Summer Camp

The O’Loughlin Gaels Summer Camp will take place again this summer for two weeks in August. This is the sixth year of the camp and it continues to grow in popularity each year, with 160 children taking part over the two weeks last summer.

The key words associated with the camp are fun, enjoyment, participation and skill development. Niall Bergin and his team of qualified GAA coaches work hard each year to create and implement a diverse programme aimed at developing the basic skills of hurling/camogie, gaelic football, rounders and handball in a fun-filled, friendly and energetic environment. Each morning the groups will work on developing the skills of each game through a range of drills and activities. In the afternoon the children will use these skills in mini-games where the emphasis is on participation and enjoyment. An exciting part of each week for the children is always the visit of a number of inter-county hurling, camogie and football stars who chat to the children about skill development and lifestyle as well as posing for photos and signing numerous jerseys, hurls, helmets and even arms!!

·         The camp is open to all O’Loughlin Gaels club members, boys and girls aged 5-13 years.

·         Each child will receive a quality sports pack with O’Loughlin Gaels gear.

·         Camp begins at 10am with lunch from 12-12.30pm and finishes up at 2.30pm.

·         We are really lucky to have the use of such great facilities in St. John’s Park with three pitches, a wall ball, two handball alleys and an indoor hall – which saves us from the sometimes unpredictable Irish weather!!

·         The camp costs €60 per child for one week or €85 for two weeks. One sports pack per child included in this price.

·         The dates for this year’s camp are:

Week 1: Tuesday August 5th – Saturday August 9th

Week 2: Monday August 11th – Friday August 15th

Application forms are available from club underage management, in the clubhouse itself, Kearns butchers, JJ Cullen butchers, St. John’s Quay Library and on the club website www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie. Closing date for applications is Friday June 20th so get in early to avoid disappointment. Please note late applications cannot be guaranteed availability of sports pack.

Who Were They?

We've come into possession of a very old photograph of a team that pre-dates the founding of our club. We'd simply like to know who were they, where were they from and what was the story behind the photograph? We'd love to hear from you - simply contact pro.oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa.ie and we’ll do the rest. 

Under 8’s Are Going Well!

O'Loughlins u8s were out again on Sunday following they're successful day at the Diosese of Ossory blitz earlier this month. This time they were pitted against Graigue/Ballycallan. 2 teams played gallantly throughout the morning but found themselves up against it against a very strong opposition. First Communions and school events meant that a good portion of the O'Loughlins teams were unavailable. So reinforcements were called upon from our Camogie colleagues in the form of Grace Sheridan and Ena Lawlor. Both girls were certainly undaunted by the challenge and were arguably the best players on the day. A big thanks to them and to O'Loughlins Camogie for the temporary transfer for this occasion.

2 games were played by both our teams and although they were outscored they lads certainly showed some good passages of play. James Furlong left the field in good form satisfied with his mornings work and surely will put this self-confidence to good use when this bunch of players are out again. Daniel McCormack started in goal and after a steady performance between the sticks came out the field to put up a good score from placed ball himself and set up a couple of scores to finish the morning well. Daniel Byrne got himself on the score sheet as well after some great work by the aforementioned Grace Sheridan.

Without doubt the performance of the day was from young David Balfour. David is a newcomer to this team and is already showing signs of been one of this teams 'go-to men'. Well done David and keep it up.

The lesson of the day has to be that practice at home in addition to training time is very important. Some of the play from our boys fell a little short of the standard. O'Loughlin Gaels GAA is very lucky to have vast facilities in the middle of town open all day long for our young players to use. The wall ball at the sides of the club house is available always so all you young players are encouraged to come up and use it. Brings your brothers, cousins, friends, mams and dads and get practicing. Practice does make perfect and to be very good you've got to practice outside of training time.

O'Loughlins u8s are next out on the 7th of June when we will have 2 teams take part in the Dicksboro hurling festival. Training continues on Thursday evening 6.30pm and Sunday mornings at 10.30am.

 

Kilkenny Community Games Talent Show

This show promises to be great fun and takes place in Stoneyford Hall on Friday 30th May next at 6:30 p.m.  There are both group and individual events across a range of arts such as dance, drama, music and singing. The St John’s area contact is Eilis O’Shea 086/0886731

 

Champions Sunday

A large enthusiastic crowd (young and old) gathered in the OLG clubhouse gymnasium for a truly special occasion on Sunday last. The Kilkenny contingent of the Leinster Special Olympics Team was greeted with whoops and hollers as they took to the stage to uproarious applause from the eager crowd. The hall was expertly decked out in bunting and props representing a whole range of sporting activities. The team is all set to take part in The Special Olympics All-Ireland Games, starting on June 12th next. 

