U17
In the ‘A’ football semi-final, we play Ballina in MacDonagh Park, Cloughjordan, this Saturday, 12th October, at 4.00pm. These sides clashed in the U15 final in 2022 with Ballina coming out on top on a 4-8 to 2-10 scoreline, so it will take a massive effort to get the better of the Lakesiders on this occasion.
U15
Our ‘A’ team finished the season on a high note with a 2-14 to 2-9 victory over Lorrha Rovers Gaels in Ballinderry to claim the Shield title. This was a very competitive encounter with the result in doubt until a late scoring burst by MacDonaghs left five points between the sides. Kilruane lined out without their talisman Hugo Healy, who is school in France. The Magpies drew first blood when Gerard O’Looney raised a white flag. The home team responded with three points, two from Alan Burke. A brace of pointed frees by Gerard O’Looney had the sides on level terms. The amalgamation edged two points ahead before Oisín Carroll found the net to give the visitors a one-point advantage. Tommy Gaynor extended the lead from a free, but the Lorrha Rovers Gaels hit the front once more with a goal. A pair of Gerard O’Looney points, one from a free and one from play edged MacDonaghs ahead. On the cusp of half-time, Dara Gaynor netted from a free after Jack O’Meara had shipped a heavy tackle. The interval score saw Kilruane lead by 2-6 to 1-5.
The home team got a dream start to the second half with their second goal. Gerard O’Looney replied with a pointed free. The opposition hit three points in succession to surge into a one-point lead. The momentum was with Lorrha Rovers Gaels, but MacDonaghs dug deep and seized the initiative with three points in a row from Gerard O’Looney (free), Jack O’Meara and Tommy Gaynor (free after a foul on Jack O’Meara). The Gaels kept in touch with a point, and it was anybody’s game. Down the home straight, MacDonaghs finished with a flurry of points from Jack O’Meara (2), Gerard O’Looney (free after a foul on Tarla Doris) and Tommy Gaynor (free after a foul on Senan O’Leary). When referee Mark Houlihan sounded the final whistle, the score was 2-14 to 2-9 in favour of the Magpies. This was an excellent team performance in tough battle. The management decision to switch James Gould onto dangerman Alan Burke proved to be one of the deciding factors in this latest success for this team. Earlier in the year, they won the North /West League title with a victory over Nenagh. After the game, Mark Houlihan presented the trophy to captain Tommy Gaynor.
Team: Dara Gaynor (1-0 free), James Gould, Tadhg Teefey, Mark Cleary, Kallen Grace, Tommy Gaynor (0-3 frees), Karl Ryan, Jack O’Meara (0-3), Tarla Doris, Senan O’Leary, Culann Haverty, Tom Campbell, Gerard O’Looney (0-8, 0-6 frees), Oisín Carroll (1-0). Subs: Michael Hutchinson, Emmet Dwyer, Shane O’Meara, Ben Williams.
In the County ‘C’ semi-final, our second team lost 2-15 to 1-6 against a very good Newport side in Holycross. The scoreline is not an accurate reflection of the play and doesn’t do justice to the efforts of Kilruane. The MacDonaghs team won ‘D’ County final at U13 and were promoted to the U15 ‘C’ championship this year. The players improved throughout the campaign and can be very satisfied with their progress. Best of luck to Newport in the final.
Newport had a great start with a goal and a point. A Conor McGrath goal from a free got the Magpies off the mark. At the interval, Newport enjoyed a 1-11 to 1-2 lead. On the restart, MacDonaghs hit three points in reply to two from Newport. A sustained attack by Kilruane looked as if it would yield a goal, but the Newport line remained intact. A counter attack by Newport resulted in their second goal, and the result was never in doubt after that despite a battling performance by MacDonaghs who were forced to go for goals as time ticked away.
Panel: Shane O’Meara, Ronan Hayes, Conor McGrath (1-0 free), Robert Cleary, Shane Carroll, Odhran, Goulding, Sean Whelan, Arman Khan Wahid, Jack Ryan, Dylan Hussey Sheahan, Emmet Dwyer (0-1), Rory McLoughney (0-1), Harry Gannon, Ciaran Foote (0-3 frees), Daniel O’Brien, Colin Gaynor, Cian O’Looney, Liam Dollery, Tom Hannan.
Thanks to the players on both our ‘A’ and ‘C’ sides and to the management team of Martin O’Looney, Mark O’Leary, Aidan Ryan, Liam Grace, Matt Cleary, John O’Meara, Enda McLoughney. Kevin Naughnane and Pat Williams for their work during the year.
U7 & U9
Both panels had their final get-together last Friday on the Astro Turf. They joined forces with the U6 and U8 camogie panels for the annual medal presentation. Thanks to all the hurling and camogie coaches for their commitment throughout the year.
Cumann na mBunscol
Kilruane NS U13 girls’ football team qualified for the County semi-final by winning the Blitz in Shalee. Thanks to Shane McGrath Ballinahinch NS, who organised the Blitz and to the referees Jim Lees and Stephen Kenny.
Lotto
The jackpot stands at €5,600. Tickets are available from the usual outlets, or you can play on Club Spot. Thanks for your continued support.
Bingo
The weekly Bingo session continues on Saturday night in the Fr. O’Meara Centre, Kilruane at 8.00pm. The jackpot is €1,850.
Win a House
Tipperary GAA has launched its “Win a House” Draw. The grand prize is a fully furnished home in Bregawn, Cashel, valued at €350,000. Alternatively, the winner can choose a cash prize of €300,000. Tickets are priced at €100 and are available from our club officers. €30 from each ticket we sell will be retained by the club.
Scrap Metal Collection
Cloughjordan No 1 NS is organising a Scrap Metal Collection this Saturday, 12th October from 10.00am to 1.00pm. Unwanted scrap metal, farm machinery, batteries, motors, engines, copper, brass, cookers, washing machines etc can be left in James Last/Michael Cahill’s yard and Ardcroney Stone & Paving,
Sympathy
The club extends sympathy to the family of the late Paddy McLoughney, Coolagorna. Paddy won a North juvenile medal with Kilruane MacDonaghs in 1951. Sympathy is also extended to the Hyland family on the death of Sr. Mary Hyland, Convent of Mercy, Highbury, London and formerly, Bothar Mhuire, Cloughjordan.
