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Senior

A 1-19 to 0-16 victory over Éire Óg Annacarty in the third round of the County championship in Dolla secured a place in the knockout stages of the competition. A ten-point victory for Toomevara over Killenaule the previous evening clarified the mathematics of the situation. A one-point win for the Magpies would ensure third spot in the group and a place in the Dan Breen Cup in 2019 as a third seed. A four point-victory would put MacDonaghs into second spot a situation that had looked highly improbable after the defeat to Killenaule in the second round. A defeat would consign them to a relegation dogfight to preserve Roinn 1 Status for 2019. There was a danger that the team might fall among multiple stools but the management avoided focussing on scoring difference and concentrated on winning the game.

Before the ball was thrown-in the Magpies suffered a severe blow when Seamus Hennessy failed a fitness test in the warm-up. Tomás Hogan was drafted in as a replacement. Billy O’Shea and his management team redeployed their forces for this encounter. A whole new half backline took the field with Niall O’Meara in the centre, flanked by Justin Cahill and Craig Morgan. This trio were very influential in the game and a defence which had looked very porous against Killenaule was rock solid on this occasion. Behind them Thomas Williams made a superb reflex save in the second half when the game was in the melting pot — one of the turning points of this encounter. Annacarty were only to score six points from play with the remainder coming from placed balls (2 from 65s & 8 frees). Indeed, throughout the 68 minutes that were played the defence was very disciplined. However, we did concede some lazy frees in the midfield and half-forward areas.

MacDonaghs, playing with the aid of the breeze, started brightly as Conor Cleary and Jerome Cahill fired over points. Darragh Mooney opened Annacarty’s account with a monster free from about 90 metres in the fourth minute. After sixteen minutes MacDonaghs led by 0-8 to 0-3. The Westerners then struck a purple patch. They hit four points on the trot, including their first point from play in the 21st minute. MacDonaghs lead was now down to the minimum but Justin Cahill steadied the ship when he floated over a point from the stand side. Cian Darcy chipped in with two more points before Annacarty finished the scoring for the half with a point from a free. Half-Time: MacDonaghs 0-11 Annacarty 0-8.

In the opening minute of the second half Annacarty pointed from play and MacDonaghs had a fight on their hands. Cian Darcy was on target from a free but an Annacarty point from play cut the deficit to three again. Cian Darcy fired over one from play before Darragh Mooney launched another monster point from a free. MacDonaghs then moved up a gear and scored 1-4 without reply. Cian Darcy smashed home the goal that was created by Brian O’Meara. Buggy provided great leadership at this stage. He scored a point, won a free that was converted by Cian and was the ideal target man since his introduction before the interval. The Magpies now had an eight-point cushion but three points in a row for Annacarty made for a nervous finish as all and sundry now became aware of the importance of score difference. In an extended eight -minute period of added time MacDonaghs kept their composure and held on for a six-point victory.

Team: Thomas Williams, Stephen Cleary, Darragh Peters, Eoin Hogan, Justin Cahill (0-2), Niall O’Meara, Craig Morgan, James Cleary, Conor Cleary (0-1), Jerome Cahill (0-2), Kieran Cahill (0-3), Tomás Hogan, Sean McAdams, Thomas Cleary and Cian Darcy (1-10, 0-5 from frees). Subs: Brian O’Meara (0-1), Eoin Williams, Seamus Hennessy and Conor Lillis.

 

Minor

The North ‘B’ final between Kilruane MacDonaghs and Silvermines takes place in Nenagh on this Sunday, 9th September at 1.30pm. Supporters are asked converge on MacDonagh Park Nenagh as our team, depleted by injury and suspension, take on the favourites.

