Munster Final

Best of luck to Niall O’Meara, Cian Darcy, Jerome Cahill, Eamon O’Shea and the Tipperary team against Limerick on Sunday.

 

Senior

We finished off the County League with a 1-18 to 1-16 home victory over Thurles Sarsfieds. As has been the norm in the League numbers were once again very tight with the Magpies having only seventeen players togged out. The constant drizzle led to greasy conditions which hampered footwork.

Thurles played with a light breeze into the scoreboard end in the first half. They were the dominant side in that period and deservedly led 1-10 to 0-4 at the break. Matters could have been worse for MacDonaghs. Conor Doheny saved a penalty from Pa Bourke and he also came off his line to prevent a certain goal after our defence had been breached. 

On the resumption, Thurles extended their lead with a point from play. However, this seemed to galvanise the Magpies. Seamus Hennessy — he had been moved to midfield — and Kieran Cahill began to dictate matters in the middle of the park.  Justin Cahill was majestic from the start in the number six jersey and Eoin Hogan began to have a major influence on the game. MacDonaghs hit 1-6 in reply to a point from Sarsfields. Our goal in the 21st minute was fortuitous. Seamus Hennessy floated a lineball in from the stand side and a Thurles defender deflected it into his own net.    

Wiilie Cleary was introduced at wing-back inside the last quarter and he was to make a major impact. He raised three white flags from right-half back. His introduction seemed to inspire his brother Thomas who was on the periphery of the game up to this point. Thomas fired over three points in the last quarter. In the 58th minute Kieran Cahill converted a 65 to leave the sides all square on 1-15 each. In recent encounters Thurles have narrowly shaded the verdict but on this occasion MacDonaghs were not be denied and drove on for a two-point victory.  

Team: Conor Doheny, Conor Austin, Jack Peters, Eoin Hogan (0-1), Martin Grace, Justin Cahill, Declan Barrett,  Mark O’Neill (0-1), Kieran Cahill (0-8, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65), Conor Lillis, Conor Cleary (0-1), Seamus Hennessy (1-1), Paddy Ryan, Thomas Cleary (0-3) and Niall Shinners. Sub: Willie Cleary (0-3)  

Tipperary’s progress will dictate the date of our next championship outing. Thanks to Jimmy Cahill who acted as lineman during the League and to Joe Cahill who deputised for the game against Burgess.  

 

Junior

In the third round of the championship MacDonaghs take on Borris-Ileigh on this Friday, 28th June at 8.00pm.

 

Minor

The championship commences with a home game against Moneygall/Clonakenny on Wednesday, 3rd July at 7.00pm.

 

Under 14

MacDonaghs recorded their first victory of the campaign when they got the better of Burgess in MacDonagh Park on a 5-6 to 2-8 scoreline. They led by 3-4 to 0-4 at the interval. A hat trick of goals from John Hannan and one each from Michel Cleary and Brian O’Meara proved to be crucial in deciding the outcome. Team: Tom Austin, Eoin O’Neill, Colm McAteer, John Quinlisk, Simon Austin, Cian Moyles, Cian Hayes, Cathal England, David Persse, Tristan Madden (0-1), Billy Harty, Brian O’Meara (1-3), Tommy Burriss, John Hannan (3-1) and Michael Cleary (1-1). Subs: Cathal McIntyre, Zack Clarke and Cathain Gaffney.

 

Under 11

On last Saturday MacDonaghs received an eleventh-hour invitation to play in the Murroe-Boher tournament when a team scheduled to participate pulled out. The management hastily assembled a side and acquitted themselves very well. In the group stages they lost out to the home side and had victories over Michael Cusack’s (Galway) and Cappawhite. They faced Murroe-Boher for a second time in the final with the hosts taking the spoils.

 

Under 9

Last Friday evening we participated in the Murroe Boher tournament. After playing three games we qualified for Shield final against Cappawhite. A good performance here saw MacDonaghs come out on top. This was a great experience for the boys against different teams. Thanks very much to Murroe Boher for the invitation and hospitality. 

 

Under 8

On last Saturday we organised a Blitz in MacDonagh Park with Nenagh and Lorrha participating. We had a panel of thirty eight and fielded four teams.  

 

Under 6

We participated in a Blitz in Nenagh on last Saturday along with Roscrea, Kiladangan and the home team. Our panel of twenty was divided into three teams and all enjoyed the morning’s hurling.

