County League
In the first round of the county league the senior hurlers travelled to Holycross but lost out on a 2-14 to 0-16 scoreline. The home side were dominant in the opening half, with the score 2-9 to 0-7 in their favour at the break. A number of positional changes and a few changes in personnel helped to improve matters. MacDonaghs finished strongly but paid the price for a lethargic first half. With the championship looming ever nearer on April 8th, it is obvious that many positions are still up for grabs. Team: David Reddan, Diarmuid Cahill, Murty Walsh, Eanna Hogan, Willie Cleary, Kevin Ryan, Justin Cahill (0-1), Niall O’Meara, Jonathan Cahill, Kevin Quinlan (0-1), Thomas Cleary (0-3), Pat Conway, Brian O’Meara (0-8 incl 4f & 1 line ball), and Mikey Costello. Subs: Freddie Williams, Shane Quinlan, Liam Gibson (0-1), Eoin Williams and Kieran Cahill. The next game is away to Lorrha on this Sunday at 2.30pm.
U-16 Football
The U-16 footballers lost out to Borris-Ileigh, under lights, on a 4-4 to 2-7 scoreline. They were slow to settle and the home team had 2-2 on the board before Cian Darcy got MacDonaghs off the mark with a point from a free. They grew in confidence as the half progressed, reducing the deficit to four at the break, with the score 2-3 to 0-5. On the resumption, Borris-Ileigh struck for another goal but Tom Dooley replied with a similar score after a sweeping Kilruane move. A fortuitous goal for Borris-Ileigh seemed to hand them the initiative but MacDonaghs upped their game and Declan Elderfield finished to the net from close range. Kilruane dominated the remainder of the game and were unfortunate on numerous occasions to see both the crossbar and the post intervene to prevent certain scores. Three points separated the sides at the finish, with the visitors desperately unlucky not to come away with something from the game. Team: Cormac Boyle, Ciaran Spillane, Jack Farrell, Willie Ryan, Brendan McAdams, Darragh Peters, Caolainn Conroy, Kieran Lillis, Cian Darcy (1-5), Niall Shinners, Declan Elderfield, Conor Doheny (0-1), James Cleary (0-1), Conor Kelly and Tom Dooley (1-0). Subs: Conor Lillis, Kevin Shinners, Rory McCarthy and Aaron Conroy.
All-Ireland Semi-Final
Stephen Cleary and Darragh Peters lined out on the Nenagh CBS team which defeated St. Kierans Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Colleges A semi-final. Jack Peters was injured and unable to fill his customary position of centre-back. Hopefully, he will be fit for the final.
Colleges Hurling
Eanna Hogan captained Mary Immaculate College Limerick to win the division two Higher Education championship. In the final, played in Belfield, they overcame UUJ on a scoreline of 3-18 to 1-8, thereby completing the league and championship double. Eoin Hogan Burgess, Paddy Gallagher Kildangan, Maher Thurles Sarsfields and Sean Hickey Sean Treacys were also on the team.
U-21 Football
Commiserations to Niall O’Meara who played at centre-back on the Tipperary U-21 football team which lost out to Kerry in the Munster championship.
The Clash Without The Ash
Well done to the twenty two boxers from Kilruane MacDonaghs and Toomevara who provided exhilarating entertainment in ‘The Clash Without The Ash’ in the Ormond Hotel on St. Patrick’s Eve. Tickets were completely sold out and the proceeds exceeded all expectations. Thanks to Stephen Dalton who coached all the boxers, in the joint training sessions, for the last six weeks. Both clubs would also like to thank their supporters and sponsors, Cathal O’Grady of Whitecollarboxing.ie, the management of Maximus, The Guardian, Dermot Kinnane and anybody who helped in any way to make this venture such a resounding success. The Kilruane MacDonaghs club would like to thank in particular our eleven boxers: Kieran Nevin, Marcey Keogh, Mark O’Leary, Eamonn Gaynor, Liam Gibson, Ger Ryan, Murty Walsh, Orla Williams, Paul Cahalan, Kevin Keogh and Brian Gaynor. They filled those black singlets with pride and passion and put their bodies on the line for the club. Whether in victory, in parity or in defeat they were worthy representatives of MacDonaghs. Hopefully, all our teams can replicate their spirit, their determination, their will to win and their refusal to give an inch even when things weren’t going well. Thanks also to the following who sponsored the individual boxers: Arrabawn Co-Op, Long Charlie’s, Billy and Barry Dunne Agricultural Contractors, Setanta College, McGraths Bar Puckane, The Clough Inn, DG Management Services, Tadhg Flaherty Motor Factors, Bombers Bar, PW Thermal Solutions, Tadhg O’Flynn Jewellers and AGRITECH.
Coaching Course
The following twenty seven are participating in the Award 1 Coaching Course in the Thomas MacDonagh Complex, hosted jointly by the camogie and hurling clubs: Sean Ward, John O’Meara, Christy Morgan, Jody Hurley, Tommy McDonald, Michael O’Neill, Michael O’Meara, John Mulcahy, Alan Carroll, Cian Williams, Eoin Williams, Robert Ward, Johnny Peters, Jack Peters, Michael Loughnane, Timmy Walsh, Gilbert Williams, Fiona Ryan, Lisa Dwan, Siobhan O’Leary, Carmel O’Brien, Pamela Hayes, Peter McCarthy, Tom Quinlisk, Michael Daly, Damien Franks and Paul Callan. Damien Young Drom-Inch is the course tutor, assisted by Tadhg O’Connor Roscrea.
Croke Park Visit
Twenty of the U-12 panel have been invited to participate in a hurling blitz in Croke Park later on in the year. No date has been finalised.
Juvenile Reunion
A full report on the Juvenile Reunion, including the player citations and Ger McCarthy’s address, can be found on the club website. Anybody with photos of the function can email them to info@kilruanemacdonaghs.com and web administrator Mark O’Leary will upload them on to the site.
Meeting
The monthly meeting of the club committee will be held in the clubroom on this Friday March 23rd at 8.00pm. All committee members are requested to attend.
Astro Turf
The laying of the Astro Turf continues on this Saturday at 9.30pm. Fifteen volunteers assembled for the last shift. We are looking forward to an even bigger attendance this time. No previous experience is necessary, as onsite training will be provided.
Lotto
Congratulations to Mary Hayes Puckane who won the club Lotto jackpot of €2,600. The jackpot resumes at a very attractive €2,000. The draw takes place every Monday night. Tickets cost €2 each or three for €5. You can also play the Lotto online, by logging on to www.kilruanemacdonaghs.com
County Draw
Congratulations to Michael Cahill who won €250 in the recent County Draw.
Sympathy
The club would like to extend its sympathy to the family of the late Con O’Neill, formerly of Middlewalk.
