O’LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA


U21s CHAMPIONSHIP HURLING
O'Loughlin Gaels 4-15 to 0-9 Emeralds
A wind assisted first half, a little luck and some solid defending put the St. Johns side in the driving seat at half time. Three points to the good at that stage, the lads powered ahead in the second half to make it a formidable win. Shane Parsons relocated to full forward and rewarded the move with two goals. Sean Bolger will be credited for the second goal after a speculative free found the net and Ben Leydon made his presence known late in the second half to find the winners fourth major score. It was a good outing for the victors with strong performances all over the field. A solid defence, a clever midfield and scores from five of the six starting forwards (plus two of the replacements) was a welcome sight for the decent O'Loughlins support that gathered at the Freshford venue. Lisdowney will be the opponents in the Final after overcoming St. Lachtains GAA and the lads will be looking forward to the challenge. Keep up the good work lads and well done.
 
CLUB LOTTO 
There was no winner of last week’s Lotto. The numbers drawn were 2, 15, 20, 26 and the bonus number was: 5.  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.  
 
CLUB AGM
 
O’Loughlin Gaels GAA will hold their AGM in the club house on Wednesday evening, December the 9th at 7.30pm sharp.  All members are invited to attend and take part in discussing the club’s future and status.
 
 
O’LOUGHLINS TO CONTEST TWO FINALS
The St. Johns faithful will look forward to two teams competing for silverware over the next two weekends. The u21’s will look to a North u21A Hurling Championship Final when they take on Lisdowney. Lisdowney accounted for a strong Freshford side at the weekend and will rightly be confident facing the City men. O’Louglins on the other hand defeated Erins Own and Emeralds on their route to this game and will be happy that they have a fairly settled team to make a strong challenge.
The u16s find themselves in another Count Final capping a super year for this team. They take on Dicksboro in the Football decider in what will captivating derby. The lads have enjoyed wins over James Stephens and Thomastown and will relish the opportunity to claim another title at the expense of their city neighbours.
Best of luck to both teams and please get along to support your club.
 
 
ST. JOHNS PARK WEATHERS THE STORM
 
Over the last couple of weekends, like all pitches around the county, St. Johns park was hit with plenty of rainfall. Weather conditions may have been poor for hurling but the O’Loughlin Gaels venue stood up to the task and provided perfect playing conditions for some of our county fixtures. U21 fixtures, and last weekends Minor League final may have been hampered by the high winds and heavy rains but all players agreed that the playing conditions were perfect. Well done to the grounds team who put many man hours during the year to ensure that the best facilities are always available. The weather may be under the control of a higher dominion but when it comes to our pitches there’s no better than the Grounds Team at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA to provide the best!
 
 
 
 
O'LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT SATURDAY THE 5th OF DECEMBER 8pm 'til LATE
All members and friends and neighbours are invited to the St. Johns Park venue for a night of celebration. This is a great opportunity for members, parents, mentors coaches and players to get together and enjoy a night together without the pressures of match performances weighing on our collective minds. All new friends are welcome to come along to enjoy and  sample the O’Loughlin Gaels hospitality.  
IT'S GOING TO BE A MIGHTY NIGHT
ALL WELCOME.... and it's FREE ADMISSION!!
 
PLAYERS ARE BULLING TO RAISE FUNDS
If broken fingers, bruised bodies and curtailed social lives wasn’t enough the senior players are committing even more time to the club.  They’ve grouped together and over the next few weeks will drive their own initiative in an effort to raise funds for new Strength and Conditioning Equipment and Facilities for players at the club. They will take the opportunity to launch their new campaign n the club on Thursday evening, December the 10th at 8.30pm. With the help of their new friend ‘Lochlainn’, a mean looking bull, the players plan on raising the funds and generating a bit of craic! So make sure to be there and get behind the lads as it promises to be lots of fun.
 
FOUR ‘GAELS IN ALL-IRELAND
 
Best wishes to four of our best who look to help St. Kieran College in their quest for top honours in this year’s Junior Hurling colleges All-Ireland Final. Eoin Wall, Eoin O’Shea, Dacel Fwamba and Jamie Young all hurl with O’Loughlin Gaels Juvenile teams and form part of the St. Kieran’s panel to play Presentation College, Athenry next Saturday. Best of luck to the lads and all at St. Kieran’s College.
 
