kildangan triumphed against Borrisokane on 3-2 to 1-5 scoreline. At the same time Thomas MacDonaghs took the honours in the Plate Final against Ballina (Red) on a 2-2 to 1-1 scoreline. Panel: Barry Shanahan, Cian White (Capt), Cillian O’Neill Reidy, Kevin Naughnane, Luke Donnelly, Paul Dwyer, Fionnan Hurley, Sean Williams, Nathan Kennedy, Dara Hannon and Georgie O’Leary.
The stage was then set for the centre-piece of the day, the Paddy Quinlan Final between Ballina and Kilruane MacDonaghs. These sides had clashed in the final of the Ballina tournament, with the Lakesiders coming out on top. Ballina looked impressive in their semi-final win against Kildangan and went into the game as favourites. The visitors had the aid of the wind in the first half and rattled off four unanswered points. David Sullivan was driving MacDonaghs forward with a herculean display in the number six shirt, but at half time the electronic scoreboard (happily back in working order) displayed two zeros after Kilruane’s name.
At the interval the selectors Jody Hurley, Michael O’Neill, Martin Walsh and Michael Loughnane made a number of crucial decisions which helped change the course of the game. Nathan Lynch had to retire injured and he was replaced by Kevin Naughnane, who had starred at centre-back in the Thomas MacDonaghs victory against Ballina (Red). Kevin was introduced at corner-forward. Oisín Carroll went into goals and Páidí Williams moved to full-back. Páidí had a tremendous second half and repelled attack after attack with lengthy clearances. MacDonaghs began to enjoy more possession. David Sullivan was a colossus at centre-back and Aaron Morgan thundered into the game. Kevin Naughnane made the vital breakthrough. The sliotar was bobbling around the Ballina square and the wily Kevin pounced to whip it to the net. This goal galvanised MacDonaghs and although Ballina responded with a peach of a goal from a lineball the momentum was now with the boys in black and white. Aaron Morgan sent a rasper to the corner of the net and umpire John Quinlan was waving the green flag. Aaron added two points from frees to give MacDonaghs victory in a terrific tussle on a 2-3 to 1-5 scoreline. Team: Páidí Williams, Eoin O’Meara, Oisín Carroll, Paul O’Neill, Padraic Coonan, David Sullivan (Capt), Cormac Doheny, James Loughnane, Colm Cleary, Shane McAteer, Aaron Morgan, Barry Shanahan, Paul Dwyer, Nathan Lynch and Kevin McDonald. Subs: Kevin Naughnane, Fionnan Hurley and Cillian O’Neill Reidy.
After the game Sean Ward thanked all who had helped to make the tournament such an outstanding success. He thanked the visiting teams, the referees Jimmy and Joe Cahill, the umpires, scoreboard operator Cian Darcy, those who had prepared the field, the parents who supplied the food and did the catering on the day. Pat Quinlan presented the trophies to the winning captains.
A special word of thanks to Jody Hurley who spearheaded the whole organisation of this very successful event. The club produced a very well received souvenir programme for the occasion. The programme includes a welcome from chairman Sean Ward, a profile of Paddy Quinlan, the juvenile club Roll of Honour, the panels of the six competing teams and photos of the U-10, U-11, U-12 and U-14 teams. Only four copies of the programme are left. If you would like one contact Jody Hurley 086-2757208.
Minor
The minor hurlers made their exit from the championship when they lost out at home to Kildangan in the penultimate round of the championship on a 4-12 to 0-11 scoreline. They still have to play Toomevara, a game that will have a vital bearing on the points table. It is scheduled to take place on this Saturday in St. Michaels Park at 4.00pm. MacDonaghs had to line out without the services of Stephen Cleary while Kieran Cahill played, despite suffering from tonsillitis. They faced a formidable Kildangan side that included county minors Tadhg Gallagher and Jack Loughnane, with Alan Flynn, his twin brother and Tom McLoughlin, all having sampled senior fare with the Shannonsiders. The home team played into the scoreboard end in the first half, with a light wind at their backs. Kildangan had the better start and raised three green flags inside the opening quarter. The selectors moved Darragh Peters to full-back and this helped to stabilise the defence. MacDonaghs gave as good as they got for the second quarter and at the interval the visitors led on a 3-4 to 0-8 scoreline. The second half was very even and with less than five minutes to go only eight points separated the sides. However, Kildangan finished with a flourish, hitting 1-2 without reply to emerge deserving winners. The final score does scant justice to MacDonaghs who recovered from a poor start to give a very good account of themselves. Team: Niall Shinners, Bob Dooley Tomás Hogan, Brendan McAdams, Caolainn Conroy, Darragh Peters, Conor Austin, Jack Peters, Conor Cleary (0-2), Paddy Ryan (0-1), Aidan Boyle (0-1), Sean Cleary, Bob Dooley, Kieran Cahill (0-6) and Finnian Mannion. Subs: Mark Tierney and Conor Doheny.
