Junior

Our ‘C’ team began the championship with a 0-16 to 0-11 away victory over Lorrha. On a balmy evening, referee Philip Shanahan wisely decided to reintroduce the water breaks, a decision that was warmly welcomed by the players. MacDonaghs played into the road end in the first half. Lorrha drew first blood with a pointed free in the opening minute. In the fifth minute, David Williams levelled matters from a free. The Magpies hit a purple patch reeling off four points without reply before the water break, three from David O’Sullivan and one from Pat Williams. Lorrha improved in the second quarter, and at the break, we led 0-10 to 0-5.

Playing into the “scoring goal” in the second half, Lorrha began to enjoy a greater share of possession. At the second water break, our advantage had been cut to three points. After the pitstop for refuelling, Lorrha tacked on two points, and the signs looked ominous for MacDonaghs with just a point between the sides. However, Kilruane stemmed the tide and scored four points in a row, three from pointed David Williams frees and one from Diarmuid Cahill, to chisel out a hard-earned victory.

Team: Alan Quinlan, Fergus England, Martin Grace, David Mooney, Cormac Williams (0-2, 0-1 free), Shane Williams, Stephen Cleary, Finnian Mannion, Diarmuid Cahill (0-2), Shane Whelan, Pat Williams (0-2), David O’Sullivan (0-5, 0-2 frees), Eoin O’Meara, David Williams (0-4 frees), Conor Quinlan (0-1). Subs: Sean Hayes, Andrew Brennan.

We have two group games left against Borris-Ileigh and Silvermines.

 

U19

In the semi-final, we lost 3-13 to 0-14 against Kiladangan in MacDonagh Park. The visitors led 1-7 to 0-8 at the interval. A brace of converted penalties in the second half tilted the balance in favour of Kiladangan, who were deserving winners.

Team: Tom Austin, Cathal England, Danny Cahalan, Cian Hayes, Paul Molloy, Eamonn Coonan, Sean Hayes, Shane Cleary, Brian O’Meara (0-1), Tristan Madden (0-1), Cian Moyles (0-1), Andrew Hayes, Jack Mulcahy, Eoin Carroll (0-9, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65) Michael Cleary (0-2). Subs: Cillian Healy, Ray Quinlivan.

Next on the agenda is the County semi-final of the football championship.

 

U17

In the ‘A’ semi-final, we play Moneygall/Clonakenny this Thursday, 7th September, in Roscrea at 6.15pm. Please head to Roscrea to support this team who face a herculean challenge without the services of the injured Cian Moyles.

 

U13

Last Saturday, as the fog cleared over the Silvermines mountains, familiar foes Kilruane MacDonaghs and Toomevara renewed their ancient rivalry in Dolla with the North U13 ‘D’ title up for grabs. The Magpies were attempting to retain their crown while the Greyhounds were seeking their first title in this competition. Kilruane dominated possession throughout the game but found it difficult to translate their superiority into scores. Ciaran Foote got the scoreboard ticking in the third minute when he fired over a point. A minute later, Theo Dunne was on target from a free to draw Toomevara level. MacDonaghs seized the initiative in the twelfth minute when Shane Carroll raised a green flag and a second goal a minute later from Rory McLoughney extended the advantage to seven. Ciaran Foote split the posts for his second point before Theo Dunne slotted over his second point from a free. Jack Ryan pointed just before the interval to leave the score 2-3 to 0-2 in favour of MacDonaghs.

 

Scores were at a premium in the second half. The Kilruane defence put up the shutters and held Toomevara scoreless in this period. At the other end, points from Rory McLoughney and Ciaran Foote (2) gave the Magpies a ten-point cushion at the final whistle. After the game, Martin Carroll, Chairman North Tipperary Coiste na nÓg, presented the trophy to captain Odhran Goulding.

