MINORS WIN THE DOUBLE
There was another big win for O'Loughlins Minors at the weekend who completed the Championship Double beating Mooncoin in the Kilkenny Citroen Centre Minor Football Championship Final. The lads really had to pull this one out of the fire as they were 7 points down 10mins into the 2nd half. But they put their collective shoulders to the wheel and played out of their skins for the remainder of the game finishing on a scoreline of 5-5 to 2-9. Captain fantastic Eoghan Croghan very happily accepted the trophy on behalf of this great team adding yet another County Title for 2014 to the the clubs healthy haul. Well done to all involved. Team: J. Lalor, S. Kiely, L. Brannigan, K. Rowe, E. Kelly, J. Leahy, B. Leydon, T. Gleeson, C. Loy, B. Buckley, D. O’Conner, L. Rafter, D. O’Driscoll, P. Collins, R. Butler, E. Croughan (Capt), R. Buckley, H. Lalor, S. Bolger, T. Wallace, G. Bryan A number of weeks ago, Michael Holohan (Manager) along with Eddie Buckley (Chairman) arranged for our Minors to meet with two GAA legends - Colm "Gooch" Cooper and our own Brian Hogan. Both men gave advice readily to our young players. This reporter was privileged to be asked along and put pen to paper in an effort to capture most of what was said. Some of their advice seems prophetic now, given the manner of our Minors recent Championship win. Mere co-incidence or words of inspiration? This reporter will let you decide. Please read on...........
Our minor squad had two surprise visitors on Monday 20th October last. Manager Michael Holohan in conjunction with Eddie Buckley (OLG Chairman) arranged for the boys to be addressed by none other than Colm “Gooch” Cooper and OLG legend Brian Hogan. Eddie did the introductions and then both stars sat down in our Clubhouse lounge for a Q & A session with the minor team. Michael Holohan set the ball rolling by putting the following questions to Colm & Brian. What does the term team ethic mean and how important is it to a team? C.C. Colm started by thanking OLG for the invite. He was acutely aware of OLG’s proud Hurling tradition and was delighted to take part in any session that might help bring on younger players. Team ethic for CC was about one word & one word only – HONESTY. He went on to explain that honesty meant giving 100% all the time and never cutting corners either in training or on match day. It meant the ability to call someone out, who is not giving their all. Failure to do this he felt, leads to a spiralling effect where others begin to cut corners – leading to the erosion of the team ethic that team mentors work so hard to instil. CC stated that during the last twelve months, his knee was the size of a rugby ball. The Club galvanized behind him by taking turns to visit him to keep his morale up. When the time came to train again – his club mates set up a rota, so as he could train alongside others, at his own pace. The absence of any team ethic would have prevented this from happening, as far as CC was concerned. CC ended by citing Michael Jordan, the basketballer – who said the following: “Great players win matches; Great teams win Championships”. B.H. Brian also stressed honesty as a key trait and emphasised the importance of being honest with yourself first. He too had read a piece about Michael Jordan. It referred to the fact that he holds the record for the number of most successful shots in the dying seconds of big matches. What was fascinating to Brian was that MJ also holds the record for the most misses in the same circumstances. Brian stated that this tells us that MJ had the courage to back himself again and again and again. It didn’t matter that he missed – he kept coming back for more. This would be a recurring theme of Brian’s throughout the night. He referred to this as handling adversity and to never go hiding. BH appeared to accept mistakes as a hazard of the job. It was how you reacted to the mistake was what was most important. Team ethic teaches you to NEVER GO HIDING! Club V County – where do top players stand? C.C. Colm stated that for him, the Club is very special – “the Club is where it’s at guys”. He put on his first pair of boots playing for his Club & he’ll put his last pair on with them also. He grew up with his Club and formed massive friendships with fellow members. Colm stated there was something special and unique about winning with your Club. B.H. urged the OLG minor boys to cherish the time spent playing with the Club and