Senior
Our 1-18 to 1-17 hard-earned victory over Borris-Ileigh in the second round of the County championship in Dolla keeps us in the hunt for a qualification spot. In the first half, Borris-Ileigh had the aid of the breeze. Every ball was fiercely contested, and no soft frees were given. At the interval, Borris-Ileigh led by 0-11 to 0-6. In the first minute of the second half, Niall O’Meara, now operating at full-forward, rounded his marker and planted the sliotar in the net. Two minutes later, MacDonaghs were turned over in defence and conceded a penalty, which Eddie Ryan converted. The Magpies responded to this setback with a pointed free from Willie Cleary and a monster point from downtown by Craig Morgan. From here to the end, it was a battle royale. In the 58th minute, a Willie Cleary free put Kilruane on level terms for the first time since the fourth minute. Two minutes later, Cian Darcy raised a white flag to put MacDonaghs ahead. An Eddie Ryan free levelled the game as we headed down the home stretch. In the 62nd minute, Niall O’Meara won a free in the left corner, and Willie Cleary showed nerves of steel as he bisected the posts from an acute angle to score the winning point. Borris-Ileigh went in search of the equaliser but were kept at bay.
Team: Páidí Williams, James Cleary (0-1), Kieran Cahill, Eoin Hogan, Paddy Ryan, Craig Morgan (0-1), Aaron Morgan, Jerome Cahill (0-1), Conor Austin (0-1), Willie Cleary (0-8, 0-7 frees), Kian O’Kelly, Niall O’Meara (1-0), Sean McAdams (0-1), Thomas Cleary (0-3), Cian Darcy (0-2). Sub: James Williams.
Toomevara will provide the opposition in the final game with all the teams in the group still in contention.
U19
In the first round of the championship, we had a 3-18 to 1-13 away victory over Newport.
With our defence excelling, we dominated the opening twenty minutes and led by 2-7 to 0-4 with the goals coming from Jack Mulcahy and Brian O’Meara. Newport got a grip on the game as halftime approached and hit 1-2 without reply to leave the score 2-7 to 1-6 in our favour at the interval. On the restart, a Newport point cut the deficit to three with a pointed free. The sides swopped points before MacDonaghs hit three on the spin from Cormac Kennedy, Michael Cleary and Tommy O’Meara to put us 2-11 to 1-8 ahead. Brian Tobin pointed a free for Newport. MacDonaghs hit a purple patch with three scores on the trot. Michael Cleary slotted over a point, and a great team goal followed after Ray Quinlivan and Brian O’Meara created the opportunity for Michael Cleary. Brian O’Meara tacked on a point to leave the scoreboard reading 3-13 to 1-9. Newport fought hard to bridge the gap, but outstanding defending by the Kilruane backs ensured that a second goal was not conceded.
Team: Tom Austin (Capt), Danny Cahalan, Cathal England, Cian Hayes, Paul Molloy, Eamonn Coonan, Shane Cleary (0-1), Tommy Burriss, Cian Moyles, Tommy O’Meara (0-2), Jack Mulcahy (1-2), Cillian Healy (0-2), Cormac Kennedy (0-1), Brian O’Meara (1-3), Michael Cleary (1-7, 0-2 frees). Sub: Ray Quinlivan.
Thanks to Liam Grace, who obliged by doing the First Aid. In the second round, we play Lorrha Rovers in MacDonagh Park this Wednesday, 14th August, at 7.30pm.
Minor
In the quarter-final, we play the winners of the Kiladangan and Ballina game on Monday, 19th August.
U15
The ‘A’ team qualified for the semi-final with an away victory over Nenagh in the playoff. Nenagh, assisted by the breeze in the first half, led 0-8 to 1-4 at the interval. MacDonaghs shaded the second half to emerge winners.
Team: Dara Gaynor, James Gould, Tadhg Teefey, Mark Cleary, Karl Ryan, Tommy Gaynor, Kallen Grace, Culann Haverty, Jack O’Meara, Senan O’Leary, Hugo Healy, Tom Campbell, Gerard O’Looney, Lukah Williams, Tarla Doris. Subs: Michael Hutchinson, Oisín Carroll, Shane O’Meara. The semi-final is scheduled for Thursday, 29th August.
The ‘C’ team were just edged out by Newport in Lacken Park in the second round of the championship. This is an 11-a-side competition, but both teams agreed to play 13-a-side. The teams were level at the break: MacDonaghs 0-8, Newport 1-5. In the second half, the home team took their chances and were deserving winners.
Team: Shane O’Meara, Sean Whelan, Odhran Goulding, Harry Gannon, Conor McGrath, Arman Khan Wahid, Dylan Hussey Sheahan, Shane Carroll, Rory McLoughney, Emmet Dwyer, James Last, Ciaran Foote, Daniel O’Brien.
U13
In the ‘D’ quarter-final, we are away to Newport this Wednesday, 14th August, at 7.00pm. The ‘C’ team has qualified for the semi-final, which is scheduled for Tuesday, 20th August.
Camogie
Congratulations to Amy Quinlisk, Laura Shinners and the Tipperary junior camogie team on their victory over Laois in the All-Ireland final.
MacDonagh Park
We hosted the Nenagh and Lorrha senior game last Saturday evening. The pitch was in its usual pristine condition. Thanks to the stewards, who ensured that everything ran smoothly. Thanks to JP McKenna, who made his field available to us as a backup parking facility.
Lotto
The jackpot stands at €4,800. 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 is now a very attractive €1,800.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Elizabeth McAvinchey (née Cahill), Kilruane.