It was a team effort to retain the title. Goalkeeper Mark Gaynor kept a clean sheet and dealt capably with everything that came his way. Odhran Goulding and Rian Harte were rock solid on the fullback line. Colin Gaynor was very conspicuous in the centre of the defence and mopped an amount of ball. On the wing, Robert Cleary effected many fine clearances while on the other side Sean Whelan ensured that neither ball nor man passed him. In the middle of the park, Isaac Hussey Sheahan did a crucial man-marking job, and his contribution was instrumental in the victory. His partner, Shane Carroll, supplied good quality ball to the forwards and scored the goal that helped turn the game in our favour. At centre-forward, Harry Gannon battled for every ball, although he was pitted against one of Toomevara’s best players. Liam Dollery showed some deft touches on the wing, while on the other side, Rory McLoughney can be very satisfied with his tally of 1-1. Jack Ryan was very industrious at both corner and centre-forward and chipped in with a valuable point. Ciaran Foote was in fine form on the edge of the square and was joint top scorer with four points from play. Substitutes Liam Killackey, Daniel O’Brien, Aidan Fahey, Luke Flannery and Ben Sheils were all introduced in the second half. James Last, Tom Hannan, Cathal McLoughney and Sam Harding were also on the panel.

Scorers: Ciaran Foote (0-4), Rory McLoughney (1-1), Shane Carroll (1-0), Jack Ryan (0-1).

 

In the ‘A’ final, Nenagh stood in the way of a second successive title for MacDonaghs. All championship winning teams are built on the foundations of a solid defence, and the Kilruane MacDonaghs 2023 U13 team was no exception to this. “Defences win matches, forwards decide by how much” is an old sporting maxim that is as true to today as it ever was. Last Saturday’s ‘B‘ final went to extra time, and the long wait for the start of the ‘A’ final did little to calm the nerves.

 

Conditions were perfect, with MacDonaghs playing into the “scoring goal” with a light breeze at their backs. Nenagh settled quicker and were on the front foot from the start, but the Kilruane defence was resolute and repelled the early attacks. In the sixth minute, Michael Hutchinson cut in from the right wing and sent the sliotar over the black spot to open the Magpies account. A minute later, Senan O’Leary, who was having a great tussle with a Nenagh full-back Ronan Quinn, raised his first white flag of the day. Nenagh got off the mark in the ninth minute with a pointed free. Kilruane responded with points from Tarla Doris and Senan O’Leary. A brace of Nenagh points cut the gap to one before MacDonaghs replied with three points in a row from Lukah Williams (a superb effort from a long range free), Senan O’Leary and Michael Hutchinson. Then Nenagh had their purple patch with three points on the trot to leave the minimum between the sides. Lukah Williams lofted over a 65 in the 29th minute, and a Nenagh point on the stroke of halftime left the scoreboard reading 0-8 to 0-7 in favour of Kilruane at the interval.

 

It might be an exaggeration to say that this game was won during the interval but only a slight exaggeration. The Kilruane management put their heads together and decided to redeploy their forces. Lukah Williams was moved to midfield in an attempt to counteract the Nenagh puckouts, and Jack O’Meara was switched to centre-forward to lead the attack. Both moves couldn’t have worked any better. Lukah Williams hoovered up an amount of ball in the middle of the park while Jack O’Meara thundered into the game in his new role.

 

The third quarter in a game is often referred to as the moving quarter, and when Conor Doyle threw in the ball for the second half, MacDonaghs seized the initiative. Jack O’Meara exploded into action. He scored the crucial goal three minutes into the half and added two points for good measure. Senan O’Leary was winning his personal duel and kept the scoreboard ticking with some delightful points. In a fifteen minute period, MacDonaghs reeled off 1-7 before Nenagh opened their second half account. Nenagh kept battling away and refused to throw in the towel, but the Magpies defence was heroic. The hooking and blocking by our players all over the field was a joy to behold.