to train to win because ultimately, it’s about winning. BH felt the minor grade was particularly special, as some guys will go to College and then move away from home and the special bond will be broken, possibly never to return. BH felt playing for your club was about enjoyment / love and that there was no sacrifice involved. He urged the boys to give it their best, to give it their all and to fulfil their potential – once again he stated, it’s all about winning. Don’t have regrets – don’t piss away a minor Championship! Talk to us about performing under pressure and how to react when things are going against you? C.C. likened playing big matches to sitting exams. You don’t go into the exam hall without studying and you don’t take to the field without preparing. CC has checklists in his head the weeks leading up to big games and he gains confidence from knowing he’s put in the work. These lists will cover off items such as diet, rest, training etc. CC cited the Mayo drawn match as an example of how to handle adversity. The spark was provided by Kieran Donaghy’s catch, which led to the goal. The point being that when the team is down – make the decision that you’re going to be the one to provide everybody else with the lift – by lighting the spark. The rest of the team will respond to this spark by gaining inspiration from your efforts. He also cited Donnchadh Walsh & Anthony Meagher as underrated players who frequently provide that spark of inspiration. B.H. Brian’s philosophy was the next ball, the next ball, the next ball. He stated you have to develop a thick skin, in order to be able to forget about what has gone before and concentrate on the next ball. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and learn to compartmentalise i.e. break things down. The next ball is the most important ball at that time – concentrate. An honest mistake never beat any team. Forget about it and concentrate on THE NEXT BALL! How do you prepare the week leading up to a game? B.H. Don’t waste energy worrying – control the things you can and let the other stuff go. Get a consistent routine and find out what works for you. Some lads are quiet and some are noisy. Some lads like to have headphones on – others like to sleep. Find out what suits your temperament and stick with that. Get worked up at the right time – close to game time. These routines will help train your mind to be in tune to the fact that this is a big match week and this is how you deal with it. C.C. stated he becomes incredibly selfish with his time on the week of a big match. He goes into his own bubble, which he likened to hibernation. C.C. does not do lunch up town or shopping but likes to go for quiet walks. Over exposure to “well meaning people” leads to a lot of talk that can be draining and ultimately serves no purpose. He referred to these people as “Energy Sappers”. CC is even selfish with family and friends – it’s what works for him. Modern game – how to cope with defensive systems? C.C. Movement, movement, movement beats defensive systems. Create runs in training all the time. C.C. reckons he has six or seven runs that he uses a lot and with which his teammates are familiar. Get on the same wavelength with your team mates at training by communicating with one another, in order to develop an understanding of what’s going to work under pressure. Be able to kick with both feet and learn to adapt – be flexible. B.H. Be able to think on your feet. The KK half back line at one point became so dominant in Hurling; teams developed a short puck out to counter-act it. This provided a new challenge. Do I go with the runner or do I stick to my area. Make the decision and run with honesty i.e. go to get there and to make the tackle. Don’t be stuck in no man’s land. The forward wants you to look confused and will derive great heart from seeing you struggling to get to grips with the game. In the drawn All-Ireland final, BH stated that KK’s tackle count was low. That needed to change for the replay and that’s what was worked on. BH also talked about how a forward can set the tone by making that tackle. This can send out a powerful message to an opposing team that everyone on our team means business and that there is no escape. B.H. cited a prominent member of the KK senior team as an example of someone who had to work hard over the years to improve that aspect of his game (tackling) and has done so dramatically. Discipline and Referees – how to