 
 
POKER NIGHT – JIM O’HARA MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
 
This much anticipated Poker Tournament is back and the tables will be ready to host the biggest night of the year when the Jim O’Hara Memorial Tournament takes place in O’Loughlin Gaels on FRIDAY, DECEMBER THE 11th. Registration is from 8.10pm and entry is €50 – Chips 20K. There will be up to 50 players expected with a pro-rata prize fund. This will be big night for all those who currently attend the weekly Thursday night Poker Tournament in the same venue. It’s the longest running Texas Holdem Poker Weekly Tournament in Kilkenny excellently organised by the hard working Alan Dooley. All are welcome.
 
JUVENILE CHRISTMAS PARTY – SUNDAY DECEMBER 13TH
 
On December the 13th the Juvenile Christmas Party will be held at O’Loughlin Gaels and there will be  a very special guest. Santa promised last year he’d be back after he enjoyed his visit to the St. Johns Parish club so much. He will call to the club that afternoon as he continues his tour on behalf of Temple Street Childrens’ Hospital. We look forward to his visit and welcome all out juvenile players and their St. Johns Parish friends.
 
 
ANNUAL PARISH SOCIAL
 
The Annual St. John’s Parish Social will take place on Sunday, January 31st in Langton House Hotel. Keep the date in your diary and further details will follow. Always a good night and an opportunity for friends and neighbours to get together.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA
www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie
CLUB LOTTO  - JACKPOT WINNER
There was one winner of last week’s Lotto. The numbers drawn were 3, 9, 15, 22 and the bonus number was: 1. The good news is the jackpot remains at €20,000 due to roll overs.  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.  Congratulations to Dan Butler who was this week’s lucky winner. Dan has been supporting O’Loughlin Gaels Lotto from the very beginning and is a worthy winner. That’s good news for sure.
 
CLUB AGM
 
O’Loughlin Gaels GAA will hold their AGM in the club house on Wednesday evening, December the 9th at 7.30pm sharp.  All members are invited to attend and take part in discussing the club’s future and status.
 
U16s ARE BACK IN A COUNTY FINAL
Duggan Steel Under-16 Football Championship Roinn A SEMI-FINAL
O'Loughlin Gaels 5-9 to 1-6 Thomastown
 
Well done to our u16 team who last Sunday booked their place in this year’s County Final giving themselves the opportunity to retain the title the club won last year. The lads took advantage of a first half wind putting up a score of 2-6 to 0-1 before the break helped by goals from Eoin Wall and Jamie Ryan . The second half looked like the momentum might swing towards Thomastown when they got two early scores but the lads knuckled down and finished comfortable winners at the end. There were second half goals from Jordan Molloy from the penalty spot, after Jamie Ryan was hauled down, Eoin Wall got his second and Luke Hogan got on the end of some good team play to slot home the St. Johns side fifth major score. Good performances from Ronan Buckley, Conor Heary, Ryan Poyntz, Ben Maher and Mikey Butler will give the management plenty of confidence heading to a County Final when they will meet city rivals Dicksboro.  Well done everybody.
 
 
O’LOUGHLIN GAELS ARE WELL REPRESENTED AT CROKE PARK’S BIG NIGHT
 
Another good job by referee Sean Cleere last Saturday who officiated at the Shinty International at Croke Park. Sean was aided by fellow clubmen - umpires Mick Nolan, Coleman Loughnane, Brian & Nigel Skehan - ensuring that O'Loughlin Gaels GAA was well represented on one of GAA's big fixtures. Well done to all the lads and congratulations to Ireland who finished triumphant.
 
 
3 MORE STARS ADDED TO O'LOUGHLIN GAELS LINE UP
 
O'Loughlin Gaels Juvenile section continue to attain the highest standards in Coaching and Games Development having been awarded a '3 Star Flag' by the  County Boards Games and Development Officers last Tuesday evening. This is the clubs second 3 star award after receiving the same accolade for 2014.  Such is the interest in player development Coaches from all our juvenile age groups were present at the County Boards most recent talks on Best Coaching Practice where they were presented with the flag by Brían Ryan and James Meagher. Games Development and Policies officer Paul Cleere was on hand to accept the award that he and Niall Bergin endeavoured to retain.  Well done to the coaches, mentors and juvenile committee headed by Juvenile Chairman Niall Bergin,  who all work very hard and show great initiative to ensure all our players are afforded every opportunity to be their best.
 
