Minor
In the second round of the championship Kilruane MaDonaghs lost out to one of the championship favourites, Kildangan in Borrisokane on a 2-20 to 1-16 scoreline. Despite this reverse, MacDonaghs have qualified for the quarter-final. They take on Toomevara in Moneygall in the final group game o this Wednesday, 29th July at 7.00pm. This encounter will decide second and third placings. In Borrisokane there was no doubt that the better team won. Jerome Cahill was ruled out with injury and his absence was sorely felt. Goalkeeper, Niall Shinners was also unavailable. His deputy, Jack Dunne played well and couldn’t be faulted for either goal. Mark O’Neill is still out of action with a collarbone injury and faces a race against time to make the quarter-final.
MacDonaghs played against the light breeze in the first half and gave a good account of themselves. However, they trailed by 2-6 to 0-10 at the interval. On the resumption, they drew level. Kildangan took a grip of the game and with some of our key players playing well below par the opposition went on to record a deserved victory.
Team: Jack Dunne, Arran Conroy, Brendan McAdams, Conor Lillis, Martin Grace, Darragh Peters, Oisín O’Meara, Craig Morgan, Tom Dooley, Nathan Ryan, Cian Darcy, Sean McAdams, Devlin Courtney, James Cleary and Cormac Mannion.
Under 16
MacDonaghs chalked up their third win in this competition when they overcame Silvermines in MacDonagh Park by 3-15 to 3-8. Considering that the home team had to line out without the injured Jerome Cahill, this was a welcome victory. At half-time Kilruane led by 0-9 to 0-5. The game was in the balance until the final quarter when MacDonaghs pulled away. Team: Páidí Williams, Cian Spillane, Jack Dunne, Dylan Moran, Eoghan Mulcahy, Oisín O’Meara (Capt), Nathan Ryan, Devlin Courtney (0-1), Kian O’Kelly , Tommy Dooley (1-2), Sean McAdams (0-3), Jake O’Kelly (0-1), Luke Dervan (0-1), Craig Morgan (1-5), Alan Spain (0-1). Subs: Jack Dwan, Kevin Oakley (1-1), Patrick Hayes, Seamus O’Meara and Eoin England.
Under 14
Kilruane lost out to Kildangan in Puckane on a 3-10 to 2-8 scoreline. Team: Páidí Williams, Conor Quinlan, Louis Kennedy, Matthew Spain, Aaron Morgan, Shane McAteer, Dylan Moran, Kian O’Kelly (1-6), Kieran Spain, Matthew Moyles, David O’Sullivan (1-1), Paul O’Neill, Cormac Doheny, James Loughnane, Rory Grace (0-1). Subs: Colm Cleary, Oisín Carroll, Kevin McDonald, Fionnan Hurley, Owen Farrell, Eoin O’Meara and Barry Shanahan.
Under 12
In the penultimate group game Kilruane MacDonaghs had the minimum to spare against neighbours Borrisokane in a pristine MacDonagh Park on a 3-2 to 3-1 scoreline. Both teams agreed to play thirteen a side, thereby giving more players an opportunity to participate. It was a game in which defences were on top. Borrisokane seized the initiative early on when they scored a scrambled goal. MacDonaghs responded with a similar effort at the other end. Sean Hayes got the final touch — it resembled a pushover try in rugby. Zack Dervan chipped in with 1-1. His point was a spectacular effort. He doubled on an aerial ball for the score of the match. At the interval MacDonaghs led by a point. They were unfortunate not two raise two green flags early in the second half. Rory Grace scored a crucial goal from a free after Eoin Carroll had shipped a heavy tackle. The visitors found the net in the last minute but it was too little, too late
The defence, superbly marshalled by the outstanding Kevin Naughnane at centre-back and the rugged Cillian O’Neill at full-back, excelled all through. At wing-back Adam Cleere had his best game of the season while Cian White and Ross Austin gave little away. Behind them Oisín Williams dealt very capably with some difficult high balls and made a crucial save in the second half. Rory Grace used his speed and skill to telling effect at midfield and he got good support from Ciarán Coffey. Eoin Carroll had a great tussle with the Borrisokane centre-back. On the wings Georgie O’Leary — he is getting better with every game— and Sean Williams kept the sliotar moving swiftly to the inside line. Zack Dervan helped himself to 1-1 while Sean Hayes was very effective at full-forward. Substitute Thomas Coonan made a very valuable contribution in the second half.
Team: Oisín Williams, Cian White, Cillian O’Neill, Ross Austin, Kevin Naughnane, Adam Cleere, Rory Grace (1-1), Ciarán Coffey, Georgie O’Leary, Eoin Carroll, Sean Williams, Sean Hayes (1-0) and Zack Dervan (1-1). Sub: Thomas Coonan.
Tickets
Family tickets will be available for the All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park on 16th August. Parents are encouraged to avail of this opportunity to take their children to Croke Park. Orders should be given immediately to Michael Cahill. If Tipperary advance, there will be no family tickets available from the club for the final.