Shane O’Meara was inspirational in the number one jersey and made some outstanding saves. The Kilruane defence was finally breached in the 25th minute of the half when Nenagh they found the net from a 20m free. MacDonaghs responded immediately with a goal straight from the training ground. Senan O’Leary won a quality ball on the inside line. He offloaded to Lukah Williams, who came steaming through the middle, and Lukah buried it in the net. As the umpire was raising the green flag, word was sent to light the bonfire at Kyle Cross. It was a great victory over an excellent Nenagh side. After the game, Martin Carroll presented the trophy to captain Lukah Williams.  

Every player made a valuable contribution to this victory. Shane O’Meara was outstanding between the sticks and will surely receive an All-Star nomination after pulling off a string of brilliant saves. Tadhg Teefey was like a young Brian Lohan at full-back. He had the courage and conviction to play his man from the front like the legendary Clare number three. Beside him, the tenacious Ben Williams stuck to his opponent like a leech. Mark Cleary  anchored the defence at centre-back like a veteran. It was his best performance for two years, and he effected some outstanding blocks that lifted his colleagues and the supporters. On the flanks, Cian O’Looney and Dylan Hussey Sheahan conceded height advantage but little else. Dylan drew the short straw in the first half against a physically imposing opponent, but he stuck manfully to his task. Cian went on to the left wing in the second half. He revelled in the challenge and emerged from ruck after ruck with the sliotar in his fist.

Jack O’Meara took the game by the scruff of the neck in the third quarter, and his rampaging runs opened up the Nenagh defence. Tiarnan Casey has an engine like a Ferrari, and he battled relentlessly throughout the game. He was going as strong at the finish as he had been at the first whistle.

Captain Lukah Williams led by example at both centre-forward and midfield. This year, he has made a smooth transition from the defence into the attack. The Hutchinson clan made a valuable contribution to successful club teams in the 70s and 80s. At right wing-forward, Michael Hutchinson continued the fine family tradition. He fired over two valuable points in the first half when the game was delicately balanced. On the other wing, Tarla Doris was outstanding from beginning to the end. He always looked comfortable on the ball and invariably took the right decision. Senan O’Leary raised eight white flags from play and added a point from a free. He got nothing soft from the Nenagh defence, so his tally is all the more praiseworthy. Although Paul Williams didn’t feature on the scoresheet, his role was central to our attacking strategy. Sacrificing his own game by playing out wide, he helped create the space for Senan O’Leary. When Ronan Hayes was introduced, he threw himself into the thick of the action. On this occasion, Conn Foley and Tommy Ryan didn’t get the nod from the selectors, but had they been introduced, their presence would not have weakened the team.

Scorers: Senan O’Leary (0-9, 0-1 free), Lukah Williams (1-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 65), Jack O’Meara (1-2), Michael Hutchinson (0-2), Tarla Doris (0-1).

 

The management team of Martin O’Looney, Mark O’Leary, Aidan Ryan, Matt Cleary, Liam Grace, Michael Dollery, Enda McLoughney and John O’Meara have provided quality coaching to both teams and this was very much in evidence in Dolla on Saturday. The County semi-finals  are scheduled for this Saturday in Templederry. The ‘D’ team take on Holycross Ballycahill at 11.00am, and the ‘A’ team play Durlas Óg at 12.00pm. We hope to see massive support there for these teams. They deserve it.

 

U9

This panel of players had a fantastic time in Semple Stadium last Saturday. They got a tour of the Stadium and had the opportunity to play on the hallowed sod. Thanks to the mentors and parents who looked after the players.

 

U7

Last Saturday, we hosted Burgess for an enjoyable morning’s hurling. We fielded three teams with twenty-one players involved. Thanks to Burgess for travelling.

 

Lotto

The jackpot next week will be €3,900. Tickets are available from the usual outlets, or you can play on Club Spot. Thanks for your continued support.

 

Bingo

The weekly Bingo session continues on Saturday night in the Fr. O’Meara Centre, Kilruane at 8.00pm. The jackpot has now climbed to €1,500.