All-Ireland Semi-Finals
Well done to Jack Peters and the Tipperary minor team on qualifying for the All-Ireland final. Commiserations to Brian O’Meara and the senior side who came off second best against Kilkenny. The minor and U-16 panels travelled to Croke Park for both matches.
Under 14
The U-14 hurlers lost out to Newport in the North Final on a 2-7 to 2-4 scoreline. The sides were level at the interval but Newport shaded the second half to claim the title. Despite this reverse, it was a great season for the team, winning the North and County Féile titles. Thanks to the players and the management team of Christy Morgan, Ned Darcy, Brian O’Meara, Michael Reddan and Justin Cahill for their efforts during the year. Congratulations to Newport who were deserving winners. We wish them well in the county championship. Team: Mark O’Neill, Eoghan Mulcahy, Arran Conroy, Oisín O’Meara, Martin Grace, Rory McCarthy (0-1), Tommy Dooley, Jerome Cahill, Nathan Ryan, Ben Healy, Craig Morgan (1-0), Conor Lillis, Cian Darcy (1-3), Kevin Shinners and Luke Dervan. Subs: Liam Hannon, Sean McAdams and John Blagdon.
Under 16
The U-16 hurlers drew with Borrisokane in Gardiner Park. Final score: MacDonaghs 0-13 Borrisokane 1-10. A point from a free by Darragh Peters, in the dying moments, earned Kilruane a share of the spoils and keeps them in the hunt for a semi-final spot. MacDonaghs opened brightly and hit five early points to Borrisokane’s solitary effort. Jerome Cahill fired over two of the points from corner forward and repeatedly got the better of his opponent. MacDonaghs received a setback when full-back Brendan McAdams had to depart the scene, with a reoccurrence of a shoulder injury. The selectors had to re-jig their forces, with Caoalinn Conroy going to the edge of the square and Craig Morgan coming on at corner-forward. Martin Grace was also succumbed to injury and had to be replaced. Despite these setbacks, MacDonaghs were ahead at the interval on a 0-10 to 0-7 scoreline. In the second period defences dominated and scores were infrequent. Borrisokane hit 1-3 without reply to surge into a three point lead. They had the bit between their teeth and when McDonaghs spurned a number of goal chances it looked like the home team were heading for victory. However, inspired by a great display from Darragh Peters at centre-back, MacDonaghs kept plugging away. Points from Kieran Lillis and Rory McCarthy reduced the arrears to the minimum. In the last play of the game Kieran Lillis was fouled as he bore down on goal and Darragh Peters made no mistake from the free. The late rally was very encouraging and showed the side has great fighting qualities. Team: Niall Shinners, Arran Conroy, Brendan McAdams, Ciarán Spillane, Kieran Brereton, Darragh Peters (0-4), Conor Lillis, Caolainn Conroy, James Cleary, Rory McCarthy (0-2), Kieran Lillis (0-3), Martin Grace, Jerome Cahill (0-3), Keelan Troy and Conor Doheny. Subs: Craig Morgan and Kevin Shinners.
Croke Park
The U-12 hurlers visited Croke Park on Monday August 13th. They were accompanied by Tommy McDonald, Cian Williams, Gilbert Williams and Michael O’Neill. They played games against Cappamore (Limerick), Smith O’Briens (Clare) and Mount Sion (Waterford). Each player on the twenty four strong panel played at least one game. All were thrilled to have the opportunity to play on the magnificent sod. They also visited the museum, had a team photo taken, watched a very interesting video, sampled the opulence of the premium section and were given a very informative talk on the history of Croke Park by our guide. Log on to www.kilruanemacdonaghs.com to view photos.
Under 12
The U-12 B team pay the south champions in the county quarter-final in Littleton on this Saturday at 12 noon.
Seven-a-Side
The club is entering the All-Ireland Seven-a-Side. MacDonaghs captured the title in 1984 and were runners-up in their last appearance in 2009.
County Draw
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