 
JUVENILE CHRISTMAS PARTY – SUNDAY DECEMBER 13TH
 
On December the 13th the Juvenile Christmas Party will be held at O’Loughlin Gaels and there will be  a very special guest. Santa promised last year he’d be back after he enjoyed his visit to the St. Johns Parish club so much. He will call to the club that afternoon as he continues his tour on behalf of Temple Street Childrens’ Hospital. We look forward to his visit and welcome all out juvenile players and their St. Johns Parish friends.
 
 
O'LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT SATURDAY THE 5th OF DECEMBER 8pm 'til LATE
All members and friends and neighbours are invited to the St. johns Park venue for a night of celebration. This is a great opportunity for members, parents, mentors coaches and players to get together and enjoy a night together without the pressures of match performances weighing on our collective minds. All new friends are welcome to come along to enjoy and  sample the O’Loughlin Gaels hospitality.  
IT'S GOING TO BE A MIGHTY NIGHT
ALL WELCOME.... and it's FREE ADMISSION!!

PLAYERS COLLECT THEIR NATIONAL HONOURS
Congratulations to all the O’Loughlin Gaels players who collected their medals at the County Board’s Medal Presentation Night where players who represented Kilkenny winning teams throughout the 2015 season were awarded their medals. Mark Kelly picked up a Senior All-Ireland medal; Daniel O’Connor (Kilkenny Minor Captain), Ross Butler and Shane Mahony all collected Leinster Minor Hurling medals and Eoin Mulhern and Kevin O’Brien were presented with British Junior Football Championship medals. Well done to all of our ‘Gaels – we’re all proud at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA.
 
U21’s SEMI-FINAL CHALLENGE
 
Next weekend O’Loughlin Gaels GAA u21s will have to overcome a tough challenge if they are to advance to the Northern A Hurling Final. Emeralds will provide the opposition and the lads will have to be at their best if they want to fulfil their championship ambitions. There will be no reprieve if they allow soft goals leak through their defences like they did during their last outing against Erins Own. The Urlingford lads will be up for It, so all the hard work counts for nothing if the St. Johns side don’t go out with the right attitude and hit the ground running. The match is fixed for Saturday afternoon in Freshford.
 
 
 
 
MINOR COMMENCE THEIR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN
 
It’s a bit late in the year but the powers that be dictate that the 2015 Minor Football Championships are run off in the approach to Christmas. Cold weather and soft ground will make for endurance induced football. But in true O’Loughlin Gaels attitude our lads will be ready for the challenge and  will want to get the best out of themselves. They’re up against the might of St. Martins in this first round tie so they will have to be focused. Keep an eye on the clubs social media pages during the week for fixture updates and www.kilkennygaa.ie/fixtures
 
 
SUPER AUCTION
 
A Super Auction in aid of St. Mary’s Restoration Fund will take place on Saturday, 28th of November in O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Complex. Viewing from 10am; Auction 11.30am. Catalogue: €3
Contributions of Original Paintings; Garden & Household Furniture; Antiques; Firewood; Crockery; Lamps; Toys; etc. would be most welcome. ‘Every little helps’ ad your support in any manner will help this event for the Diocese to be  great success
 
 
ANNUAL PARISH SOCIAL
 
The Annual St. John’s Parish Social will take place on Sunday, January 31st in Langton House Hotel. Keep the date in your diary and further details will follow. Always a good night and an opportunity for friends and neighbours to get together.
 
