Senior
MacDonaghs qualified for the county semi-final for the first time since 1994 with a 1-22 to 1-14 victory over Éire Óg Annacarty in Semple Stadium. Kilruane began brightly. Seamus Hennessy and Justin Cahill dominated midfield and sent a plentiful supply of ball towards the Killinan End while Niall O’Meara was prominent at centre-back. Conor O’Brien opened the scoring but there was an immediate response from MacDonaghs with three points from play by Justin Cahill (2) and Kieran Cahill. Páidí O’Dwyer replied with an Annacarty free before points by Kieran Cahill (free) and Cian Darcy put MacDonaghs in to a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after ten minutes. Annacarty then hit a purple patch, scoring three points in three minutes from Páidí O’Dwyer and Ronan O’Brien (2). Ronan’s second point from play should have been a goal after being set up by Conor O’Brien. MacDonaghs led by 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval.
The early stages of the second half appeared to indicate an easy MacDonaghs victory as they outscored Annacarty by 1-4 to 0-2 in the opening seven minutes. The crucial goal came from Cian Darcy. Seamus Hennessy made a searing run through the Annacarty defence before offloading to Cian who found the net from an acute angle. This score left nine points between the teams after 37 minutes, 1-13 to 0-7.To the credit of Annacarty, they responded with a goal by substitute Seanie Ryan, followed by quick points from Páidí O’Dwyer (free) and Kevin Fox to reduce the deficit to four points after 43 minutes. Over the next ten minutes the sides shared six points and, heading in to the final stages, Annacarty were still in touching distance, trailing by 1-17 to 1-13. The final minutes belonged to the Magpies as unanswered points from Kieran Cahill (free), Cian Darcy (2) and Seamus Hennessy (2 frees) put the Kilruane into an unassailable nine-point lead. Conor O’Brien scored a point from play to leave the eight between the teams at the finish.
Team: Conor Doheny, Darragh Peters, Jack Peters, Ray McLoughney, Willie Cleary, Niall O’Meara, Eoin Hogan (0-1), Justin Cahill (0-3), Seamus Hennessy (0-3 frees), Kevin Ryan, Kevin Quinlan (0-2), Kieran Cahill (0-8, 0-7 frees); Thomas Cleary (0-1), Brian O’Meara (Capt) (0-1), Cian Darcy (1-3). Subs: Conor Cleary, Éanna Hogan, James Williams and Jonathan Cahill.
Semi-Final MacDonaghs take on Thurles in Semple Stadium on Sunday, 11th October.
Remember the Team
On Sunday, 8th October 1944 MacDonaghs defeated Annacarty, the reigning county champions, in the county semi-final in Borrisoleigh on a 3-5 to 1-4 scoreline. This was the only other occasion on which the sides clashed in the senior championship. The following team lined out: Raphael Gleeson, Din Bevans, Tommy Williams (Capt), Paddy Williams, Mick O’Meara, Denis O’Meara, Bart Coffey, Johnny Kennedy, Jim Waters, Jim Harty, Johnny Dunne, Mick Heffernan, Francie Darcy, Micksie O’Meara and Tom Darcy.
Under 6
On last Saturday the club hosted Nenagh Éire Óg for a very enjoyable encounter. Aaron McGrath played the music as the teams paraded before the match.
Juvenile Fundraiser
The juvenile club is organising a major fundraising raffle. Tickets will be on sale next week and we hope that all our supporters will row in behind this venture. The draw will take place at a Table Quiz in Bomber’s Bar on Friday, 30th October. You are asked to keep that night free in your diary.
Handball
The Munster 60x30 juvenile Handball Finals were played last weekend in Ballymac, Kerry. In the U14 competition Kian O’Kelly and Matthew Spain lost out to a strong Cork pair. In the U15s Devlin Courtney was narrowly beaten in a tie breaker by his Kerry opponent. Sean McAdams teamed up with James Prentice, Ballina in the U16 final where they had to come from behind to win 21-18 and 21-13. Rory Grace played in the U12s against Cork, but lost a tie break 15-13. Cormac Doheny and James Loughnane had a comprehensive win over Cork in the U13s. Jerome Cahill had a good win against Waterford 21-14 and 21-6. Jerome and Sean go on to contest the All-Ireland semi-final against the Connacht champions in three weeks time.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to Tom Kirby and family, Kilruane on the death of Breda Kirby and to the Cahalan family, Belmont, Nenagh on the death of Breda Cahalan.
