Senior
In the third round of the County Championship, we play Thurles Sarsfields this Saturday, 22nd August, in Templederry, at 6.30pm.
Junior
The North Junior ‘A’ title returned to the parish for an 11th time after a 3-21 to 2-15 victory over Roscrea in Templederry. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the closeness of the game, as there was little to separate two evenly matched teams. It was our first success at this grade since 1998, and the Michael Cahill Cup will spend the winter in the parish for the first time. Our ten previous wins were: 1913 (De Wets champions), 1950 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 6-3, Burgess 5-4), 1954 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 8-6, Kilcommon 1-2), 1956 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-5, Toomevara 3-1), 1960 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 5-8, Ballinahinch 2-5), 1964 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 3-7, Lorrha 3-1), 1975 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-10, Templederry 2-6), 1985 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-14, Toomevara 1-11), 1995 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-8, Nenagh 1-7), and 1998 (Kilruane MacDonaghs 3-10, Moneygall 1-9).
A bumper crowd navigated the roadworks at Latteragh to gather in Kenyon Park for the Watch Centre Junior ‘A’ final. On a perfect evening for hurling, MacDonaghs started brightly, with the impressive Cillian Healy striking two points. After thirteen minutes, the Magpies led 0-6 to 0-1 as Roscrea registered several wides. In the seventeenth minute, Brian O’Meara fired home a superb goal after a deft pass from Cian Moyles to give Kilruane a 1-6 to 0-2 lead. Roscrea responded with a Josh McMahon goal after he was first to react to a long-range free which broke in the goalmouth. At the interval, the scoreboard read 1-11 to 1-7 in favour of MacDonaghs. Roscrea’s twelve first-half wides had proved costly for them.
On the restart, the Magpies kept Roscrea at arm’s length, and a Cian Moyles point at the end of the third quarter stretched our lead to six. Roscrea kept pressing, and Conor Donovan’s goal in the forty-eighth minute reduced the gap to the minimum. It was hurl-or-go-home time. From the puckout, Brian O’Meara struck the game’s most crucial score, sending the sliotar over the black spot. Conor Austin added another point before Liam Dunphy replied with a pointed free. Then the game turned on its head. In the fifty-fifth minute, neat interplay between Cian Moyles and Cillian Healy released Michael Hennelly, who showed a clean pair of heels and buried the sliotar in the net. A minute later, Seamus Hennessy’s clever flick put Cillian Healy through, and he finished to the net with aplomb to put MacDonaghs eight clear. Roscrea continued to battle but couldn’t close the gap. It was fitting that Seamus Hennessy and Eoin Hogan, veterans of many battles, combined for the final score, with Seamus setting up Eoin to split the posts.
After the match Niamh Cahill presented the Michael Cahill Cup to joint captains Eanna Hogan and Paddy Ryan.
Congratulations to the players and the management team of Alan Quinlan (Manager), Paddy White, John Casey, and Gavin McAvinchey on this long-overdue success in the competition. The management deserve great credit for ensuring the players embraced a more direct style of play, which helped the team deliver their best performance of the year on the day when it mattered the most.
Team: Kevin Naughnane (0-1 free), Paul Molloy, Eanna Hogan, Eamon Coonan, Paddy Ryan, Cormac Doheny, Eoin Hogan (0-2), Conor Austin (0-1). Matthew Moyles, Cian Moyles (0-2), Conor Cleary (0-1), Cillian Healy (1-3), Eoin Carroll, Brian O’Meara (1-11, 0-8 frees), Charlie Kennedy. Subs: Seamus Hennessy, Michael Hennelly (1-0), Fiachradh Ahearne Woods, Oisín O’Meara.
Remember the Team
On Sunday, 17th October 1998, Kilruane MacDonaghs won the North Junior ‘A’ title, defeating Moneygall 3-10 to 1-9 at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh.
Team: Liam Gleeson (Capt), Paddy White, Martin Cahalan, Michael Haverty, Declan Troy, Cathal McLoughney, Willie Brennan, Eugene Cleary, Matt Cleary, George O’Leary (0-6), Brendan Ryan (0-1), Richie Darcy (0-1). Tommy McDonald, Dermot O’Leary (2-2), Barney Naughnane (1-0). Sub: Dermot Troy. Also on the panel: Finbarr McLoughney, Niall England, Joe Whelan, Shane Morkan, Edmond Morkan. Manager: Des Gaynor. Coach: Tom ‘Bomber’ Killackey. Selectors: Tom Hensey, William Percy.