 

JuvenileChristmas Party Dec 23th      AGM December 9th, 7.30pm.        Club Christmas Party Dec 5th

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA
www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie
CAMOGIE AGM
The AGM of O' Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club took place on Friday  13th November in O' Loughlin Gaels clubhouse. The following officers were elected for the coming year:
Cathaoirleach/Chairperson: Joan Galwey; Leas-Cathaoirleach/Vice Chairperson:Gerry Buckley; Rúnaí/ Secretary: Olivia Collins;
Leas Rúnaí/ Assistant Secretary: Linda O’Leary; Cisteoir/ Treasurer: Eileen Cleere; Cláraitheoir/ Registrar: Mark Brett; Oifigeach na bPáistí: Helen Phelan;
Oifigeach Caidreamh Poiblí/ PRO: Sarah Buckley; Toscairí Bhord an Chontae/ County Board Delegates: Gerry Buckley and Sarah Buckley;  Oifigeach Forbartha/Development Officer: Jer Donovan; Oifigeach Teanga agus Cultúrtha/ Culture and Language Officer: Edel Hanrahan.

Twenty-nine managers and mentors were elected for the coming year, many of whom completed coaching courses last year and hope to continue to avail of these opportunities to benefit the club.
As each manager spoke of the highlights of their team's year, prominent among them were the All-Ireland minor medals won by Laura Murphy and Laura Greene. The club is also very proud of Rebecca Cleere, Aisling Butler and Laura Murphy who won a Leinster Intermediate title with Kilkenny. The future of the club is promising with increased membership and role models like these girls to look up to. The Rena Sheridan blitz was also mentioned as an occasion where all girls on the under 12 panel got equal playing time at that event which is named after our founder member. As the club approaches its 25th year in existence, it was fitting that co-founder, Marie Fitzpatrick, was nominated as honourary life member. GAA club chairman, Eddie Buckley, congratulated the club on their commitment to the girls in the club and the community  and wished them well for the coming year
 
CLUB LOTTO  - JACKPOT WINNER
There was one winner of last week’s Lotto. The numbers drawn were 5, 10, 16, 24 and the bonus number was: 4. The good news is the jackpot remains at €20,000 due to roll overs.  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.  Congratulations to Donal gibbons who was presented with his winning Jackpot Cheque by Club President Eamon Doyle last Wednesday evening. Enjoy your winnings Donal and thank you for your continued support.
 
CLUB AGM
 
O’Loughlin Gaels GAA will hold their AGM in the club house on Wednesday evening, December the 9th at 7.30pm sharp.  All members are invited to attend and take part in discussing the club’s future and status.
 
 
 
 
 
MINOR HURLING A LEAGUE SHIELD FINAL
O'Loughlin Gaels 2-12 to 2-10 Thomastown GAA
 
Well done to all the lads and the management on this result . A goal from a first half Shane Maher penalty kept the lads in touch throughout the game combined with good performances throughout the field in what was very hard conditions for hurling. Kevin Murphy produced a fine goal to overturn a Thomastown lead at the end of the game giving the St. Johns side the win. Sean Kiely was solid in full back and came out the better of a good tussle with the opposing full forwards.  Gary Bryan enjoyed his new role at centre forward as managers Niall Bergin and Davey Ronan took the opportunity to rotate all players throughout the game and try out a some positional changes for players. Well done and congratulations to everybody involved on what has been another good year for this group.
 
 
U16s CONTINUE WINNING WAYS IN CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL
O’Loughlin Gaels 6-7 to 1-2 James Stephens
 
A very powerful performance saw off an underwhelming James Stephens side in this Roinn A Football Championship quarter final. The St. Johns side are in a winning groove and certainly were not in a mood to disappoint the home crowd at the Hebron Road venue. The advance now to the semi-final stages where they will certainly meet a much stronger outfit in Thomastown. Well done to all involved and keep up the good work.
 
 
JUVENILE CHRISTMAS PARTY – SUNDAY DECEMBER 13TH
 
On December the 13th the Juvenile Christmas Party will be held at O’Loughlin Gaels and there will be  a very special guest. Santa promised last year he’d be back after he enjoyed his visit to the St. Johns Parish club so much. He will call to the club that afternoon as he continues his tour on behalf of Temple Street Childrens’ Hospital. We look forward to his visit and welcome all out juvenile payers and their St. Johns Parish friends.
 
