Junior Final
Congratulations to the junior ‘A’ team that won the North league title for the first time with a hard-earned 3-10 to 0-14 victory against Kildangan in Moneygall. This competition first saw the light of day in 1986 and MacDonaghs had been finalists on four previous occasions: (1992) Ballina 1-13 MacDonaghs 1-6, (1993) Toomevara 1-10 MacDonaghs 0-9, (1998) Nenagh 2-13 MacDonaghs 2-9 and (1999) Nenagh 3-13 MacDonaghs 1-9. Kilruane had an unbeaten run up to the final but it was Kildangan — they started the game with six senior players on their team — that carried the favourites tag.

MacDonaghs had the aid of the light breeze in the first half as they played into Dunkerrin end. James Cleary opened the scoring from a free after the forwards pressurised a Kildangan player into overcarrying the sliotar. Kieran Kelly cancelled this out when he was on target from a long-range free. Jonathan Cahill and Pádraig Kelly swopped points. A brace of white flags from Pádraig Kelly and Dan O’Meara put the Shannonsiders into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead. Both defences were on top at this stage. Páidí Kelly was doing a good job on Ruairí Gleeson. Tomás Hogan was fouled and James Cleary was unerring from the free. Ruairí Gleeson, who had moved to the half-forward line, restored the two-point advantage. Indecision in the MacDonaghs half-backline resulted in a free for Kildangan. Ruairí Gleeson made no mistake and Kildangan now had a three-point cushion. At this stage the Kilruane selectors shuffled the deck. Mark O’Meara was pushed forward into the attack with Tomás Hogan going back in defence. This move paid dividends. David Williams struck a sweet point and just before the break Mark O’Meara lashed the sliotar to the net. Considering that MacDonaghs hadn’t been firing on all cylinders, a one-point interval lead was more than satisfactory.

Some home truths must have been delivered in the half-time talk because the Magpies made a flying start to the second half. A speculative effort from James Williams deceived the Kildangan keeper and the green flag was raised. Declan Barrett lofted a 65 over the black spot as MacDonaghs took a firm grip of the game. Things got better. Captain, Jonathan Cahill galloped though the heart of the Kildangan defence and planted the sliotar in the net. The scoreboard now read 3-5 to 0-6 in favour of MacDonaghs. Kildangan responded as we knew they would. They attacked and were awarded a penalty. Everybody present knew that the outcome of this penalty could have a huge bearing on the result. Conor Doheny rose to the occasion and made a magnificent save as Ciaran Kelly’s effort seemed destined for the corner of the net.

Ruairí Gleeson pointed a free but Jonathan Cahill responded with a great effort from the right wing to leave the score 3-6 to 0-8. Ruairí Gleeson and James Cleary traded points from frees. A brace of white flags from Ruairi Gleeson frees cut the gap to five. Kildangan were now in the ascendancy at midfield and in the half-backline and the pressure mounted on the MacDonaghs defence. Tomás Hogan was fouled and Declan Barrett struck a magnificent point from the resultant free. Kildangan hit a purple patch and fired over three successive points from Andy Loughnane, Ruairí Gleeson (free) and Tommy Connors. There were now just three points between the sides and the momentum was with the opposition. Supporters were glancing anxiously at the watches. However, the MacDonaghs defence was tremendous and they refused to concede a green flag. The forwards dug deep to win two vital frees and the reliable James Cleary slotted over two crucial points to leave the final score 3-10 to 0-14.

The Magpies were junior ‘A’ league champions for the first time in the club’s history and the sound of vuvuzelas reverberated around the ancestral home of Barrack Obama. Dan Kennedy, chairman of the North Tipperary Board, presented Jonathan Cahill with the Denis Carroll Cup. Thanks to the entire panel of players the management team of John Quinlan, Paddy Williams and John Hyland; First Aid & Masseuse, Joan Whelan; and Kitman, Tom Quinlisk for their efforts during the campaign. A special word of thanks to our main sponsor, Mulcahys Cars Sales, Ardcroney.
Team: Conor Doheny, Colm Williams, Brendan McAdams, Páidí Kelly, Stephen Cleary, Mark O’Meara, (1-0), Declan Barrett (0-2), Conor Austin, Alan Darcy, James Williams (1-0), Robert Austin, David Williams (0-1), Tomás Hogan, Jonathan Cahill (Capt) (1-2) and James Cleary (0-5). Subs: Pat Conway and Kevin Quinlan. Remainder of panel: Aidan Boyle, Caoilainn Conroy, Bob Dooley, Tom Dooley, Mark Spain, Cian Williams, Martin Grace, Niall Shinners and Finnian Mannion.

