Under 21
The U21 hurlers will play Nenagh Éire Óg in the semi-final. This is expected to take place on the weekend of December 2nd. Last Saturday they travelled to Drombane and had a competitive challenge against Upperchurch. This game saw the return to action of Stephen Cleary. This weekend they have a game lined up in Galway.
Sean Ghael Award
Tom McLoughney was presented with his Sean Ghael Award at a function in the Dome Semple Stadium on last Sunday. Congratulations to Tom and to Pat Cleary Sedgemore who received a well deserved award for his contribution to handball.
Harty Cup
Jack and Darragh Peters lined out on the Nenagh C.B.S. team which defeated Coláiste Chríost Rí in Charleville on a 1-19 to 0-07 scoreline. James Cleary and Niall Shinners were also on the panel. Stephen Cleary was ruled out with injury. This win keeps Nenagh in the hunt for a quarter-final spot. They have a crucial game against Middleton, with victory essential.
Galway Final
Congratulations to Dinny Cahill who coached St. Thomas (Peterswell/Kilchreest) to their first senior victory in the Galway county final when they got the better of Loughrea. Dinny had previously guided Portumna to similar success. Loughrea were managed by Kildangan’s Eamon Kelly.
Handball
Congratulations to Jerome Cahill, Sean McAdams and Devlin Courtney who were part of the Tipperary 40x20 team of six which won the under 12/13 All-Ireland in the O’Loughlin Gaels club in Kilkenny. In the semi-final they overcame Leinster champions Kilkenny 90-29 and in the final they proved too strong for Ulster champions Monaghan.
Hurling Wall
Two floodlights are currently being erected at the hurling wall. The work should be finished this week. The lights will enhance the usage of the hurling wall and will be of great benefit to all our teams.
Players Forum
The County Board is organising a Players Forum in the Dome Semple Stadium on this Thursday night November 22nd at 8.00pm. Each club is expected to send two players (over 18).
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. All players and supporters are invited to attend. This is an opportunity for the ordinary club member to have a voice in shaping club policy.
County Draw
Congratulations to John Cahalan Ballyuskey, Ardcroney who won €200 in the weekly County Lotto.
Monster Sale of Work & Auction
The preparations for the Monster Sale of Work & Auction in the Thomas MacDonagh Complex on Sunday January 27th are gathering momentum. Reaction has been very positive and initial reports indicate that club members have been proactive in soliciting pledges of timber, turf, briquettes, farm produce, fodder, vouchers, cakes, buns, beer, spirits, electrical goods, furniture etc. All donations are very much appreciated and will be gratefully acknowledged. Club members, supporters and players are also asked to canvass their friends, neighbours and business acquaintances for any item big or small that can be sold or auctioned. An eminent tree surgeon will be trawling the parish to identify roadside trees which are safety hazards. The club will cut down these and remove the timber at no cost to the owners. Len Gaynor 086-3110657 is co-ordinating the timber operations so if you can donate a tree or a load of timber you can make contact with Len. The elite chainsaw gangs are primed for action and Len has also recruited some of the most lethal hatchet men in the parish who are sharpening their axes for the impending log splitting. On the day of the Sale of Work tea will be served, the ever popular Wheel of Fortune will be in operation and there will also be a raffle for a trailer of timber. Club members and supporters are reminded that this is a “Bring and Buy Sale”, so we hope everyone will make some contribution to the Sale or Auction and also buy something. “A lot of people doing a little and doing it well” will ensure that this venture will be an outstanding success.
County Board Meeting
A very important County Board meeting will be held on Tuesday November 27th to decide on the method of running the various championships for 2013. Len Gaynor will represent us at this crucial gathering. Prior to the County Board assembly, there will be a vital meeting of the North Board this week to discuss the championship motions which have been submitted to the County Board. This is one of the most important North Board meetings of the year and it is an opportunity for the club to have a say in the running of the championships. Our North Board delegates are George O’Leary and Dinny Reddan. The County Board has put forward proposals which suggest running the 2013 championship under the present system and a reduction in the number of senior teams to 24 by 2016. Under these proposals the North championship would be run on a knockout basis from 2014 onwards and the county championship would be played on a group system. The club has an open mind on the reduction of teams, which is being done on a much fairer basis than previously. However, it will vehemently oppose a knockout system for the divisional championship. It will be seeking a losers group.
County Bord na nÓg
The County Bord na nÓg Convention takes place on Tuesday December 4th. Two delegates will represent the MacDonaghs Juvenile Club at this meeting.
North Convention
The North Convention will be held on Monday December 10th. Delegates will be appointed at the AGM on Friday December 7th.
County Convention
The County Convention will be held in The Dome Semple Stadium on Monday December 17th. Delegates will be appointed at the AGM on Friday December 7th.
Compulsory Use of Mouthguards in Football
It will be mandatory to use a mouthguard in all football matches and training sessions from January 1st 2013 (for all age grades up to and including minor) and at U21 and Adult level from January 1st 2014. There are three types of mouthguards: Stock mouthguards are preformed and come ready to wear. Dentists do not recommend their use. Nonetheless, once they carry the CE (European Conformity) mark they are acceptable in terms of complying with the new GAA Rules. Boil and bite mouthguards can also be bought over the counter at most Sport Shops and generally offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. Typically this type of mouthguard will cost in the region of €15 to €20 and again any mouthguard with the CE mark on it in this category is sufficient to ensure compliance with the new rule. Custom-fitted mouthguards are individually designed and made in a dental office or a professional laboratory based on your dentist's instructions. These will offer the best protection against dental and oral injury. Prices can vary significantly and it is worth seeking and comparing prices from a number of practitioners before deciding to purchase. There will be a range of official GAA/GPA mouthguards available to purchase in December. Further information on these products will be circulated to clubs in late November.
1940 North Final Victory
In the 1940 North Senior Final MacDonaghs defeated Kildangan in Borrisokane on 2-5 to 3-1 scoreline. This song was penned to celebrate that great achievement:
The Gallant MacDonaghs
Hurrah! for the gallant MacDonaghs, they are coming back again
Sing it in the hillside, sing it in the glen
The boys from Ardcroney, Cloughjordan and Kilruane
Have defeated Kildangan and the North Tipp cup they won
All through the season such hurling you ne’er did see
As when they defeated Nenagh, Roscrea and Borris-Ileigh
But in all these hard fought matches the most exciting game
Was when they defeated Kildangan and brought honours on their name.
Jack Dwan the goalie was as solid as rock
Bevans, Rohan, O’Meara could withstand any shock
Paddy Peters and Tom Williams, their opponents they outran
And leave it to Jack Meara, the famous “Iron Man”.
Des Dwan and Jimmy Waters are well known to us all
It’s a rare sight to see how they can drive the ball,
Our forwards are like greyhounds, a very speedy set
And no matter where they get the ball, it’s sure to hit the net.
Skehan, Darcy and O’Meara kept the goalie wide awake
If one of them gets the ball the net is sure to shake
Mick Heffernan and Johnny Dunne can send them o’er the bar
But our mid-field man Johnny Kennedy is MacDonaghs brightest star.
They are the pride of North Tipperary; they are the topic of the day
We’ll follow them in thousands no matter where they play
This year they will rise again and more laurels they will win
And we’ll carry shoulder high once more, the brave MacDonaghs men.
Sympathy
The club would like to extend its sympathy to the Doherty family Roscrea on the death of Niall Doherty.
