Buffers Alley

The O’Loughlin Gaels senior hurlers travelled to the famous Buffers Alley club on Saturday last for their final Group three game against the Wexford outfit. Buffers Alley has had somewhat of a makeover recently and after the game, the justifiably proud members showed us around their magnificent new centre of excellence.

Mark Bergin started in typically lively fashion and struck two sweet points from either wing, before getting on the end of a John Doyle lay-off and batting to the net for an MB special – Cul! Paddy Cantwell and John Doyle then got in on the act with neat points of their own. Mark Bergin then converted a sixty-five to make it 1-05 to no score after twelve minutes. Buffers Alley are nothing if not dogged though and they then enjoyed a five minute spell that yielded four points on the trot – the pick of them coming from the hurl of full forward – Keith Bourke. The Continent’s defence dug in for the battle ahead. Stephen Tyrrell, Padraig Meaney and Eddie Kearns all put in heroic blocks to stem the tide. Mark Bergin finished the half as he started with three in a row (one sixty-five) to leave six between the sides at half time. H/T Score: O’Loughlin Gaels 1-08, Buffers Alley 0-05

Paddy Cantwell fired straight and true for a wonder score at the start of the second half. This was then followed by one of the scores of the game. An intricate move involving Paddy Cantwell and Conor Bergin led to John Doyle being free (ball in hand) on the edge of the square. John rifled his shot to the far right corner. The net shook, the green was raised and the Continent was rolling now! Buffers Alley grabbed a point in desperation before Danny Lenehan drilled one over the crossbar to restore OLG’s ten point lead.  It was at this point though that Buffers Alley were rewarded with a period of dominance that in truth – they deserved. They fired 1-04 without reply to narrow the gap to three. Then up stepped Alan Geoghegan (as he’s done many times before). Alan dispatched a bullet off his left to the top right hand corner of the net – Cul! The Alley men tagged on two late points before Stephen Murphy (goalkeeper) pulled off a wonder save at full stretch to deny the Wexford side a certain equaliser. Points at the end from Martin Comerford and Danny Lenehan meant the gap was five at the full time whistle. F/T Score: O’Loughlin Gaels 3-12, Buffers Alley 1-14

Stephen Murphy, Brian Murphy, Eoghan Grant, Eddie Kearns, Stephen Tyrrell, Paddy Butler, Padraic Meaney, Mark Bergin 1-06 (2 65’s), Jack Nolan, Danny Lenehan 0-02, Martin Comerford 0-01, Paddy Cantwell 0-02, John Doyle 1-01, Alan Geoghegan 1-00, Conor Bergin, Subs used: Ricky Leydon, Evan Walsh, Fergal Brennan. O’Loughlin Gaels are now through to the quarter final of the Leinster League, to be played on April 5th – opposition and venue TBC.

Top of the Hit Parade

Congratulations to our O’Loughlin Gaels juvenile section who marched in the recent St Patrick’s Day Parade. The adjudicating committee awarded OLG with the best young persons float on the day. Special thanks must go to Stephen McCormack and Mark Brett who worked hard to organise our juveniles and have them looking so well.

 

Creating Resilience in Challenging Times

That's the title of a talk being given by Dr Fergus Heffernan in St Fiacre's Church, Loughboy on Thursday April 3rd next at 8:00 p.m. Fergus is a very popular speaker. His talk will cover areas such as: building self confidence, diet, taking positive control of your life and even........how to breathe. It promises to be an enlightening and entertaining evening. Tickets are priced at €10 and are available by simply ringing 087/3356738. 

Johnswell National School Enrolment

Enrolment is now open or for the school year 2014 / 2015. Places are still available. Please contact 056/7759895 or e-mail: johnswellschool@eircom.net

Marble City Boxing

Congratulations to three members of OLG juveniles who represented The Marble City Boxing Club with distinction in the recently held Leinster Championships. Eric Walsh (U12’s) & Donal O’Leary (U14’s) were involved in tight tussles. I’m assured they gave as good as they got, before going down eventually to their opponents on split decisions. A special word of praise must go though to Jack Sheridan (U14). Jack is a newly crowned Leinster Champion. His late grandfather – Johnny Sheridan was a founder member of Marble City Boxing Club as well as Juvenile Chairman of O’Loughlin Gaels. Jack’s father – John Sheridan trains our under 14 B’s (when he’s not traipsing up and down John Street impersonating St Patrick!).