handle bad decisions? C.C. You need to get to the pitch of the game where you’re tough and aggressive without being dirty. Declan O’Sullivan was cited as an example of someone who came out hard against Cork, the year after Kerry had rolled over to the same opposition (back in 2009). DO’S laid down markers in terms of tackling for the rest of the team to emulate. CC stated the team must get to the pitch where they are: “Going to the point of fighting - without fighting”. B.H. the referee never changes his mind. You must have controlled aggression. BH used Martin Comerford as an example of someone who will take the punishment. Squaring up to fellas is grand but it’s much more important to show your opponent that you can’t be rattled no matter what is thrown at you. This is how the real battle is won. If your opponent sees that your head is going down or that you’re not making that run as much you had been earlier in the game – then you’ve lost the psychological battle and that feeds through to the other team. Question to C.C. Is it possible with all the analysis nowadays, for players to be confused on the field of play? C.C. answered this question in the wider context of player burnout and stated he did feel there are issues with regard to the demands being placed on players and where it will all end. He felt that this is a cause for concern. C.C. accepted there is a huge amount of video analysis and that the info collated is important. He felt that the way it is disseminated to the players is crucial, so as not to cause information overload. Question to B.H. How does Kilkenny keep recreating the hunger for success year on year? BH cited the man at the top as the person who sets the tone with regard to hunger for the rest of the team. When players join the panel, they are under no illusions as to what’s expected of them and the amount of work that lies ahead of them. BH also referred to Derek Lyng as someone who has added to that work / hunger ethic. The players are expected to “work like dogs” and there are no superstars. What are the key traits of a winner? C.C. Commitment, Honesty, Quality, Skills, Hard Work B.H. Spirit (collective spirit in the group). If someone is pulling against you – get rid of them as they will bring the whole thing down. It is not possible to carry these people. If things are not going well – how do you turn it around? C.C. cited a game where he hadn’t touched the ball in the first 15 minutes – far from ideal. But he didn’t panic. The work had been done, so he believed in himself. He had patience and confidence. He said in those situations – you must find a way to get into the game. He cited Dara O’Se who used to say he had seventy minutes to crack his opponent………..so there’s plenty of time! B.H. Some days it falls for you but the days that it doesn’t; try to do something you have control over. Try to nail a tackle. It you wait to make a spectacular catch, the ball may not come to you in that way. Nail the tackle instead to find a way to get into the game. YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY! The Q&A part of the evening ended at this point and both Colm & Brian then chatted with the minor panel in a more informal manner. OLG is grateful to these two modern day GAA legends for taking time out to meet with our minor players. We wish both Colm & Brian well for the future. Kind regards, OLG Nowlan Park was the fitting setting for a major championship victory by O’Loughlin Gaels over their city rivals Dicksboro on Sunday. The St John’s Parish Boys graced HQ’s hallowed turf with distinction in this eagerly anticipated Roinn A M.H.C. final. MOTM and Captain - Huw Lawlor conducted the band from the rear but it would be Cian Loy who would strike the sweetest note of all, in the dying seconds of this nail biting match.
