Oisín Williams (2004-2021)
The tragic and unexpected death of sixteen-year-old Oisín Williams, Deerpark, Cloughjordan has stunned the parish and the Kilruane MacDonaghs Club. His passing at such a young age has left the community reeling. From an early age Oisín and his hurl were inseparable, a hurl in one hand and the sliotar in the other. MacDonagh Park was his second home and it was both poignant and appropriate that during his funeral the Tricolour flew at half-mast in the pitch where he spent so many happy hours. In 2014 Oisín was part of the U12 panel that did the divisional double in hurling and football and went on to add the County title in hurling. In 2016 he was a pivotal figure in the attack as Cloughjordan School won the North Football championship.
2018 was a vintage year for Oisín. He was a key player on the U14 team that won North & County Divisional Féile and Championship titles. During a long campaign he had finished top scorer. In the County final victory over Arravale Rovers Oisín grabbed two crucial goals while in the North Final he had helped himself to 2-1. Goals were his currency. He rarely settled for a point and went in search of the green flag. Oisín will be long remembered for his winning goal in the County Féile Final against Rockwell/Rosegreen in Templemore. Deep into injury time Kilruane MacDonaghs trailed by two points. Oisín stepped up to a 25m metre free and sent a daisy-cutter to the net to give victory to the Magpies. He went on to play U16 and minor with the club and was part of this year’s U17, U19 and U21 panels.
Oisín played with both the North & County U14 hurling and football teams and the County U15 hurling team. This year he was part of the Tipperary minor hurling development squad. Two of Oisín’s coaches were fulsome in their praise. Paudie Malone from Portroe said that “Oisín was a young player with blistering pace who had a knack of scoring goals. He would always greet you with a smile and a little chat.” Eamon Power from Ballina said that “Oisín was the life and soul of the dressing room with the Tipperary academy in recent years, always smiling, a serious hurler and a natural goalscorer.” Oisín who was a student in Borrisokane Community College was a talented soccer player and he lined out with both Ardcroney and Moneygall. In recent years he developed a great interest in greyhounds with Donal Kelly from Borris-in Ossory taking Oisín under his wing.
In compliance with current guidelines club members paid a dignified tribute at Oisín’s funeral. He was laid to rest wearing the Kilruane MacDonaghs jersey which he had worn with distinction in his career that was all too brief.
Sympathy is extended to his father Pat, mother Liz, brothers Thomas, David and Páidi, sisters Leah & Ciara, his grandparents Pat & Noreen and extended family. In light of Oisín’s tragic death, the Kilruane MacDonaghs senior hurlers, who organised a very successful Cheltenham Prediction Fundraiser, have decided to donate €500 to the Juvenile Club to provide counselling for younger players in the club at the appropriate time and €500 will also be donated to Pieta House. We ask people to look out for each other and to look after each other.
Cheltenham Prediction Fundraiser
The Cheltenham Prediction Fundraiser, organised by the senior hurlers, was a tremendous success. After four days and 27 races Richie Austin, Cloughjordan scooped the first prize of €1,000 with 80 points. Cormac Doheny took the runners up prize of €400 with 77 points while Andrew O’Connell, Bandon, Cork on 76 points claimed the third prize of €200.
AGM
With the current Level 5 Restrictions likely to last for an indefinite period the Annual General Meeting will be held online. Details to follow.
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Paddy Hyland, Galway and formerly Loughane, Cloughjordan. Paddy played juvenile, minor and junior hurling with Kilruane MacDonaghs. In 1958 he was wing-forward on the U15 team that lost the North final against Lorrha. He lined out at midfield on the junior team that overcame Lorrha in the 1964 North final. Paddy began working with Údarás na Gaeltachta in 1975 and was appointed chief executive in 2005 and held that position until his retirement in 2011.
