Adjourned AGM
A very productive Adjourned AGM was held in the clubroom last Friday. John Mulcahy was elected treasurer. We welcome John on board and wish him well during his tenure in office. Mick Ryan was ratified as senior hurling manager. Noel Larkin continues as coach and Mark O’Meara joins the setup as selector. John Quinlan was reappointed manager of the junior hurling team. Brian O’Meara takes charge of the U21 hurlers and his brother Niall will guide the fortunes of the minor hurlers. The selectors for junior, U21 and minor will be ratified at the February committee meeting.
Membership
The following membership fees were confirmed for 2016: adult players €50; non playing adults €30; juveniles and minors €30. Membership cards are now available. The deadline for renewal of membership is 31st March.
Club Package
The committee has designed the following special €200 club packages which offer savings to all our members: (1) Adult players can join the weekly Club Lotto, County Draw and renew membership for €200; (2) Non playing adults can join the Club Lotto, County Draw and renew membership for €200. (3) Parents of juveniles will be given one annual Club Lotto and one County Draw subscription plus family membership for €200. In effect, all who avail of these packages will have free membership in addition to annual Lotto and County Draw subscriptions. A family of two adults and two juveniles can make a saving of €120.
Strictly Come Dancing
Preparations for the Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser in the Abbey Court Hotel on Friday, 1st April are now in full swing. The MacDonaghs juvenile and camogie clubs have joined forces in organising this mammoth fundraiser which has captured the imagination of parishioners. Tickets costing €20 will soon be on sale. As demand is likely to exceed supply, early purchase is advisable.
Juvenile AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the juvenile club will be held in the clubroom on this Friday, 5th February at 8.00pm. Everybody interested in the promotion of juvenile games in the parish is asked to make a big effort to attend.
Child Welfare Course
The juvenile club is organising a Child Welfare Course in the clubroom on Thursday, 11th February. This course is mandatory for all coaches and mentors who are involved with underage teams. Please contact Michael O’Meara 087-2474768 to confirm your attendance.
Club History
The updated club history, “Kilruane MacDonaghs 1970-2013, Heirs to a Proud Tradition,” will be published on 14th October. For as little as €50 you can be part of that history by becoming a patron. Thanks to all who have subscribed to date. All patrons will be acknowledged in the publication. Contact Gilbert Williams 087-2176452 to ensure that your name is included.
Retirement Function
The club would like to extend best wishes to our former vice-president, Fr. Tom Hannon who has retired as Parish Priest. Fr. Tom acted as a selector with the U12, U14 and senior teams. In 1978 Fr. Hannon captained Kinnitty to win the Offaly county final. In 1972 his brother, Jackie led Roscrea to victory in the Tipperary senior final. Club members joined other parishioners at the Mass of Thanksgiving and presentation in SS. Michael and John’s Church on last Friday night.
Handball
At the first round of the Munster juvenile championships, where Clare hosted Tipperary, local players were much involved. In the U14 doubles Cormac Doheny and James Loughnane had a great win over the boys from Tulla and Clooney. In the U15 doubles Louis Kennedy and Kian O'Kelly lost out to a strong pair from Tuamgraney, while Sean McAdams teamed up with John McGrath to win the U16 doubles with ease. Devlin Courtney played in the U17 doubles with Mike Ryan of Newport, but they lost out by the narrowest of margins in the tiebreak. Best of luck to Jack Mulcahy who represents Ardcroney N.S. and Tipperary in the Munster finals of Cumann na mBunscol next Saturday in Ballydesmond, Cork.
Willie Cleary R.I.P.
Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Willie Cleary, Kilrea, Ardcroney. Willie won a North Tipperary junior hurling medal in 1950 when MacDonaghs got the better of Burgess in the final. Willie lined out at wing-forward in that triumph, while his brother Mick played at wing-back. The previous year he lined out on the Cloughjordan team — one of three junior teams from the parish that affiliated in the championship — that lost to Knockmeal Rangers in the decider. In retirement, Willie maintained a keen interest in the progress of club teams. Eight of his grandchildren continue the family tradition with their involvement in the MacDonaghs, Shannon Rovers, Toomevara and Coolderry clubs. He derived great satisfaction in following their fortunes on the field of play and in 2001 he was also immensely proud when his neighbour, Mark O’Leary bought the Liam MacCarthy Cup to Willie’s home in Kilrea. It was very appropriate that the MacDonaghs jersey was one of the symbols presented at his funeral Mass. Willie’s coffin was draped in the MacDonaghs colours and three generations of club members walked in silent tribute as Willie was taken to his final place of rest in Ardcroney graveyard.
