Senior Hurling
The senior hurlers played out a draw with Roscrea in Toomevara. Both sides scored 2-11. MacDonagh played well in the first half and deservedly led by four points at the break, with the scoreboard reading 1-7 to 0-6 in their favour. Brian O’Meara, who was a constant threat, finished the goal with aplomb. They maintained that advantage well into the second half and stretched it out to five. However, as the work rate dropped alarmingly in the Kilruane forward line, Roscrea scored a goal to come right back in the game. A Brian O’Meara point edged MacDonaghs three ahead but Roscrea levelled with a goal from a free. The momentum had swung against Kilruane and there looked to be only one winner when Roscrea went three ahead. The selectors threw caution to the wind and moved Niall O’Meara to centre forward to give some assistance to his brother Brian who was ploughing a lone furrow for most of the second half. Niall made a trademark run through the Roscrea defence and offloaded the sliotar to the outstanding Justin Cahill, who scored a peach of a goal. A long distance free from Ray McLoughney gave MacDonaghs a one point lead, but with the second last puck of the game Davin Flynn levelled matters with a free from midfield.
It was a game which could have gone either way, with both sides guilty of wasting good scoring opportunities. The MacDonaghs defence was solid all through, with Niall O’ Meara having another fine game. Jack Peters slotted in well at wing back and kept a tight rein on Roscrea danger man Davin Flynn. Justin Cahill was the best player on the pitch and he got good support from Kevin Quinlan in the middle of the park. Brian O’Meara scored 1-1, earned four frees and worked hard all through. The rest of the attack failed to fire and it can be assumed with certainty that work rate in attack will be the first item on the agenda at the next team meeting. Team: Ger Corcoran, Paudie Kelly, Martin Walsh, Éanna Hogan, Willie Cleary, Niall O’Meara, Jack Peters, Justin Cahill, Kevin Quinlan, Thomas Cleary (0-1), Pat Williams, Jonathan Cahill, Ray McLoughney (0-9 incl 0-7 from frees), Brian O’Meara (1-1) and Mikey Costello. Subs: Pat Conway, Liam Gibson and Kieran Cahill.
U-14 Football
The U-14 footballers had a comfortable away victory against Kildangan. Team: Danny Maguire, Mark O’Neill, Arran Conroy, Eoghan Mulcahy, Oisín O’Meara, Conor Lillis, Cormac Mannion, Jerome Cahill, Rory McCarthy, Ben Healy, Martin Grace, Jake O’Kelly, Craig Morgan, Cian Darcy and Kevin Shinners. Subs: Sean McAdams, Seamus O’Meara, Sean Quinlan, Jack Dunne, Kevin Oakley and Nathan Ryan.
Premier 12s
The U-12 footballers hosted Nenagh Éire Óg in the fourth round of the Premier 12s competition. In the Group 1 game MacDonaghs recorded a great win against the town side on a 2-3 to 1 -3 scoreline. Outstanding performances by Mark O’Neill at full-back and Sean McAdams at mid-field inspired the home team to a hard fought victory. MacDonaghs opened brightly and the tigerish Sean McAdams kicked the first point of the game. Matthew Spain then found the net and Owen Usman kicked a long range point to put Kilruane five ahead. Nenagh responded with two points to leave the interval score 1-2 to 0-2 in favour of the home side.
On the restart another point from the visitors cut the deficit to two points. Nenagh hit the front when they raised a green flag. Aaron Morgan slotted over a point from a free to bring the teams level. It was anybody’s game as the play swung from end to end. Kilruane made the vital breakthrough when Matthew Spain punched to the net from close range. Tremendous defensive work by MacDonaghs prevented Nenagh from securing the equaliser. Team: Jack Dunne, Mark O’Neill, Patrick Hayes (Capt), Dylan Moran, Kian O’Kelly, Sean McAdams (0-1), Owen Usman (0-1), Matthew Moyles, Aaron Morgan (0-1), Luke Morkan and Matthew Spain (2-0). Subs: Louis Kennedy and Páidí Williams. Referee: Michael Cahill.
In the Group 4 game the second team lost out to Nenagh on a 3-4 to 2-3 scoreline. Nenagh had the better of matters in the first half and led on a scoreline of 3-3 to 0-1 at the interval. MacDonaghs played much better in the second half. They limited Nenagh to a point and Sam Darcy’s second goal put them within touching distance of victory. However, Nenagh held out, despite great displays from Cian Spillane, David Sullivan and Jack Dwan. Team: Eoin England, Cian Spillane, David Sullivan, Kieran Spain, Joseph Donnelly, Conor Quinlan, Daniel Costello, Paul O’Neill, Sam Darcy, Ben Cahalan and Jack Dwan. Referee: TP Sullivan (Nenagh Éire Óg).
Minor Football
The minor footballers are at home to Borris-Ileigh in the second round on this Wednesday April 18th at 7.00pm.
Junior Hurling
The junior A hurlers play Toomevara in the second round of the league in MacDonagh Park on this Saturday at 6.30pm.
Community Games
The Community Games U-11 hurling team had a very useful challenge game against Borrisokane in MacDonagh Park. MacDonaghs just edged out the visitors by a point in a very exciting game.
Croke Park Visit
The U-12 hurlers have been invited to participate in the annual Activity Day in Croke Park on Monday August 13th. They will be involved in a Blitz and also have a tour of the Stadium. The juvenile committee, in conjunction with the U-12 management, will have the onerous task of selecting the twenty players. All of the panel will be taken to Croke Park, but only twenty will be permitted to take part in Blitz.
Summer Camp
The annual Kellogs Summer Camp takes place in MacDonagh Park, July 2nd to July 6th. The cost is €55 for first child, €45 for second child and €40 for third and subsequent children. Application forms will be distributed through the local primary schools.
Astro Turf
The laying of the Astro Turf at the Hurling Wall is almost complete. The following assembled last Saturday and made great progress: George O’Leary, Michael Hogan, Michael Cahill, Justin Cahill, John Cahill, John O’Meara, Jim O’Meara, Eoin Hogan, Johnny Peters, Jack Peters and Gilbert Williams. One final effort on this Saturday will complete the job. Work commences at 9.30am. Extra help would be appreciated. No previous experience is necessary as onsite training is provided. The Social Committee is organising a BBQ to coincide with the completion of the work.
