Senior Hurling
The senior hurlers play Borris-Ileigh in the fourth round of the championship in Dolla on this Sunday at 2.00pm.
Féile
The Kilruane MacDonaghs U-14 hurlers bridged a thirty two year gap when they captured the County Féile crown in an absorbing final against Durlas Óg in Borrisoleigh on a 6-3 to 4-8 scoreline. In 1980 Paul Mulcahy captained the most successful U-14 side in the club’s history which reached the All-Ireland Féile final in Galway, losing out to Na Piarsaigh of Cork. MacDonaghs also reached the All-Ireland final in 1990 when the festival of hurling was staged in Tipperary. Durlas Óg got the better of them in that decider in Semple Stadium. This was a historic victory in Borrisoleigh as it was the first time MacDonaghs had ever beaten a Durlas Óg team. In the euphoric aftermath supporters recalled some famous victories against Thurles Sarsfields: the 1974 county U-21 final in Nenagh when Kilruane overturned a first half ten point deficit to record the club’s first ever victory against Sarsfields in a county final; the senior victory in 1979 when the boys in black and white completed the three-in-a-row and the fantastic U-21 win in Dolla when MacDonaghs were crowned 2010 county champions. This latest victory was as sweet as any and Kilruane’s forty seventh county title will long be remembered by those who were present.
MacDonaghs went into this game under a cloud as influential midfielder Jerome Cahill had sustained a broken finger in the semi-final win against St. Mary’s. However, to the astonishment of everybody, Jerome took his place at corner-forward, with two fingers strapped together. His striking was clearly curtailed, but he went on to give an outstanding performance. Kilruane had first use of the breeze but it was the Thurles side who were quickly into their stride, with the full forward slotting over a point within fifteen seconds. In the fourth minute Jerome Cahill was unlucky when he whipped on a ground ball but it grazed the post. The Mid champions added their second point and at the other end a Jerome Cahill effort was deflected for a 65. MacDonaghs suffered a further setback when Durlas Óg found the net. The selectors switched Cian Darcy to midfield and Martin Grace went to centre-back and this helped the North champions gain a foothold in the game. The boys in black and white eventually got off the mark in the twelfth minute when Cian Darcy was on target with a fifty metre free. A minute later Jerome Cahill, who was tormenting the Thurles defence, whipped the sliotar to the net. It was game on. Kevin Shinners fired over a point and the sides were level and he found the net just before the break when Jerome jinked past his opponent, offloaded the sliotar to Kevin, who buried it. After a very slow start MacDonaghs were right back in the hunt with the interval score 2-2 to 1-2 in their favour.
On the resumption, Durlas Óg were quickly off the mark and had two points on the board inside the first two minutes. Kevin Shinners replied with a white flag a minute later. The team from the cathedral town tacked on two further points and then goaled from a free. The twenty metre free, had originally been tapped over the bar. However, referee John Cormack ordered it to be retaken as he had not blown the whistle because an injured player was receiving attention. At the second attempt the Thurles player went low and although the shot lacked any real venom it found the net. Durlas Óg now had a six point cushion, with seven minutes left on the clock. This goal appeared to be the turning point of the game and MacDonaghs chances seemed to be evapourating. To the eternal credit of the team they showed the renowned fighting spirit for which the club is famous. In the thirteenth minute sheer will power forced the sliotar over the line as ruck developed in the Durlas Óg goalmouth. It resembled a pushover try with Martin Grace possibly getting the final touch. Thurles replied with two points and the balance was again tilted in their favour. Five minutes left and the gap was now five points. Then came the score of the game. Cian Darcy picked the sliotar up in the middle of the field. He used his searing pace to beat a succession of Durlas Og players. Inside the twenty metre line, he passed to the unmarked Jake O’Kelly who whipped the ball to the net. This score galvanised MacDonaghs and Jerome Cahill soloed through and raised his second green flag to the tumultuous cheers of the vociferous Kilruane following. The stand was rocking as MacDonaghs were now a point ahead. The MacDonaghs supporters went wild when Ben Healy rounded his marker, shortened his grip and planted the sliotar in the right hand corner of the net. Unbelievably, MacDonaghs were now four points in the lead. A ten point swing in the final quarter. Durlas Óg weren’t finished and deep into added time they found the net from a twenty five metre free. The tension was palpable in the stand as only the minimum separated the sides. John Cormack sounded the long whistle and MacDonaghs players and supporters celebrated a victory that was fashioned in adversity and built on heart and determination.