That Special Occasion

If your family has an upcoming special occasion such as a 21st birthday, a wedding anniversary or a christening - O'Loughlin Gaels has the perfect venue. Catering can be arranged by booking in advance. Please give Paddy Greene a call on 086/1298329.

                                                     

 

Pat Cash!

O’Loughlin Gaels is delighted to announce that Pat Carroll has renewed his sponsorship of the senior team for 2014. Pat has been a long time supporter of the club and his generosity is greatly appreciated. Our senior team will wear his name emblazoned across our famous white and green jerseys. What better way to promote the Ballybough Street pub than to have a successful run in the senior championship – here’s hoping.

This reporter called to Ballybough Street during the week, along with Eddie Buckley (OLG Chairman), Brian Murphy (Hurling & Football Chairman) and Aidan Fogarty (Senior Team Manager). Pat was in rare form and it wasn’t long before he explained to us - the reason why. A forty-to-one shot had somehow managed to negotiate the famous Cheltenham jumps and come home ahead of the rest of the field in order to make Pat Carroll a very happy man!

Pat stated he’s been in the pub business for over thirty years now. He started out back in 1977. His first stand was in the old Kilkenny Arcade. He moved to his present location across from the army barracks and hasn’t looked back since. Pat employs four staff and his natural affiliation with the O’Loughlin Gaels club has grown organically over time. Stalwart OLG half-forward – Alan Geoghegan is Pat’s son-in-law and goalkeeper – Stephen Murphy is his nephew.  Once again Pat, thank you for your generosity. We hope to repay you on the field of play.

Football Championship

Commiserations to our senior footballers who bowed out of this year’s championship as a result of a one point defeat to Kilmoganny. The match was played in Danesfort on Sunday last. Kilmoganny incredibly, were all of ten points up at one stage but a raging second half comeback from the continent left us all on the edge of our seats. The clock on the wall was to prove OLG’s most difficult competitor on the day however and our boys ran out of time before being able to grab that elusive equaliser.

Leinster League

O’Loughlin Gaels are participating in the Leinster League as part of the team’s preparation for the tough county league / championship that lies ahead in 2014. This prestigious league sees us pitted against teams from across the province and includes the counties of Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Wexford.  We’ve been drawn in Group three of Division One and are up against Castletown Slieve Bloom (Laois) and Buffer’s Alley of Wexford. We travelled to Castletown on March 1st  last and came away with both points in a hard fought win. Our final game in the group is on the 22nd March and is away to Buffer’s Alley in Wexford, throw-in is at 4:00 p.m. The top two teams from each group (four groups) will contest knock-out quarter finals on April 5th and the final will be played on Saturday 19th April.  The other teams in division one are as follows: Ballinkillen (Carlow), St Vincent’s (Dublin), Drumcullen (Offaly), Raharney (Westmeath), Camross (Laois), Clonkill (Westmeath), Naomh Eoin (Carlow), Faughs (Dublin),Lucan Sarsfields (Dublin), Birr (Offaly), Portlaoise (Laois) and Ferns St Aidan’s (Wexford).

St Patrick’s Day Parade

Well done to all our boys who lined out in the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday last. Our juvenile section was represented by teams from our: U6’s, U8’s, U10’s and U12’s. Thanks to all our coaches and parents for ensuring our players looked so well in their OLG strips. It’s time now to get back to training boys. Enjoy!

 

Club Lotto

There was no jackpot winner of the club lotto this week. The numbers chosen were 2, 14, 17, 25 and the bonus number was 1. If you want to be in with a chance to win €20,000, you can buy a ticket from the usual promoters or from behind the bar in the clubhouse. 

Con’s Our Mr President!

O’Loughlin Gaels held an evening of celebration to mark the achievement of our own Con Moore - on his becoming President of the World Handball Council. It was an evening that will live long in the memory, as Con was joined by both family and friends to honour the occasion.

Eddie Buckley, Chairman O’Loughlin Gaels started proceedings by summarising Con’s sporting life and in particular – his selfless dedication to the sport of handball. Con was born in Moyne village, near Thurles in 1950. Eddie went on to point out that Con was taught in National school by Christy Shortt (father of Pat). Christy passed on a love of music to young Con that would stay with him throughout his life.

