Senior
In the third round of the County Championship, a 1-23 to 0-20 victory over Roscrea secured a place in the preliminary quarter-final where we will play Kiladangan in Nenagh on Sunday, 21st September, at 3.30pm. Since 2014, the seniors have qualified for the knockout stages every year, with the exception of 2020 and 2023. On this occasion, MacDonaghs reversed the 4-21 to 3-19 loss to Roscrea in the 2023 County Championship. Prior to that reverse, Kilruane hadn’t lost a senior championship game to Roscrea since 2010. This was a crucial game with the Magpies, Roscrea and Borris-Ileigh still in contention for second place behind Moycarkey Borris and the relegation dogfight beckoning for one of the three teams that had claimed the All-Ireland Club title.
Roscrea played with the aid of the breeze in the first half, and Dan Ryan pointed straight from the throw-in. A minute later, the dependable Willie Cleary fired over the equaliser from a free. At the end of the first quarter, the sides were level on 0-6 each. Shane Cleary raised a white flag to put MacDonaghs ahead, and they were never in arrears after that. At the break, the Magpies led 0-16 to 0-13. Remarkably, Kilruane had no wide in the opening half.
Six minutes into the second half, Kilruane suffered a setback when Craig Morgan was forced to retire with a leg injury. He had shipped a heavy tackle in the early minutes of the first half. At the end of the third quarter, the Magpies had a four-point cushion. With eight minutes of normal time left, the lead had been reduced to three. Cian Darcy then popped up with a peach of a goal. A Michael Cleary effort for a point, dopped short, and the sliotar was hanging in the air. Cian drifted in behind his marker and deftly batted the ball to the net. Kilruane were now in control, and Roscrea were forced to go for goals in the closing minutes. However, the MacDonaghs defence held firm, and six-points was the margin of victory. Willie Cleary finished with a 100% return from placed balls, and Páidí Williams got himself on the scoresheet with a monster effort from play in the 57th minute.
Team: Páidí Williams (0-1), James Cleary, Aaron Morgan, Jack Peters, Kieran Cahill, Craig Morgan, Niall O’Meara (0-2), Conor Austin, Cormac Doheny, Shane Cleary (0-1), Kian O’Kelly (0-1), Cian Darcy (1-4), Willie Cleary (0-11, 0-9 frees, 0-1 65), Thomas Cleary (0-2), Michael Cleary (0-1). Subs: Darragh Peters, Eoin Hogan, Mark O’Neill, Cian Moyles, Buggy O’Meara.
U19
In the County ‘A’ football semi-final, we will play Fethard with the fixture to be confirmed.
U15
In the ‘A’ semi-final, we lost 2-13 to 3-9 against Toomevara in Moneygall. We led 2-4 to 1-6 at the interval with Tommy Ryan notching a brace of goals. Heading into the home straight, we had a one-point lead, but Toomevara scored two late points to book a place in the final.
Team: Shane O’Meara, Odhran Goulding, Tadhg Teefey, Liam Dollery, Mark Cleary, Ben Williams, Jack Ryan, Michael Hutchinson, Jack O’Meara (1-2), Senan O’Leary (0-4, 0-2 frees), Ciaran Foote, Dylan Hussey Sheahan, Lukah Williams (0-3), Tommy Ryan (2-0). Subs: Rory MCloughney, Robert Cleary, Cian O’Looney.
In the ‘C’ championship, our second team has a home game against Nenagh this week with the fixture to be confirmed.
Paddy Quinlan Tournament
The annual U11 Paddy Quinlan Tournament will be held in MacDonagh Park on Saturday, 27th September, with the first games commencing at 10.00am.
U9
Last Saturday, our U9s travelled to Semple Stadium and Coolmore Dr. Morris Park to participate in the FISERV hurling Blitz. It was a fantastic day out and very well organised. Well done to the players and mentors.
Golden Jubilee
On Sunday, 14th September 1975, Kilruane MacDonaghs won the County senior football final with a 3-6 to 1-10 victory over Loughmore Castleiney in Nenagh. Team: Tony Sheppard, Donnacha Minogue, Dinny O’Meara (Capt), Brian O’Reilly, John Kelly, Paddy Williams, Dinny Cahill, Tom Killackey (1-0), Phil Reddan, Seamus Hennessy (0-1), Jim Williams, Jim O’Meara, Gilbert Williams (0-1), Johnny O’Meara (1-4), John Quinlan. Subs: Bunny Keogh, Sonny Killackey (1-0). Also on the panel were John Sheppard, Dinny Whelan, Kevin Dwan, Eddie Troy, John Joe Hyland, Michael Waters and Jim Reddan. The selectors were Paddy Quinlan, Hughie McDonald and Frank Brady. Ned Fogarty (Knockshegowna) was the masseur. On the path to the final victories were recorded over four teams from South Tipperary, Clonmel Commercials (3-7 to 1-9), Fethard (2-6 to 1-7), Fr. Sheehy’s (1-11 to 0-6) and Kilsheelan (2-5 to 1-5).
MacDonagh Park
Next Saturday, September 13th , MacDonagh Park will host the North Junior ‘A’ final between Nenagh Éire Óg and Kiladangan at 4.30pm. Both teams will be hoping to lay their hands on the coveted Michael Cahill Cup, named in memory of one of Kilruane MacDonaghs great stalwarts.
Lotto
The Jackpot now stands at €4,100. 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 with the Jackpot standing at €1,150.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Ned Ryan, Parkview, Moneygall.
