Under 21
The U21 hurlers qualified for the county final by overcoming Carrick Swan in Templemore on a 2-19 to 0-6 scoreline. A brace of early goals from the Cleary brothers, Conor and Thomas, laid the platform for victory against a Swan side that didn’t play to its potential. Conor raised the first green flag when he took a deft hand pass from David Williams and tucked the sliotar in the corner of the net. Thomas added the second when he fielded a cross from Eoin Williams and buried the ball in the roof of the net. With a quarter of an hour gone, the scoreboard read 2-6 to 0-1 in favour of MacDonaghs. The defence, which was well marshalled by Kieran Cahill, was very solid and the forwards looked threatening. Swans improved in the second quarter but MacDonaghs regained control coming up to the break and as they retired to the dressing room the score was 2-9 to 0-4 in favour of the North champions.
On the resumption, Swans went immediately on the offensive and David Reddan made a great save from Tipperary U21 player Bill Walsh.( Incidentally, Bill and his twin brother Jack at midfield, have very strong Kilruane connections. Their grandmother is from Lisgarode and their great grandfather was from Kyle.) After this scare MacDonaghs seized the initiative once again and the effort from Swan petered out. Kilruane hit the last six points without reply.
In the final in Dolla on this Sunday at 2.00pm. MacDonaghs take on raging hot favourites Thurles, who had a comfortable victory against Clonouly-Rossmore. It will take a performance of demonic intensity, ice cool composure, total concentration and iron discipline to topple the reigning champions. There was tremendous MacDonaghs support in Templemore and we hope that the entire parish will once again rally behind this team for the final in Dolla. Supporters are asked to fly the black & white flags, wear the club jackets and let their voices be heard in the stand. Postpone the Christmas shopping, shelve all other plans, get to the game and drive the team over the line. This team will feed off your support. One united effort from everybody and victory can be achieved.
The following team lined out against Carrick Swan: David Reddan, Stephen Cleary, Éanna Hogan, Jack Peters, Tomás Hogan, Kieran Cahill, Conor Austin, Justin Cahill, Alan Darcy, Thomas Cleary, Niall O’Meara, Conor Cleary, Robert Austin, Eoin Williams and David Williams. Subs: Aidan Boyle, Bob Dooley, Caoilainn Conroy and Paddy Ryan.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting takes place in the clubroom on this Friday, December 13th at 8.00pm. Nomination forms can be downloaded from website and must be returned by this Friday. The AGM will be preceded by Mass for deceased members in Cloughjordan Church at 7.30pm. All parishioners are invited to attend Mass and meeting. This year the club is making a special appeal to players, committee and supporters to attend the Mass for deceased members. Everybody in the parish has deceased relatives who helped build this club over many decades. It is fitting that we remember their contribution as we plan for 2014. Remember: “ Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them.”
County Convention
Len Gaynor, Michael Cahill and Gilbert Williams will represent the club at the County Convention in Thurles on this Wednesday, December 11th.
Handball
Congratulations to Cormac Doheny, James Loughnane and Rory Grace who were on the Tipperary schools team of six that won the Munster final. They defeated Kerry, Clare and Cork to take the title. The boys attend Kilruane National School.
Sympathy
The club extends its sympathy to the family of the late Patsy Kelly, Killowney.
