Junior
In the fourth round of the ‘C’ championship, we lost 1-19 to 1-7 against Ballina in MacDonagh Park. Down a few bodies since the last day, it was always going to be an uphill struggle against Ballina who led 1-8 to 1-3 at the break.
Team: Alan Quinlan, Fergus England, Eoin England, Eoin O'Meara, John Hannan, Tomás Hogan, Cormac Williams, Martin Grace, Bob Dooley (0-2), Kevin Ryan, Declan Barrett (0-3 frees), Andrew Brennan (1-0), Conor Quinlan, Louis Kennedy (0-2), Fionnan Hurley. Subs: Pat Williams, Tom Austin.
U21
In the first round of the ‘B’ hurling championship, we play Burgess in MacDonagh Park, Cloughjordan on Sunday, 20th October at 12.00pm. Portroe and Lorrha are also in the group with the top two qualifying for the semi-final.
U19
In the County U19 ‘B’ final, a 1-22 to 1-16 victory over Arravale Rovers in Kilcommon secured the club’s first County title in this grade. We should have been credited with 1-23, but a clerical error saw the official score recorded as 1-22. The club is unlikely to take the matter to the DRA. This was our second County final victory over the Tipperary town team. In 2018, our U14 team had a 4-9 to 2-9 victory over Arravale in Borrisoleigh in the ‘B’ decider. Four members of the present U19 team Jack Mulcahy, Eamonn Coonan, Danny Cahalan and Cathal England were on the successful 2018 side while Brian O’Meara, Tom Austin, Cian Hayes, Cian Moyles and Andrew Hayes were also on the panel. This was the 63rd County title to come to the parish. 43 (68%) of those titles have been in ‘A’ competitions. Kilruane MacDonaghs have now won County titles in all grades Senior, Intermediate, Junior ‘A’, Junior ‘B’, U21, U19, U18, U17, U16, U15, U14, U13 and U12.
Most of our players and supporters were making their maiden voyage to the West Tipperary venue, so the Eircode E41RK57 was put into Google Maps to navigate the unfamiliar route. After heading through Dolla, the steady ascent to Curreeney began, and there was a noticeable change in the landscape. It was easy to understand how in Troubled Times, the volunteers led the Crown Forces a merry dance in the hills and hollows. A mural of legendary freedom fighter Sean Treacy adorned the Clubhouse in Sean Treacy Park and signalled to all that the correct destination had been reached.
With no wind nor rain, conditions were ideal for the final on a well-prepared pitch. Captain Tom Austin won the toss and elected to play into the “scoring goal”. The Magpies got a dream start. In our first attack, Michael Cleary bisected the posts with a free from an acute angle after a foul on Michael Hennelly. A minute later, the huge MacDonaghs following was in full voice when Tommy O’Meara collected a monster line ball from Shane Cleary and rattled the net. Arravale responded with three points. MacDonaghs hit a purple patch with five points on the trot from Michael Hennelly, Michael Cleary and three from Brian O’Meara to leave the score 1-6 to 0-3 in favour of the North champions after twelve minutes. Arravale hit back with a Ciaran Kelly point, sandwiched between two Sean O’Mahoney frees. Brian O’Meara added a brace of points. Approaching the interval, the sides traded points to leave the Magpies 1-10 to 0-8 in front as the players headed into the dressing room.
On the resumption, Arravale were quickly into their stride with two pointed frees by Sean O’Mahoney and another from play to cut the deficit to two. This was smallest margin between the sides in the second half. A pair of Michael Cleary points, one from a free (after a foul on Jack Mulcahy) and another from play pushed the lead out to four with thirty-six minutes gone. Every time Arravale looked like closing the gap, Kilruane responded and never allowed the West champions get closer than three points. Down the home straight, MacDonaghs went eight points clear. A deflected Arravale goal in injury time cut the gap before Michael Cleary slotted over the final score of the game from a free to give Kilruane a seven-point margin of victory at the final whistle. (The official margin was six).
