The O’loughlin Gaels GAA Juvenile Celebration Night - celebrating the unprecedented successes of our young players. For the first time in the clubs history u14, u16 and Minor O’Loughlin Gael teams achieved a clean sweep of county hurling championship successes in 2014. On top of this these lads also accomplished County league titles and football championship honours as well as boasting players who represented successful Kilkenny and Colleges Provincial and All-Ireland winning teams.
The night will be hosted by Helen Carroll, presenter of the popular television show ‘Ear to the Ground’ and resident of St. Johns parish. Helen comes from a very proud GAA family so is very aware of GAA ‘lore and will guide us through the packed schedule with ease.
As acknowledgement of their outstanding achievement the event will be attended by Kilkenny County Board officials. Presentations will be made to three club stalwarts recognising their achievements.
Jim Kavanagh has been a committed member of O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie club serving as chairperson for the last 10 years. As a volunteer with the Chernobyl Children’s Trust Jim has been honoured with 2 national awards for his charitable work.
Mick Nolan served as a past Chairman of O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club. He is the clubs most successful team manager and is responsible for guiding many of the club’s teams to numerous successes over the years. Many of the clubs greatest players have been tutored by Mick and he continues to guide young players, evident by his involvement with last year’s successful u14s. He also has had a hand in developing many of the juveniles celebrating success on Friday night. Mick tends to the upkeep of the clubs pristine pitches and players and visitors alike are very appreciative of his work in this regard. His dedication to the club is undeniable and O’Loughlin Gaels are delighted to have the opportunity to recognise this.
Brian Hogan is the third of the nights recipients. To describe Brian Hogan as a club stalwart is an understatement. Brian Hogan is an O’Loughlin Gaels legend. A colossus by any standards Brian led teams by his own actions. A leader of men and a director of operations in defence. For his county he won 8 Leinster SHCs, 7 All-Ireland SHC’s, 6 National Hurling Leagues, 4 Walsh Cups, 2 All-star awards and had the honour of climbing the famous Hogan Stand steps on All-Ireland Sunday as Kilkenny captain in 2011. He won an All-Ireland Colleges title with St. Kierans College in 2000. For O’Loughlin Gaels he has won 3 County SHC, 2 Club SHC Leinster titles, 1 County SHLeague and an u14 championship ….so far!! Who will ever forget the day the Richter scale leaped sending geologists into a frenzy, as Nowlan Park shuddered when he met county comrade J Tyrell with a seismic shoulder. (Rumour has it that JT had to have his shoulder blade removed from his clavicle at half time that day!). So come along on Friday Night for this perfect opportunity to show your appreciation for Brian
ALL ARE INVITED to join us in acknowledging our juvenile Gaels achievements and pay tribute to 3 members who all have brought honour to O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club. There will be chat, music AND it’s an opportunity for us all to get together and reminisce and to create new memories. Let’s pack the hall and make it a night to remember. 8pm at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club on Friday, January 23rd.
ALL WELCOME