Senior Hurling
The senior panel began their training on last Friday night in The Complex under the expert eye of John Casey. There was a great turnout and the players looked resplendent in their new training tops, which gave the session a very professional appearance. At 8.00am on Sunday morning, as the darkness gave way to light, John took them outdoors in MacDonagh Park for another productive and well attended session.
Féile na nGael
The U14 hurlers have been drawn away to Borris-Ileigh in the preliminary round of the Féile. This game will be played within the next fortnight.
Minor Football
The minor footballers face Shannon Rovers Gaels in MacDonagh Park in the first round of the championship, which is scheduled to commence in March. Kildangan and Burgess are also in the group.
Juvenile Training
All our championship teams are now back training. The U12s are in action every Tuesday at 7.00pm. The U14s go through their paces on Thursday nights at 7.00pm, while the U16s gather every Wednesday night at 7.30pm. All panels do part of the training in The Complex and complete the session on the Hurling Wall. The U10s recommence on next Monday February 11th at 7.30pm. The U8s and U6s are keeping their powder dry for the moment. Parents will receive text notification when these two groups reconvene.
Finance Meeting
A meeting of the Finance Committee takes place on this Wednesday night at 8.00pm (sharp). The nine members on this committee have been notified by text and are requested to attend punctually.
Juvenile Meeting
A meeting of all juvenile selectors will be held in the clubroom on Friday February 8th at 8.00pm. It is essential that all selectors are present.
Park Committee
A meeting of the Thomas MacDonagh Park Committee will be held on Wednesday February 13th at 8.00pm. The eight members on this committee will receive notification by text. A full attendance is expected.
Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the club committee is scheduled for Thursday February 21st at 8.00pm. All committee members are asked to keep their diary free for that night.
County Draw
Congratulations to Mackey Waters, The Windmill, Cloughjordan who won the second prize of a car or €10,000 euro in the recent County Draw. You can still join the current draw by contacting any committee member.
Bag Packing
The annual juvenile Bag Packing takes place in Dunnes on Friday August 23rd and Saturday August 24th. It is hoped that all families who have juvenile players lining out with Kilruane MacDonaghs will help out on one of the days.
Handball
The Munster finals of the Cumann na mBunscol handball championship were held in Kerry last Sunday. Laura Shinners and Katie Morris defeated the Cork pairing to claim the provincial title. Sean McAdams and Orla Molloy also reached their respective finals but were just edged out. Well done to all the players who attend Ardcroney School.
Paddy O’Meara R.I.P.
The death has taken place of Paddy O’Meara Galway, formerly of Beechwood, Kilruane. Paddy lined out at wing forward on the 1944 juvenile team which defeated Templederry in the North final and went on to overcome Holycross in the county decider in Borrisoleigh. 1944 was a special year for the O’Meara family as his older brother Micksey won his second North senior medal when MacDonaghs overcame Duharra in the final. Hurling was part of the O’Meara heritage. His Uncle Jack was a member of the famed De Wets and his cousin Mick of the Hill was a stalwart for MacDonaghs during the forties and fifties. His sister Nonie was married to Jack O’Meara the famous Iron Man, captain of the successful 1940 senior team. Paddy attended primary school in Kilruane and headed to Nenagh C.B.S. to complete his secondary education. Paddy worked for North Tipp County Council until 1954. He then transferred to Mayo County Council. In 1971 he moved to the Western Health Board, retiring in 1992. In 2007 Paddy published ‘Old Days in Ormond’ a social history of Kilruane. Paddy kept in regular contact with his friends and relatives in Kilruane and on March 9th 2012 he attended a reunion of the surviving members of the 1944 juvenile team in the Thomas MacDonagh Complex. To his wife Tilda, daughters Eimear and Ita, sons Fintan, Enda and Barry, sympathy is extended.
Sympathy
The club would also like to extend its sympathy to Marie O’Meara MacDonagh Avenue on the death of her mother Sheila O’Toole Kilcolman Birr, and to Kay Hoctor Ballyhasty on the death of her sister Marie O’Meara Portumna.