Team: Tom Austin, Paul Molloy, Cathal England, Cormac Kennedy, Danny Cahalan, Shane Cleary, Cian Hayes, Cian Moyles, Tommy Burriss, Cillian Healy, Brian O’Meara (0-5), Jack Mulcahy (0-2), Michael Hennelly (0-2), Tommy O’Meara (1-0), Michael Cleary (0-14, 0-11 frees, 0-1 65). Sub: Charlie Kennedy. Remainder of the panel: Andrew Hayes, John Hannan, Ray Quinlivan, Johnny Naughnane, Cormac Gaynor, Fearghal Doheny, Jack Quinlisk, Cathal McIntyre, Fiachradh Ahearne Woods, William Jones, Donncha O’Meara, Lucas Jones, Eamonn Coonan. Manager: Joe Whelan. Selectors: Pat Murphy, Fr. Pat Greed, Gilbert Williams. Physio: June Whelan.
Tom Austin had a wonderful year between the sticks and kept four clean sheets during the campaign. His booming puckouts were a very effective weapon in our arsenal. The full-back line of Paul Molloy, Cathal England and Cormac Kennedy rose magnificently to the task of curbing a lethal Arravale inside forward line. Paul is a tigerish man marker and had his best game of the year. Cathal is a leader both on and off the field and was rock solid in the number three shirt. Cormac is a great reader of the game and effected many fine clearances during the hour.
At centre-back, Shane Cleary had a great battle with the powerful Tipperary minor star Adam Ryan. Shane gave little leeway and hoovered up an amount of ball during the game. On the left flank, Cian Hayes continued his rich vein of form. He is the most-improved player on the team and his progress next year will be viewed with interest. On the right wing, Danny Cahalan was given the task of marking Evan Ryan who was a target man for the Arravale puckouts. Danny conceded little in the air against Evan, who was switched to the defence in the second half. At midfield, Cian Moyles was up against Sean O’Mahoney, one of Arravale's most influential players. Cian stuck resolutely to his task against a player who had been man of the match in the semi-final. Cian was partnered by Tommy Burriss, who in typical fashion, competed vigorously in a congested middle third of the park.
Although pitted against Tipperary star David Ryan, Brian O’Meara had an outstanding game at centre-forward. He hit five magnificent points in the first half, one better than the other, reminiscent of Jim Williams five-point tally from centre-forward in the 1986 All-Ireland club final. On the left-wing, Jack Mulcahy reserved his best display of the season for the day that mattered most. He was a constant thorn in the Arravale defence both on the wing and at full-forward. He reigned supreme in the air, forcing the West champions to switch Evan Ryan from the forwards in an attempt to curb Jack’s influence. On the other wing, Cillian Healy showed some deft touches, including supplying a sublime pass for a Michael Hennelly point in the first half. He also won three frees which were converted by Michael Cleary.
All through the match, our inside forward line of Michael Hennelly, Tommy O’Meara and Michael Cleary looked threatening. Michael Hennelly was the ultimate team player throughout the championship. In four different matches, he was tasked with marking the opposition’s sweeper. Michael sacrificed his own game for the benefit of the team, and last Saturday, he again played a valuable role in limiting the influence of the Arravale sweeper when this tactic was employed by the opposition during certain periods of the game. The rampaging Tommy O’Meara has been brilliant all the year for both the U17s and U19s, and once again, he rose to the occasion. His goal put us on the front foot at the start of the game, and when we needed his presence out further the field down the home straight Tommy came up trumps in winning some crucial ball. Michael Cleary had the beating of his marker from the first whistle, and he combined very effectively with Tommy O’Meara when we operated a two-man inside line. In addition, Michael had a 100% success rate from placed balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking, particularly in the third quarter when Arravale threatened to get a grip of the game. The skillful Charlie Kennedy was introduced as a second half substitute, and he can be very satisfied with his contribution on the right wing, setting up two points.
Our senior, U17 and U19 teams have received fantastic vocal support in recent weeks and last Saturday they travelled in droves to Kilcommon. Led by our Presidents Len Gaynor and Carmel Daly, Vice-Presidents Jim Casey and Sean Melia, and a large cohort of our senior players, it was heartening to see such a large gathering of Magpies celebrating this latest success on the field after referee John Lillis had sounded the final whistle. Considering that we had to line out without the injured Eamonn Coonan, the victory was all the more meritorious. Eamonn had anchored the defence superbly in the number six jersey until his injury in the semi-final.
Congratulations to the players and management on this tremendous victory.
U17
In the ‘A’ football championship, we received a bye into the semi-final which is scheduled for Saturday, 12th October.
Lotto
The jackpot stands at €5,400. 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 now a very attractive €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.
