Junior
Kilruane MacDonaghs became North Junior ‘A’ League champions for the second time with a well-deserved 6-16 to 3-18 victory over Silvermines in Toomevara. 6-15 of the total came from play - this is probably a record for an adult team in our club.
The weather was perfect and the pitch was in pristine condition for this encounter. Cormac Kennedy opened the scoring with a point from play inside the first minute. Silvermines drew level with a pointed Ronan Cunneen 65 after keeper Kevin Naughnane prevented a certain goal. In the ninth minute, Conor Cleary did the spadework to set up Brian O’Meara for MacDonaghs first goal. Two minutes later, Conor raised Kilruane’s second green flag to put the Magpies five clear. A Pádraig Fogarty goal in the fourteenth minute kept the Silvermines in touch and at the water break Kilruane led 2-4 to 1-4. In the second quarter, MacDonaghs added five points to their tally in reply to three from Silvermines to leave the scoreboard reading 2-9 to 1-7 at the interval.
On the restart, a Daniel McKelvey point cut the lead to four. Less than a minute later, quick thinking by Mark O’Neill set up our third goal. Mark took a quick free, passed the sliotar to Cormac Kennedy who offloaded to Cian Moyles who rattled the net from close range. In the thirty-ninth minute, a fortuitous goal from David O’Sullivan gave the Magpies a ten-point cushion and at the second water break the advantage had been extended to eleven. When the action resumed MacDonaghs scored their fifth goal. Tommy O’Meara fielded the puckout from Kevin Naughnane, cut in from the right wing and buried the sliotar in the net from an acute angle. Kilruane were now fourteen points ahead with twelve minutes left, and there was little or no doubt that the Denis Carroll Cup would be heading back the R490 to Cloughjordan village. In the fifty-second minute, Conor Cleary capped an impressive performance with his second goal.
In the final ten minutes, the management took the opportunity to empty the bench. Silvermines kept plugging away and were rewarded with two injury time goals from Daniel McKelvey to leave seven points separating the sides at the finish.
After the game, North Board Chairman Brendan Shanahan and Paul Carroll presented the Cup to joint captains Eanna Hogan and Paddy Ryan.
Team: Kevin Naughnane, Paul Molloy, Eanna Hogan, David O’Sullivan (1-0), Paddy Ryan, Cormac Doheny, Eoin Hogan, Cathal England (0-1), Cormac Kennedy (0-4), Tommy O’Meara (1-3), Mark O’Neil, Cian Moyles (1-0), Conor Cleary (2-4), Brian O’Meara (1-3, 0-1 free), Charlie Kennedy (0-1). Subs: Matthew Moyles. Eamonn Coonan, Eoin Carroll, Páidí Williams, Oisín O’Meara, Michael Hennelly, Sean Quinlan.
Congratulations to the players, the management team Alan Quinlan, Paddy White, Gavin McAvinchey, John Casey and the extended backroom team on this victory. Our maiden victory in this competition was in 2015. Manager Alan Quinlan is following in the footsteps of his father John who was the manager of the successful 2015 side. Conor Doheny becomes the first Kilruane MacDonaghs player to hold two North Junior ‘A’ League medals. Conor was between the sticks on the 2015 team.
Next on the agenda is the County League semi-final against Cashel, while the ‘B’ team plays Borrisokane this Friday, 5th June, in MacDonagh Park, at 7.00pm, in the North League.
2015 Junior ‘A’ League Final: Saturday, 13th June, in Moneygall
Kilruane MacDonaghs 3-10 Kiladangan 0-14
MacDonaghs won the North league title for the first time with a tremendous triumph over Kiladangan. Kilruane had an unbeaten run to the final, but it was Kiladangan — they started the game with six senior players on their team — that carried the favourites tag. MacDonaghs had the aid of the light breeze in the first half as they played into Dunkerrin end. James Cleary and Ciaran Kelly swopped points from frees at the start. Jonathan Cahill and Pádraig Kelly did likewise. A brace of white flags put the Shannonsiders into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead. Both defences were on top. Páidí Kelly was doing a good job on Ruairí Gleeson. Tomás Hogan was fouled, and James Cleary was unerring from the free. Ruairí Gleeson, who had moved to the half-forward line, restored the two-point advantage. A Ruairí Gleeson free gave Kiladangan a three-point cushion. At this stage, the Kilruane selectors shuffled the deck. Mark O’Meara was pushed forward into the attack with Tomás Hogan going back into the defence. This move paid dividends. David Williams struck a sweet point, and just before the break, Mark O’Meara lashed the sliotar to the net. Considering that MacDonaghs hadn’t been firing on all cylinders, a one-point interval lead was more than satisfactory.
