Senior Hurling
Kilruane MacDonaghs take on Burgess in the first round of the county championship on this Sunday, April 5th in Nenagh at 6.30pm. This will be a huge test for our team. They will need all our supporters to get to Nenagh and drive them over the line. Burgess enter the game as favourites but MacDonaghs, despite the loss of some players through emigration and injury, hope to upset predictions and get the campaign up and running with a win. They have prepared well and deserve your support. We are counting on you to be there
Junior Hurling
Kilruane MacDonaghs had a 2-8 to 0-13 away victory against Templederry in the first round of the league in windswept Keynon Park. The clocks were put forward and everybody — that is a slight exaggeration — arrived in Templederry on time. The home side won the toss and shocked nobody by electing to play with the gale at their backs. Templederry monopolised possession in the first half but MacDonaghs fought tenaciously for every ball. The hosts opened the scoring with a point but James Williams cancelled this out at the other end. Templederry had to fight for every score. Into the teeth of the wind, MacDonaghs worked the ball intelligently up the field. Midway through the half, Templederry led by 0-6 to 0-1 as they struggled to take advantage of the elements. Mark Spain scored a delightful point from an awkward angle to reduce the gap to four. However, Templederry finished the half strongly to lead by 0-12 to 0-2 at the break.
On the restart, MacDonaghs began to dominate but failed to translate the possession into scores. They got a lucky break when the Templederry keeper failed to control a long delivery from Tomás Hogan and the green flag was hoisted. The comeback was on. Declan Barrett split the posts with a free from distance and Bob Dooley raised a white flag from play. Alan Darcy and David Williams added points and the deficit was down to three. The selectors despatched Páidí Kelly into the attack and Cian Williams was redeployed as a sweeper in the defence. This move paid dividends when Páidí whipped a ground ball to the net and the teams were level. Another long-range free from Declan Barrett put the visitors in front for the first time. Templederry replied with their only score of the half, a point from a free. It was anybody’s game at this stage. MacDonaghs were not to be denied and James Williams popped up to slot the sliotar over the black spot for the winning point. The victory will have delighted the management but what will have pleased them most was the work rate and commitment.
Team: Conor Doheny, Páidí Kelly (1-0), Brendan McAdams, Colm Williams, Tomás Hogan (1-0), Declan Barrett (0-2), Stephen Cleary, Alan Darcy (0-1), Caoilainn Conroy, David Williams (0-1), Jonathan Cahill, James Williams (0-2), Bob Dooley (0-1), Mark Spain (0-1) and Cian Williams. Subs: Niall Shinners and Tom Dooley. Conor Lillis, Martin Grace and Sean Quinlan (all minors) were also togged out. A notable achievement in itself to get twenty players up to Templederry on a Sunday morning. Thanks to Michael O’Meara who was having his first outing on First Aid duty.
Féile
On an evening borrowed from Siberia — it was cold, wet and windy — the U14 hurlers got the better of Borrisokane by 2-5 to 0-3 in the quarter-final of the Féile in MacDonagh Park. Crucially, MacDonaghs had first use of the wind and a pair of goals in the opening half from Kian O’Kelly and David O’Sullivan laid the foundation for victory. It was a great effort by the team with Dylan Moran and Aaron Morgan giving outstanding displays on the half-backline. There are very few players on any team in the club who can read the game as well as Dylan Moran. His performance helped illuminate the gloomy evening. Both teams deserve great credit for playing in such horrendous conditions.
Team: Páidí Williams, Paul O’Neill, Conor Quinlan, Louis Kennedy, Kieran Spain, Dylan Moran, Aaron Morgan, James Loughnane, Nathan Lynch, Cormac Doheny, Shane McAteer (0-1), Matthew Moyles, Matthew Spain (0-3), David O’Sullivan (1-0) and Kian O’Kelly (1-1).
Under 16 Football
Kilruane MacDonaghs were due to play in Gardiner Park on Monday but the fixture fell foul of the inclement weather. They are away to Inane Rovers at on Easter Monday at 6.30pm.
Under 12 Football
Kilruane MacDonaghs travelled to Borrisokane and lost to the home side by 3-2 to 2-1. Borrisokane led by 2-0 to 1-1 at the break. Zack Dervan scored the point. He was unlucky to see his effort shave the paint off the crossbar and he had to be satisfied with a white flag. Kevin Naughnane scored the goal from a penalty. Robin Van Persie would have been proud of the effort. Borrisokane had the aid of a slight breeze in the second half and although Kevin Naughnane found the net once more the home side were worthy winners.
Team: Oisín Williams, Cian White, Tom Larke, Eoin Carroll, Cillian O’Neill, Rory Grace, Jack Ryan, Kevin Naughnane (2-0), Ciaran Coffey (Capt), Georgie O’Leary and Zack Dervan (0-1). Subs: Sean Hayes, Ross Austin, Sean Williams and Danny Cahalan. On this Friday MacDonaghs are at home to Burgess at 6.30pm.
Inter-Divisional Tournaments
Congratulations to Mark O’Neill and Sean McAdams who were on the North Tipperary U15 hurling team that won the Roger Ryan tournament in Toomevara. Kian O’Kelly was on the U14 team that participated in the Peadar Cummins tournament in Borrisoleigh. Craig Morgan, Nathan Ryan and Oisín O‘Meara lined out with the U16 side that played in the Garda Cup in Clonoulty. Illness prevented Jerome Cahill from taking his place on the team.
Munster Final
Congratulations to Mark O’Neill, Jack Dunne and the Nenagh C.B.S. U15 team that overcame Ard Scoil Rís to win the Munster final.
Heritage Exhibition
In front of a healthy attendance, the club exhibition in the Heritage Centre was opened on last Friday by Kilruane MacDonaghs president, Tom Cleary. The exhibition focuses on the golden era of the De Wets and there is also memorabilia on display from other eras. Among the items on show are the football from the 1975 county final, the sliotar from the 1959 North senior final, the sliotar the 1971 county minor final, the sliotar from the 1979 National League Final, Dinny Cahill’s hurl from the 1977 county final, Mark O’Leary’s All-Star Award and Seamus Hennessy’s All-Ireland senior and U21 medals. A wealth of information has been assembled on the legendary De Wets. Did you know that the De Wets played in three tournaments to help raise funds for the building of Cloughjordan Church? Five thousand people attended one of the matches. A North Tipperary championship medal won by the De Wets in 1901— the first North championship— is also on display. Were you aware that the De Wets were such a big attraction that they were paid expenses to play in tournaments in other counties? Over the weekend there has been a steady stream of visitors to the Heritage Centre. The exhibition will be open for month of April.
Handball
The All-Ireland juvenile finals were played on Saturday in Kingscourt, Cavan. In the U15 doubles Devlin Courtney teamed up with Daire Madden against Tyrone. The Tipp boys were slow to start and were 14-0 down straight away. They settled and clawed back seven points before Tyrone clinched the first game. The second game was much more competitive but Tyrone finished stronger, winning 15-9. Matthew Spain played with Sean Hayes in U14 doubles against Wexford in a thrilling contest that was in the balance until the end. The Tipperary boys held their nerve to win 15-14 and 15-14.