The Continent got into its stride early. Shane Maher made a surging run, was fouled and popped over the resultant free. The lead was then doubled by a Cian Loy special on the back of some great Ross Butler spade work. Daniel O’Connor made a great catch and Robbie Buckley was having yet another belter of a game. The Boro would have to wait all of eighteen minutes for their first score but it was no less important for all of that. Robbie Murphy goaled to give the St Canices men the lead and the St John’s Parish Boys food for thought. Conor Fitzpatrick then doubled their lead with a well taken point. An instant response was needed and the Bolger brothers duly obliged. Sean released his older brother Danny, who fired straight and true to reduce the deficit down to a single point with seven minutes of the first half remaining. Shane Maher struck over another free before the John’s Park Boys hit the front again with one of the decisive scores of the game. A Seanie Bolger / Ben Leydon combo move, released Danny Bolger who fired without mercy to raise the green. Cul! The ‘Boro’s response to their credit was emphatic, as they saw and equalled the green flag with another three pointer of their own. Both sides shared a point apiece (Shane Maher free) before heading down the tunnel all square. H/T: O’Loughlin Gaels 1-05, Dicksboro 2-02 The second half saw the introduction of Jack Lawlor and Luke Rafter and both substitutions would prove telling. Shane Maher’s dead ball accuracy was called on early in the second half – and he answered that call. Luke Rafter then backed himself and slalomed through the ‘Boro defence to strike a lovely point off his left hand side. Robbie Buckley can count himself terribly unlucky to have been double yellowed but remained pitch-side to his credit, urging his fourteen teammates on. Disaster was to strike yet again in the forty second minute, in the shape of yet another ‘Boro goal! Shane Maher’s free a minute later, levelled matters once more before the St Canices boys enjoyed their most dominant period of the game. The ‘Boro hit three on the spin (the pick of these coming from Chris Kavanagh) in what appeared to be a sprint for the line. Heroes were called for now. Three times in as many minutes, Huw Lawlor emerged ball in hand to clear his lines and launch offensives. Shane Maher also kept his nerve to point two more dead balls to leave the minimum between the teams with time running out. The ‘Boro all but sealed the deal with a beautifully struck Andrew Gaffney sixty five on the hour mark – to restore their two point advantage. But Cian Loy powered forward deep into injury time and decided to take matters into his own hands. He won possession, skipped by his man and fired emphatically to the back of the net in the sixty first minute. Cul! The referee blew the full time whistle and the Continent were crowned Minor Kings - for 2014. F/T O'Loughlin Gaels 2-10 Dicksboro 3-06 Huw Lawlor accepted the cup on behalf of the team. He thanked the mentors and graciously called for the traditional three cheers for Dicksboro. OLG would like to congratulate all the players on the occasion of this memorable and momentous victory and would also like to send sincere thanks to Michael Holohan (Manager) Niall Bergin, Jimmy Comerford and Martin Comerford for all their hard work. Robbie O’Driscoll, Daniel O’Driscoll, Huw Lawlor, Brian Buckley, Shane Mahony, Robbie Buckley, Gary Bryan, Thomas Gleeson, Cian Loy 1-1, Sean Bolger, Ross Butler, Ben Leydon, Danny Bolger 1-1, Daniel O’Connor, Shane Maher 0-7 (6 f’s) Replacements used: Jack Lawlor, Luke Rafter Replacements: Thomas Wadding, Daniel O’Driscoll, Lyndon Brannigan, Eoin Croghan, Sean Kiely, Robbie Murphy, Jay Leahy, Kevin Rowe, Peter Collins, Ronan Buckley, Tervine Wallace, Eoin Kelly Mentors: Michael Holohan, James Comerford, Niall Bergin, Martin Comerford 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 Ballyragget played host to the minors of O’Loughlin Gaels and Freshford in the Roinn A M.H.C. quarter-final on Saturday evening last. The winners were guaranteed a shot at the boys from the Village – so there was a lot to play for.
Daniel O’Connor started brightly and won possession in the danger zone, only to be pulled to the ground. Dead ball specialist Shane Maher went through his deliberate pre-shot routine before calmly tapping over for the opening score of the game. Freshford’s Goalie Darren Brennan would cancel this score out with an expertly taken free from all of eighty yards in the fourth minute. Robbie Buckley made a great catch moments later to lay down a marker on behalf of the OLG defence. Buckley then combined well with the commanding Gary Bryan – to once again clear OLG lines. Shane Maher stood over another dead ball with five minutes on the clock – the result was never in doubt. The next five minutes though, would prove crucial to the game’s outcome. A point from the rock steady DOC as well as a Shane Maher sixty-five preceded arguably the most important score of the game. Gary Bryan found Cian Loy, who in turn released Danny Bolger. The Freshford boys pulled down their