SELECTORS:
PAUL CLEERE, STEPHEN HOGAN, BRIAN KELLY

​FITNESS: MICKEY COMERFORD

​Result: St. Canices Credit Union Senior Hurling League
O’Loughlin Gaels 4-17 to 1-10 Erin’s Own
The score line suggests a total dominance as Erin’s Own failed to put it up to the Gaels on this occasion.  By the 12th minute Robbie Buckley has netted the first of his three goals for the afternoon already putting distance between the sides putting the score to 1-3 to 0-1. Comer returned a point immediately but Buckley stepped up for his second 3 pointer within a minute and the game was in danger of turning into rout.  However Erin’s Own converted four more points over the next 15 mins in a good period for them but any chance of a first have resurgence was put to bet when Paddy Butler, Shane Mahony and Cian Loy pointed from play and Jack Nolan hit the teams 3rd goal after a good sniping run from him just before the break. Half time score O’Loughlin Gaels 3-7 to 0-6 Erins Own.
The second half got off to a good start with 2 more points added early through Mark Bergin (Free) and Jack Nolan. The Gaels seemed to find space too easily now and the opportunities were plentiful getting more forwards into scoring positions. Management will be happy with the spread of scorers across the team sheet with more coming from the substitutes sprung from the bench.  Robbie Buckley completed his hatrick by the 40th minute.  Comer did return a goal through Stephen Daly 10mins to put a bit of gloss to the scoreboard.  Another good days work done and the Gaels top the group with four wins from four and safely through.  Next Saturday the final league game v Rower Inistioge will be played at St. John’s Park and a big O’Loughlin Gaels Support is expected.
Well done all lovely hurling.
Team S Murphy, T Forristal, H Lawlor, E Kearns, P Butler (0-1), P Deegan, J Molloy, J Nolan (1-1), M Bergin (0-4, 1F), S. Mahony (0-1), Sean Bolger (0-1), C Bergin, C Heary (0-1), C Loy (0-1), R. Buckley (3-3), D Burke (0-2), R Butler, D Loughnane, S Johnson, J Doyle.

O'Loughlin's slowly grind Danesfort into submissionO'LOUGHLIN GAELS 1-16; DANESFORT 0-11John Knox
15 Apr 2018
Email: 
@kilkennypeoplesport


O'Loughlin Gaels applied a slow squeeze and slowly but surely ground down Danesfort to win this senior hurling league clash in Palmerstown today.
The game was ruined by a strong wind and heavy rain and it was a tough slog all the way for both sides. 
O'Loughlin's, with a three point contribution from free taker, Mark Bergin, sneaked into an interval lead of 0-8 to 0-5 after the opposition played with what advantage the largely cross field wind gave.
Former All-Star, Paul Murphy, turned out at full-back for the losers and played reasonably well, but they were without former Hurler of the Year, Richie Hogan, who is still nursing a back injury.
Danesfort nabbed the opening point of the second half through sure striking free taker, James Mullally, but without the services of Hogan up front, they lacked real bite.
Mark Bergin (2) and Conor Bergin hit points as O'Loughlin's slowly took control. They more or less sealed victory in the 42nd minute when a good break by Conor Bergin caused confusion in the losers defence, and when the ball broke near goal it was touched home by Robbie Buckley.
That goal shot O'Loughlin's 1-11 to 0-6 clear, and with Danesfort largely relying on free taker, James Mullally for scores, saving the game was beyond them. 

SCORERS: O'Loughlin Gaels - Mark Bergin (0-7); Robbie Buckley (1-2); Sammy Johnston, Conor Heary (0-2 each); Jack Nolan, Conor Bergin, Paddy Deegan (0-1 each). Danesfort - James Mullally (0-7); Paddy Hogan (0-2); Robbie Walsh, Philip Cooney (0-1 each)

Team: S Murphy, A. Forristal, H. Lawlor, E.Kearns, J. Molloy, P. Butler, P. Deegan, J. Nolan, M. Bergin, S. Bolger, R. Buckley, C. Heary, S. Johnston, S. Mahony, C. Bergin - E. Walsh, J Doyle, D. O'Connor

Senior C'Ship Semi Final
O'Loughlin Gaels 0:14 to 1:14 Dicksboro.