 
SUPER AUCTION
 
 A Super Auction in aid of St. Mary’s Restoration Fund will take place on Saturday, 28th of November in O’Loughlin Gaels Complex. Viewing from 10am; Auction 11.30am. Catalogue: €3
Contributions of Original Paintings; Garden & Household Furniture; Antiques; Firewood; Crockery; Lamps; Toys; etc. would be most welcome. ‘Every little helps’ ad your support in any manner will help this event for the Diocese to be  great success

ANNUAL BEREAVEMENT MASS
The St John’s Parish Annual Bereavement Mass will be celebrated in St John’s Church on Wednesday November 18th, at 7.30pm
 

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA
www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie
U21s GET CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN UP AN RUNNING
O’Loughlin Gaels 0-13 to 2-6 Erins Own
Wet and windy weather made for slippery and soggy conditions at Freshford on Sunday afternoon for this North u21 hurling Championship Quarter final. Though conditions were far from perfect both sets of players played an entertaining and competitive game in front of a sizeable crowd. Erin’s Own wind advantage in the first half resulted in two speculative long range frees finding the net for the lads in blue and flattering them with an eight point advantage by half time. O’Loughlins missed opportunities for sure and would have been better poised at the end of this period but for the soft sod playing tricks on their feet. But a determined second half coupled with positional changes and brilliant performances from Robbie Buckley (3pts) , Paddy Deegan (2pts) and the free taking of Sean Bolger (6pts – 5 from placed balls) and the tenacious Jack Lawlor in defence,  O’loughlin Gaels pegged back the deficit and converted a last minute free to take a well-deserved win.   It was a good performance and one that the management and team will have learned from going forward. Well Done to all involved. www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie/u21-match-reports for more information
Shane Maher, Thomas Gleeson, Huw Lawlor, Jack Lawlor, Gary Bryan, Paddy Deegan, Shane Parsons, Robbie Buckley, Shane Mahony, Sean Bolger, David Burke, Ross Butler, Ben Leydon, Daniel O’Connor, Cian Loy. Vinny Wallace, Pat Byrne, Jay Leahy.
 
HANDBALL NEWS
Well done to Eoin Brannigan and Joe Daly who defeated John Morrissey and Jim Dooley in the country final. Eoin Brannigan, John Morrissey, Jim Dooly, joe Daly and Eddie Burke all competed in the recent Mullinavat tournament...all doing great work at O'Loughlin Gaels Handball.
 
CLUB LOTTO  - JACKPOT WINNER
There was one winner of last weeks Lotto. Congratulations to Donal Gibbons whose four winning numbers scopped him a cool €16,000. Nice little windfall in the run up to Christmas!  The numbers drawn were 8, 11, 15, 18 and the bonus number was: 14. The good news is the jackpot remains at €20,000 due to roll overs.  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.
 
TWO IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE:
 
O’Loughlin Gaels GAA will hold their AGM in the club house on Wednesday evening, December the 9th. All members are invited to attend. The start time will be confirmed here next week and on the clubs social media pages.
 
On December the 13th the Juvenile Christmas Party will be held and there will be a special guest. Santa promised last year he’d be back after he enjoyed his visit to the St. John Parish club so much. He will call to the club that afternoon as he makes he continues tour on behalf of Temple Street Childrens Hospital. We look forward to his visit and welcome all out juvenile payers and their St. Johns Parish friends.
 
ST. JOHNS PARISH HELPS KEEP KILKENNY BEAUTIFUL...
 
The Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Annual Awards took place at Langton’s Hotel  on the 2nd November 2015...and the people of St. Johns Parish are the big winners!.
 
The parish was awarded Best Tidy Towns Parish in Kilkenny City in 2015
This award is an  initiative by the committee of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful to encourage each of the four City parishes to focus on community spirit  through well-kept neighbourhoods, painted buildings and positive community initiatives to maintain streets, estates, public spaces, gardens, community and religious sites in our City.
 
This award is not judged by local judges but the decision is based on the National Tidy towns adjudicators report which is available on tidytowns.ie. This award aims to encourage, support and foster greater environmental awareness at a parish community level throughout the City. www.keepkilkennybeautiful.com
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful
 
Another proud day for the parish of St. Johns.
 
 
KILKENNY GREAT WAR MEMORIAL  COMMITTEE
 
296   People left St Johns Parish, to go War between 1914-1918.
79   Died on Foreign battlefields never to return home.
217   survived,but many came back with torment and guilt having not been killed.
We will remember each one of them for you, by placing an individual cross in a replica WW 1 Cemetery in Kilkenny Castle park from 8th to the 15th of November.
We have a service of remembrance on Sunday 8th of November at 5pm. You are invited to come and pay your respects to them. Please be seated by 4.30pm and dress respectfully.
 
