County Leagues
In the first round, our seniors will be at home to JK Brackens this Saturday, 16th March, at 3.30pm. Our junior team travel to play Silvermines in the opening round of Division 5 this Sunday, 17th March, at 3.00pm.
Inter Divisional
Dara Gaynor and Hugo Healy were on the North Tipperary U15 team that overcame Mid Tipperary in the Roger Ryan Cup final. Gerard O’Looney was on the ‘B’ team that lost in the Shield final. Jack O’Meara, Tarla Doris, Shane O’Meara and Mark Cleary (joint captain) were in the North Tipperary U14 squad that won the ‘B’ final in the Peadar Cummins tournament while Billy O’Shea was part of the management team.
Juvenile Football
Our second U15 team travelled to Clonakenny on Sunday evening and got the better of the home side on a 4-3 to 2-2 scoreline. This is an 11-a-side competition but the teams agreed to play 11-a-side. Team: Ronan Hayes, Sean Whelan, Odhran Goulding, Arman Khan Wahid, Conor McGrath (1-0), Rory McLoughney (1-0), Dylan Hussey Sheahan, Harry Gannon, Daniel O’Brien, Culann Haverty Ciaran Foote (1-2), Shane O’Meara (1-1).
The scheduled U17 and U13 matches were postponed as a mark of respect to the late Des Gaynor. This Saturday, the U13 ‘A’ team take on Toomevara in MacDonagh Park at 4.30pm, followed by the second team against Roscrea in the ‘C’ championship at 5.30pm. The U17 game against JK Brackens is expected to be refixed for Monday, 18th March. Details will be posted on our social media pages.
Mighty Macs
We had a great attendance at our first session last Saturday. The Mighty Macs continue this Saturday on the Astro Turf at 10.00am. All 4 to 6 year-old boys and girls are invited to attend. Wear runners. No hurls nor helmets are needed. The emphasis will be on fundamental movement and fun. Contact Brian 0872535695, Paddy 0868356007 or Helen 0872035677 for further information.
Medal Presentation
The U13 teams will be presented with their medals at a function in the MacDonagh Complex this Saturday, 16th March, at 7.30pm. In 2023, the ‘A’ team retained their North title while the ‘D’ team completed the North and County double for the second year in succession.
Easter Camp
The annual Easter Camp takes place in MacDonagh Park from 26th to 28th March from 10.00am to 2.00pm each day. The Camp is open to boys aged 6 to 13. The cost is €30 per child, €55 for two children and €75 for three children. Places can be booked by purchasing a ticket in the events section on the Kilruane MacDonaghs App. Participants must bring hurl, helmet, mouthguard, drink and lunch. Places are limited, so early booking is advisable. For further information contact Mike O’Meara 0872474768.
Membership
Membership is now due and can be paid on our app ClubSpot. The fees are as follows: Family Membership to include Tipperary Draw and Lotto €250; Non-Playing Adult to include Tipperary Draw & Lotto €200; Adult Player to include Gym & Lotto €165: Adult Player & Lotto €100; U18 €50; and Non-Playing Adult €50.
Lotto
The jackpot stands at €2,600. Tickets are available from the usual outlets, or you can play on ClubSpot. Thanks for your continued support.
Bingo
The weekly Bingo session resumes on Saturday night in the Fr. O’Meara Centre, Kilruane at 8.00pm. The jackpot has now climbed to €1,650.
Tipperary Draw
Congratulations to Emily O’Meara, Knockearl and Susan O’Brien, Ballygibbon, who won €300 each in the March Draw.
Des Gaynor RIP
In 1951, Des lined out on the Kilruane MacDonaghs U15 team that overcame Moneygall in the North final. The following year, he was part of the minor panel that won the club’s first divisional title in this grade with a victory over Nenagh In 1956, Des was corner-back on the junior team that got the better of Toomevara in the North final. He made his senior championship debut in 1957. The year after, he made the first of his six North final appearances, but a powerful Toomevara side carried the day. In 1959, Des partnered captain Gerry McCarthy at midfield as MacDonaghs dethroned champions Toomevara in the divisional decider.
In the 1960 and 1962 North finals, Toomevara thwarted Des’s efforts to add another divisional senior medal. After a six-year wait, he got his hands on his second medal in 1965 when a fourteen-man MacDonaghs team, captained by Len Gaynor, had a dramatic two-point victory over Lorrha. A youthful team emerged in 1973 and reached the North and County finals. Des was now a veteran but answered the call of the selectors. A defender by nature, he lined out at full-forward to beef up a lightweight attack as MacDonaghs lost by a point to Borris-Ileigh. Des played senior hurling for seventeen consecutive years in three different decades.
When Des retired, he remained very active in the club. At various times, he held the positions of treasurer and vice-chairman of the senior club. Des was also chairman of the juvenile club and served on the committee. As a player, he wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves, and in these administrative roles, he gave total commitment. He was a selector with the seniors, juniors, U14s and U12s. When Des was involved with any team, no effort was spared. In 1975, he was a selector with the senior team that reached the County final, and in 1998, he was manager when the juniors won the North final.
Des will always be associated with Kilruane Bingo on a Saturday night. As well as being a consistent revenue earner for the club, it was always a great social occasion where Des was in his element enjoying the banter and interaction with the patrons. His determination and dedication kept it going during six decades. The Bingo is now going as strong as ever, eloquent testimony to the resolve and resilience of Des and his loyal colleagues. How very fitting that he reposed in Kilruane Hall where he spent so many happy hours and made so many great friends. In 2020, Des was elected vice-president of Kilruane MacDonaghs. A well-deserved honour as he has been involved in one capacity or another with the club for three quarters of a century.
As a mark of respect, the Bingo in Kilruane was cancelled, and the Tricolour in MacDonagh Park flew at half-mast. His coffin was draped in the MacDonaghs colours, and club members formed a guard of honour at his funeral.
Sympathy is extended to his wife Maureen, his sons Michael, Ned and Sean, his daughters Eileen and Marie, his brother Len, his sisters, Mary, Imelda and Maelisa, all his family and friends. Suaimhneas síorai dá anam uasal cróga.
