Senior
After last Sunday’s 3-19 to 1-17 loss against Nenagh our championship fate hinges on the result of the final group game against Clonoulty Rossmore. A victory would secure top spot in the group. Anything less would put us in third place. The Nenagh game was played in perfect conditions on a well-prepared but hard surface in The Ragg. MacDonaghs lined out without the services of Kieran Cahill with Conor Austin deputising. In the opening seconds Willie Cleary floated the sliotar over the black spot after Seamus Hennessy had won the throw-in and delivered a precise handpass. Nenagh responded with three pointed frees from Mikey Heffernan. One of the frees was for a throw and another for overcarrying. This was to set a pattern for the game that was punctuated by frees, stoppages and rucks.
Twice inside the opening quarter Nenagh opened up a four-point gap. In the fourteenth minute MacDonaghs suffered a severe setback when Craig Morgan had to retire with a serious knee injury. Replacement Eoin Hogan took over the task of policing Jake Morris. Nenagh had the better of matters in the second quarter but only led by 0-12 to 0-10 at the interval. MacDonaghs had hit eight wides in the first half, most of which were very scoreable. Worryingly, some of our forwards were struggling to make an impact. On the restart the management shuffled the deck. Niall O’Meara went to centre-back and Jerome Cahill was pushed forward to the inside line. The Magpies were still not firing on all cylinders but in the 44th minute Willie Cleary pointed a free to bring the sides level. Two minutes later Jerome Cahill raised a white flag to put Kilruane in the lead for the first time since the opening minute. With eight minutes of normal time left the sides were deadlocked on 0-16 each.
Jack Peters limped off with a hamstring injury and his loss was felt down the home straight. Two minutes later Sean McAdams had to retire with cramp and our resources were being tested to the limit. A brilliant Jake Morris goal in the 56th minute followed by a point from the same player gave Nenagh a five-point cushion. MacDonaghs refused to throw in the towel and Willie Cleary pointed a 65 in 61st minute. Less than a minute later Thomas Cleary plucked a long delivery out of the sky and roofed the sliotar to the net. It was game on again.
However, a fortuitous goal from Cian Crowley in the 64th minute – the sliotar ricocheted off an attempted block-down into the net – scuppered any chances of sharing the points and a Jake Morris goal just before the final whistle gave Nenagh a very flattering margin of victory.
It will take a herculean effort to achieve the necessary victory over Clonoulty in the absence of Craig Morgan. Best wishes to Craig. Hopefully, he will get good news after the scan mid-week.
Team: Páidí Williams, Craig Morgan, Jack Peters, James Cleary, Conor Austin (0-1), Sean McAdams, Aaron Morgan (0-1), Seamus Hennessy, Mark O’Neill, Jerome Cahill (0-1), Willie Cleary (0-11, 0-9 frees, 0-1 65), Kian O’Kelly (0-2), Thomas Cleary (1-0), Niall O’Meara, Cian Darcy (0-1). Subs: Eoin Hogan, Eanna Hogan, Eoin Carroll, Carl Williams.
Junior C
Eight teams affiliated in this competition which commences on this Friday, 26th August with an away game against Roscrea at 6.45pm. Silvermines and Kiladangan are also in the group. The top two in each group qualify for the semi-finals. MacDonaghs have played a number of practice matches in preparation for this championship against Birr, Ballina and on Sunday evening against Silvermines. Unfortunately, Colm Williams, who was having a having a tremendous game in the number one jersey, broke a finger in the first half and will be out of action for the remainder of the season.
U19
A 2-16 to 2-11 semi-final loss against Moneygall/Clonakenny in Borrisoleigh brought the season to an end. The combination went into the game as favourites but MacDonaghs matched them for most of the game. Moneygall/Clonakenny had more of a cutting edge in the attack and this proved to be the difference between the teams. The sides were level at the interval with the Magpies posting 1-6 in reply to 0-9 from the opposition. On the resumption Kilruane pulled two clear but gradually Moneygall/Clonakenny began to gain a slight edge. MacDonaghs battled it out to the finish even when they lost a man overboard in the final quarter. However, Moneygall/Clonakenny were deserving winners and will cause plenty of problems for championship favourites Borris-Ileigh in the final.
Team: Kevin Naughnane (Capt), Eamonn Coonan, Ross Austin, Danny Cahalan, Ciarán Coffey, Jack Mulcahy, Paul Dwyer, Rory Grace (0-1), Brian O’Meara (0-1), Cian Moyles (1-0), Níosa Minogue, Tristan Madden (0-1), Eoin Carroll (1-7, 1-5 frees), Jack Gleeson, Cathal England. Subs: Tadhg O’Brien (0-1), Sean Hayes. Frees for 12. Frees Against: 15
Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).
This team made great progress since the championship, recording victories over Borrisokane & Newport and drawing with Borris-Ileigh. Thanks to the players and management for their efforts.
U17
We play Templederry/Ballinahinch in the quarter-final on Wednesday 31st August in Moneygall at 6.30pm.
U15
Our first team came out the right side of a 3-14 to 3-13 against Borrisoleigh in MacDonagh Park. Short the services of Tommy Burriss & Fearghal Doheny and with Michael Cleary recovering from injury the management were forced to rearrange their forces. Michael Cleary was deployed between the sticks and Paul Molloy was handed the number three jersey. MacDonaghs had the use of the fresh breeze and led by 2-11 to 2-6 at the interval. Ray Quinlivan, who was a constant threat in the attack, raised the two green flags while Cillian Healy was prolific from placed balls in the opening period.
With the breeze at their backs in the second half the visitors took control. We struggled badly on our own puckout and the supply of ball to the inside forward line dried up. It took MacDonaghs seventeen minutes to register a score and when Borris-Ileigh took the lead in the final quarter only one outcome looked likely. However, this side has shown great resilience in previous games and once again they refused to submit. A few switches helped to galvanise the side that dug deep. A fortuitous goal helped our cause as MacDonaghs clinched victory by the minimum of margins. A draw would possibly have been a fairer result but the team deserve great credit for chiselling out a victory when the tide had turned against them.
Team: Michael Cleary, Cathal McIntyre, Paul Molloy, Jack Quinlisk, Cormac Gaynor, Shane Cleary, Fiachradh Woods, Cillian Healy, Tommy O’Meara, Micheal Hennelly, Ray Quinlivan, William Jones, Dara O’Looney, Johnny Naughnane, Darragh Gaynor. Sub: Tommy Gaynor
Referee: Brendan Ryan.
U13
Both our teams are in action this week. The first team played Newport in MacDonagh Park on Tuesday in the preliminary quarter-final while the second team have a home quarter-final against Kiladangan on this Wednesday, 24th August at 6.30pm.
Inter County
A number of our players were involved with Tipperary teams last weekend Cian Moyles (U16), Ray Quinlivan (U15) and Tommy O’Meara (U14).
Tipperary Draw
The Tipperary Draw will commence on Friday, 2nd September. There is a €500,000 prize fund. We are now canvassing the parish to enlist existing members and recruit new subscribers. This is a very important fundraiser for the club and we are confident that we will get the usual solid support from our members. A total of €16,200 was won by our subscribers in the last Draw.
Lotto
The Jackpot now stands at a very attractive €2,900. Tickets are available from the usual outlets or you can join on Clubforce.com. Thanks for your continued support.
Nuptials
Congratulations to Cormac Williams and Niamh Grogan who were married last Friday.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Ann Brereton (née Kenneally), Rathurles.
