Inter County
Best of luck to Cian Darcy, Jerome Cahill, Craig Morgan, Darragh Peters and the Tipperary U21 team in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway. Commiserations to Kian O’Kelly and the Tipperary minor team that lost to a better Kilkenny side in the semi-final.
Senior
MacDonaghs are back in the North final after a well-deserved 1-18 to 1-13 victory over Toomevara in Dolla. It was the first senior championship triumph over the Greyhounds since the 1990 North final — a twenty-eight year barren spell. Interestingly, Toomevara failed to get the better of the Magpies between 1971 and 1992. This latest encounter took place in greasy conditions. Similar to the county championship game, MacDonaghs got on top from the start with Conor Cleary firing over two points inside three minutes. And in a mirror image of their previous meeting Toomevara got a goal against the run of play, courtesy of Mark McCarthy. MacDonaghs were the better team in the first half and could have taken a six or seven-point lead into the interval. The impressive Jerome Cahill who was a constant thorn in the Toomevara side was unlucky not to raise two green flags. The teams were level at the break with the score 0-10 to 1-7.
With 48 minutes gone Toomevara had edged two points ahead and appeared to have the momentum. The Magpies had struck a number of wides and supporters feared that it was going to be the same old story against our great rivals. On this occasion, however, the team dug deep. Niall O’Meara was pushed forward to midfield and he began to run at the Toomevara defence. Conor Cleary took a pass from Brian O’Meara and finished it to the net. This score seemed to galvanise both players and supporters. Although Toomevara levelled two minutes later the Magpies had the bit between their teeth. Brian O’Meara, who was leading by example at full-forward, raised a white flag. Niall O’Meara, Jerome Cahill and Cian Darcy (free) were all on target as the lead was extended to four with 61 minutes gone. The eight minutes of injury time seemed like an eternity as Toomevara pushed hard to rescue the game. Relief was the overriding emotion at the final whistle blew. Despite a litany of injuries, the 28-year hoodoo had been broken. A place in the North final against the winners of the Kiladangan and Nenagh replay awaits. The general consensus in the division is that this is the real North final and MacDonaghs will enter the final as rank outsiders. Meanwhile, the Jim Devitt Cup final against Loughmore takes place in Moneygall on this Wednesday, 1st August at 7.30pm. The second round of the county championship against Killenaule will go ahead on the weekend of 12th August.
Team: Thomas Williams, James Cleary, Darragh Peters, Stephen Cleary, Ray McLoughney, Niall O’Meara (0-1), Eoin Hogan, Seamus Hennessy (0-1), Justin Cahill (0-1), Craig Morgan, Conor Cleary (1-2), Thomas Cleary, Jerome Cahill (0-4), Brian O’Meara (0-3, 0-1 free) and Cian Darcy (0-6, 0-5 from frees). Sub: Tomás Hogan.
Under 12
Borris-Ileigh came out on top in both semi-final encounters. MacDonaghs (Dubh) lost 2-4 to 2-0. Team: Colm McAteer, Liam Foley, Cormac Gaynor, Johnny Naughnane, Tommy Burriss, Jack Quinlisk, Fearghal Doheny, Simon Austin, William Jones (1-0), Dara O’Looney (1-0), Donnacha O’Meara, Thomas O’Brien, Darragh White, Michael Hennelly, Cathain Gaffney and Peter Flannery.
MacDonaghs (Bán) came out the wrong end of a 4-9 to 1-3 scoreline. Team: Cillian Franks, Cian Hayes, Cathal McIntyre, Cian Moyles, Eamon Coonan, Paul Molloy, Shane Cleary, Ray Quinlivan, Brian O’Meara (0-1), Michael Cleary (1-1), John Hannan, William Jones and Tommy Burriss (0-1).
Both our teams had great championship campaigns and look forward to more challenge and tournament games for the remainder of the season.
Under 10
Our U10s and U9s took part in the recent Boherlahan-Dualla tournament. We reached the final of the U10 competition and lost out by a point. The U9s had better fortune, recording a victory in their final. In total there were sixteen teams involved including clubs from Cork and Kilkenny. Thanks to Boherlahan-Dualla for inviting us to participate. On last Saturday we were in action in the annual Seamus Hayes U10 tournament in Puckane. After a great day’s hurling we reached the final, losing to the hosts by the minimum of margins. Thanks to Kiladangan for the invitation.
Under 8
On last Saturday we hosted Newport for an enjoyable morning’s hurling. We had three teams involved.
Under 6
MacDonagh Park was also the venue for a Blitz involving Nenagh Éire Óg and Roscrea. We fielded four teams.
Car Wash
The Intermediate Camogie team is organising a fundraising Car Wash at Keith Deane’s, Nenagh on Sunday, 5th August. All proceeds will go to Seamus Hennessy’s Running for Josie Campaign. Your support would be appreciated.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Michael Courtney, Ardcroney and formerly Hamilton Drive, Nenagh.
