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 Continent 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 the St John's Parish Boys 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 Minors 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 Pen, 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
All-Ireland Sunday
Calling all OLG boys and girls from U6 to U12. We will have the 2014 All-Ireland Senior and Minor trophies in the Club on Sunday 2nd Nov next at 11:00 a.m. Also in attendance will be our own Club players, who were members of those winning teams. The players will be available for photos and autographs and it promises to be a memorable morning. Don’t miss it!
Club Lotto
There was no jackpot winner of this week’s club lotto. The numbers drawn were 2, 10, 21, 27 and the bonus number was: 13. Tickets can be bought from the usual selling agents or by asking at the clubhouse bar. Remember – if you’re not in; you can’t win the jackpot prize of €20,000. Best of luck!
Table Quiz in Aid of S.O.S.
Egan’s Pub on John Street is the place to be tonight (Wed 29th) if you’re a budding Bamber Gascoigne! A table quiz is being held there – starting time – 8:30. A team of four will cost you €20. There will also be spot prizes on the night along with a trick or treat raffle and a best pumpkin competition. Fancy dress is optional – see you there!
Centenary Parade & Book Launch
The above events will be held in Kilkenny City on the first Sunday 2ndNovember starting with a
Centenary Parade of old Military Vehicles and re-enactors in Uniforms of the period. The Programme will commence at The Parade Kilkenny with music by St. Patrick's Brass Band. The marching group consisting of Veterans Organisations, Military Re-enactors and the General Public will walk from Parade, via Rose Inn to John St & to Ballybought St. to commemorate and remember 800 Kilkenny men who were killed in the Great War, one hundred years ago. The Parade will assemble at 1.30 pm and depart Parade for Ballybought Street at 2.00 pm. The Parade will then march in the footsteps of the Kilkenny Soldiers from Ballybought St. to MacDonagh Square. At the Goods Shed Area there will be a short commentary on the History of the centenary relative to almost 3,000 Kilkenny citizens, both men and women who served in the” War to end all Wars.”The Parade will conclude with the playing of the Last Post. At approx. 3.30 pm.
At 4.30 PM there will be a Book Launch in the Springhill Hotel Waterford Road Kilkenny. The book on “The Kilkenny War Dead “ by Tom Burnell will be on sale, and the proceeds from the sale of the book will help to support the erection of the Kilkenny Great War Memorial to the 800 Kilkenny Men and Women killed from 1914-1918, and for 200 of whom there is no known grave. It is hoped that this Memorial, with the support of both public and voluntary donations will be erected in St. Mary's old Churchyard off High Street Kilkenny, within the period of the centenary years of the Great War.
The general public and the relatives of those who served or were killed during this conflict are invited to attend this launch. The Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee would like to thank all those who have helped with this project, and to appeal to the general public to support the remembrance of these Kilkenny Men and Women who have been generally forgotten about for a hundred years, and until recently were only spoken of in hushed tones.
Bangers and Mash
The Samaritans Kilkenny Branch is hosting a BANGERS & MASH FUND RAISING LUNCH on Thursday 6th November 2014 at The Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny – from 12.30p.m. to 2.30p.m. – donation only €10.00.Please drop by for a quick lunch in an ideal location to support this very worthy cause. Samaritans Ireland provides 24-hour emotional support to anyone struggling to cope. Samaritans can be contacted on Lo call 116 123 email: [email protected] or SMS 087 260 90 90