Senior Hurling
Kilruane MacDonaghs had a hard-earned but well-deserved 4-13 to 2-13 victory against Burgess in the first round of the county championship in Nenagh. Since MacDonaghs returned to senior in 2004 this was only their second championship victory against Burgess. In 2011 the team managed by Barney Naughnane recorded the other victory. MacDonaghs lost the encounters in 2006, 2008 and 2014. On a perfect evening for hurling MacDonaghs began in determined mood. However, it was Burgess who were first off the mark when Stephen Murray pointed a free after Seamus Hennessy was penalised for a foul on Damien O’Brien. The very impressive Darragh Peters brought the sides level with a point. The fleet-footed Cian Darcy rifled a bullet to the corner of the net and the Magpies were in front and were never headed for the rest of the game. Stephen Murray responded with a point but Kieran Cahill cancelled out this when he took a pass from Cian Darcy and split the posts. A Stephen Murray free kept Burgess in touch but a white flag from Thomas Cleary restored the three point advantage.

In the fifteenth minute MacDonaghs had a huge slice of luck when an effort from Brian O’Meara deceived the Burgess keeper and ended up in the net. Points from a Ray McLoughney free and Darragh Peters put further daylight between the teams. Two points from Stephen Murray left the score 2-5 to 0-5 in favour of MacDonaghs. In the nineteenth minute a point from Darragh Peters extended the lead to seven. Thomas Cleary took a pass from Buggy and put the ball over the black spot. Stephen Murray had the final point of the half to leave the score 3-6 to 0-6. It had been an impressive opening period for MacDonaghs with good workrate, high intensity and great off-the-ball movement by the forwards —exactly what the management had demanded. On the negative side, Cian Darcy had to leave the field with a hamstring injury. Cian was replaced by Conor Cleary. It was obvious that Justin Cahill’s mobility was restricted with a hamstring injury. He departed the action in the second half

MacDonaghs made the ideal start to the second half when Justin Cahill took a pass from Buggy and sent the sliotar sailing between the posts. A brace of frees from Stephen Murray cut the deficit to eight points. MacDonaghs made the perfect response. Buggy scored a magnificent point from the right wing. Thomas Cleary fastened on to a breaking ball, galloped towards the goal and to avoid the hook slammed the sliotar tennis style into the net for a wonderful goal. There were thirty-nine minutes gone and MacDonaghs were twelve points in front. A Kieran Cahill free left thirteen points between the sides.

Burgess responded as we knew they would. A quick free caught Kilruane napping and Damien O’Brien booted the sliotar to the net. Donagh Maher was pushed forward into the attack and he made an immediate impact with a point. Burgess built up a head of steam and added two more points. Kieran Cahill stemmed the flow with a point. Liam Gibson chipped in with a point from the right corner and Ray McLoughney put over a free from distance. It seemed the revival was halted. Donagh Maher and Thomas Cleary swopped points. Burgess finished with a flourish. Donagh Maher found himself totally unmarked— the inquest on that goal should be very interesting — and he found the net. Damien O’Brien added the last point to leave the final score 4-13 to 2-13. A shaky finish to a game that MacDonaghs controlled.

Team: Thomas Williams, Éanna Hogan, Seamus Hennessy, Jack Peters, Willie Cleary, Niall O’Meara, Ray Mcloughney (0-2), Kevin Ryan, Liam Gibson (0-1), Darragh Peters (0-3), Kieran Cahill (0-3), Justin Cahill (0-1), Thomas Cleary (2-2), Brian O’Meara (Capt)(1-1) and Cian Darcy (1-0). Subs: Conor Cleary for Cian Darcy (inj) and Tomás Hogan for Justin Cahill (inj).

In the second round MacDonaghs will play Borris-Ileigh . This game is expected to take place on the weekend of April 26th.

Minor Hurling
Best wishes to Darragh Peters and the Tipperary minor team in their Munster championship game against Waterford on this Wednesday evening. Cian Darcy is ruled out with a hamstring injury. The good news is that Cian will be back in action in about ten days time and will be ready for the Borris-Ileigh game.

Under 16 Football
Kilruane MacDonaghs travelled to Borrisokane for the second round and just edged out the hosts by 1-8 to 2-4. It was the proverbial game of two halves. After playing with the wind in the opening period, MacDonaghs enjoyed a ten-point lead at the break. On the resumption, Borrisokane nibbled away at the deficit and MacDonaghs were relieved to hear the final whistle. Kevin Oakley made club history when he became the first MacDonaghs player to be black-carded. He was sent to the dugout after twenty minutes for a rather innocuous challenge. Oisín O’Meara was also the recipient of a black card in the second half. Team: Karl Williams, Eoghan Mulcahy, Oisín O’Meara, Jack Dunne, Mark O’Neill, Nathan Ryan, Owen Usman, Jerome Cahill, Sean McAdams, Kevin Oakley, Craig Morgan (0-4), Alan Spain (1-0), Patrick Hayes, Devlin Courtney (0-1) and Seamus O’Meara (0-1). Subs: Luke Dervan, Nathan Lynch and Eoin England.
In the third round they travelled to Roscrea and lost to Inane Rovers 4-6 to 1-5. Scorers: Craig Morgan (1-1), Karl Williams and Kevin Oakley (0-2) each.

Under 14 Football
MacDonaghs were well beaten by a very good Inane Rovers in the semi-final of Peil nÓg in Dolla. The same sides meet in MacDonagh Park in the first round of the championship on this Wednesday, April 8th.

U12 Football
Kilruane MacDonaghs had to give second best to a very impressive Burgess team in MacDonagh Park. The home side just trailed by two points at the interval but the visitors pulled away in the second half for a 3-8 to 2-2 victory. Team: Oisín Williams, Cian White, Eoin Carroll, Cillian O’Neill, Ross Austin, Rory Grace, Ciaran Coffey, Kevin Naughnane (1-2), Sean Hayes, Zack Dervan and Sean Williams. Subs: Georgie O’Leary, Tom Larke, Jack Ryan and Danny Cahalan. MacDonaghs are away to Portroe on Monday evening at 7.00pm.

Clothes Collection
The juvenile club’s clothes collection takes place on Monday, May 18th to Saturday, May 23rd. Clothes may be left in the Thomas MacDonagh Complex during that week. 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.

Kellogs Cúl Camp
The annual Kellogs Cúl Camp is scheduled for June 29th to July 3rd in Thomas MacDonagh Park. The camp will have the usual 10.00am start in the morning and finish at the 2.00pm. The camp is open to all primary school children.

Handball
Lahorna handball alley is temporarily closed as the roof is being replaced. The club is having a fundraising night in Thurles Greyhound Track on Saturday, May 30th to raise funds for the building of a 40 x 20 court. Tickets are €10 each and the club are asking for your support. A fun night is guaranteed with great prizes.

 

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