Senior Hurling
In the second round of the Challenge Cup the senior hurlers had a 1-20 to 1-14 home victory against Borrisokane. In the first twenty minutes the home side looked impressive as they made full use of the stiff wind and raised seven white flags without reply. After twenty minutes they had raced into a 0-10 to 0-1 lead. The defence was in total control and the forwards hit some delightful points. However, that momentum wasn’t maintained as over elaboration allowed Borrisokane to grab a foothold in the game. At the interval the score was 0-14 to 0-3 in favour of MacDonaghs, but in truth they should have been way out of sight.
On the resumption, Kieran Cahill and Graham McMahon traded points and James Williams and Seosamh Cleary did likewise. Borrisokane hit a purple patch as they fired over three more unanswered points. Kieran Cahill interrupted the flow with a white flag to leave the score 0-17 to 0-9. Borrisokane struck for four points without reply to leave just five between the teams. Mikey Costello scored a well taken goal and William Cleary tacked on a point to widen the gap to nine once more. Borrisokane were given a lifeline when a rather innocuous cross caused confusion in the MacDonaghs defence and ended up in the net. However, the home side kept their composure to finish six point winners. The management will have been pleased with the opening twenty minutes but will be more than concerned with the remainder of the game. The jury is still out on a number of players and the next match will be crucial in deciding the composition of the team against Moneygall in the championship.
Team: David Reddan, Paudie Kelly, Jack Peters, Pat Williams, Pat Conway, Niall O’Meara (0-4), Eanna Hogan, Kevin Quinlan, Willie Cleary (0-3), Kieran Cahill (0-6), Mark O’Leary (0-2), Mikey Costello (1-1), James Williams (0-2), Eoin Williams (0-1) and David Williams (0-1). Subs: Alan Darcy and Conor Austin.
Referee: John Cleary Knockshegowna
Thanks to Jimmy Cahill who acted as linesman. In the next round Kilruane MacDonaghs play Carrick Swans in Davin Park on this Sunday at 12 noon.
Club Final
Congratulations to Dinny Cahill who guided St. Thomas to victory in the All-Ireland club final. He had previously coached Portumna to take the title, while he tasted success as a player with Kilruane MacDonaghs in 1986.
Féile
The U14 hurlers take on Roscrea in the quarter-final of the Féile in St. Cronan’s Park on this Sunday March 24th at 12.30pm.
Under 12
The U12 hurlers travelled to Galway on Monday to play Salthill/Knocknacarra before heading to Pearse Stadium to witness Tipperary’s league victory.
Membership
Membership fees remain the same as last year: U6, U8 and U10 €10; U12, U14, U16 and U18 €20; players over minor €50 and non playing adults €20. Subscriptions are now overdue and should be paid to the respective managers. Players can only participate in games when their membership fee is paid. There is absolutely no exception to this. Non playing adults, who join the club, will be put on the text list. They can also apply for match tickets and avail of discount at the Sportsmans Dream, Jim McLoughneys, Tadhg Flahertys, JKCS and the Zip Yard on the production of a valid membership card. In addition all adult players and members will be entered into a draw for two County Draw subscriptions 2013/2014, and one annual Club Lotto subscription. This draw will take place at the committee meeting on March 21st. The club text list will be updated on March 31st to include only paid up members.
Committee Meeting
The monthly meeting of the club committee will be held in the clubroom on this Thursday March 21st at 8.15pm. All committee members are asked to make a big effort to be present.
Club Gear
Pat Shanahan is currently taken orders for a wide range of club gear for both adults and juveniles. The deadline for ordering is March 29th. The order form may be downloaded from website. Payment must accompany all orders.
Handball
Well done to Jerome Cahill and his partner James Prentice from Ballina who overcame Armagh opposition in Clarecastle to qualify for the U14 All-Ireland doubles final.
Sympathy
The club would like to extend its sympathy to the family of the late John Conroy Ballinamurra. John was a member of the 1960 junior hurling team which won North and County titles. He was a selector on the 1995 junior hurling team which overcame Nenagh to win the North final. John also served on the club committee. A minute’s silence was observed before last Sunday’s senior hurling match against Borrisokane in MacDonagh Park and the tricolour flew at half mast. His coffin will be draped in the MacDonaghs colours and club members will form a guard of honour at his funeral on Wednesday. All who can participate in the guard of honour are asked to assemble at Lucky Bags at 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday. Sympathy is also extended to the O’Meara family Ennis on the death of Mary O’Meara, wife of the late Micksey O’Meara who played on the Kilruane MacDonaghs senior championship winning teams in 1940 and 1944.
