Jenkinstown was the wild, wet and windy venue on Saturday last for the eagerly anticipated all city Roinn A M.H.C. semi-final between O’Loughlin Gaels and James Stephens. Scores were always going to be at a premium for both teams on what was a Dog Day Afternoon in Conahy. But two vital points into the wind from wee Sean Bolger along with an opportunist strike from his older brother – Danny would be the first half platform for a memorable victory, for the St John’s Parish Boys.
The Village opened their account early with a close range Ray Lahart dead ball. This was quickly followed by a fine strike from Tadhg Dwyer to double their lead within the first five minutes. The OLG defence however slowly started to gain the upper hand. Robbie Buckley put in a great block and would go on to give a MOTM display. Gary Bryan took up where he left off the previous week – leading by example. Cian Loy in the middle of the field - did the spade work for what would turn out to be a crucial settling score. Loy made space for himself at top of the right and drove the ball across the parallelogram on the eighth minute, where Danny Bolger was on hand, to pull off his left and first-time the ball to the Village net. Cul!
Danny’s younger brother was keen to get in on the act. Twice, he made outstanding catches and twice, he struck off either side for two wonder points. The Village were managing to stay in touch from frees but in the twenty fourth minute, Shane Maher rounded his man and headed for goal. His low hard strike off his right to the far left corner was sublime. Cul eile! Ray Lahart then converted two more frees at the death to keep the bare minimum between the teams at the interval.
H/T: O’Loughlin Gaels 2-02, James Stephens 0-07
DOC was out in front of his man from the off and was fouled – Maher pointed the resultant free. Shane then added two more dead balls before hitting a beauty from play. The Continent had the wind at their backs and were headed for home. James Stephens would only manage a further two points in the second thirty and resorted to bombarding the OLG defence for elusive three pointers. The Continent stood firm however and heroic defending from Gary Bryan, Huw Lawlor, Brian Buckley and goalkeeper – Robbie O’Driscoll kept the door firmly closed. The siege was lifted by a Cian Loy special with five minutes to go and then added to, by yet another Shane Maher free.
Our minors now face a very stiff test in the shape of Dicksboro, who saw off Thomastown at the weekend. They will need to prepare well over the next fortnight in order to meet this challenge. We appeal to all OLG members – young and old to get along to Nowlan Park on Sunday 16th November to cheer on our boys in the Roinn A Minor County Final.
Robbie O’Driscoll, Daniel O’Driscoll, Huw Lawlor, Brian Buckley, Shane Mahony, Robbie Buckley, Gary Bryan, Thomas Gleeson, Cian Loy 0-1, Ross Butler, Sean Bolger 0-2, Danny Bolger 1-0, Shane Maher 1-05 (4 f’s), Daniel O’Connor, Ben Leydon
The Village opened their account early with a close range Ray Lahart dead ball. This was quickly followed by a fine strike from Tadhg Dwyer to double their lead within the first five minutes. The OLG defence however slowly started to gain the upper hand. Robbie Buckley put in a great block and would go on to give a MOTM display. Gary Bryan took up where he left off the previous week – leading by example. Cian Loy in the middle of the field - did the spade work for what would turn out to be a crucial settling score. Loy made space for himself at top of the right and drove the ball across the parallelogram on the eighth minute, where Danny Bolger was on hand, to pull off his left and first-time the ball to the Village net. Cul!
Danny’s younger brother was keen to get in on the act. Twice, he made outstanding catches and twice, he struck off either side for two wonder points. The Village were managing to stay in touch from frees but in the twenty fourth minute, Shane Maher rounded his man and headed for goal. His low hard strike off his right to the far left corner was sublime. Cul eile! Ray Lahart then converted two more frees at the death to keep the bare minimum between the teams at the interval.
H/T: O’Loughlin Gaels 2-02, James Stephens 0-07
DOC was out in front of his man from the off and was fouled – Maher pointed the resultant free. Shane then added two more dead balls before hitting a beauty from play. The Continent had the wind at their backs and were headed for home. James Stephens would only manage a further two points in the second thirty and resorted to bombarding the OLG defence for elusive three pointers. The Continent stood firm however and heroic defending from Gary Bryan, Huw Lawlor, Brian Buckley and goalkeeper – Robbie O’Driscoll kept the door firmly closed. The siege was lifted by a Cian Loy special with five minutes to go and then added to, by yet another Shane Maher free.
Our minors now face a very stiff test in the shape of Dicksboro, who saw off Thomastown at the weekend. They will need to prepare well over the next fortnight in order to meet this challenge. We appeal to all OLG members – young and old to get along to Nowlan Park on Sunday 16th November to cheer on our boys in the Roinn A Minor County Final.
Robbie O’Driscoll, Daniel O’Driscoll, Huw Lawlor, Brian Buckley, Shane Mahony, Robbie Buckley, Gary Bryan, Thomas Gleeson, Cian Loy 0-1, Ross Butler, Sean Bolger 0-2, Danny Bolger 1-0, Shane Maher 1-05 (4 f’s), Daniel O’Connor, Ben Leydon