Senior
MacDonaghs will face a round three game —they could still get a bye into quarter-final— after losing 2-17 to 2-14 against Ballina in the second round of the North championship in Puckane. The team never played with the same zip as in previous games and there is no denying that the better team won. Three games in three weekends may have taken their toll on the players who looked very sluggish. Niall O’Meara and Darragh Peters were ruled out through injury and Declan Barrett made his senior championship debut.
Ballina set the tempo from the throw-in. Inside the first minute, Steven O’Brien ghosted in behind the defence to fire the sliotar to the corner of the net and Mikey Brien tacked on a point. Kieran Cahill and Ray McLoughney were on target from frees to get MacDonaghs off the mark. MacDonaghs were gradually finding their feet and in the fifteenth minute Cian Darcy found the net and the sides were level on 1-5 each. A second goal from Thomas Cleary helped MacDonaghs into a 2-9 to 1-9 interval lead. In was hardly a deserved advantage as Ballina had been the more impressive side in the opening half.
Kieran Cahill opened the second half with a point. Ballina hit a purple patch, scoring 1-5 without reply to turn a four point deficit into a four point lead. The defence will be disappointed with conceding the goal, scored by Mikey Breen. On reflection, this is when the game was lost. MacDonaghs did respond to the challenge. Seamus Hennessy was moved outfield and Kilruane began to dictate possession. On two occasions the gap was cut to a point. However, a number of wides proved costly. Ballina finished with two points and few could quibble with the result.
Team: Thomas Williams, Éanna Hogan, Seamus Hennessy (0-1), Jack Peters, Willie Cleary, Ray McLoughney (0-1), Declan Barrett , Liam Gibson, Kevin Quinlan, Conor Cleary, Kieran Cahill (0-6), Justin Cahill (0-2), Thomas Cleary (1-0), Brian O’Meara (0-1) and Cian Darcy (1-1). Subs: Tomás Hogan and Kevin Ryan (0-2).
There was no euphoria when the team won four successive games so there is no need for despondency after one defeat. We are still in the last sixteen of the county championship, having topped the group. We are still in the North championship after the second round and hold our own fate in our own hands. We would have settled for that at the start of the season.
Junior
MacDonaghs confirmed their place in the semi-final of the league with 3-24 to 0-8 home victory against Burgess. Qualification had already been nailed down and this win cemented Kilruane’s position as group winners. Matters were even enough in the first half and the home team led by 1-8 to 0-5. With the breeze at their backs in the second half, the scores began to flow freely for MacDonaghs. Team: Conor Doheny, Páidí Kelly, Brendan McAdams, Colm Williams, Caoilainn Conroy, Mark O’Meara, Stephen Cleary, Alan Darcy (0-1), Conor Austin, David Williams (1-3), Robert Austin (0-2), James Williams (0-8), Bob Dooley (1-1), James Cleary (1-7) and Tom Dooley (0-1). Subs: Finnian Mannion (0-1), Mark Spain, Martin Grace and Aidan Boyle. Toomevara will provide the opposition in the semi-final. This game is expected to take place on the weekend of 7th June.
Under 14 Football
Goals win games and in a contest of fluctuating fortunes MacDonaghs just edged out Lorrha/Rovers by 6-4 to 2-13 in the semi-final in MacDonagh Park. Deep into the final quarter, MacDonaghs were four points behind but they rallied to surge ahead. However, they were relieved to see the outstretched boot of Kieran Spain prevent a certain equaliser as the visitors mounted one last-gasp attack. Team: Kevin McDonald, Conor Quinlan, Kian O’Kelly, Louis Kennedy, Mathew Spain Dylan Moran (2-0), Kieran Spain, James Loughnane, Matthew Moyles (0-1), Páidí Williams (1-0), Nathan Lynch (2-1), Eoin Farrell, Aaron Morgan (0-2), David O’Sullivan (1-0) and Rory Grace. Sub: Shane McAteer. In the final Kilruane MacDonaghs will play Inane Rovers on this Wednesday, 27th May in Moneygall at 6.30pm.
Under 14 Hurling
The championship commences with a home game against Ballina on Wednesday, 3rd June. There are eight teams in the group. The top two teams qualify for the semi-final with the next four contesting the quarter-finals.
Parish League
The finals of the Parish and Mini Leagues take place in MacDonagh Park on this Saturday at 11.00am. All players should be present at 10.45.
Main Sponsor
The club is delighted to welcome Mulcahy Car Sales, Ardcroney as our main sponsor for the next three years. Thanks to Damian Mulcahy and family for their generous sponsorship. We are confident that the deal will be mutually beneficial and we ask our all our members to support this local business.
County Draw
The first draw takes place on Friday, 5th June. Promoters and subscribers are asked to get all returns in immediately.
Clothes Collection
The juvenile and camogie clubs would like to thank all who supported the recent Clothes Collection and made it such an outstanding success. The juvenile club has decided that all proceeds will go to the camogie Féile fund.
Meeting
The monthly meeting of the club committee takes place on this Wednesday, 27th May at 8.30pm. All committee members are requested to attend.
Table Quiz
The camogie club is organising a Table Quiz in the Thomas MacDonagh Complex on Friday, 5th June at 8.30pm. Your support would be appreciated.
Kellogs Cúl Camp
The annual Kellogs Cúl Camp is scheduled for 29th June to 3rd July 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. Application forms will be distributed this week.
Going to the Dogs
The parish is “Going to the Dogs” on this Saturday, 30th May in support of Lahorna Handball club which is having a fundraising night in Thurles Greyhound Track to help finance the building of a 40 x 20 court. Tickets are €10 each and the club is asking for your support. A fun night is guaranteed with great prizes.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Dinny Maher, Bricanagh, the O’Meara and Kenneally families on the death of Jake O’Meara, Millers Brook, Nenagh and Mary Darcy, Templemore Road, Cloughjordan on the death of her nephew, Edward Bergin, Dublin.
