Junior
We kept our qualification hopes alive with a 2-12 to 0-13 victory over Borris-Ileigh in Shalee. This was our first win in the championship since 27th August 2016 when we recorded a 1-14 to 0-13 victory over Burgess in Dolla.
In the first half MacDonaghs had the fall of ground in their favour but Borris-Ileigh had the breeze at their backs. Although Borris-Ileigh opened the scoring with a point, MacDonaghs got quickly into their stride and surged 0-4 to 0-1 ahead after eight minutes. At the first water break the sides were deadlocked on 0-4 each. Borris-Ileigh dominated the rest of the half and enjoyed an 0-11 to 0-5 interval lead.
The breeze died down at halftime and it seemed the Gods were against us. On the resumption Borris-Ileigh tacked on a point and the omens didn’t look good for the Magpies. Conor Austin surged forward from wing back to split the posts and this sparked a revival. A brace of points from Niall Shinners (free) and Mark O’Neill narrowed the gap. In the 37th minute Declan Barrett raised a green flag to leave the minimum between the sides. Niall Shinners was on target from a free to bring the teams level. Borris-Ileigh registered just their second point of the half to nose ahead again. A white flag from Kevin Ryan left the sides all square at the water break.
MacDonaghs dominated the final quarter. Borris-Ileigh were held scoreless in that period but at the other end the Magpies hit six wides in a row. As the clock ticked down Kevin Ryan found the net in the 30th minute. Justin Cahill, who had been introduced just before the interval, hit a sideline over the bar and added a point from play to close the scoring.
It was a well-deserved victory and a spirited team effort. Interestingly, we outscored Borris-Ileigh 2-7 to 0-2 in the second half while in the first half the boot was on the other foot - Borris-Ileigh outscored MacDonaghs 0-10 to 0-1 between the 9th minute and the interval.
On this Friday we play Roscrea in Ballingarry at 6.45pm. No spectators are allowed attend. There will be score updates on our Twitter Page @MacDonaghsGAA.
Team: Thomas Williams, Oisín O’Meara, Gavin McAvinchey (Capt), Brendan McAdams, Tomás Hogan, Martin Grace, Conor Austin (0-1), Shane Williams, Caoilainn Conroy, Mark O’Neill (0-2), Declan Barrett (1-0), Pat Conway (0-1), Niall Shinners (0-4 frees), Tom Dooley (0-1) and Mark O’Meara. Subs: Justin Cahill (0-2), Kevin Ryan (1-1), David O’Sullivan and Kevin Oakley.
Juvenile
The U16s lost out to a much stronger Nenagh side in the quarter-final. Thanks to Pat Shanahan and his management team for their work with this team that found the going difficult in the ‘A’ competition. Both our U12 teams are in quarter-final action this week. On Tuesday, the ‘A’ side faced Boris-Ileigh in MacDonagh Park while the ‘D’ team take on Portroe in Ardcroney on this Wednesday at 6.45pm. On Thursday evening our U14s travel to Borrisoleigh to play the home side in the quarter-final at 6.45pm. One parent/guardian per player is allowed attend juvenile games.
Tipperary Draw
The first Draw takes place on Friday, 18th September. Thanks to all our subscribers and promoters for their loyalty over the years and we look forward to your continued support of this important fundraiser for the club.
Engagement
Congratulations to our junior manager Martin Walsh and Dee Trant who became engaged last week.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to Brid Cleary, Ballykuskey on the death of her father Jerome Galvin, Inchigeela, Cork and to Mary Maher, Knockearl on the death of her brother Liam Gavin, Fr. Burke Road, Claddagh, Galway and formerly Borrisokane.