SHARING FAIR
 
The annual Sharing Fair Craft Sale and Coffee Morning to support the work of Sr. Mary Hayden in Thailand will take place at Langton’s of John Street on 14th November from 10am to 1pm.   Sr. Mary, a native of Inistioge, has established a number of self-sustaining work projects in the north east of Thailand to help poor people to improve their quality of life. Crafts made in the projects and which will be on sale include educational toys, bags, scarves, cards, Christmas decorations and gift products.  By buying a craft those who are living in extreme poverty are helped to meet their most basic needs.    All are welcome.  
 
SUPER AUCTION
 
 A Super Auction in aid of St. Mary’s Restoration Fund will take place on Saturday, 28th of November in O’Loughlin Gaels Complex. Viewing from 10am; Auction 11.30am. Catalogue: €3
Contributions of Original Paintings; Garden & Household Furniture; Antiques; Firewood; Crockery; Lamps; Toys; etc. would be most welcome. ‘Every little helps’ ad your support in any manner will help this event for the Diocese to be  great success

ANNUAL BEREAVEMENT MASS
The St John’s Parish Annual Bereavement Mass will be celebrated in St John’s Church on Wednesday November 18th, at 7.30pm
 
OSSORY PRIESTS SOCIETY
 
The Ossory Priests Society is responsible for making suitable financial provision for the care of the priests in the Diocese of Ossory in infirmity, sickness and old age. The Annual Collection for this good cause takes place next weekend, 14/15th November outside church.
A contribution to Ossory Priests Society is an opportunity to show appreciation for the many years of service our retired priests have given to God and to the faithful in our parishes throughout the diocese. The priest is a part of every Catholic family. They offer counsel and comfort, and they lead us in celebrating the sacraments. Your support is very much appreciated.                              Declan McCann, Ossory Priests Society
 
 

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA

MINOR FINAL PROVIDED A THRILLER
For the second time in seven days O’Loughlin Gaels came up marginally short in claiming a County Title. This week our Minors were the vanquished after a thriller in Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon. Dicksboro avenged last year’s defeat to the St, Johns side in a pulsating game of end to end hurling that saw the sides inseparable going into the final additional 2 minutes of the game. But it was these two minutes that Dicksboro got their reward with two fine points and our young ‘Gaels had no time to recover. By the way the game unfolded throughout the afternoon you can be certain that if  there was a little more time the lads would have recovered such was the competitiveness between these two great sides. To his credit the Dicksboro captain, Robbie Murphy, in accepting the cup on behalf of his team alluded to that very point when acknowledging the great battles these two sides have had since they were u14s. The respect that both sets of players have for each other was epitomised in those very gracious words and must be noted here. The game itself was end to end from the very start. O’Loughlins started the bidding with a point from the brilliant Sean Bolger…Sean was to be a thorn to the Dickboro defense all day long. That point was quickly countered only for Sean to add another pointed free and retain the slimmest of advantages. Advantage over on ten minutes however as Dicksboro found a way through the defence and found the net. It was tit for tat for the following twenty minutes as the teams took turns taking their points. O’Loughlin would have been disappointed that they didn’t take more out of their opportunities as the workrate and determination was certainly there but they finished the half trailing by a single point 0-9 to 1-7.
The second half started with Dicksboro’s Andrew Gaffney converting another pointed free to extend the lead to two points. Shane Maher returned with a point of his own from play and the game looked to follow the form of the first half. O’Loughlins picked up the pace however down to some brilliant work from Jack Lawlor, Robbie Buckley and Jordan Molloy. The momentum gathered and soon an O’Loughlins attack yielded a penalty. Goal Keeper Ben Maher made the run from the country end to the city end a coolly slotted the ball to the net and O’Loughlins took their turn to go in front. They managed to get three points clear on fifty minutes with another Sean Bolger score and in truth should have pressed home their advantage. But while the next four shots on goal missed the target Dicksboro hit four in the same period to get back to one point clear. The crowd were enthralled and the tension was high. O’Loughlins fought hard, as they do, and that man Sean Bolger shot up to equalize on 26minutes. Game on. It was hell for leather again and although two more opportunities arose for the Gaels they failed to capitalise and two points during the 32nd minute meant that Dicksboro were taking the title. The final whistle was a heartbreaker as it could easily have gone our way. But to the ‘Boro go the spoils and more luck to them. For our lads they’ll be disappointed. Their heads can be held high as they showed great determination and spirit all year and have contributed finely to the clubs prominence at the seasons end of the championships. Well done to all our players and managers.

