*Ronan Kilroy on the attack for Clare’s U20 hurlers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
RONAN KILROY’s leadership has been lauded having made his senior championship debut and setting the way for the county U20 hurlers following a very difficult month.
The Clare Echo’s coverage of the Munster SHC is with thanks to McKeogh Home Garden & DIY in Ballina/Killaloe.
Kilroy has been to the fore for Clare’s U20 hurlers who are firmly in the hunt to qualify for a Munster final. At centre forward, he has scored a point in each of Clare’s first three games and has been more influential with his workrate, ability to get on the ball and create scores.
Called up to Brian Lohan’s senior hurling squad in the midst of the Allianz National Hurling League, Ronan has been put in the unfamiliar surroundings of corner back but the challenge hasn’t fazed him. He made his championship debut from the bench in Clare’s six point win over Waterford replacing Adam Hogan with sixty eight minutes played.
His addition marked a historic moment for the Banner GAA as it was the first time that the Ennis club had two hurlers on the field for a senior championship game with Shane Meehan scoring a decisive goal at the other end of the field.
Away from hurling, the Kilroy family have experienced immeasurable loss with the death of Maeve (née McCarthy) on March 31st. Mother to Ronan, Eimear, Diarmuid and Tiernan, the Kilrush native was married to John who was also her best friend.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Clare U20 manager Terence Fahy commended Ronan for leading by example during a difficult few weeks. “If you knew in our group the leadership that he has brought over the last two weeks it has blown some of us older people away, the strength and the leadership has been quite phenomenal and his mother would be very proud of him”.
Within Banner GAA, Maeve was a huge supporter of the club that her children represented and her husband coached with. “For those of us that were lucky enough to get to know Maeve over the years, she was a friendly, warm, and kind person and it was also great fun to be in her company or to meet her out for a walk and stop and have a chat. She was a huge supporter of the Banner club and was always one of the first people to cheer and congratulate any team or players that were lucky enough to have club or county success. Maeve was immensely proud of her family’s involvement with the Banner and her smile on those days when John or one of her children had a good day with a Banner team is something that will live long in our memories from those that knew her,” a spokesperson for the club recalled.
“It might have just been a big smile after a good performance at an under 8 blitz or extending to those heady days in 2023 when the Kilroy family savoured being part of an All-Ireland success. Maeve was very much involved in the Ennis community outside of the Banner. She was a leading light in Ennis Swimming and Lifesaving Club for years and was also a volunteer trainer for the Irish Guide Dogs charity which was a cause very dear to her heart”.
Maeve served on both the Parents Association and Board of Management at Ennis National School where her four children went to school, she was described as “a wonderful presence in our school community”, a spokesperson for Ennis NS stated. “She will be warmly remembered by all who knew her”.
In a statement, Ennis Swimming and Lifesaving Club said, “Maeve was not only a dedicated swim mum, treasurer and club committee member for many years, but also a much loved friend to so many of our members young and old. She was always working away in the background, organising trips, events, galas and awards nights. We will greatly miss her friendship and support”.
Ronan was with the Clare seniors in the days following Maeve’s passing as the county won the Division 1B league title. Coach Brendan Bugler in his pre-match TG4 interview stated, “Ronan’s a big player for us. He’s a fantastic fella, and I just want to take the opportunity to again send our condolences from our group to the Kilroy family”.
As he lifted the league trophy, full-back Conor Cleary took a moment to praise the UL student. “I’d like to say a special word to one of our panel members, Ronan Kilroy who lost his mother during the week, we’re all thinking of her during the week and again today, I think it shows the strength of his character that he is here supporting us”.
