Senior Hurling
The senior hurlers defeated Ballingarry by 1-16 to 0-18 in the firstb round of the Challenge Cup. Despite the closeness of the scoring, Kilruane were always in control of this game, played in testing conditions in O’Sullivan Park, Ballingarry. To the home side’s credit they kept plugging away and four late points, after MacDonaghs had emptied the bench, left the minimum between the sides at the finish. Kilruane began impressively and had the opening score when Eoin Williams, after taking a pass from Mark O’Leary, knifed through the Ballingarry defence and laid off the sliotar to Shane Quinlan who finished to the net with aplomb. Inside the first quarter, Kilruane raced into a 1-6 to 0-1 lead as their forwards combined well and stretched the home defence. Richard Butler had Ballingarry’s lone score in this period. Matters could have been worse as Ballingarry keeper James Logue had denied Eoin Williams a certain goal with a great save. In the second quarter as MacDonaghs slackened, Ballingarry got a foothold in the game. Philip Ivors helped himself to three points and at the break the score was 1-10 to 0-6 in favour of the visitors.
Ballingarry hit the first two points of the second half and Shane Quinlan responded with a white flag at the other end. This established the pattern for the remainder of the game. Anytime Ballingarry threatened to close the gap, Kilruane were capable of an immediate reply. James Logue kept Ballingarry in the game with a brilliant save from Brian O’Meara and Kilruane also spurned another green flag. The game looked like fizzling out to its inevitable conclusion until the late flurry of Ballingarry points, including three from placed balls by Philip Ivors, almost caught MacDonaghs napping.
Kilruane MacDonaghs: Thomas Williams, Freddie Williams, Diarmuid Cahill, Eoin Hogan, Willie Cleary, Kieran Cahill, Éanna Hogan, Alan Darcy, Kevin Ryan (0-1), Brian O’Meara (0-4),Jonathan Cahill, Mark O’Leary (0-5), Eoin Williams (0-3), Shane Quinlan (1-2) and James Williams (0-1). Subs: Pat Conway for Kieran Cahill, Liam Gibson for Diarmuid Cahill, Justin Cahill for Alan Darcy, Declan Barrett for Brian O’Meara and Conor Cleary for Jonathan Cahill.
Ballingarry: James Logue, Daniel Fitzgerald, Eamon Cahill, Brian Cooney, Dickie Norton, Ian Ivors, Kevin Fitzgerald, Gerard Fitzgerald, Jack Fennellly, Richard Butler, Daniel Fennelly, Gerard Fennelly, Eamonn Tuohy, Philip Ivors and Paul Butler.
Ref: John Ryan (Cashel).
In the second round Kilruane MacDonaghs are at home to Moneygall.
Juvenile Fixtures
Both our U12 football teams have away games on this Saturday against Toomevara.
Juvenile Presentation
The U16 hurlers, North and County champions, and the U14 hurlers who retained the North Féile title will be presented with their medals at a function in the Thomas MacDonagh Complex on this Friday March 7th at 8.00pm. Guest of honour will be Tipperary legend Brendan Cummins. A hot buffet meal will be served at 8.00pm. The function will have a punctual start and won’t be delayed to facilitate latecomers. Players on both panels are free, while parents and supporters can purchase tickets @ €10 from Sean Ward 087-6537799, Gilbert Williams 087-2176452, Mark Spain 087-6923083 and John O’Meara 087-2749187. Tickets for children under sixteen are available at a subsidised price of €5.
Medal Presentation
The senior club is joining forces with the camogie club for the presentation of medals. On this Saturday March 8th the U21 hurlers, North champions, and the junior camogie team, that won the county final, will be presented with their medals at a function in The Thatch, Ballycommon. The medals will be presented at 9.00pm., with the buffet to follow. Former Kilkenny star Eddie Brennan will present the U21 medals and current Tipperary star Paddy Stapleton will do the honours for the camogie team. Tickets costing €10 are still available from John Hyland 087-9933303, Tom Quinlisk 086-2119306, Kay Cahalan 087-6367862, Gilbert Williams 087-2176452, Helen Heenan and Lisa Cahill. All our supporters and members are welcome.
Jerseys
The club is purchasing a new set of senior jerseys and is giving our supporters the opportunity to sponsor a jersey for €40. Thanks to all who have already sponsored and we are confident that the generosity of our supporters will cover the full cost. Contact Gilbert Williams 087-2176452 if you would like to sponsor a jersey.
Juvenile Meeting
A meeting of all juvenile selectors will be held in the clubroom on this Wednesday March 5th at 8.00pm.
Helmets
Small and medium helmets are available from Gilbert Williams 087-2176452 at the subsidised price of €35.
Cúl Camp
The annual Cúl Camp will commence on Monday June 30th in Thomas MacDonagh Park.
Membership
Membership is now overdue and should be paid immediately. Supporters can avail of our €200 membership package which also includes the weekly Lotto and the County Draw subscriptions.
Handball
The Munster juvenile handball finals were played in Tralee last Saturday. Jerome Cahill won the U16 singles title. Sean McAdams partnered his Lahorna clubmate John McGrath to win the U14 doubles title.