Later, Con’s family moved to Urlingford, where he hurled with the Emeralds. However, it was in 1964 that his love for handball would begin to take hold. He helped convert an old alley and by doing so – rejuvenated the ancient game in the Urlingford / Johnstown area. Con had left school now and was foraging for a life of his own, that would lead him to a job working for Smithwicks Brewery in Kilkenny. He put down roots in the Marble city and became known to O’Loughlin Gaels at this time. The first inklings of a man destined for greater things – could be seen in the way he handled an ongoing issue with the ball alley lights. Con made his move and the problem was resolved.

Padraig Leydon became aware of Con’s presence around the club and approached him to become a regular member of the club. The Continent welcomed Con with open arms in 1982 and neither were to look back. He worked tirelessly for the club and was involved in various projects, such as the gym and bar extensions. He also ran County and National handball Championships in our courts while continuing to play himself up to the 1990’s. Among his many honours as a player were: Novice 40 x 20 (1984), Junior 40 x 20 (1988), Novice 60 x 30 (1996), Junior 40 x 20 (1996) and Silver & Masters Doubles 40 x 20 (1998) with Pat Gardiner. He also competed in World Handball Championships in Phoenix (1991), Clare (1994) & Winnipeg (1997).

One of Con’s major achievements in the game of handball would come to fruition in 1999. Fr Willie Hennessy would bless the opening of a brand new state of the art glass-back alley in our club. Con was rightly proud of this achievement but also humble enough to recognise the help of others – Tom Crowe, Sean Tyrrell, Anthony Bergin, Eamon Doyle and John Skehan. His achievements in handball would not stop there. In 1996, he was inaugurated as President of the Irish handball Council. In 2003, he was also responsible for bringing the World Handball Championships to Kilkenny with countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, Wales, England, Japan and Spain taking part. Eddie also cited Con’s ability to nurture talent. He became famous for driving budding ball alley stars such as John Morrissey, Joe Daly and Kirk Green to tournaments in his “Merc”.

The traits that drove Con as a person were numbered by Eddie. He was solid, determined, confident, dignified, trusted, skilled, dedicated and humble. He was also a very good communicator and was adept at understanding the nuanced way of managing a global game across the continents of the world.

Most of all though – Con is a family man. Eddie warmly welcomed Con’s wife Mary along with his extended family – Conor & Sandra, Jennifer & Larry, Monica & Tom, Ronan & Mary along with his sister Nora and brother Ger from Urlingford. Con’s brother Jack and his wife sent their love and best wishes along with a message to say they were very proud of Con’s achievements.

Fantasy Cheltenham

Fantasy Cheltenham is a unique way of indulging your passion for taking a punt along with supporting your local OLG GAA club. Tickets can be purchased for €20. For every ticket bought – O’Loughlin Gaels will receive a contribution of €10. Don’t worry if you’re not a Barney Curley. There are extra prizes this year aimed specifically at OLG entrants who emerge as the club leaders, after the four days of racing: 1st €100, 2nd €50, 3rd €30, 4th 20Tickets can be purchased by simply ringing 087/9647846.

Leinster Colleges A Senior Hurling Final

O’Loughlin Gaels is delighted to be able to say we had no less than eleven players representing both Kilkenny CBS & St Kieran’s College in the Leinster A Senior Colleges Final on Sunday last. Lining out for CBS were: Paddy Deegan, James Lenihan, Gary Bryan, Huw Lawlor, Danny Bolger, Robbie Buckley, Ross Butler, Vinnie Wallace, Jamie Kavanagh and Robbie O’Driscoll. Daniel O’Connor wore the St Kieran’s College hoops on the big day. O’Loughlin Gaels would like to congratulate CBS on their win and commend both teams on what was a tremendous sporting occasion.

Mark’s Your Man!

O’Loughlin Gaels got their Leinster League campaign off to a winning start with a hard fought six point victory over Castletown Slieve Bloom of Laois on Saturday last. The soft underfoot conditions made for a difficult afternoon for both teams. But it was that man Mark Bergin, who stood head and shoulders above the rest. His ten point personal haul, told only part of the story.

Sat nav systems pointed skywards and mobile phones bounced from mast to mast, as the men from the Continent travelled in a convoy in search of a pitch, nestled into the Slieve Bloom mountains. In the end, modern technology was ditched for the auld reliable - as windows were rolled down to allow reassuring locals point the way. It’s safe to say that our boys are not likely to travel to the Glens of Antrim any time soon – for fear that some of them are never seen again!