After the game county chairman Joe Kennedy presented the trophy to captain Conor Lillis. Congratulations to the entire panel and the management team of Christy Morgan, Ned Darcy, Michael Reddan and Justin Cahill. Brian O’Meara was also on hand in an advisory capacity. The team will now focus their attention on the championship and last year’s disappointing loss in the final should provide the necessary motivation. The juvenile committee is already making plans to raise the necessary funds to provide the gear for the National Féile finals which will be held In Dublin in early July. A number of supporters have already pledged sponsorship and the club is confident that the parish will rally around this team and ensure that they are kitted out properly as they represent Kilruane MacDonaghs and Tipperary in the All-Ireland final of Féile na nGael. Anybody interested in sponsoring the team can contact chairman Sean Ward, secretary John O’Meara, P.R.O. Gilbert Williams or team manager Christy Morgan.
Team: Mark O’Neill, Eoghan Mulcahy, Arran Conroy, Liam Hannon, Craig Morgan, Cian Darcy (0-1), Tommy Dooley, Martin Grace (1-0), Conor Lillis, Rory McCarthy, John Blagdon, Ben Healy (1-0), Jerome Cahill (2-0), Kevin Shinners (1-2) and Sean McAdams. Subs: Jake O’Kelly (1-0), Cormac Mannion and Christopher Moyles.
P.S.
There are a number of links between the 1980 Féile team which reached the All-Ireland final and the present team:
Ned Darcy was full-back in 1980. He is now a selector and his son Cian is a key member of the new champions.
Michael O’Neill was part of the ’80 team which was based in Turloughmore and his son Mark is the current keeper and has been selected on the Tipperary Primary Game A team.
Paul Mulcahy was captain in 1980 and his nephew Eoghan lined out at corner-back against Durlas Óg.
Connie Grace was chairman of the juvenile club in 1980 and was a selector along with the late Sonny Mulcahy and Gilbert Williams. His nephew Martin is having a great year with the current crop.
Jerome Cahill is nephew of Joe and Martin Cahill who played on the 1980 side.
Michael O’Meara was a squad member in 1980 as is his son Seamus in 2012.
Féile Funding
The U-14 hurlers will be hosted by the Clontarf club in the All-Ireland Féile Finals in Dublin, July 5th to 7th. Na Fianna and the winners of the Cork county final between Sarsfields and Na Piarsaigh are also in the group. Participation is going to involve massive expenditure for the juvenile club. Sponsorship is already flowing in. A list of sponsors can be viewed on the club website. This list will be updated on a weekly basis. All contributions will be gratefully appreciated. However, sponsorship alone will not cover the huge costs that will be incurred so a Monster Fun Table Quiz and Auction are scheduled for Bomber’s Bar on Friday June 1st. A table of four costs €20 and can be prepaid. There will also be a raffle on the night for a tractor trailer of timber. Tickets for this will be on sale next week. Thanks to our loyal supporters who have already pledged car trailer loads of timber, bags of turf, fodder and vouchers for the auction. A list of items to be auctioned can be viewed on the website. Anybody who wishes to sponsor the team or donate items for the auction should contact Sean Ward 087-6537799, John O’Meara 087-2749187, Christy Morgan 087-7619593 or Gilbert Williams 087-2176452.