man and the ref parted his arms ominously. Shane Maher top-spinned the ball brilliantly to the back of the St Lachtains net and now the gap was six. Lyndon Brannigan was introduced to the fold in the closing minutes of the first half. Two more Daniel O’Connor points along with strikes from Danny Bolger and Ben Leydon would send the St John’s Parish Boys in for the half time cuppa with a healthy seven point lead. H/T: O’Loughlin Gaels 1-08, St Lachtains 0-04 The second half saw the introduction of Sean Bolger, Sean Kiely, Eoin Croghan and Robbie Murphy. Freshford were nothing if not brave in adversity and hit OLG for a brace to try to get back in the game. In truth this if anything, only spurred our boys to see out the game emphatically. Michael Holohan and his players know they have a much tougher task ahead of them in a week’s time – when they take on the Village in the semis. It is safe to assume our boys will not be afforded the time and space to pick off points or passes at ease, without meeting fierce resistance. Our boys must prepare well in the week ahead in order to see that challenge and raise it some! F/T O’Loughlin Gaels 2-19, St Lachtains 1-08 Robbie O’Driscoll, Shane Mahony 0-1, Huw Lawlor, Brian Buckley, Jack Lawlor, Robbie Buckley, Gary Bryan, Thomas Gleeson, Cian Loy, Danny Bolger 1-2, Luke Rafter, Ross Butler, Shane Maher 1-6 (1 P, 1 65 & 4 f’s), Daniel O’Connor 0-6, Ben Leydon 0-3 Subs Used: Lyndon Brannigan, Sean Bolger, Sean Kiely, Robbie Murphy 0-1, Eoin Croghan Thomastown was the wet and blustery venue for this first round championship clash between the minors of O’Loughlin Gaels & Piltown on Sunday last. Even though it was the Continent who were playing into a stiff breeze; a decisive Ben Leydon strike in the eleventh minute of the game, all but put paid to Piltown’s hopes, in this one sided affair.
It was the boys in the St John’s Parish defence, who were out of the traps early though. Shane Mahony was out in front, made a great take and cleared his lines – to lay down a marker for all. Huw Lawlor showed a calmness beyond his years and handpassed to safety in the shape of Thomas Gleeson. Brian Buckley stood firm to make a brave goalmouth block to deny the southerners an almost certain goal. Gary Bryan made a great catch as the OLG defence started to win the individual and collective battle. Danny Bolger opened the scoring with a neatly taken point after all of nine minutes. One minute later – MOTM DOC O’Connor pounced on a defensive mix-up to crash the ball to the net. OLG were beginning to fire on all cylinders. Moments later, Ben Leydon got on the end of a Daniel O’Connor / Cian Loy combination move to fire to the net off his left hand side. The gap had opened to six and Piltown must have sensed there was more to come. Robbie Buckley’s free found DOC, who pointed to stretch the lead further. Piltown were nothing if not gallant – with Aidan Nugent and Shane Dwyer continually catching the eye. Lively Shane Maher heaped more pain on Piltown however, in the sixteenth minute – by raising OLG’s third green flag of the half. Points by Cian Loy and Danny Bolger brought the half to a close with the margin now nine and the breeze at their backs still to come. H/T: O’Loughlin Gaels 3-04, Piltown 0-04 The second half saw the introduction of Sean Kiely, Robbie Murphy, Kevin Rowe and Thomas Wadding. By this stage – the result was beyond doubt. Daniel O’Connor added to his tally as well as his own brilliant individual display - with a further 1-03 from play. Piltown managed only one point in the second thirty. It must be borne in mind that the men from the south have a small pool from which to pick and are to be commended for the work they are doing, with limited resources. Our students will face stiffer examination papers in the weeks to come. They will need to make sure they study diligently in order to ensure they are up to passing the test! F/T: O’Loughlin Gaels 6-17, Piltown 0-05 Robbie O’Driscoll, Shane Mahony, Huw Lawlor, Brian Buckley, Jack Lawlor, Robbie Buckley 0-2 (1 65), Gary Bryan, Thomas Gleeson 0-1, Cian Loy 0-1, Ross Butler 1-0, Luke Rafter, Danny Bolger 1-2, Shane Maher 1-4 (3f’s), Daniel O’Connor 2-05 (1 f), Ben Leydon 1-2 Subs Used: Sean Kiely, Robbie Murphy, Kevin Rowe, Thomas Wadding |
Management Team 2017
Manager – Brian Dowling (087 415 1649) Selectors – Paul Cleere Paul Phelan James O'Keefe Archives
December 2017
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