Under 16
The U16 hurlers made history in Littleton on last Saturday when they overcame Carrick Swan in a thrilling county final to claim the championship for the first time on a 1-10 to 0-10 scoreline. This was the forty ninth county title to come to the club. Although MacDonaghs had won the divisional crown in this grade on six occasions (1973, 1980, 1991, 2002, 2004 & 2013), county honours had proved elusive. However, nothing was going to deny this team as they reserved their best display of the season for the most important day of all. Driven on by the inspirational displays of captain Darragh Peters and centre forward Cian Darcy, the team played with ferocious spirit and determination to record a famous triumph. Darragh was majestic at centre-back and I doubt if there has ever been a better individual display in a county U16 final. All players contested every ball as if their lives depended on it. The tackling was relentless and no cause was given up as lost. Players like Jerome Cahill and Craig Morgan were tumbled upside down but bounced up like rubber balls to contest the next ball. The MacDonaghs followers gave tremendous vocal support and the players responded. After the game there was a pep in the step of every supporter and there here were scenes of great joy when Marie Phelan presented the Colm Phelan Cup to Darragh Peters. Congratulations to the entire panel and the management team of Sean Ward, Ned Darcy, Johnny Peters and John Hyland. Thanks to Jimmy Cahill who was always on hand to do the first aid. A special word of thanks to our supporters who converged on Litteton in great numbers and got behind the team from the start. Thanks to Carrick Swan who were very gracious in defeat. Photos can be viewed on the website and club Facebook page. A DVD of the final is available costing €15. Orders to Sean Ward (087) 6537799 by this Friday.
Under 21
The U21s qualified for the North final with a 0-22 to 0-10 win against Nenagh Éire Óg in Borrisokane. There was a marked improvement on the display against Borris-Ileigh. The intensity and work rate were first class and the players combined well together. Remarkably, the twenty two points were struck from play and there were eight different scorers. The team showed one change in personnel from the previous day. Thomas Cleary returned to his regular spot at number ten and helped beef up the half forward line. Captain Eoin Williams won the toss and decided to play into the country end. Jack Peters was selected at corner-back but when Tommy Heffernan lined out at centre-forward the selectors immediately dispatched Jack Peters to police the Nenagh playmaker. This was a master stroke by the selectors as Jack curtailed the influence of Tommy and Kieran Cahill prospered at wing back. Jack will probably be used in a similar role in the final against the speedy Burgess centre-forward Peter Gill, though there may also be the temptation to deploy him on scorer in chief Eoin Hogan.
Donncha Quinn opened the scoring with a point from a free. MacDonaghs then reeled off nine points on the trot from six different scorers. The defence was magnificent in this half. The tackling was tigerish and disciplined. Kieran Cahill hovered up an amount of ball and launched many an attack. Justin Cahill grew in stature as the game progressed and was a vital link between defence and attack. Niall O’Meara led the attack with aplomb and beat a succession of markers. The management would have been pleased with work of the forwards who pressurised the Nenagh backs at every opportunity. At the break MacDonaghs led on a 0-11 to 0-2 scoreline. On the turnover Nenagh cut the deficit with a point from a Donncha Quinn free but this was immediately cancelled out by an effort from Justin Cahill. The nearest Nenagh got in the second half was eight points as the players responded to the half-time promptings of the selectors who had urged the team to drive it on to the end.
This was a very satisfactory performance but a different challenge lies ahead in the final. Very little has separated these MacDonaghs and Burgess teams at underage and when they clashed as minors the game ended in a draw. A very fancied Burgess side will have a much stronger physical presence than Nenagh, so MacDonaghs will have to raise the levels of intensity and work rate. All parishioners: young and old, men and women, boys and girls are asked to wear the colours, fly the flags and drive the team on as they face a massive task in retaining their title. Last weekend our supporters in both Littleton and Borrisokane really played their part as they got behind the teams and the players fed off this. Let your voices be heard again on Sunday. Check fixtures for time and venue.
Team: David Reddan, Jack Peters, Éanna Hogan, Stephen Cleary, Tomás Hogan, Kieran Cahill, Conor Austin, Justin Cahill (0-5), Alan Darcy (0-1), Thomas Cleary (0-3), Niall O’Meara (0-6), Conor Cleary (0-3), David Williams, Eoin Williams (0-2) and Robert Austin (0-1). Subs: Aidan Boyle (0-1), Bob Dooley and Caoilainn Conroy.
Club Forum
Thanks to the large crowd of supporters who attended the Open Forum last week. It proved to be an outstanding success, with all the participants actively engaged in discussion groups. Jimmy Minogue and Jackie Meagher acted as very competent facilitators and we appreciate their input into a very productive gathering. Thanks to those who sent in written submissions. You can still forward your suggestions to gilbertwilliams09@gmail.com. A special word of
thanks to Carmel Daly, Chris Keeshan and Joan Melia who catered for the large attendance with their customary efficiency and good humour. The Focus Groups will now proceed in analysing all ideas and proposals. It is hoped that the Club Plan will be launched on February 28th.
Meeting
The monthly meeting of the club committee will be held on Wednesday November 27th at 8.00pm. All committee members are requested to attend.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting has been pencilled in for Friday, December 13th at 8.00pm. Mass for deceased members will be celebrated in Cloughjordan Church at 7.30pm. All members are asked to keep that date free in their diary.