Billy Leydon started 2014 in much the same way he had ended the previous year – by being first to the ball, ahead of his man and turning neatly to strike a sweet score - within thirty seconds of the start. Mark Bergin saw Billy’s point and raised it with a beauty of his own. Paddy Cantwell then set the tempo for a dominant opening OLG quarter. His surging run culminated in a bone crunching shoulder that left his opponent flattened. Paddy then duly sent the sliotar straight and true between the uprights. What a score!

It wasn’t long before O’Loughlins had raced into a five point lead. Credit must go to Slieve Bloom though – they then established a foothold in the game and hit the St John’s Parish boys for six without reply to take command. Leaders were needed now and Mark Bergin made a forty yard dash into the heart of his own defence to block down and thwart another Castletown attack. The rallying call had been sounded and Mark had laid down the marker. The OLG tackle rate intensified – Davy Burke and Jack Nolan were to the fore when it came to blocking and hooking and it was our boys who would finish the half stronger. Six points were dispatched – the pick of them being a Conor Bergin special, aided and abetted by some great work from that man – Jason Quan. Martin Gibbons was introduced to bolster the defence and OLG saw out the half with a deserved four point advantage.

 H/T Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-07, O’Loughlin Gales 0-11

The second half saw more substitutions. Alan Geoghegan, Danny Lenehan and John Doyle all made their presence felt. Castletown had managed to narrow the gap to two points up to midway through the second thirty. However, O’Loughlins finished the half strongly and standout points from Mark Bergin, Brian Dowling, Danny Lenehan, John Doyle and Jack Nolan were to prove decisive in the end. The Continent ran out what proved to be - comfortable six point winners. OLG’s next game was due to be a home tie with Ballyboden St Enda’s from Dublin on Sat 8th March next. However, Ballyboden have regrettably withdrawn from the tournament.  The Continent’s next match will now be away to Buffers Alley in Wexford on Saturday 22nd March. Throw-in will be 4:00 p.m.

F/T Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-15, O’Loughlin Gaels 0-21

Stephen Murphy, Brian Murphy, Eoghan Grant, Paddy Cantwell 0-1, Jack Nolan 0-1, Eddie Kearns, Jason Quan, Paddy Butler 0-1, Davy Burke, Mark Bergin 0-10 (7 f’s), Niall Bergin, Conor Bergin 0-3, Billy Leydon 0-1, Brian Dowling 0-1, Sam Johnston 0-1 Subs used: Martin Gibbons, Alan Geoghegan, Danny Lenehan 0-1, John Doyle 0-1

President of the World Handball Council

O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club is proud to honour our own Con Moore with an evening of celebration – to mark Con being ratified as President of the World Handball Council. The evening will start at 8:30 on Friday 7th March next and will be held in the OLG clubhouse. Chairman Eddie Buckley is looking forward to the night: “Needless to say, we’re all very proud of Con’s achievement and hope that his year as President is both enjoyable and rewarding”. Anyone wishing to attend the event can do so by contacting Margaret Hanlon on 087/2208028 or at: hanlonmags@gmail.com

Fantasy Cheltenham

Fantasy Cheltenham is a unique way of indulging your passion for taking a punt along with supporting your local OLG GAA club. Tickets can be purchased for €20. For every ticket bought – O’Loughlin Gaels will receive a contribution of €10. Don’t worry if you’re not a Barney Curley. There are extra prizes this year aimed specifically at OLG entrants who emerge as the club leaders, after the four days of racing: 1st €100, 2nd €50, 3rd €30, 4th 20Tickets can be purchased by simply ringing 087/9647846.

Leinster Colleges A Senior Hurling Final

O’Loughlin Gaels is delighted to be able to say we have no less than eight players representing both Kilkenny CBS & St Kieran’s College in the Leinster A senior colleges final. Lining out for CBS will be: Paddy Deegan, James Lenihan, Gary Bryan, Huw Lawlor, Danny Bolger, Ronnie Buckley and Ross Butler. Daniel O’Connor will wear the St Kieran’s College hoops on the big day. The match serves a as curtain raiser to the NHL game between Kilkenny & Galway. Throw-in is at 12:00 noon and it promises to be a great occasion. Best of luck to all, on behalf of O’Loughlin Gaels.