Senior Hurling
The senior hurlers had a seven point win against Borrisokane in the first round of the county championship. This was a very satisfactory victory considering ten of the panel was unavailable for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, the win inflicted unavoidable collateral damage to the junior team with the promotion of Eanna Hogan and Thomas Cleary. The second round is expected to take place this weekend.
U-14 Hurling
The U-14 hurlers qualified for the North final with a 4-10 to 0-5 home win against Toomevara. A brace of goals from Kevin Shinners in the second and sixteenth minutes helped set MacDonaghs on the road to victory. Centre forward Darragh Peters was a constant threat and he hit six first half points including four from play. At the break Kilruane led on a 2-7 to 0-2 scoreline. On the resumption any hopes of a Toomevara revival were dashed with goals from Rory McCarthy and Craig Morgan. For the remainder of the game the sides cancelled each other out and MacDonaghs head into the final after a three year gap. Team: Niall Shinners, Willie Ryan, Kieran Brereton, Martin Grace, Conor Lillis, Cian Darcy (0-1), Brendan McAdams, Jerome Cahill, James Cleary, Craig Morgan (1-0), Darragh Peters (0-7), Declan Elderfield, Tommy Dooley, Rory McCarthy (1-2) and Kevin Shinners (2-0). Subs: Sean Quinlan, Cormac Mannion and John Blagdon. On Sunday morning they had a very useful challenge against Kilmacud Crokes coming out on top on a 2-8 to 2-7 scoreline.
U-12 Hurling
The U-12 hurlers qualified for the North final after a 1-8 to 2-2 home victory against Roscrea. This was a great contest between two evenly matched sides. MacDonaghs had a four point advantage at the interval with the score 1-4 to 1-0 in their favour. On the restart Roscrea reduced the deficit with a point before a Devlin Courtney restored the four point gap. Luke Dervan was on target with two frees and a 65 to extend the home side’s lead. Roscrea hauled themselves back into the game with a goal and a point to leave just three between the teams. In an exciting finish the Kilruane stood firm to book a place in the final. Jerome Cahill and Craig Morgan were outstanding for the winners and they got good support from Tommy Dooley and Mark O Neill. Luke Dervan took his goal well and was very accurate from placed balls. Kilruane lacked penetration in front of goals and the selectors may opt to site Craig Morgan on the edge of the square for the final. Team: Mark O Neill, Tommy Dooley, Jack Dunne, Jerome Cahill (0-2), Eoghan Mulcahy, Craig Morgan, Ben Healy, Devlin Courtney (0-1), Sean McAdams, Luke Dervan (1-4) and Dylan Moran (0-1).
In the B semi-final Roscrea proved to be too strong for Kilruane and qualified for the final. The home side played with great heart and commitment but had to give way to a very useful Roscrea outfit. Team; Seamus O Meara, Jack Dwan, Daniel Clarke, Patrick Hayes, Nathan Ryan, Owen Usman, Joseph Donnelly, Kevin Oakley, Alan Spain, Conor McDonald and Matthew Spain. Sub: Pearse Cahalan.
U-16 Hurling
The U-16 hurlers lost out at home to Toomevara on a 4-12 to 1-11 scoreline. Tomas Hogan was unavailable and Aidan Boyle is a long term absentee. The damage was done in the first half when Toomevara struck four goals. Stephen Cleary was moved to full back and this helped to stabilise the defence. However, despite an improved second half performance Kilruane couldn’t bridge the gap. The next game is away to Newport on this Monday July 25th. Team: Anthony Spillane, Ciaran Spillane, Conor Austin, Willie Ryan, Kieran Brereton, Stephen Cleary, Jack Farrell, Sean Cleary, Bob Dooley, Kieran Lillis, Conor Cleary, Cormac Boyle, James Cleary, John Healy and Darragh Peters. Subs: Conor Kelly, Conor Doheny and Niall Shinners.
U-8 Hurling
The U-8 hurlers participated in the Kildangan blitz last Saturday. They had had good wins against the host team and Toomevara. Thanks to Kildangan for the invitation.
Sympathy
The club would like to extend its sympathy to the Kenneally family Ballinakill on the death of Shane Kenneally and to Eithne Cleary Ardcroney on the death of her father Sean Flaherty.