Gerard Byrne from The Village was first to be introduced – he raised his arms aloft & proclaimed he was going for gold! Conahy’s Lisa Coogan followed and she promised to do likewise in the University of Limerick pool. Michael Dwyer from the Kells Road has his spikes ready and is primed to explode out of the blocks on the U.L. tartan track. Robbie English (Clara) is strongly tipped in the pool and one to watch for. Derek Fitzpatrick of Castlecomer & Loughboy is a sharp shooter on the soccer pitch while Kilkenny’s Jimmy Kelly is looking forward to giving his all in Athletics.

Niall Kenny got a large ovation, due to being a local boy and OLG member – he promises to run like the wind! Bennettbridge’s Gerri Kinsella is all set to take the pool by storm and the Village’s Mark Leahy is set to do likewise on the soccer pitch alongside his partner – Dungarvan’s T.T. Nolan.

Diarmuid O’Flynn from the Village was busy helping Brian Cody pick the Kilkenny team due to take on Clare later that day but promised to give his all for Kilkenny and Leinster in the swimming pool in June. Bernie O’Shea (Clara) is ready to roll that bocce bowl closest to the jack to ensure she’ll have a place on the podium.  But the biggest cheer was reserved for veteran Special Olympian – Joe Walsh (Castlecomer). Joe (73) has been to many Special Olympics – he started out as a sprinter but the clock on the wall has meant he has had to slow things down – a little and is now participating in the fast walk!

Our athletes were joined on stage by famous champions across a wide range of sports – Hurling, Gaelic Football, Camogie, Handball, Rugby, Boxing, Athletics and Martial Arts. The highlight of the afternoon was undoubtedly the closing finale – the Olympic Parade. Gary Gordon of An Garda Siochana brought the famous Olympic torch into the hall and the Special Olympians lined up behind it. They then proceeded through the hall and up on to the stage - to the sounds of Chariots of Fire. O’Loughlin Gaels would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved in what was a truly special occasion and to once more – wish our Special Olympians the very best for Limerick.

 

Three from Three

O’Loughlin Gaels made it three wins out of three in Kilmanagh on Saturday night last against a dogged Tullaroan outfit. Six points banked, surely secures top flight hurling for our St John’s Parish boys, in what is a very competitive division.

 

 

Camogie

U14 Camogie team played Tullaroan last Wednesday night  in St John's Park and lost by a goal on a score line of  O'Loughlin Gaels (3-1)  Tullaroan (2-7). The girls are away to  St Fiachres on Wednesday night in the 4th round of the championship.

U10 Camogie V Danesfort
Last Wednesday (7th May) the O'Loughlins under 10's started off their season with an away fixture against Danesfort. The friendly game was played in great spirit and the girls in green did themselves proud. In the first half Danesfort started strongly and as time went on, the pressure they built up led to scores. While O'Loughlins never really threatened the goal area in the half, some excellent play in the midfield prevented the game from getting away from them. Faye Fennelly, Grace Sheridan and Eva Prendergast let Danesfort have nothing easy. Emma Flyson White defended very well and Ava O'Grady and Ava Vaughan contributed very well. In the second half other players got to shine with some positional changes and the fact that Danesfort made changes of their own. Abby Ware and Tara O'Keeffe made and impact on the goal and the forward line for different periods. Riona Crowley was excellent for finding space to drive the ball either into the goal or into the forwards. Sinead Dowling, Leah Hanrahan and Emma Butler were busier in the second half too. Overall, it was a good first outing and O'Loughlins may have done enough in the 2nd half to sneak a win.

Johnswell 10K Challenge

Johnswell 10k Challenge & 5K Fun Run Sunday 8th June 1pm. For more details please see: www.facebook.com/pages/Johnswell-Fun-run. Proceeds are in aid of Johnswell Community.

 

Health and Wellbeing – Suicide and Depression Awareness

 

On Monday last, 28th April, the Launch of the Kilkenny GAA Health and Wellbeing programme dealing with "Suicide and Depression Awareness in your Club" was held in the Springhill Hotel in Kilkenny.  This was the first in a series of presentations under the rollout of the GAA's National Health and Wellbeing Programme. 

Its Aim is to Promote Positive Health and Wellbeing in our Clubs and Communities by Providing Advice and Support to the Officers in Every Club in this crucial area over the next twelve months. Joe Malone - the Clubs Designated Officer, and Paul Cleere - Games Development, Coaching and Policies attended on behalf of O'Loughlin Gaels on the night and an invitation was extended to all coaches in the North of the Co. to a further information event, which was held on Tuesday 13th May.

Summer Camp Registration

 

It’s time to register your child for Summer Camp with O’Loughlin Gaels. Week one runs from August 5th to 9th and week two runs from August 11th to 15th. Applications have been distributed and the deadline for registration is fast approaching – June 20th. Please check our website www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie & facebook page for more info.