Some home truths must have been delivered in the half-time talk because the Magpies made a flying start to the second half. A speculative effort from James Williams deceived the Kiladangan keeper, and the green flag was raised. Declan Barrett lofted a 65 over the black spot as MacDonaghs took a firm grip of the game. Things got better. Captain Jonathan Cahill galloped through the heart of the Kiladangan defence and planted the sliotar in the net. The scoreboard now read 3-5 to 0-6 in favour of MacDonaghs. Kiladangan responded and were awarded a penalty. Conor Doheny rose to the occasion and made a magnificent save as Ciaran Kelly’s effort seemed destined for the corner of the net.
Ruairí Gleeson pointed a free, but Jonathan Cahill replied with a great effort from the right wing to leave the score 3-6 to 0-8. Ruairí Gleeson and James Cleary traded points from frees. A brace of white flags from Ruairi Gleeson frees cut the gap to five. Kiladangan were now in the ascendancy, and the pressure mounted on the MacDonaghs defence. Tomás Hogan was fouled, and Declan Barrett struck a magnificent point from the resultant free. Kiladangan built up a head of steam and fired over three successive points. There were now just three points between the sides, and the momentum was with the opposition. Supporters were glancing anxiously at the watches. However, the MacDonaghs defence was tremendous, and they refused to concede a green flag. The forwards dug deep to win two vital frees, and the reliable James Cleary slotted over two crucial points to leave the final score 3-10 to 0-14. The sound of vuvuzelas reverberated around the ancestral home of Barrack Obama as Dan Kennedy, chairman of the North Tipperary Board, presented Jonathan Cahill with the Denis Carroll Cup.
Team: Conor Doheny, Colm Williams, Brendan McAdams, Páidí Kelly, Stephen Cleary, Mark O’Meara, (1-0), Declan Barrett (0-2), Conor Austin, Alan Darcy, James Williams (1-0), Robert Austin, David Williams (0-1), Tomás Hogan, Jonathan Cahill (Capt) (1-2), James Cleary (0-5). Subs: Pat Conway, Kevin Quinlan. Remainder of panel: Aidan Boyle, Caoilainn Conroy, Bob Dooley, Tom Dooley, Mark Spain, Cian Williams, Martin Grace, Niall Shinners, Finnian Mannion. Manager: John Quinlan. Coach/Selector: Paddy Williams. Selector: John Hyland; First Aid & Masseur, June Whelan; and Kitman, Tom Quinlisk.
Inter County
Jack O’Meara lined out on the Tipperary U16 team that lost to Dublin in Dublin. Shane O’Meara, Senan O'Leary and Mark Cleary played with the Tipperary U16 team that had a victory over Wexford in Dr. Morris Park. Michael Hutchinson was on the Tipperary U15 team that played Kilkenny in Dr. Morris Park. Ben Williams was injured and was unable to play.
Under 8
We hosted a fantastic Blitz in MacDonagh Park on Saturday morning, with eighty children taking to five pitches. Kilruane MacDonaghs fielded five teams with Toomevara and Borrisokane also participating. Thanks to Toomevara and Borrisokane for travelling.
Lory Meagher Cup
Congratulations to Diarmuid Cahill (Manager) and Dinny Cahill (Coach), on guiding Longford to a 1-18 to 1-13 victory over Leitrim in the Lory Meagher Cup final in Croke Park.
Cúl Camps
The annual Cúl Camps will be held in MacDonagh Park from 6th to 10th July and from 20th to 24th July. The Camps are open to boys and girls aged 6 to 13. The cost is €82.50 for the first child, €75 for the second child and €65 for third and subsequent children. Book your place on www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie
Examinations
Best wishes to all who are starting the Leaving and Junior Cert Examinations this week.
Walkathon
Kilruane MacDonaghs has launched an exciting new community Walkathon Fundraiser, “40 Miles for 40 Years,” to mark the 40th anniversary of the club’s All-Ireland Club Championship victory and to invest in the future of the parish. The fundraiser will support the development of a new pitch and a 1km community walking track, facilities that will benefit the wider community for generations to come. The club is calling on all members of the community — young and old - at home and abroad to get involved and support the campaign. Individuals, families, teams, and local businesses can take ownership of a mile and contribute through sponsorship and fundraising efforts. Anyone interested in participating or supporting the initiative is encouraged to contact any committee member for further details. The Walkathon will take place in early July with the date to be finalised.
Tipperary Draw
Congratulations to Eileen Finn, who won €1,000 and to Mil Douglas, Nenagh, who won €300 in this month’s Draw.
Lotto
The jackpot stands at €7,800. Tickets are available from the usual outlets, or you can play on ClubSpot. Thanks for your continued support.
Bingo
The weekly Bingo session continues on Saturday night in the Fr. O’Meara Centre, Kilruane at 8.00pm. The jackpot is €1,350.
