Senior Hurling
In the second round of the Challenge Cup the senior hurlers had a one point victory against Moneygall in Borrisoleigh. The final score was 1-22 to 0-24 (AET). Thanks to the Borris-Ileigh club for facilitating this fixture. In the quarter-final Kilruane MacDonaghs lost out away to Nenagh Éire Óg on a 0-21 to 1-17 scoreline. Diarmuid Cahill and William Cleary were absentees due to injuries sustained in the Moneygall match while Mark O’Leary was rested. A number of other players were also unavailable so the selectors continued to experiment, with Seamus Hennessy lining out at fullback. He had a previous outing in the number three jersey in a challenge match in Galway.
Five unanswered points by Nenagh in the opening minutes of the second half proved to be crucial in deciding the outcome of this game. Kilruane had begun brightly with a point from a Justin Cahill free. Tommy Heffernan cancelled this out before Justin was on target again. Shane Quinlan raised a white flag and MacDonaghs were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead. On four occasions in the first half the sides were level. Approaching halftime, the teams were deadlocked on 0-8 each before goalkeeper Michael McNamara pointed a long range free to give the home side the lead at the break.
On the resumption a point from Niall O’Meara restored parity once more. Nenagh struck a purple patch and reeled off five unanswered points to lead by 0-14 to 0-9. Niall O’Meara’s third point of the game helped stall Nenagh’s momentum. For most of the second half Nenagh’s lead fluctuated between two and three points. Heading into the final ten minutes, MacDonaghs built up a head of steam and cut the deficit to a point. Unfortunately, a Kilruane defender picked the ball off the ground and Donncha Quinn punished the error. A misdirected line ball gave Darragh Quinn the opportunity to surge forward and hit a fine point to extend the lead to three. Nenagh added a further point before Seamus Hennessy rifled an absolutely unstoppable effort to the net from a twenty metre free to leave the minimum between the sides at the end.
Team: Thomas Williams, Éanna Hogan, Seamus Hennessy (1-0), Páidí Kelly, Eoin Hogan, Kieran Cahill, Liam Gibson, Justin Cahill (0-5), Alan Darcy, Jonathan Cahill, Kevin Quinlan (0-1), Niall O’Meara (0-4), Eoin Williams (0-1), Shane Quinlan (0-1) and James Williams (0-1). Subs: Pat Conway (0-1) and Thomas Cleary (0-3).
The next competitive game will be against Holycross-Ballycahill in the first round of the county championship on the weekend of April 13th.
Under 12
The U12 ‘A ‘football team had a good away win against Borrisokane in the second round of the championship on 5-5 to 1-2 scoreline. Team: Kevin McDonald, Cormac Doheny, Colm Cleary, Shane McAteer, Aaron Morgan, Páidí Williams, James Loughnane, Barry Shanahan, Rory Grace, Nathan Lynch and David Sullivan. Subs: Oisin Carroll and Darragh Hannon.
Dublin Visitors
On last Sunday the juvenile club hosted the St. Sylvester’s U12 and the Faughs U9 teams in Thomas MacDonagh Park. Three very enjoyable games were played. Thanks to those who prepared the pitches and a special word of thanks to the parents who supplied and served the refreshments.
Parish League
The annual Parish League will commence on Saturday April 5th at 11.00am and will continue for the following three Saturdays. Boys from third to sixth classes are eligible to participate. The Mini League, for boys in first and second classes, will run in tandem with the Parish League.
Big Apple Prize
The club is organising a unique fundraising venture which has aroused national interest. For €10 one very lucky individual is going to win a three month job, June to August, in a Spillane Group Bar in New York. The prize includes return flights, the first month’s accommodation and two daily meals. The second and third month’s accommodation will be organised. Full training will be provided. Entrants to the draw must be eighteen years. The winner could earn up to €10,000. Terms and conditions apply. See www.kilruanemacdonaghs.com/NewYork for full details. It’s easy to enter. Dial LoCall 0818286811 with debit/credit card details or click on www.kilruanemacdonaghs.com/NewYork where you can enter using PayPal. The closing date is April 20th. The job is being sponsored by former Kilruane MacDonaghs player Stephen Carty who operates the Spillane Group Bars. The club would like to thank Stephen for his generosity on this occasion and his loyalty and support over many years.
Jerseys
The club would like to thank our supporters who sponsored the new set of jerseys. The opportunity to sponsor a Kilruane MacDonaghs jersey met with an enthusiastic response. Every single jersey has now been sponsored.
Membership
This is the final call to renew membership before the March 31st deadline expires. Thanks to those who have renewed and we urge all others to pay the appropriate fee as soon as possible: U6, U8 and U10 €10; U12, 14, U16 and U18 €20; adult players €50 and non playing adults €20. All adult members and will also be entered into a draw for a County Draw subscription 2014/2015 and two annual Club Lotto subscriptions. This draw will take place at the monthly meeting of the club committee on March 27th. Adult members will also be put on the text list which will be updated on April 1st to include only those who have renewed. A valid membership card also entitles you to discount at the following shops: Sportsmans Dream, Jim McLoughney’s, Zip Yard, Tadhg Flaherty’s and JKCS.
Meeting
The monthly meeting of the club committee will be held on this Thursday March 27th at 8.00pm. All committee members are requested to attend.
Summer Camp
The annual Cúl Camp is scheduled for June 30th to July 4th in Thomas MacDonagh Park. This year the camp will have the usual 10.00am start in the morning but finish at the earlier time of 2.00pm.
Photos
We are looking for photographs of the following championship winning teams: 1971-U17 and U15 hurling; 1972-U21 hurling, minor hurling and football. If you can help, contact Gilbert Williams 087-2176452. The photographs will be scanned and returned promptly. The photographs can be scanned while still in the frame.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to Finbarr Brereton, Oxpark on the death of his sister Rita and to the Glennon family on the death of Bill Glennon.