Senior
MacDonaghs chiselled out a great draw against Borris-Ileigh in the first round of the County League played in Bishop Quinlan Park. Score: MacDonaghs 4-10, Borris-Ileigh 0-22. Considering that MacDonaghs had to field without so many regulars, it can be viewed as a very valuable point. Throughout the game Borris-Ileigh enjoyed more possession but MacDonaghs kept plugging away. The home side led 0-12 to 1-3 at the break. With two minutes left MacDonaghs trailed by four points but a rasper of a goal from Cian Darcy and a point from Páidí Williams left the sides level at the final whistle.
Team: Conor Doheny, Eanna Hogan, Willie Cleary, Oisín O’Meara, Mark O’Neill (1-0), Tomás Hogan, Martin Grace, Aaron Morgan (1-1), Sean McAdams, Páidí Williams (0-2, 0-1 from free), Caoilainn Conroy, Thomas Cleary, Jerome Cahill (1-1), Niall Shinners and Cian Darcy (1-6, 0-3 from frees).
Subs. Robert Austin for Thomas Cleary (Inj), David O’Sullivan and Cormac Doheny.
County Final
Our U14 hurlers lost out in the ‘D’ County Final to Fr. Sheehys on a 3-13 to 3-5 scoreline in Dundrum on last Saturday. Before the start of the game a minute’s silence was observed in honour of former Kilruane MacDonaghs player Johnny Peters.
Dan Burke (Fr. Sheehys) got the opening score in the first minute with a lovely point after running clear. Michael Hennelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs) equalised after five minutes. It was a great tussle between both teams for the next five minutes as the game settled down and Dara Walsh fired over two quick points in the tenth minute. Dara O'Looney responded with a white flag for MacDonaghs.
The game took off to another level after sixteen minutes when Dara Walsh scored two fantastic goals in the space of a minute. He then fired over the next two points and Fr. Sheehys led 2-5 to 0-2 after twenty minutes. MacDonaghs showed their mettle and determination by responding with a point from Dara O'Looney. Three great goals followed in the space of two minutes from Michael Hennelly, John Hannan and Dara O'Looney even after allowing for some great saves by Harry Byrne in the Fr Sheehys goal. Dara O'Looney added a further point which was the final score of the first half.
The game was now turned on its head and MacDonaghs led by 3-4 to 2-6. Dara Walsh got his hat-trick after thirty minutes to put Fr. Sheehy's into the lead again. Ryan Breidy at centre-back and Dara English at midfield came into their own and won a lot of battles to keep the ball away from Kilruane's dangerous forwards. They both topped off their performances with two great points from play. John Hannan got a point for MacDonaghs and John Burke (Fr. Sheehys) got the game’s last point in injury time. Congratulations to Fr. Sheehys were the better team on the day and deserved their win. The game was played in a very sporting manner and the final score was not a reflection of MacDonaghs performance who were always threatening. Dara O'Looney was MacDonaghs best player on the day and dazzled Fr. Sheehy's with his speed and skill.
Thanks to the players and management for their efforts.
Juvenile Football
The U17 footballers gave a good account of themselves despite losing out to Kiladangan by 4-5 to 1-8 in. The U15 team travelled to Toomevara and just shaded the verdict by 2-5 to 1-5 against the home side in a game that went to extra time. The sides were locked together on 1-4 each at the end of normal time. Scorers: Colin Doris (1-1), Cian Hayes (1-0), Tom Austin, Paul Molloy Cillian Healy and Eamonn Coonan (0-1) each.
Our U13 footballers had mixed fortunes in their games against Kiladangan in MacDonagh Park. In the ‘B’ championship MacDonaghs prevailed on a 3-4 to 1-1 scoreline while the visitors took the honours in the ‘D’ championship on a 4-5 to 3-2 scoreline. Last Saturday morning MacDonagh Park was a hive of activity as MacDonaghs and Nenagh played three U11 games. MacDonaghs recorded two victories with the ‘A’ team coming out on top on a 4-6 to 1-9 scoreline while our third team was also victorious. Nenagh took the spoils in the clash between the second teams.
Lotto
The Jackpot now stands at a very attractive €3,100. Tickets are available from the usual outlets or you can join on Clubforce.com. Thanks for your continued support.
Johnny Peters RIP (1950-2021)
The late Johnny Peters, Beechwood was a popular, highly respected and most obliging figure in his local community of Kilruane. A man of many talents, he trod the boards with the Kilruane Drama Group, was a committed member of the Church Choir and crafted many a piece with the Ardcroney Woodcarvers. Johnny played hurling and football with MacDonaghs. In 1970 he was on the U21 football team that won the club’s inaugural title in that grade. Lining out at corner-forward, he helped himself to 1-1 in the victory over Silvermines in Roscrea. The following year he captained the side that relinquished the title to Naomh Pádraig in Nenagh. In 1972 he wore the number thirteen jersey on the senior football team that made the historic breakthrough by capturing the divisional title for first time with a victory over Silvermines in Nenagh. His brother Mattie was also on that successful side. In 1973 Johnny was a member of the senior hurling panel that reached the North and County finals.
Soon after that he crossed the Atlantic to work in New York. Johnny then headed to Alaska and spent the next twenty years going back and forth between Ireland and Alaska. He enjoyed his time in the Last Frontier State and made many friends during his sojourn there. Johnny eventually set anchor in Beechwood and with his wife Mary raised their family there. When his sons Jack and Darragh started playing with MacDonaghs, Johnny began to take a more active role in the club. He acted as selector with a number of teams and was on the line when the U16 hurling team, captained by his son Darragh, won North and County titles in 2013. He was a faithful follower of the Magpies and enjoyed the success of Jack and Darragh in both the black and white & blue and gold jerseys.
As a mark of respect the Tricolour flew at half mast in MacDonagh Park, a minute’s silence was observed before the U14 County final and the scheduled County League game against Borris-Ileigh was postponed. His coffin was draped in the MacDonaghs colours and a Guard of Honour flanked the funeral cortege on Johnny’s final journey to Kilruane Church.
Sympathy to his wife Mary, daughters Siobhán and Aoife, sons Jack and Darragh, sister Bridget, brothers Noel, Laddy & Mattie and extended family. Leaba i measc na naomh dó.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Willie Costen, Bothar Mhuire, Cloughjordan and formerly Enniscorthy, Wexford.