Féile Sponsors
Note: Sponsors are listed in the order in which the donations were pledged:
John Casey Sportsplus Physiotherapy Clinic €100
George O’Leary Goliath Lifts €100
Stephen Carty Wilton and New York €500
Ger O’Meara Birdhill Grass Machinery €100
Jim O’Meara Knockearl €100
Féile Hosts Clontarf GAA
The first GAA club in Clontarf was founded in 1919 and rather fittingly was called the Brian Boro club. The present club was established in 1961 at a meeting in Belgrove B.N.S. which still acts as a feeder school. Clontarf clubhouse was opened in 1998. Jim Roynane won an All-Ireland senior football medal in 1983 and Noel McCaffrey won an All-Star in 1988.
Community Games
The Kilruane MacDonaghs U-11 hurling team had a hard fought win against Nenagh in the first round of the Community Games in MacDonagh Park. The final score was 6-0 to 2-1, but the margin of victory didn’t reflect the closeness of the contest. In fact, Nenagh enjoyed more possession but the home side was very strong in defence and economical with their scoring efforts. A pleasant evening enticed a good crowd to MacDonagh Park which was looking resplendent in the welcome summer sun. Kilruane had first use of the light breeze, which was blowing into the scoreboard end, but it was the visitors who were first into their stride. However, the MacDonaghs defence was outstanding and repelled attack after attack and Nenagh had to be content with a point. With Dylan Moran and Aaron Morgan outstanding on the half-back line, the boys in black and white began to settle. Kian O’Kelly started to dominate at centre-forward and the skilful Matthew Moyles got MacDonaghs off the mark when he soloed through and fired the sliotar to the corner of the net. More ball was now flowing towards the Nenagh end and the full-forward line of Rory Grace, Nathan Lynch and Ben Cahalan all raised a green flag to leave MacDonaghs ahead at the break on 4-0 to 0-1 scoreline.
In the opening minutes of the second half both sides cancelled each other out. The influential Kian O’Kelly gave MacDonaghs a great boost when his shot from distance found the roof of the net. Nenagh replied with a goal but they found the going heavy against a very committed and determined home defence. At the other end Nathan Lynch grabbed his second goal to put more daylight between the teams. In the final quarter Nenagh piled on the pressure but their only reward was goal. MacDonaghs were deserving winners even if the scoreline was slightly flattering.
Páidí Williams was outstanding in goals. He made a number of important saves and his lengthy puck outs were well placed and always put MacDonaghs on the offensive. The decision by the team management to put him between the sticks proved to be a shrewd move. Louis Kennedy was rock solid at full-back. In the corners Eoin O’Meara and Paul O’Neill showed craft and guile beyond their years. They stuck close to their opponents and always cleared to the side. At centre-back Dylan Moran was superb, breaking up attack after attack with lengthy clearances. On his left Aaron Morgan was no less effective, using his great skill and nimble footwork to effect a succession of timely deliveries. On the right Shane McAteer held his own and gave little away. At midfield the powerful David Sullivan was always in the thick of things and he got good support from Daniel Costello. David shipped a heavy knock towards the end and had to be replaced for the final few minutes. Centre-forward Kian O’Kelly had a brilliant match. He was a great target for the puck outs, fetching a number of them in the air. On the left wing captain Matthew Moyles had a slow start but prospered as the game wore on. He has great talent and could do some serious damage when he gets motoring. On the other flank Cormac Doheny kept the ball moving quickly. The full forward line of Rory Grace, Nathan Lynch and Ben Cahalan took their chances well. Substitutes Colm Cleary, Kevin McDonald, Barry Shanahan, Oisín Carroll and Fionnán Hurley didn’t let the side down when called into the fray.