 

Under 14

The 155th divisional title came to the parish when MacDonaghs saw off the determined challenge of Newport to claim the North ‘B’ championship with a 4-5 to 1-7 victory in Puckane.  The Magpies got the ideal start when Danny Cahalan raised a green flag and Jack Mulcahy followed up with a point in the early minutes. Newport gradually found their feet and by the 16th minute had cut the lead to a point. MacDonaghs began to get a grip on the game once more in the second quarter and in the last minute of the half Oisín Williams scored a great goal to leave the interval score 2-5 to 0-4 in favour of the boys in black and white. Newport carried the fight to MacDonaghs in the third quarter and 1-2 from frees reduced the gap to two. The Magpies rose to the challenge and goals from Eoin Carroll in 38th minute and from Oisín Williams in the 41st minute put enough daylight between the sides and the Kilruane defence held firm in the closing minutes.  After the game Brendan Shanahan, Chairman of North Tipperary Coiste na nÓg, presented the trophy to captain Tom Larke. Manager Alan Carroll, coach Jimmy Cahill along with selectors Martin Cahalan, Niall Shinners and Jack Peters have put in huge amount of work with this team that has now completed the Championship/Féile double.

Team: Zack Dervan, David Persse, Sean Hayes, Eoin O’Neill, Ross Austin, Tom Larke, Eamon Coonan, Eoin Carroll (1-1), Tadhg O’Brien, Oisín Williams (2-1), Jack Mulcahy (0-2), Jack Gleeson (0-1), Danny Cahalan (1-0), Conal Daly and Thomas Coonan. Subs: Cathal England, Billy Harty, Tristan Madden, Andrew Hayes and John Quinlisk.

 On next Saturday, 8th September they face Cahir in the County semi-final in Boherlahan at 1.30pm.

 

Under 12

On last Saturday MacDonaghs participated in the annual Joe Donnelly tournament in Moneygall.  In the group stages we overcame Moneygall and Roscrea and lost to Newport. The two victories secured a passage to the final where we lost to Moneygall on a 2-2 to 1-2 scoreline. Thanks to Moneygall for the invitation to participate and for their hospitality on the day.

 

Under 8

A cohort of thirty-two players made the journey to Lacken Park last Saturday to participate in a Blitz with the home club Newport and Murroe-Boher. We fielded four teams in a very enjoyable morning’s hurling.

 

Under 6

The U6 team also travelled to Newport to play the home side on Saturday.

 

Paddy Quinlan Tournament

MacDonagh Park was a hive of activity Saturday evening for the annual Paddy Quinlan tournament. Participating clubs were Boherlahan-Dualla, Borrisokane, Kiladangan and Kilruane MacDonaghs. In the U10 semi-finals Kiladangan edged out Boherlahan with MacDonaghs getting the better of Borrisokane. This set up the Cup final between Kiladangan and MacDonaghs. This was an excellent game with the home team having the advantage at the half way point. Kiladangan started the second half very well but led by inspirational captain Tommy O’Meara it was MacDonaghs who carried the day on a 2-4 to 1-2 scoreline. In the Plate final Borrisokane edged out Boherlahan. In the U9 Shield final Boherlahan and Kilruane did battle. A strong first half laid the foundation for MacDonaghs victory. Oisín Carroll was captain of this team who have now won three tournaments this year. We had three able referees in Matt Cleary, Louis Kennedy and Michael Cahill. John Quinlan presented medals to all the players that participated. Afterwards everybody enjoyed refreshments. Thanks to parents for supplying food and looking after catering and to Yvonne Kennedy for providing the match programmes. Finally, thanks to the Quinlan family for their continued support of this tournament.

 

Meeting

A meeting of the club committee will be held on this Thursday, 6th September at 8.30pm. All committee members are requested to attend.

 

Fly the Colours

With the minors in the North final on this Sunday and the seniors expected to be in action in the North final on Sunday, 16th September it is time to get the colours flying. While the management and players on both teams will be totally focussed on their preparations we hope that supporters will paint the parish black and white to show the players and management that we are backing them to the hilt. We encourage all our supporters to fly the colours from their homes and cars. Subsidised flags (€5) and car flags (€1) are available in Austin’s, Cloughjordan and Sullivan’s Shop, Ardcroney.

 On this Saturday it is planned to decorate Cloughjordan Village with the black and white. We need as many volunteers as possible to assemble at MacDonagh Park at 9.00am. Many hands make light work. No previous experience is necessary. Onsite training will be provided.