Inter County
Best wishes to Niall O’Meara, Eamon O’Shea and the Tipperary senior hurling team in their quest to reach the Munster final.

Challenge Cup
Kilruane MacDonaghs take on Ballingarry in Holycross in the Jim Devitt semi-final on this Friday, 19th June at 7.30pm. Your support would be appreciated.

Under 14
An understrength MacDonaghs side — Nathan Lynch, Aaron Morgan and Matthew Spain were absentees — lost out Borris-Ileigh by 3-14 to 1-5 in Bishop Quinlan Park in the first round of the championship. Team: Rory Grace, Paul O’Neill, Conor Quinlan, Louis Kennedy, Páidi Williams, Dylan Moran (0-1), Kieran Spain, Matthew Moyles (0-2), James Loughnane, Pádraig Coonan, David O’Sullivan, Cormac Doheny, Shane McAteer, Kian O’Kelly (0-2) and Oisín Carroll. Subs: Ben Cahalan, Kevin McDonald (1-0), Fionnan Hurley and Eoin O’Meara. They face another severe test when they are at home to Toomevara on this Wednesday, 17th June at 7.00pm.

Under 12
In the second round of the championship Kilruane MacDonaghs travelled to Ballina where they lost out to a formidable home side. Despite the best efforts of MacDonaghs, Ballina were always in control of this game. In this eleven-a-side competition, MacDonaghs used all eighteen players on the panel for this game. Team: Oisín Williams, Cian White, Tom Larke, Sean Hayes, Eoin Carroll, Kevin Naughnane, Rory Grace, Ciaran Coffey, Adam Cleere, Zack Dervan and Sean Williams. Subs: Jack Ryan, Cillian O’Neill, Georgie O’Leary, Thomas Coonan, Ross Austin, Paul Dwyer and Danny Cahalan.

Under 10
MacDonaghs travelled to Birr last Saturday morning to take part in a blitz where they played four very enjoyable matches against Clough/Ballacolla, Borrisokane and two Birr teams. Thanks to Birr for the invitation and providing refreshments afterwards. Panel: Tom Austin, Zack Clarke, Eamonn Coonan, Cathal England, Liam Foley, Alfonso Galero Kleboe, Diego Galero Kleboe, Jack Gleeson, John Hannan, Andrew Hayes, Tristan Madden, Colm McAteer, Cian Moyles, Jack Mulcahy, Eoin O’Neill, Brian O’Meara, David Persse, John Quinlisk and Darragh Spillane. Coaches: Mark O’Leary, John Mulcahy and John O’Meara.

Cumann na mBuncol
Kilruane N.S. has to give second best to a very useful Knockavilla side in the county semi-final in the Ragg. Kilruane only trailed by two points at the interval and early in the second half reduced the gap. However, a better balanced Knockavilla side finished with a flourish to secure a final place. Team: Tristan Madden, Jamie Kennedy, Eoin O’Meara, Fionnan Hurley, Aaron Morgan, Cian White, Rory Grace, Georgie O’Leary, Paul O’Neill, Conor Tierney, Sean Williams and Paul Dwyer.

Primary Game
Rory Grace, Kilruane N.S. lined out on the Tipperary primary Game football team against Kerry in Semple Stadium. Next Sunday Páidí Williams will fill the number one shirt on the Tipperary Primary Game hurling team that faces Limerick in Semple Stadium. Páidí is following in the footsteps of his brothers Thomas (2002) and David (2006) who also featured on the Primary Game hurling team.

Cúl Camp
There has been a surge of applicants for the Kellogs Cúl Camp 29th June to 3rd July. Parents should book immediately to avoid disappointment as places are limited. Contact Gilbert Williams 087-2176452 for further information.

Féile na nGael
The club extends best wishes to the Kilruane MacDonaghs U14 camogie team that travels to Antrim this weekend for the All-Ireland Féile na nGael final. They are being hosted by Loughiel Shamrocks who are no strangers to the MacDonaghs club. In 1984 and 1986 the senior hurling team travelled to Loughiel and had two fantastic weekends there. In 1985 it was the turn of Loughhiel to travel south and spend a weekend in Cloughjordan parish.

Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the O’Kelly family, Beechwood on the death of John Joe O’Kelly, Castlequarter, Toomevara.

 

© 2023 Kilruane MacDonaghs GAA Club