Team: Páidí Williams, Eoin O’Meara, Louis Kennedy, Paul O’Neill, Shane McAteer, Dylan Moran, Aaron Morgan, David Sullivan, Daniel Costello, Matthew Moyles Capt (1-0), Kian O’Kelly (1-0), Cormac Doheny, Ben Cahalan (1-0), Nathan Lynch (2-0) and Rory Grace. Subs: Colm Cleary and Kevin McDonald.
Selectors: Jody Hurley, Michael O’Neill, Martin Walsh and Michael Loughnane.
Referee: Martin O’Shea (Borrisokane)
In the second round Kilruane MacDonaghs will be at home to Roscrea.
Junior Hurling
The junior A hurlers chalked up their third successive league win when they travelled to Puckane and took the points on offer on a 2-13 to 1-12 scoreline. MacDonaghs had the upper hand in the first half and were not flattered by the 2-6 to 1-4 interval score. Liam Gibson and Pat Conway were outstanding on the half backline and Kieran Cahill was on fire at full-forward. Kieran scored the first goal in the ninth minute and Robert Austin forced the second home from close range in the twenty second minute. Rory Whelan scored the Kildangan goal from a 45 metre free in the fourteenth minute when his effort for a point deceived the Kilruane defence and ended up in the net. On the turnover David Williams put MacDonaghs and six ahead when he opened the second half scoring. This stung Kildangan into action they hit three unanswered points to cut the gap to three. However, they could never get any closer than two late points, one from a Kieran Cahill free and the other from play by Declan Barrett left a winning margin of four. Team: David Reddan, Cian Williams, Alan Darcy, Freddie Williams, Tomás Hogan, Liam Gibson (0-2, free & 65), Pat Conway, Michael Reddan, David Williams (0-2), Robert Austin (1-0), Declan Barrett (0-2), Kieran Cahill (1-5, 4 frees) and Paddy Ryan. Subs: Danny Reddan and Robert Ward. The final group game will be against Knockshegowna.
Premier 12s Football
The first team qualified for the Group 1 semi-final with a narrow away win against Nenagh on a 4-5 to 3-6 scoreline. This was their best display of the season as they replicated their earlier group victory over the same opposition. MacDonaghs had the aid of the breeze in the first half, but it was the home side who opened the scoring with a point. Kilruane responded when a long delivery into the goalmouth broke kindly for Luke Morkan and he volleyed to the net. Éire Óg went into the lead again when they raised their first green flag. Sean McAdams brought the teams level when he burst through from midfield and kicked a fine point. Nenagh edged ahead again with a point but Matthew Spain got inside the defence to score a great goal. The play swung from end to end with both defences under severe pressure. Nenagh seized the initiative again with their second goal but Kilruane hit a purple patch as Aaron Morgan and Matthew Spain found the net. Nenagh had the last word of the half with a point to leave the score 4-1 to 2-2 in favour of the visitors.
On the restart Luke Morkan swung over a delightful point from the left wing with a sweet strike a la Colm Cooper. Matthew Spain extended the advantage to six with his first point. A Nenagh point cut the margin back to five. They moved their towering full back up to full forward and this put extra pressure on the MacDonaghs defence. However, Mark O’Neill and Kian O’Kelly led a defiant rearguard and urban team found it difficult to penetrate. Luke Morkan kicked another delightful point to leave a gap of two goals. Nenagh started to shade the possession and were rewarded with a goal and a point. Aaron Morgan slipped in for another point to give some relief to MacDonaghs. Nenagh strove hard for the equalising goal but had to settle for a point to leave the boys in black and white two points to the good when referee Ciaran Timmons brought proceedings to a conclusion. Team: Jack Dunne, Mark O’Neill, Kian O’Kelly, David Sullivan, Louis Kennedy, Sean McAdams (0-1), Devlin Courtney, Matthew Moyles, Aaron Morgan (1-1), Luke Morkan (1-2) and Matthew Spain (2-1). Subs: Páidí Williams and Patrick Hayes.
