Under 21
Congratulations to the U21 team and management on their 3-13 to 2-11 victory over Burgess in the North ‘B’ final that was played in UL. This was our first U21 hurling title since 2013 when we won the ‘A’ championship with a 0-20 to 0-7 over Burgess in Dolla. Our only other title in U21’B’ hurling was in 1993 when we recorded 1-15 to 3-8 victory over Silvermines in Toomevara. Kilruane MacDonaghs have enjoyed great success in the Divisional U21 championship: (12 ‘A’ Titles) 1972, ’73, ‘74, ‘75, ‘76, ‘78, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013; (2 ‘B’ Titles) 1993, 2025; and a ‘C’ Title in 2002. In addition, we have won 7 county ‘A, one County ‘B’ and one County ‘C’ titles.
On this occasion, we travelled across the county boundary to take on reigning champions Burgess on the AstroTurf pitch in UL. MacDonaghs played with the aid of the breeze in the first half. We adapted quickly to the unfamiliar surroundings and led 0-5 to 0-1 after seven minutes. Burgess gradually found their feet, and a goal by David Nealon in the fourteenth minute left them just a point adrift. In the twenty-seventh minute, Cillian Healy scored a fortuitous goal when his long delivery deceived the Burgess keeper and ended up in the net to give the Magpies a five-point cushion. It looked like we would take this advantage into the changing room, but Joe Dwyer struck for a goal in added time and David Nealon tacked on a point from a 65 to leave the minimum between the sides at the interval. HT Score: MacDonaghs 1-9 Burgess 2-5.
In the third quarter, Burgess got a grip on the game. Three pointed frees by David Nealon put them two points ahead. With the breeze against them, the signs looked ominous for Kilruane. The momentum was with Burgess, but MacDonaghs hung in. Michael Cleary pointed a crucial free in the forty-fifth minute, and Brian O’Meara raised a white flag from play to put the sides level. With eleven minutes left, Burgess had edged a point clear. Then came the turning point of the game. Cian Moyles, who had been pushed into midfield for the second half, knifed his way through the Burgess defence to fire the sliotar to the net. Michael Cleary added a point from a free, and the Magpies were three clear with five minutes left. Although David Nealon cut the deficit with a point from a free, MacDonaghs now had the wind in their sails. In the sixty-first minute, Tommy O’Meara, who had been switched to the attack, showed great persistence in administering the coup de grace with our second green flag. Burgess were forced to hunt for goals deep in added time, but the Kilruane defence held firm. When referee Mark Gennery sounded the long whistle, Kilruane MacDonaghs were champions on a 3-13 to 2-11 scoreline. It was a hard-earned victory against a formidable Burgess outfit. The team showed great resilience in chiselling out victory when everything seemed to be going against them in the third quarter.
After the game, Michael Ryan, Vice-Chairman of the North Board, presented the trophy to captain Eoin Carroll.
Team: Tom Austin, Paul Molloy, Eamonn Coonan, Cormac Kennedy (0-1 free), Cian Moyles (1-0), Shane Cleary, Tommy O’Meara (1-1), Cillian Healy (1-0), Cathal England, Eoin Carroll, Brian O’Meara (0-3), Jack Mulcahy, Charlie Kennedy, Michael Cleary (0-8, 0-5 frees), Sean Hayes. Subs: Michael Hennelly, Fiachradh Ahearne Woods.
County Semi-Final
In the County semi-final, we play Fethard this Saturday, 20th December, in Gortnahoe at 1.30pm.
Remember the Team
On Sunday, 24th November 2013, Kilruane MacDonaghs overcame Burgess 0-20 to 0-7 in Dolla to claim the North ‘A’ title for the twelfth time. Team: David Reddan, Stephen Cleary, Eanna Hogan, Jack Peters, Tomás Hogan, Kieran Cahill, Conor Austin, Justin Cahill (0-2), Alan Darcy, Thomas Cleary (0-1), Niall O’Meara (0-10), Conor Cleary (0-4), Robert Austin (0-1), Eoin Williams (0-2) (Capt), David Williams. Subs: Aidan Boyle, David Mooney. Manager John Hyland, Coach Paddy Williams, Assistant Coach Vincent McKenna, Selectors John Quinlan, Mark O’Leary.
AGM
A very constructive and productive AGM was held in the Clubroom last week. The following were elected: Presidents Fr. Pat Greed, Fr. Enda Burke, Len Gaynor, Carmel Daly; Vice-Presidents Jim Casey, Connie Grace, Sean Melia, Paddy Williams; Chairman Dave Carroll; Vice-Chairman Mary McLoughney; Secretary Maria Quinlisk; Assistant Secretary TBC; Treasurer Valerie Ryan; Assistant Treasurer Sinéad Gaynor; PRO Gilbert Williams; Children’s Officer Jenny Whelan; Registrar Maria Quinlisk; County Board Delegate Michael O’Meara; North Board Delegate Gilbert Williams; Healthy Club Officer Yvonne Kennedy; and Green Club Officer Iva Pocock.
Players’ Raffle
The adult players thank all who supported their Christmas raffle, which was a resounding success. Congratulations to the prize winners: 1st €200 Voucher for Dunne’s Stores Marie Keating; 2nd €150 One4all Voucher Elaine Larkin; 3rd €100 Voucher for Sportsman’s Dream Colette Coonan; 4th €100 Voucher for Elvery’s David Nolan; 5th €100 Voucher for Centra George O’Leary; and Bonus Prize Tipperary signed jersey Brian Gaynor.
Information Meeting
The club is holding an information meeting in relation to the development of the new pitch, walkway, and associated works this Wednesday, 17th December, in the Clubroom at 8.00pm. Everybody is welcome to attend.
Bingo
The weekly Bingo session continues on Saturday night in the Fr. O’Meara Centre, Kilruane at 8.00pm. The jackpot is now a very attractive €1,250.
Lotto
The jackpot stands at €5,500. Tickets are available from the usual outlets, or you can play on Club Spot. Thanks for your continued support.
Nuptials
Congratulations to Niall Shinners and Ciara Gleeson on their marriage.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Margaret O’Neill (née Teehan), Middlewalk, Cloughjordan and to the family of the Noreen Doheny (née Slattery), Cashel and formerly, Ballinamurra, Kilruane.
