Inter County
Best of luck to both Tipperary senior teams in their crucial championship games.
Junior
The junior hurlers guaranteed themselves a quarter-final spot with two recent victories. They had 3-18 to 1-6 home win against Templederry. Scorers: Conor Cleary (2-2), James Williams (0-7), Darragh Peters (0-4) James Cleary (0-3), Ronan Boyle (1-0), David Williams (0-1) and Robert Austin (0-1).
They also just edged out Knockshegowna by 2-17 to 2-16 in Puckane. MacDonaghs played with a slight breeze in the first half but it was Knockshegowna who drew first blood with two pointed frees from Declan Costello. MacDonaghs responded with three points on the trot from Darragh Peters, Conor Cleary and Diarmuid Cahill. Declan Costello nosed Knockshe ahead with his third point from a placed ball. Conor Cleary put the sides on level terms and a white flag from James Cleary saw MacDonaghs in front on the scoreboard for the first time. Declan Costello was on target with another free and Knockshe hit their first point from play after Declan Costello’s effort for goal from a twenty metre free had been saved. James Williams pointed a free to leave the sides level on 0-6 each.
MacDonaghs then hit a purple patch as halftime approached. Diarmuid Cahill found the net in the twenty ninth minute after some clever interplay among the forwards. James Williams hit a brace of points, one from play and another from a free. In the thirty first minute James finished to the net after some good combination play. As the teams adjourned to the dressing room for the interval the scoreboard read 2-8 to 0-6 in favour of Kilruane.
On the resumption, a point from Robert Austin extended the lead to nine. Declan Costello was successful with another free. Darragh Peters cancelled this out with a fine effort. Knockshe hit 1-1 to cut the gap to five. James Williams made no mistake from a free to restore the six point advantage. Knockshe were coming more and more into the game and fired over two points. Declan Costello was unerring from another free. James Williams replied with a point from play before two Declan Costello points from frees and a Knockshe point from play just left two between the teams.
Both sides fought tooth and nail for supremacy in a tremendous tussle. Substitute Bob Dooley lofted over a point from the right wing to leave a goal between the sides. Declan Costello put over his ninth free as Knockshe scented victory. However, MacDonaghs responded in magnificent fashion and struck for three points in a row from James Williams, James Cleary and Alan Darcy to extend the lead to five. Deep into injury time Knockshe added a point and a goal to leave the minimum between the sides as Tommy Ryan blew the final whistle.
Team: Niall Shinners, Stephen Cleary, Freddie Williams, Brendan McAdams, Caoilainn Conroy, Declan Barrett, Conor Austin, Alan Darcy (Capt) (0-1), Darragh Peters (0-2), Aidan Boyle, James Williams (1-7), Diarmuid Cahill (1-1), Conor Cleary (0-2), Robert Austin (0-1) and James Cleary (0-2). Subs: Bob Dooley (0-1). The final group game will be against Borris-Ileigh.
Minor
The minor hurlers picked up their first win of the championship when they got the better of Ballina in Puckane by 4-12 to 4-8. This was a great performance by a side that is operating with limited numbers. There was a high work rate among the players. Darragh Peters was majestic at centre back and in the second half in particular he swept up ball after ball. Up front Kevin Shinners, who had his best game of the season, took the scoring honours with a tally of 3-1.
Team: Niall Shinners, Arran Conroy, Brendan McAdams, Conor Lillis, Caoilainn Conroy (Capt), Darragh Peters, Martin Grace, James Cleary (0-3), Tom Dooley, Conor Doheny (0-1), Kieran Lillis, Cian Darcy (0-7), Craig Morgan, Kevin Shinners (3-1) and Jerome Cahill (1-0). On this Thursday they take on Roscrea in Moneygall at 7.30pm. Note change of time.
Under 16
After a disappointing performance against Kildangan the U16s bounced back with a 2-16 to 3-11 away win against Newport. At the interval MacDonaghs led by 0-8 to 1-4. In the final ten minutes the momentum was with Newport and they hit the front. MacDonaghs showed great character and determination to battle back and win by two points.
