Kilruane MacDonaghs News
Under 14 Football
Kilruane MacDonaghs won the North U14 ‘B’ football final for the third time with a deserved 6-6 to 0-5 victory against Ballina in sunny Kilcolman. MacDonaghs seized the initiative from the start and the Ballina goal was under constant pressure. The team played smart football, always looking to find a black and white jersey with fisted or kicked passes. At centre forward captain Sean McAdams led by example. He was hungry for work and was constantly changing position. When Ballina attacked they got little joy. Mark O’Neill manned the number six jersey with great composure and repelled attack after attack. On his left Dylan Moran gave an outstanding performance. His reading of the game and uncanny anticipation was a joy to behold. MacDonaghs had 2-4 on the scoreboard before Ballina raised a white flag. Matthew Spain and Jack Dwan had found the net while Conor Quinlan was unfortunate to see his goal incorrectly disallowed for a square ball.
About ten minutes before the interval Ballina began to get a temporary grip at midfield and they fired over three unanswered points. MacDonaghs also suffered a hammer blow when they were reduced to fourteen players. The first yellow was for not having mouth guard. A warning would have sufficed. This was followed by a black card for a clumsy tackle which resulted in dismissal of a very influential player. Kilruane adjourned to the dressing room with a seven point cushion but a daunting second half in prospect. The message from the management was simple: work harder and smarter to compensate for the numerical disadvantage. On the resumption MacDonaghs went for the jugular. Devlin Courtney exploded into life at midfield and superiority in this area was wrestled back from Ballina. A goal and a point extended the lead to eleven as Kilruane continued to dominate. In the second period Ballina were limited to two points while MacDonaghs tacked on 4-2 to their interval tally. The pick of the sores was a goal by Devlin Courtney. He made a surging run from midfield and unleashed a pile driver to the corner of the net.
After the game John Delaney, chairman of Bord na nÓg, presented the cup to Sean McAdams. The team then adjourned to Supermacs for a well deserved treat. Cloughjordan was the next port of call where a cavalcade of cars made the customary tour of the village. Congratulations to the entire panel and the management team of Eoin Hogan, John Quinlan, Tommy McDonald and Gilbert Williams.
Team: Jack Dunne, Kieran Spain, Louis Kennedy, Cian Spillane, Owen Usman, Mark O’Neill, Dylan Moran, Kian O’Kelly (1-0), Devlin Courtney (1-1), Matthew Moyles, Sean McAdams, Aaron Morgan (1-2), Conor Quinlan, Jack Dwan (2-1) and Matthew Spain (1-2). Subs: Páidí Williams, Eoin England, Patrick Hayes, David Sullivan, James Loughnane and Nathan Lynch.
This latest victory leaves the Roll of Honour looking like this: All-Ireland Titles 2 (Club & Seven-a-Side); Munster -1; County -49 & North -148.
Referee: T.P. O’Sullivan.
Remember the Team
Kilruane MacDonaghs won their last U14 football championship in 2002 when a side, captained by Gavin McAvinchey, defeated Burgess in Puckane by 1-8 to 1-4 to claim the ‘A’ title for the first time. Team: Declan Barrett, Páidí Kelly, Gavin McAvinchey, Freddie Williams, Liam Gibson, Eoin Hogan (0-2), Ger Corcoran, Seamus Hennessy (0-4), Jason Darcy, Luke Williams, Brian O’Meara, Thomas Williams, Pat Conway, Shane Quinlan (0-1) and Mikey Costello (1-1). The selectors were Joe Whelan, Fr. Tom Hannon and Seamus Hennessy. In the county semi-final they drew with Durlas Óg. Both sides scored 1-5. In the replay the Mid champions prevailed on a 3-6 to 2-3 scoreline.
Senior
Kilruane MacDonaghs will play Borrisokane in the second round of the North championship. This game is expected to take place on the weekend of June 8th.
Junior
The junior hurlers take on Kildangan in the league in Puckane on this Saturday May 24th at 7.00pm.
Schools Hurling
Kilruane N.S. lost out to a very useful Barnane N.S. outfit in the U11 county semi-final. Cloughjordan N.S. had to give second best to Kilbarron N.S. in the North U13 semi-final.
County Draw
The deadline for the County Draw has been extended to May 30th. Club members and supporters are urged to join immediately. The draw has a prize find of €500,000, including two cars every month. The subscription is €100 which can be paid in full, in ten monthly instalments or by direct debit. This draw is a major source of income for the club and the revenue earned helps defray the huge cost of preparing all our teams and it also funds ongoing maintenance and development of facilities. Thanks to all who have supported the draw over many years and we look forward to your continued participation.
Clothes Collection
The juvenile club’s clothes collection takes place on this Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th of May. There will be collection centres in the MacDonagh Complex in Cloughjordan, Fr. O’Meara Centre in Kilruane and the Community Hall in Ardcroney. Collection times will be 1.30pm to 3.00pm each day. If those times don’t suit, donations of clothes can be given to any juvenile official or selector. All club members are urged to do a spring clean and donate all clean unwanted clothes, also bed linen, towels, curtains, shoes, belts and soft toys. This is a painless and environmentally friendly way to provide much needed funds for the juvenile club.
Club Gear
Orders are now being taken for club gear. The managers of the various teams have the order forms which can also be downloaded from the website. Completed forms with the appropriate payment must be returned to Pat Shanahan by May 30th.
Summer Camp
The annual Cúl Camp is scheduled for June 30th to July 4th in Thomas MacDonagh Park. The cost remains the same as last year: €55 first child; €45 second child; €40 third and subsequent children. This year the camp will have the usual 10.00am start in the morning but finish at the earlier time of 2.00pm. Application forms will be distributed through the schools.
