Kilruane MacDonaghs News
Club Calendar
Club president Tom Cleary launched the Kilruane MacDonaghs 2012 calendar last Friday night in the clubroom. It contains a varied selection of photographs from 2011, including the U-10, U-12, U-14, U-21 teams and U-14 camogie team. It also features some stunning action shots from past and present games. The calendar, which costs €10, makes an ideal festive gift for those both home and away. The calendar is on sale in the local shops and is also available from any committee member.
Best Wishes
The Kilruane MacDonaghs U-8 panel and management send best wishes to Sean Williams Bricana who is recuperating after a spell in hospital.
Jim Donnelly R.I.P.
The death has taken place of Jim Donnelly Southill. In the New Year Kilruane MacDonaghs will celebrate the diamond jubilee of the U-15 hurlers’ victory in the 1951 North Final. Sadly, the passing of Jim Donnelly means that one less member of the side will congregate in the clubhouse to commemorate MacDonaghs third title in that grade. This was an outstanding team which was to supply some great players to the Kilruane MacDonaghs senior teams in the late fifties and early sixties. One of the stars of the ’51 juvenile team was centre back Jim Donnelly. He was superb in the earlier victories against Lorrha, Shannon Rovers and Kildangan and had a tremendous game in the final against Moneygall. The Nenagh Guardian reported that ‘the MacDonaghs half- back line of Gaynor, Donnelly and Cleary was the rock upon which all attacks perished.’ There was no county championship that year so Jim was denied an opportunity to add a coveted medal. He progressed on to the minor team and seemed destined for a promising career in the green and gold of MacDonaghs. However, Ireland in the fifties was a land of limited opportunity and like many of his compatriots Jim was forced to cross the Irish Sea to seek employment. He headed to Manchester in his teens and spent thirty three years there. Jim lived within walking distance of Old Trafford and became an avid United fan. His return to Kilruane in 1975 coincided with a golden era for MacDonaghs and Jim savoured the many victories at both divisional and county level, culminating in the All-Ireland club triumph in 1986. He was a loyal and faithful follower of Kilruane. In all grades and in all kinds of weather he supported the club through thick and thin. Jim was also steadfast in backing the blue and gold of Tipperary and revelled in recent successes. He is fondly remembered by his colleagues who regarded him as one of the lynchpins of the 1951 team. His coffin was draped in club colours and an impressive guard of honour, comprised of past and present club members, flanked the funeral cortege. Jim was predeceased by his wife Joan. To his son Paul, his daughters Maggie and Ann and his extended family sincere sympathy is extended. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.