Team: Mark O’Neill, Sean Quinlan, Conor Lillis, Oisín O’Meara, Arran Conroy, Martin Grace, Nathan Ryan, Cian Darcy, Jerome Cahill, Cormac Mannion, Rory McCarthy, Sean McAdams, Craig Morgan, Kevin Shinners and Kevin Oakley. Subs: Devlin Courtney and Luke Dervan.
Under 14
Kilruane MacDonaghs came out the wrong end of a 2-13 to 2-3 scoreline against Moneygall/Templederry in Moneygall. Without the services of Kian O’Kelly, Jack Dwan and Owen Usman, MacDonaghs were always second best in this game and never looked like claiming victory.
Team: Páidí Williams, Eoin England, Jack Dunne, Louis Kennedy, Dylan Moran, Mark O’Neill (Capt), Cian Spillane, Devlin Courtney (0-1), Nathan Lynch (1-0), Matthew Moyles (0-2), Sean McAdams (1-0), Patrick Hayes, Aaron Morgan, Matthew Spain and Conor Quinlan. Sub: David Sullivan.
Under 12
The U12s booked a place in the final with a deserved 4-6 to 0-6 home win against Nenagh. MacDonaghs enjoyed territorial dominance all through but failed to make it show on the scoreboard. Aaron Morgan was magnificent in the half- back line. He hoovered up ball after ball, emerged from ruck after ruck with the sliotar in his fist, hooked and blocked in a man of the match performance. MacDonaghs were first off the mark when a shot from Nathan Lynch deceived the Nenagh goalkeeper. At least four more gilt edged goal chances were spurned before Nenagh found their feet with three points. David Sullivan crashed home a goal net to leave the halftime score 2-0 to 0-3.
Would Aaron Morgan tire in the second half? Would Kilruane pay for the missed chances? Aaron continued to dominate but Kilruane were still wasteful in front of goal. Nathan Lynch opened the second half scoring with a point. David Sulivan chipped in with a goal and a point. James Loughnane found the net and Nenagh replied with a point. Kilruane were now in firm control with the score 3-3 to 0-5. MacDonaghs finished strongly, adding a further 1-3 to their total.
This was a good victory despite the fact that many of our key players were below par for most of the game. MacDonaghs will enter the final as underdogs against Roscrea. It will take a huge effort by all the players to claim the title.
Team: Rory Grace, Eoin O’Meara, Colm Cleary, Shane McAteer, Aaron Morgan, Nathan Lynch (1-1), Páidí Williams (0-2), Cormac Doheny, Paul O’Neill, David Sullivan (1-2) and James Loughnane (2-1).
Under 8
On last Thursday, July 10th our U8s travelled Puckane to play Kildangan. Both clubs had two teams and had four very enjoyable matches. Thanks to Kildangan for the invitation.
Panel: Zach Clarke, Michael Cleary, Shane Cleary, Niall Cleary Carney, Cathal England, Cillian Franks, Liam Foley, Diego Galero Kleboe, John Hannan, Cian Hayes, Michael Hennelly, William Jones, Colm McAteer, Paul Molloy, Johnny Naughnane, Darragh O’Leary, Dara O’Looney, Brian O’Meara, Donncha O’Meara, Ray Quinlivan and Dara White. Coaches: Michael O’Meara, Mark O’Leary, Michael Cleary, Damien Franks, Martin O’Looney and John O’Meara
Meeting
The next meeting of the club committee will be held on Thursday, July 31st at 9.00pm. Note change of time to facilitate members attending minor match against Newport in Nenagh.
Handball
Well done to Louis Kennedy, Cormac Doheny, Rory Grace and Matthew Spain who were on the Lahorna team that won the Munster U13 60x30 inter club championship last Thursday in Hospital, Limerick, while Sean McAdams and Jerome Cahill helped the U15 team to victory.
