Inter County
The U14 panel travelled to Semple Stadium for the hurling qualifiers. They were delighted to see Tipperary triumph and witnessed a thrilling encounter between Waterford and Kilkenny. On the return journey there was a pit stop at the Obama Plaza. Thanks to Jimmy Cahill and Barney Naughnane who organised the trip which went like clockwork.
Senior
MacDonaghs play Upperchurch-Drombane in the fifth round of the County League in MacDonagh Park on this Sunday, 16th July at 1.00pm.
Junior
MacDonaghs (6-8) played out an extraordinary draw with Toomevara (1-23) in the first round of the championship in MacDonagh Park. It took the home side nine minutes to register their first score, courtesy of a Cormac Mannion point. At this stage Toomevara were cruising, had six points on the board and after fourteen minutes they led by 0-9 to 0-1. The Magpies were in trouble in most sectors of the field and victory looked a very remote possibility. However, Jonathan Cahill sparked a revival when he careered through the Toomevara defence in the nineteenth minute and planted the sliotar in the onion bag. Niall Shinners raised a brace of green flags and Cormac Mannion got in on the act in the twenty ninth minute when he crashed the sliotar to the net from close range. Incredibly, MacDonaghs (4-2) were on level terms with Toomevara (0-14) at the break.
The selectors introduced Pat Conway and Thomas Cleary at the interval and both were to have a significant impact on proceedings. In the first minute of the second half Pat poached a goal and Kilruane were in front for the first time. Just on the quarter-hour mark Thomas Cleary scored one of the best goals ever seen in MacDonagh Park. He collected the sliotar on the stand side about 65 metres out. He soloed towards goal, caught the ball twice, and powered an unstoppable missile off his left side to the top right-hand corner of the net. This put MacDonaghs pour points ahead. Unfortunately, Toomevara found the net from the puck out. The last quarter was fought out with great ferocity by both sides. The Magpies held a slender one-point lead deep into injury time. They were defending desperately and were forced to concede a close-in free which Mark Harty converted to leave the teams level at the long whistle. Team: Thomas Williams, Bob Dooley, Brendan McAdams, Colm Williams, Caoilainn Conroy, Pat Williams, Cormac Williams, Liam Gibson, Conor Austin, Paddy Ryan, Jonathan Cahill (1-0), Mark O’Meara (0-4), Cormac Mannion (1-1), Niall Shinners (2-0) and Robert Austin. Subs: Thomas Cleary (1-1), Pat Conway (1-1), Alan Darcy (0-1) and Finnian Mannion. The next game will be away to Nenagh on the weekend of 23rd July.
Minor
A great second-half performance saw MacDonaghs book their place in the final of the ‘B’ football championship with a 2-10 to 1-6 victory over Lorrha/Rovers Gaels in Borrisokane. Fortunate to be only trailing by four points at the break MacDonaghs, helped by the introduction of Craig Morgan, took control in the second half. Scorers: Craig Morgan (1-1), Nathan Lynch and Luke Morkan (0-3) each, Jake O’Kelly (1-0), Karl Williams (0-2) and Sean McAdams (0-1). In the third round of the hurling championship Nenagh will provide the opposition in MacDonagh Park on Thursday evening at 7.00pm.
Under 14
MacDonaghs recorded a home win over Roscrea ‘B’.
Cúl Camp
A record 198 children participated in the annual Cúl Camp in MacDonagh Park. Thanks to the Camp supervisors Tadhg O’Connor and Pa Ryan who streamlined activities each day. North Tipp GDA Paudie Malone attended on three of the days and his input proved to be invaluable. The following coaches worked at the Camp: Jerome Cahill, Craig Morgan, Cian Darcy, Liam Cleary, Daniel Delaney, Barry Hogan, Jason Gilmartim, Ruairí Maher, Luke Seacy, Kevin Cleary, Mairéad Teehan, Elaine Murphy, Mary Maher, Michelle Mannion, Gemma McCarthy and Caroline Mulanney. Meadbh Heenan, Rachel Armitage, Ali Mulcahy, Sophie O’Neill Reidy, Kevin Oakley, Seamus O’Meara and Owen Usman were on hand every day to assist the coaches. Niall O’Meara visited the Camp on Wednesday and he proved to be a big hit with the participants. Thanks to Emby Foote who looked after the catering and June Whelan who took the photographs.