 

Cumann na mBunscol

All the parish schools were represented in the Cumann na mBunscol finals in Semple Stadium. Ardcroney U11 boys had a thrilling one-point victory over Rosegreen in the U11 C  final while the  U13 camogie team made it a double with a victory over Borrisoleigh in the C decider. In the U11 C camogie final they had to give second best to a very strong Knockavilla side.

The following day Cloughjordan Schools came up against a very accomplished Two Mile Borris outfit in the U13 D final and despite a battling performance the Mid side took the honours. Kilruane took on an outstanding Upperchurch side in the U11 D final. In the opening quarter Kilruane matched their opponents but as the game wore on the power of Upperchurch proved to be decisive and they were worthy winners.

Thanks to all the teachers and coaches who continue to promote Gaelic Games in our Primary schools.

 

Primary Game

Best wishes to Cathal England Cloughjordan No 1 N.S. and Brian O’Meara Ardcroney N.S. who line out with the Tipperary Primary Game team against Limerick on Sunday.  

 

Cul Camp

The annual Kellogg’s Cul Camp commences in MacDonagh Park on next Monday, 5th July. All applications must be done online at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie before 12 noon on this Friday. The Camp is open to boys and girls aged 6 to 13 years. Strictly no U6s. The cost remains the same as last year: 1st child €60; 2nd child €55; €45 for third and subsequent children. Activities commence each day at 10.00am and finish at 2.00pm. The co-ordinator this year is Michael O’Meara.

 

Golf Classic

The club is organising a Golf Classic in Nenagh Golf Club on Friday, 19th July. Anybody who wishes to enter a team can call Gary 087-7496974. Tee-boxes can be sponsored by contacting Cronan 086-8663993. There is a total prize fund of €1,500. It costs €120 to enter a team of three. 

 

New York Trip

A trip to New York is being mooted for May 2020. A meeting will be held in the next few weeks to gauge interest.

 

John Lawlor R.I.P.

The late John Lawlor was a great servant of both Nenagh Éire Óg and Kilruane MacDonaghs. He played hurling and football with his native Nenagh but found his true niche as an administrator and selector. John served as chairman, secretary and treasurer with Nenagh. He was in the chair when they captured the North senior title in 1964. John was a selector with a variety of teams including the senior side and he did Trojan work with the juveniles in the town.

Having settled in Lisgarode, he was appointed to the Kilruane MacDonaghs committee in the mid eighties. John became a very active and effective member of the club executive. He acted as secretary between 1993 and 2000. John was North Board delegate (1993-2005). This was a role he has previously filled with Nenagh. John was highly respected by fellow delegates and his conciliatory style enabled him to achieve results in the boardroom.

His talent as an administrator saw him fill the role of North Bord na Óg secretary (1964-1967). John also acted as vice-chairman for a period. For six successive years (1970-1975) he was elected as one of the four North Tipperary representatives on the County Board. John also filled the role of North Board Registrar (1976-1978).

He was a shrewd judge of a hurler and with MacDonaghs he served as a selector with the intermediates (1988/’89), juniors (1990/’91) and the minors (1989). John used  all his powers of persuasion to entice reluctant junior players to line out with teams that often had very little hope of success. For many years John was a very loyal and dependable volunteer at the Saturday night bingo sessions in the Fr. Niall O’Meara Centre. In 2014 the Tipperary County Board recognised his service to Nenagh Éire Óg, Kilruane MacDonaghs and the North Board when he was the recipient of a Sean Ghael Award. 

Above all else John was a thorough gentleman, modest and unassuming to a fault. Although in failing health for a number of years he continued to be a staunch MacDonaghs supporter and followed the fortunes of all our teams with great interest. Last September he was thrilled when the senior players and club officials visited his home the with the Frank McGrath Cup the morning after the North final victory.

As his funeral left Nenagh members of the Éire Óg club provided a guard of honour.  As his funeral cortege arrived in Cloughjordan village three generations of MacDonaghs members walked in silent tribute from MacDonagh Park to Ss. Michael & John’s Church. His coffin was draped in the club colours. The Tricolour flew at half mast and a minute’s silence was observed before the County League game between MacDonaghs and Sarsfields in MacDonagh Park.

Sympathy is extended to his wife Mary, his sons Damian, Sean and David, his daughter Colette and extended family. Go soilsí solas na bhFlaitheas ar a anam uasal.    

 

Sympathy

The club extends sympathy to Denise Hennessy, Knocknacree on the death of her mother Bridget Dillon, Blackrock, Dublin.

© 2023 Kilruane MacDonaghs GAA Club