Champions Sunday, 12:00 Noon, OLG Clubhouse

                                                                                                                            

Champions Sunday is a unique opportunity to raise funds for the Kilkenny Special Olympics Team and for young boys and girls - to meet their heroes. Our Special Olympic athletes will compete in the All-Ireland games, which will be held in the University of Limerick in June. It promises to be a great games and we want to send them on their way, by celebrating their unique achievement.

A host of stars across a wide range of sports will be there on the day to cheer on our athletes. These heroes will also spend time meeting young boys and girls, signing autographs and exhibiting memorabilia from their sporting conquests. We are delighted to announce that from the world of Hurling, we will have: Brian Cody, Eddie Brennan and Brian Hogan among others. Rugby stars Mick Galwey and Ian Dowling will be there. All-Ireland Camogie sisters - Angela & Ann Downey have promised to stop by, not to mention World Champion handballer - Michael "Ducksie" Walsh. Legendary Cork rebel - Dinny Allen is also on board…….. to name but a few.

If you're a young aspiring sportsperson and you want to meet your hero, come along to O'Loughlin Gaels Clubhouse at 12:00 noon on Sunday May 18th. All are welcome - young and old, and don't forget to raise a cheer for our Kilkenny Special Olympics Team!

Loughs Shock The Rocks!

Saturday evenings in Thomastown don’t get much better than this! This second round senior league encounter between the Continent and Ballyhale Shamrocks served up a hard-hitting uncompromising clash between two proud clubs.

It’s difficult to single out players in what really was a tremendous team performance. Gary Bryan, at the tender age of seventeen and a half – can be proud of his senior league debut. Stephen Murphy’s long range points were crucial to the outcome. Mark Bergin was as imperious as ever in the middle of the field alongside the industrious Paddy Deegan. Jason Quan made telling runs in the second half, when introduced and linked up well with John Doyle, who was unerringly accurate.  Mark Kelly moved deeper at a vital stage in the match and stamped his county class on the outcome of the game – as a result. The real man of the match however, was the combined work ethic of the entire team and subs on a cold bitter evening in Thomastown.

Camogie

Our Junior Camogie team travelled to Hugginstown on Friday night last to play Carrickshock in the 3rd Round of the Junior Championship. With only 16 players available, due to exam and other commitments, the task seemed onerous.

The girls faced the challenge head on and emerged victorious on a score line of Carrickshock 0.4 to O'Loughlins 0.12. A great win and a super performance from all 16 girls to collect our third consecutive victory and leave us on full points heading in to a 5 week break for leaving cert and college exams. Thanks especially to Aoife Nolan who made herself available to assist us given the depleted numbers and best wishes to her on her return to work in Canada later this month.

Well done to all on this victory and the plan over the coming weeks is for some serious skills and fitness training as well as a number of challenge matches to ensure qualification as Group A winners - our 1st of 2 Goals for 2014. The final 2 Group games, against Emeralds and Slieverue, will be played in July.

The management team will be looking for all panellists to fully commit for the remainder of the Championship to achieve Goal number 2.

Club Lotto

There was no jackpot winner of the Club Lotto this week. The numbers chosen were: 8, 12, 23, 28 and the bonus number was 7. 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.

Johnswell Active Retirement

Meeting will be held in Johnswell Hall on Thursday 15th May at 8.00pm. New members are welcome.

Health & Wellbeing – Suicide & Depression Awareness

On Monday last, 28th April, the Launch of the Kilkenny GAA Health and Wellbeing programme dealing with "Suicide and Depression Awareness in your Club" was held in the Springhill Hotel in Kilkenny.  This was the first in a series of presentations under the rollout of the GAA's National Health and Wellbeing Programme. Its Aim is to Promote Positive Health and Wellbeing in our Clubs and Communities by Providing Advice and Support to the Officers in Every Club in this crucial area over the next twelve months.

Champions Sunday is a unique opportunity to raise funds for the Kilkenny Special Olympics Team and for young boys and girls - to meet their heroes. Our Special Olympic athletes will compete in the All-Ireland games, which will be held in the University of Limerick in June. It promises to be a great games and we want to send them on their way, by celebrating their unique achievement.

 

A host of stars across a wide range of sports will be there on the day to cheer on our athletes. These heroes will also spend time meeting young boys and girls, signing autographs and exhibiting memorabilia from their sporting conquests. We are delighted to announce that from the world of Hurling, we will have: Brian Cody, Eddie Brennan and Brian Hogan among others. Rugby stars Mick Galwey and Ian Dowling will be there. All-Ireland Camogie sisters - Angela & Ann Downey have promised to stop by, not to mention World Champion handballer - Michael "Ducksie" Walsh. Legendary Cork rebel - Dinny Allen is also on board…….. to name but a few.

