Senior
In the first round of the County League, we lost 3-24 to 1-17 against Thurles Sarsfields in MacDonagh Park. Both teams were understrength with MacDonaghs fielding just seven players that featured in the County final. The first half was very evenly contested with Thurles enjoying a 1-10 to 1-7 lead at the interval. Cormac Doheny scored the Kilruane goal in the 19th minute after good work from debutant Jack Mulcahy.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first and with 45 minutes gone Thurles had a four-point advantage. However, in the final quarter the visitors took over, hitting 2-7 in reply to 0-4 from the home team. The next game is away to Drom & Inch on Saturday, 1st April, at 6.00pm.
Team: Conor Doheny, Eoin Hogan, Eanna Hogan, James Cleary, Conor Austin, Aaron Morgan (0-2), Mark O’Neill, Robert Austin, Matthew Moyles, Cormac Doheny (1-0), Jerome Cahill (0-3), Willie Cleary (0-10 frees), Jack Mulcahy, Paddy Ryan, Eoin Carroll. Subs: David O’Sullivan (0-2), Rory Grace, Martin Grace, Ciaran Coffey, Oisín O’Meara.
Junior Football
We kick off the campaign with a home tie against Nenagh Éire Óg this Sunday, 26th March at 12.00 noon. Roscrea are also in the group with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals.
U17 Football
In the North/Mid League our final group game is away to JK Brackens this Wednesday, 22nd March, at 7.15pm.
U15 Football
We travel to Gardiner Park, Borrisokane, on Saturday to take on the home team in the first round of the championship with the throw-in at 2.00pm.
U13 Football
Both our teams made home advantage count with victories over Kiladangan and Burgess. Our first team recorded a 5-7 to 3-3 victory over Kiladangan while the second team edged out Burgess. In the ‘A’ game, Kilruane played against the wind in the first half and led by four points at the interval. Kiladangan took over in the middle of the second half, but Kilruane finished strongly with two goals near the end to secure victory.
Team: Ronan Hayes, Tadgh Teefey, Ben Williams, Tarla Doris (1-1), Dylan Sheahan, Jack O´Meara (1-0), Lukah Williams (0-2), Shane O´Meara, Senan O´Leary (2-3), Tiarnan Casey (0-1), Ciaran Foote (1-0). Subs: Sean Whelan, Rory McLoughney, Mark Cleary. Referee Michael Cronin.
In the ‘D’ game, MacDonaghs had the majority of the possession in the first half. The tables were turned in the second half, with Burgess doing most of the attacking. The game could have been a lot closer, only for Mark Gaynor making two great saves from penalties. Highlight of the game was our new recruit to Gaelic football Gonzalo Escalada, scoring a point from play after only taking up the game in the last two weeks.
Team: Mark Gaynor, Robert Cleary, Jack Ryan, Liam Killackey, Colin Gaynor, Cian O´Looney (0-1), Riain Harte (0-2), James Last, Ben Shiels (1-1), Paul Williams (0-1), Daniel O´Brien. Subs: Rory McLoughney, Sean Whelan, Gonzalo Escalada (0-1). Referee: Michael Cronin.
Mighty Macs
We had another great attendance at the Might Macs Academy last Saturday morning. Activities continue next Saturday at 10.00am. All four, five and six-year-old boys and girls are welcome to attend. No hurls nor helmets are required. It is a fundamental movement skills session with the emphasis on fun and enjoyment.
Rice Cup
Well done to Tommy Gaynor, Hugo Healy (Capt), Karl Ryan and Gerard O’Looney who were on the Nenagh CBS Rice Cup team that qualified for the last sixteen of the competition with victories over Charleville, Ennis and Middleton in Na Piarsaigh Grounds, Limerick.
Cheltenham Fundraiser
The senior hurlers and management held our most successful Cheltenham Prediction Fundraiser to date. Congratulations to Carl Williams, Enda Hogan and Jack Darcy, who finished top on 73 points. Carl, Enda and Jack picked up €533 each. Congratulations to our daily winners Morgan Conway, Shane Mulcahy, Mike Shanahan, Danny Cahalan, Niall O’Farell, Anne Raleigh, Zack Dervan and Cody Cleary. A special word of thanks to our very generous sponsors The Clough Inn, Denis Hogan Racing, LG Parts, Centra Cloughjordan, Aidan O’Brien Plumbing, Patrick McLoughney Agri, Eamonn Gaynor Agri, Nenagh Dental Clinic, George O’Leary, Paddy White Plumbing, Ashley Park House, Cloughjordan Chemist, John Doheny Ardcroney Haulage, Banaghan Autos, Mike Coffey Chainsaw & Lawnmower Repairs, RB Cuts, Alan King Agri Sales, Homework Hub, The Corner House, Tommy Austin, Darcy Hurleys, Muls@Forty7, Sports Plus Physiotherapy, Cloughjordan House and Mike Cahalan.
ClubSpot
446 users have downloaded our new App. To download, search for “Kilruane MacDonaghs GAA” in the App Store or Play Store. Membership can be renewed, and the Lotto can be played on the App while users will be kept updated with all the club news, fixtures and results.
Easter Camp
The club is holding an Easter Camp in MacDonagh Park on 3rd, 4th and 5th April. The Camp is open to children aged 6 to 13. The cost is €30 per child, two children €55 and three children €75. To book a place in the Camp, download the Kilruane MacDonaghs App and purchase a ticket in the Events section. For further information contact Michael O’Meara 0872474768.
Membership
Membership, which is compulsory for all players and mentors, is now overdue and should be paid using ClubSpot. The following are the fees: Adult Players over 18 – €100; Players U18 – €60; Non Playing Adults - €60. The club is also offering two very attractive Membership packages: Adult Package to include Tipperary Draw, Lotto & Membership - €200; and Family Package - €250 to include Tipperary Draw, Lotto & Membership.
Lotto
The jackpot next week will be €2,600. Tickets are available from the usual outlets, or you can play on ClubSpot. Thanks for your continued support.
Rugby
Congratulations to Ben Healy, Rapla who earned his first cap for Scotland against Italy on Saturday. He became the 1,138th player to be capped for the Scottish rugby team. Ben had a very successful underage career with his school and club before focussing his attention on rugby. In 2009, he won a North U13 hurling medal with Kilruane NS. The following year, he collected a North U13 football medal with the school. The same year, Ben was on the Kilruane NS U11 hurling team that won the County final in Semple Stadium. In 2011, Kilruane NS did the U13 hurling and football divisional double with Ben, a valuable member of both sides. In 2012, Ben played with the Tipperary Primary Game football team.
With the club Ben won a County Community Games hurling medal in 2009. The following year, he won North & County U12 hurling medals, and in 2011, he picked up his second County U12 medal. In 2012, he won North and County Féile medals. In 2013, Ben collected his second North Féile medal.
Commiserations to John Healy and Jake O’Kelly who were on the Nenagh Ormond Rugby team that lost to Young Munster in the Munster Senior Challenge Cup final.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the Carroll family, Sopwell, Cloughjordan on the death of Michael Carroll.
