Kilruane MacDonaghs win Under 14 County Title
On Friday night last in the Ragg Camogie Field, Kilruane MacDonaghs U14 team won the County U14 Title for 2011 by overcoming a very strong Nenagh team.
This team, having been beaten by Nenagh in last year’s semi-final, had overcome teams from Moneygall, Roscrea, Silvermines and Newport on their way to the County Final.
This final was a tense closely fought contest between two teams eager for county success. Nenagh, who started this game as strong favourites, were first to register a score and were four points up after 5 minutes all from the stick of Grace O’Brien. Kilruane moved Niamh Costello back to corner-back and it stemmed the tide of Nenagh pressure. Mid-way through the first half, a cleverly-worked ball into the forwards, resulted in a great goal by Lianne O’Kelly. This was quickly followed by a free by Roisin Cahill to level the scores. Nenagh’s response was immediate, three pointed-frees left the half-time score 1-1 to 0-7. Whatever was said in the Kilruane dressing-room at half-time certainly worked as Lianne O’Kelly had the ball in the Nenagh net 30 seconds after the restart. However, Nenagh once again proved their worth with two pointed-frees and then a goal after a mix-up in the Kilruane goal-mouth. We were now mid-way through the second half and with Nenagh five points up, one would have thought that their names were on the cup, but Kilruane re-grouped. Sarah O’Sullivan moved to centre-back and started delivering in good ball to the forwards. Two pointed-frees by Roisin Cahill and one by Grace O’Brien put four points between the teams with 10 minutes to go. The next move resulted in Lianne O’Kelly achieving her hat-trip with an excellent goal and minutes later, Roisin Cahill, did likewise after great work by Chloe Morkan. The final whistle was greeted by great cheers and jubilation by the large Kilruane contingent that watched this young team bring the first county title of 2011 back to the parish. County Chairman and club member, Joe Cahill, presented the cup to a jubilant winning captain, Emma Cleary.
Final Score: Kilruane 4-3 Nenagh 1-10
Thanks to the management team of Davie Reddan, Liam O’Kelly, Jennifer Hodgins, Paul Callan and Philip Heenan for their hard work and commitment with this young panel of players.
Thanks to our kind sponsors who provided sponsorship for the panel for the County Final.
Thanks to the staff of Lulu’s Nenagh for providing refreshments. Also thanks to the Gourmet Gallery in Cloughjordan for the meal after the match.
Team: Becky Hill, Grainne Gibson, Sarah O’Sullivan, Bronagh Hogan, Leanne Tooher, Emma Cleary (Capt), Georgianna Finn, Roisin Cahill, Niamh Costello, Ciara Grace, Lianne O’Kelly, Chelsea Cooney, Maura Maher, Chloe Morkan, Sorcha Heenan. Subs: Elly Callan for Ciara Grace, Aoife Tierney, Laura Darcy, Robyn Morkan, Cliona England, Shauna Maher.
U12
Thanks to Silvermines club for the practice match last Monday night in Dolla. Our next practice match is this Tuesday night in Ardcroney against Ballina. The 2nd round of the U12 go-games blitz takes place on Saturday 4th in Moneygall.
U16
The U16 panel will not be in action until after the exams are finished and details of the next round matches are not yet available.
Best of luck to all club members who will be doing school exams, Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams over the next few weeks.