B Maher, J Molloy, G Bryan, J Leahy, J Lawlor, R. Buckley, C. Heary, S. Mahony, T Gleeson, R. Butler, S. Bolger, S. Maher, R O’Driscoll, D O’Connor, C Loy. P Byrne, E Wall, T Wadding,  L Brannigan, Ronan Buckley, T Wallace, R Murphy, C Deegan, S Kiely, O Wall, K Murphy, J Banville, S Scallan, A Power, P Collins, D McCormack, L Andrews, S Fahy.
Manager: N Bergin, Selector: D Ronan, M Bergin. Medic: P Corr
 
HANDBALL NEWS
 
HANDBALL COUNTY FINAL CHAMPION
 
Congratulation to John Morrissey who won the Masters Singles B County Final last week. We don't know where he got the energy from as John spent the days before getting the club ready for the Carrick Swan Hurling, Football & Camogie Club strictly come dancing fundraiser. Between varnishing the stage and building platforms it must have proved good preparation for the final as John came away with the ultimate prize. Well done to John. Hard luck to Joe Daly and Eoin Brannigan who were beaten in the Doubles Intermediate Final after a tie breaker.
 
REBECCA TAKES GOLD AT US OPEN
There was further success for Kilkenny Handball on the International front at the US open which was held in California at the weekend. Rebecca Mulholland, formerly of O'Loughlin Gaels and now based in the USA, captured the Womens A/B event to become the first player from Kilkenny to taste success at this prestigious event. Played in a round robin format, Rebecca was in top form in all her three matches, not dropping a set in any of the contests. This was a brilliant achievement for the Kilkenny player considering the distance she has to travel just to get a training game!
Congratulations to Rebecca from everyone at O'Loughlin Gaels GAA
 
Good work by everyone at O'Loughlin Gaels Handball.
CLUB LOTTO
There was no winner of last weeks Lotto.  The numbers drawn were 1, 5, 24, 25 and the bonus number was:8 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.
 
EVENTS AT O’LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA
 
The capacity to hold events of any size or manner was demonstrated again at the weekend when the club hosted a Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser for Vespa Entertainments and Carrick Swans GAA Club. 1100 people attended the event that ran from 8pm to 2pm on Saturday night last. The carpark was full with a caravan of busses from the Carrick club and the cars overflowed unto the adjoining juvenile pitch making sure that anyone that came got in safely. The doors opened at 7pm and patrons enjoyed the O’Loughlin Gaels hospitality thanks to an army of volunteers who stewarded and manned the bars late into the night until all our guests were safely on their way home. Well done to all and thanks again for a massive effort.  
 
KILKENNY GREAT WAR MEMORIAL  COMMITTEE
 
296   People left St Johns Parish, to go War between 1914-1918.
79   Died on Foreign battlefields never to return home.
217   survived,but many came back with torment and guilt having not been killed.
We will remember each one of them for you, by placing an individual cross in a replica WW 1 Cemetery in Kilkenny Castle park from 8th to the 15th of November.
We have a service of remembrance on Sunday 8th of November at 5pm. You are invited to come and pay your respects to them. Please be seated by 4.30pm and dress respectfully.
 
GROW
 
Grow Community Mental Health Movement will run a Table Quiz in Billy Byrne’s Pub, John Street, on Thursday 5th November at 8:30pm.  €20 per Table of 4.  All are welcome.
 
Wheelchair Association
The Irish Wheelchair Association will hold its national fund raiser “ANGEL DAYS” on Thursday and Friday this week. Funds raised for local people with physical & sensory disabilities.
Johnswell Active Retirement
Johnswell Active Retirement Meeting in Johnswell Hall on November 4th at 7.30 p.m. New Members are always welcome.