A first half goal proved the difference between these two sides in a game that not unlike the league final, never caught fire. The Gaels struggled to find inspiration to take this game by the scruff of the neck...and if they had the pendulum could easily have swung the other way. Every opportunity in fairness was stifled by a hungrier looking Boro side and they did enough to put themselves into a Co. Final. . the first all city final since 1950. 
So the Champions are out...but there's plenty to look forward to..lots of young blood coming up the ranks and ready to take ownership of that coveted jersey once the opportunity arises.
Yes, it was a weekend that didn't deliver on its promise, but how many clubs would love to be in that same position on a Friday evening in mid October. Quite a few I suggest. So there's good work being done...players are coming through, and on Wednesday week the club can look forward to a minor Semi-Final and a chance to take in some more silverware. So chin up and keep on supporting O'Loughlin Gaels GAA Club. It serves us well. Hon the Loughs.

O’Loughlin Gaels came away from this game with maximum points.. a scenario that didn’t look likely as the first half approached its closing stages. The Gaels benefitted from a couple of breaks in the first period. The first coming just 90 seconds into the game when referee Owen Kenny awarded the St. John’s attack a penalty. An opportunity that O’Loughlin’s No. 1 Stephen Murphy duly converted with a net rattler. But from there until the 28th minute Carrickshock outscored the Gaels 10 points to 5..with 3 of those O’Loughlin’s points registered in the last 8 minutes during a much needed purple patch kickstarted through a well worked Mark Kelly point – Mark looking dangerous at times throughout this opening period. Just before the break the Gaels got their second break.  Carrickshock’s indiscipline was showing and the Gaels were awarded a free on the 28th minute from 50 yards. Mark Bergin strike dipped short and bounced harmlessly to the net. The Gaels headed for the slices of oranges with a flattering one point advantage.  O’Loughlin Gaels 2-5 to 0-10

If O’Loughlin Gaels rode their luck in the first half, Carrickshock were guilty of some bad shooting in the second. True O’Loughlin Gaels did put in a better performance and were worthy of their 5 point win but again they struggled to shake off the challengers.  O’Loughlin defence was solid and the attack was moving a lot better and making the opportunities The southerners indiscipline continued and was often tolerated, but it’s consistency only contributed to a disjointed performance by them. Conor Bergin, Robbie Buckley and David Burke enjoyed the final quarter while Mark Kelly and Paddy Deegan dominated the play during vital stages of the game. Upon the restart Carrickshock registered a poor wide from a placed ball which was repeated moments later. In the mean time O’Loughlin converted 2 minors, one from a free (M Bergin) and one from Robbie Buckley who had just missed an earlier opportunity showing good form in the early stages of this half.  Goal keeper Stephen Murphy showed his worth again with a good save and quick hands to divert the danger from his goal area and keeping a clean sheet for his evening’s work. With 8 mins remaining the score stood at 2-12 to 0-13, Carrickshock added 3 unanswered points over the next 5 mins to put just 2 points between the sides as the final whistle loomed. But the Gaels closed out the game during the referees discretionary 2 minutes of additional time with 3 points through Mark Kelly, Conor Bergin and David Burke. Final score O’Loughlin Gaels 2-15 to 0-16 Carrickshock.
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The St. John’s faithful headed towards the Sion Rd satisfied with the points earned after the first three league games. There’s a break now until July now while the inter-county game gets going. A break that the lads will gladly take to re-evaluate for the remainder of this campaign.  It’s been a good job so far with new players being given their opportunities and more established players having to draw from their rich knowledge of experience. 3 games – 5 league points…that’ll do. Lovely hurling
 
Team: S. Murphy (1-0,Pen), A Forrestal, A Kearns, E. Kearns, P. Butler, B. Hogan, H. Lawlor, P. Deegan, J. Nolan, S. Johnston, M. Kelly (0-4), M. Bergin (1-6, 1-5f), D, Burke (0-2), R, Buckley (0-2), C. Bergin (0-2). D. Lenihen, S. Bolger, B. Maher, G. Bryan, R. Butler, J. Doyle, G. Kelly, J. Leahy, S. Mahony.