The second team made their exit from the championship when they went under to Kildangan in Puckane on a 2-4 to 0-1 scoreline. The MacDonaghs backs were sound all through but despite the best efforts of the attack they made little headway against the home defence. Team: Eoin England, David Sullivan, Cian Spillane, Kieran Spain, Joseph Donnelly, Owen Farrell, Daniel Costello, Páidi Williams, Sam Darcy and Jack Dwan.
U-8 Hurling
The U-8 hurlers participated in the recent Blitz in Dr. Morris Park. The first team had victories against Borris-Ileigh and Nenagh and lost out to Portroe. The second team drew with Clonakenny and Moyne and lost to Moycarkey. 1st Team: Thomas Coonan, Eoin Carroll, Jack Ryan, Sean Hayes, Tom Larke, Ross Austin, Daniel Cahalan and Jack Mulcahy. 2nd Team: John Quinlisk, Eamonn Coonan, Zach Dervan, Ciaran Coffey, Eoin O’Neill, David Persse, David Keays and Darragh Spillane. U-16 Hurling
Well done to the North Tipperary U-16 hurling team which won the Munster final. Caolainn Conroy was on the panel and Len Gaynor was a selector.
U-14 Football
In a high scoring encounter the U-14 footballers lost out at home to Kildangan in the semi-final on a 7-10 to 3-6 scoreline. The game was evenly balanced in the first quarter but a hungrier Kildangan gradually assumed control and deservedly booked their place in the final. MacDonaghs were minus the services of Cian Darcy and Jerome Cahill and looked a tired side after their Féile exertions. The team management availed of the opportunity to give the entire panel playing time.
Minor Football
The minor footballers recorded their second win of the campaign with a 2-8 to 1-7 home victory against Borris-Ileigh. At the interval the score was 2-4 to 0-4 in favour of MacDonaghs. Team: Cormac Boyle, Caolainn Conroy, Tomás Hogan, Darragh Peters, David Mooney, Jack Peters, Paddy Ryan, Stephen Cleary, Kieran Cahill (0-2), Bob Dooley (0-2), Conor Cleary (0-1), Kieran Lillis (1-0), Sean Cleary, Conor Austin (1-2) and Enda Mulcahy (0-1). Subs: Niall Shinners, James Cleary, Brendan McAdams
Parish League
The annual Parish League commences in MacDonagh Park on this Saturday at 11 o’ clock. Boys from third to sixth class are eligible to participate. The Mini League for boys in first and second class also starts at the same time. Invitations to participate have been circulated through the local schools.
Bag Packing
The juvenile club’s annual Bag Packing fundraiser will be held in Dunnes Nenagh on Friday June 15th and Saturday June 16th. This advance notice will enable every family who has a player playing juvenile games with Kilruane MacDonaghs to be represented on one of the days. Each family is expected to provide an adult to do a two hour stint. Managers will be in touch with the parents of players on all panels from U-6 up to U-16. The juvenile committee will endeavour to accommodate parents with their preferred time on the rota. Parents are asked not to leave it to others. They might be leaving it to YOU!
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. Last year there was a record attendance of 119 and organisers are hoping to better that figure in 2012.
County Draw
The twenty fifth anniversary County Draw has been launched. There is a total prize fund of half a million euro, including twenty five cars. Promoters will be canvassing the parish in an effort to enlist all existing subscribers and to recruit new members for the biggest ever County Draw.
Heritage Book
Cloughjordan Heritage Volume V11 was launched in a packed clubroom by former Kilruane MacDonaghs star Ger McCarthy. It is the largest book in the series and is now on sale at €10. It contains profiles of Eamon O’Shea and Pat Murphy and the citations from the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the All-Ireland club triumph.
Hurling Wall
The fencing around the Astro Turf at the hurling wall is now complete. Team managers are reminded that they must book their slot on the wall with Michael Cahill.
Sympathy
The club would like to extend its sympathy to the family of the late Margaret Keogh Ballygibbon.