Paddy White, who played corner-back, is a selector on this year’s team. Barney Naughnane, who lined out at corner-forward, has two sons Keven and Johnny on this year’s squad.
Minor
We play Roscrea in the ‘A’ semi-final this Wednesday, 19th August, in Toomevara, at 6.45pm.
Under 16
Our second team captured the C2 County title with a 5-14 to 4-10 extra-time win over Durlas Óg in The Ragg. They showed great spirit and determination to overcome a Durlas Óg side that had beaten them twice in the group stages. MacDonaghs had the wind in the first half but trailed 1-5 to 0-3 at the interval. Durlas opened the second-half scoring with a point before the Magpies thundered into the game through a Harry O’Meara goal and a pair of points from Conor O’Meara and Paul Williams. The contest remained tight to the final whistle, with Sam Harding’s point forcing extra time as the sides finished level: Kilruane MacDonaghs 3-7, Durlas Óg 2-10.
Durlas made a great start in extra time with a goal, but Kilruane dominated the rest of the half to lead 5-10 to 3-10 at the break. In the second period, the Magpies remained in control to emerge deserving winners. Coiste na Óg Chairman PJ Bowden presented the trophy to captain Sean Whelan after the game. Congratulations to the players and management team of Martin Walsh, Matt Cleary, Mark O’Leary, John O’Meara, Kieran Cahill, Enda McLoughney, Liam Grace and Paddy Ryan.
Team: Daryl King, Cian O'Looney, Ronan Hayes, Riain Harte, Ben Sheils, Conn Foley, Mark Gaynor (3-5, 0-2 frees), Isaac Hussey Sheahan, Sean Whelan (Capt), Harry O'Meara (2-2), Shane Carroll, Sam Harding (0-1), Paul Williams (0-2), Daniel O'Brien, Conor O'Meara (0-2). Subs: Kyle Kennedy (0-2), Brian Quinlisk, Oran Farrell, Sam Harding, Brian McLoughney, Killian Foote.
Our first team will play Toomevara in the semi-final this Monday, 24th August in Moneygall, at 6.45pm.
Under 14
Our second team got the better of JK Brackens in first round of the C 2 championship in Ballingarry.
Under 8
We were in action on Saturday morning in Nenagh, taking part in a Blitz against Kiladangan and Nenagh. The boys were outstanding, showing great skill, determination, teamwork and effort throughout. It was wonderful to see such brilliant hurling from everyone. As always, a huge thank you to our parents and coaches for their continued support, and thanks a million to Nenagh Éire Óg for hosting a fantastic morning of hurling.
Inter County
Daryl King and Tommy Ryan lined with the North Tipperary in the Tony Forristal tournament. Michael Hutchinson and Ben Williams played with the Tipperary U15 team.
Mark Cleary, Senan O'Leary, Jack O'Meara, Shane O'Meara were involved with the Tipperary U16 team.
Tipperary Draw
The new Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw commences on Friday, 28th August. This important fundraiser for Kilruane MacDonaghs gives supporters the chance to win excellent prizes while backing the club and Gaelic Games across the county. The August Star Prize is a brand-new Ford Kuga ST-Line# X Edition or €50,000 cash, with the winner choosing their preferred option. Across 10 monthly draws, the total prize fund is €500,000, with more than €40,000 in prizes available each month. By entering, members and supporters make a valuable contribution to Kilruane MacDonaghs’ development and the promotion of Gaelic Games throughout Tipperary. Your Club. Your County. Your Draw. To enter go to
https://member.clubspot.app/club/tipperary-gaa/fundraisers and select Kilruane MacDonaghs as your club. For further details please contact your promoter or Tipp Draw Co-ordinator, Fionnuala Devaney on 087-6334990.
Lotto
The jackpot now stands at an attractive €4,600. Tickets are available from the usual outlets or on ClubSpot. Thank you for your continued support.
Bingo
Weekly Bingo continues on Saturday night in the Fr. O’Meara Centre, Kilruane, at 8.00pm. The jackpot has risen to €1,400.
