Senior
The 2016 campaign came to an end with a 2-20 to 1-20 loss to Killenaule in the county quarter-final in Semple Stadium. Players will rue letting this one slip as they were well capable of overcoming the southerners. However, the stark fact is that enough of our players didn’t play up to form. Why this is so requires deeper analysis when the dust has settled. MacDonaghs were first off the mark with a Seamus Hennessy point. Killenaule responded with three white flags. The Magpies were playing against a light breeze and after fourteen minutes the sides were level on 0-5 each. Then Cian Darcy struck for a trademark goal and MacDonaghs, without setting the heather blazing, were three points ahead. However, this goal failed to galvanise Kilruane who only added a further point to their tally before half-time. In that period Killenaule hit 1-5 to lead by 1-10 to 1-6 at the interval.
With the breeze at their backs a four-point deficit looked manageable. Seamus Hennessy struck the first point of the second half, but MacDonaghs failed to kick on. After six minutes Killeanaule had extended their lead to eight. With a quarter of an hour left MacDonaghs found themselves nine behind. To their credit, they threw caution to the wind and hit seven unanswered points in eight minutes. With three minutes of normal time left the margin was down to two. Thomas Cleary was unlucky to see his effort for a goal skim the crossbar. Killenaule hit back with a point and Bubbles was on target from a sideline. Into injury time Thomas Cleary reduced the gap to three, but a Killenaule point restored their four-point lead. The Killeanaule keeper made an unbelievable save from Buggy and Seamus Hennessy pointed the resultant 65. Killenaule converted a 65 and James Cleary’s shot for a goal sailed over the bar. It had been a brilliant final quarter by the team that just came up short.
Team: Thomas Williams, Ray McLoughney, Jack Peters, Éanna Hogan, Willie Cleary, Niall O’Meara, Tomás Hogan, Eoin Hogan, Seamus Hennessy (0-8), Conor Cleary, Brian O’Meara (0-1), Darragh Peters (0-1), James Williams (0-1), Kieran Cahill (0-4) and Cian Darcy (1-0). Subs: Thomas Cleary (0-4), Stephen Cleary and James Cleary (0-1).
Senior Season
While there is natural disappointment after last Saturday’s defeat it is important to keep everything in perspective and remain positive. The temptation to wallow in despair and become mired in negativity is very tempting but achieves little. It is important to remember that the team reached our first North senior final in twenty-two years, we returned to Semple Stadium again and defeated Drom & Inch to win the Jim Devitt Cup. Players and management put in a huge effort this year and nearly made the breakthrough. The management put a very professional structure in place and this must remain. Hopefully, the same personnel will be involved in 2017. Continuity is important. Obviously the team will have to be tweaked a little to get the best out of the players. Everybody must keep the faith. Thanks to Mick Ryan, Noel Larkin, Mark O’Meara, John Casey and the entire backroom team. You left no stone unturned. Hopefully, you will lead the lads again in 2017.
Under 21
The first round of this championship against Kiladangan is provisionally scheduled for Sunday, 16th October in Nenagh at 12 noon.
Under 8
On last Sunday a twenty-six strong panel travelled to Borrisoleigh and played two enjoyable games against the host club.
New York Prize
The club is organising a major raffle with very attractive prizes. The winner has a choice of weekend flights and accommodation for two to the Tipperary New York Association Dinner Dance or flights
and accommodation for the St. Patrick’s weekend in New York and be a guest of the Tipperary
Association in the Parade. The second prize is a weekend for two in a luxury hotel and the third prize is an evening meal for two. Tickets cost €5 and three are available for €10.The draw will take on Friday, 14th October.
Club History
“Kilruane MacDonaghs 1970-2013 Heirs to a Proud Tradition” will be launched by Len Gaynor in the clubroom on Friday, 14th October at 8.00pm. Everybody is welcome to attend. The 560 page publication with 442 photographs gives a comprehensive account of club activities during this forty-four year period. There are ten player profiles as well as a profile of the legendary Boer leader, Christiaan De Wet. There is a chapter devoted to the All-Ireland club victory in 1986 while the trip to New York in 1982 is also recalled.
Meeting
A meeting of the committee will be held in the clubroom on this Thursday, 6th October at 8.30pm. All committee members are requested to attend.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to Dinny Moloney, Emill on the death of his brother Michael, Killenaule and to the O’Leary family, Beechwood on the death of Selma Ryan (nee O’Leary), Monkstown, Dublin.