 

If you're a young aspiring sportsperson and you want to meet your hero, come along to O'Loughlin Gaels Clubhouse at 12:00 noon on Sunday May 18th. All are welcome - young and old, and don't forget to raise a cheer for our Kilkenny Special Olympics Team!

If it’s May – It’s Gotta Be Champions Sunday!

O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club in association with Kilkenny Special Olympics is delighted to announce Champions Sunday will take place in our Clubhouse gymnasium on May 18th next at 12:00 noon. Champions Sunday is a unique event which will give Kilkenny children a chance to meet their heroes across a wide range of sports. Our special guests on the day will be the Kilkenny Special Olympics Team. They are competing in the Special Olympics All-Ireland finals, which will take place in the University of Limerick, the following month. If you’re a young aspiring sports person and you’re interested in rubbing shoulders with high achievers from the worlds of Hurling, Football, Camogie, Handball, Rugby, Athletics...................the list goes on – then the OLG Clubhouse is the place to be on May 18th next. Check out our facebook page for more details or our new look website: www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie for more details. It will be a family friendly event which promises to be a great occasion and all are welcome.

 

New Look OLG Website is Launched

The Club launched its new look website during the week: www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie - the website was designed to be compatible with the latest smart phone and tablet technology. Needless to say, it can also be viewed on regular p.c.’s. Club chairman Eddie Buckley welcomed the development stating: “The relaunch of the Club website is an important time for us all. This website is about more than just giving members information. It allows us to communicate better with each other while also presenting an opportunity for the various teams and Club activities to have an input into reporting their progress”. 

The site has a page dedicated to each sporting activity and indeed, each team in the club. So whether you are six or forty-six years of age – there is a page on our site for you! Our website is dedicated to our members as well as the wider St John’s Parish community. If you are interested in having a Club / Parish related piece uploaded onto the site or if you are in possession of team photos or significant snaps from the past – please get in contact with our Club P.R.O. on pro.oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa.ie – we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Club Lotto

There was no jackpot winner of the Club Lotto this week. The numbers chosen were: 1, 4, 22, 27 and the bonus number was 11. 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.

 

Camogie

Hard luck to our U14 girls who lost by two goals to the Emeralds in the Feile semi final on Saturday after extra time. Leah Broaders opened the scoring for the Loughs with a fine point after some hard work form the full forward line. The Emeralds responded with a goal in the 5th minute. A long run from Nyah Egan resulted in a free for the Loughs which Edel Mulholland tapped over. Leah Broaders caught the ball from the Emeralds puck out and struck it straight over the bar to level it up at half time 1-0 to 0-3. A foul on Doireann Sloyne resulted in a pointed free from Edel Mulholland, she also added a 45 before the Emeralds scored 1-1. A 45 by Edel Mulholland dropped short and Doireann Slyone netted to leave the girls a point up with a few minutes to go but the Emeralds added a point to level it 2-2 to 1-5 at full time, the match went to extra time. O’ Loughlins had a goal disallowed in the first few minutes of extra time and though the Emeralds pushed on and scored two goals ,the girls never gave up and fought til the end. Final score Emeralds 4-2 O'Loughlins 1-5. The girls and management can be very proud of their effort, they put in a great performance. Team Ali Meagher, Suin Crowely, Johanna Murphy, Marissa Dowling, Aisling Claffey, Ella Richardson, Jennifer Holohan, Nyah Egan, Leah Broaders(0-2), Rosie Bergin, Rebecca Keane, Edel Mulholland(0-3), Kate Lawless, Sarah Jane Codd, Doireann Sloyne(1-0). Subs Faith O'Neill, Tracy O'Reilly, Katelyn Power, Rebecca Smith, Ailbhe Galway, Karen Neary, Emma Doheny, Ciara Curran, Jade Soames. 

The U18 team played Conahy Shamrocks in the first round of the championship/ League and lost 
3-2  to 1-4. 
U16     Team played Slieverue in the Championship/League and lost 7-5 to 1-1 

O'Loughlins Junior Camogie team picked up their second brace of points in their Round 2 clash away to Thomastown last weekend winning 5-9 to 4-3, next up is Carrickshock on Friday night. 

Kilkenny Leader Partnership May Courses

The following courses are commencing in O’Loughlin Court in May. The courses are open to all but priority will be given to people in receipt of Unemployment Benefits. Courses include: Basic Digital Photography, Improvers Computer Skills, Woodwork, Ceramics, Health & Fitness. We also have places left on the Sewing & Dressmaking Course. For more information contact Connie McGee on 086 7718040 or email Connie.mcgee@cklp.ie