Harty Cup
Jack Peters and Stephen Cleary lined out on the Nenagh C.B.S. team which was beaten by Thurles C.B.S. in the first round of the Harty Cup in Templemore. Niall Shinners and James Cleary were also on the panel. Unfortunately, Darragh Peters was ruled out with an injury he suffered in the U-16 semi-final. Hopefully, he will be fit to take his place in the crunch game against Middleton in two weeks time. Coláiste Chríost Rí (Cork) and Hamilton High School (Bandon) complete the group, with two to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Schools Football
Kilruane N.S. made their exit from the championship when they lost out to Scoil Eoin Roscrea in Toomevara. Kilruane trailed by six points at the interval but a goal on the restart by Roscrea consolidated their position and they drove on for a deserved victory. Team: Jack Dunne, Daniel Clarke, Kieran Spain, Louis Kennedy, Dylan Moran, Cormac Doheny, James Loughnane, Matthew Moyles, Shane McAteer, Jack Dunne, Conor Quinlan, Sam Darcy and Aaron Morgan. Subs: Tara Lillis, Ella Kennedy, Siofra Buckley, Ben Cahalan and Cormac Doheny.
U-21
The U-21s are waiting patiently to play Borris-Ileigh in the first round of the championship. The weekend of October 20th/21st looks like a possible date.
All-Stars
Brian O’Meara has been included in the list of nominees for the 2012 All-Stars. He is one nine candidates for the three places available on the full forward line. Mark O’Leary won the coveted All-Star accolade in 2001 when he was selected at right wing forward. In 1967 Len Gaynor received a Cuchulainn Award as left wing back. These unofficial awards, the forerunners of the All Stars, were under the auspices of the Gaelic Weekly magazine. The Cuchulainn awards were first presented in 1963 and ceased in 1967.
Sean Ghael
A Kilruane MacDonaghs clubman will be honoured at the annual Sean-Ghael Awards in The Dome Semple Stadium on Sunday November 18th. Former Munster Council Chairman Jimmy O’Gorman will be guest of honour. 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? The identity of the recipient cannot be revealed at this time. Keep watching this space!
Committee Meeting
The monthly meeting of the committee will be held in the clubroom on this 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. All committee members will receive a text reminder.
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 this 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, the Social Committee is organising a BBQ. Veggie burgers will be available for vegetarians. All are welcome.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting will be held in the clubroom on Friday December 7th at 8.00pm. It will be preceded by Mass for deceased members in Cloughjordan Church at 7.30pm.
Juvenile Roll of Honour
The Kilruane MacDonaghs club has amassed 48 county and 142 divisional titles. Out of that grand total of 190, the juvenile club has claimed 23 county and 62 North titles
All-Ireland Féile Runners-Up:
(2): 1980 and 1990
County Titles (23)
U-17 Hurling (1): 1971
U-16 Football (1): 2001 (B)
U-15 Hurling (5): 1944, ’59, ’62, ’64, ’70
U-14 Hurling (8): 1973,’78, ’80, ’89, ’90 (Rural) ’80 (Urban Rural), ’80 (Féile), 2012 (Féile)
U-12 Hurling (4): 1999 (B ), 2000 (B), 2010, 2011
U-12 Football (2): 1999 (C) & 2000 (B)
U-11 Hurling (2): 2009 (Community Games) & 2012 (Community Games)
North Titles (62)
U-17 Hurling (1): 1971
U-16 Hurling (5): 1973, ’80, ’91, 2002 & ’04
U-16 Football (4): 1991 (B), 2000 (B), ’01 (B) & 2002
U-15 Hurling (15): Rural 1943, ’44, ’51, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’64, ’68, ’70, ’71; Urban Rural ’62, ’64, ’68 & ’71
U-15 football (1): 1970
U-14 Hurling (18): Rural ’73, ’76,’78, ’80, ’85, ’89 & ’90; Urban Rural ’80, ’81 & ’90 , 2001 &, 2006; Féile 1980, 2001, 2006, 2009, 2011 & 2012
U-14 Football (5): 1994 (B), ’97 (C), ’98 (C), 2000 (B) & 2002
U-13 Hurling (1): 1970
U-13 Football (1): 1970
U-12 Hurling (7): 1978, ’79, ’97 (B), ’99 (B), 2000 (B), 2009 & 2010
U-12 Football (4 ): ’82, ‘ 99 (C), 2000 (B) & 2002 (B)
Senior Football
Niall O'Meara lined out on the Thomas MacDonaghs senior football team which defeated Fr. Kenyons in the North final, played in Dolla. Declan Barrett was introduced in the second half. They have now qualified for the county quarter-final.
