Thomastown was the wet and blustery venue for this first round championship clash between the minors of O’Loughlin Gaels & Piltown on Sunday last. Even though it was the Continent who were playing into a stiff breeze; a decisive Ben Leydon strike in the eleventh minute of the game, all but put paid to Piltown’s hopes, in this one sided affair.
It was the boys in the St John’s Parish defence, who were out of the traps early though. Shane Mahony was out in front, made a great take and cleared his lines – to lay down a marker for all. Huw Lawlor showed a calmness beyond his years and handpassed to safety in the shape of Thomas Gleeson. Brian Buckley stood firm to make a brave goalmouth block to deny the southerners an almost certain goal. Gary Bryan made a great catch as the OLG defence started to win the individual and collective battle.
Danny Bolger opened the scoring with a neatly taken point after all of nine minutes. One minute later – MOTM DOC O’Connor pounced on a defensive mix-up to crash the ball to the net. OLG were beginning to fire on all cylinders. Moments later, Ben Leydon got the end of a Daniel O’Connor / Cian Loy combination move to fire to the net off his left hand side. The gap had opened to six and Piltown must have sensed there was more to come.
Robbie Buckley’s free found DOC, who pointed to stretch the lead further. Piltown were nothing if not gallant – with Aidan Nugent and Shane Dwyer continually catching the eye. Lively Shane Maher heaped more pain on Piltown however, in the sixteenth minute – by raising OLG’s third green flag of the half. Points by Cian Loy and Danny Bolger brought the half to a close with the margin now nine and the breeze at their backs still to come.
H/T: O’Loughlin Gaels 3-04, Piltown 0-04
The second half saw the introduction of Sean Kiely, Robbie Murphy, Kevin Rowe and Thomas Wadding. By this stage – the result was beyond doubt. Daniel O’Connor added to his tally as well as his own brilliant individual display - with a further 1-03 from play. Piltown managed only one point in the second thirty. It must be borne in mind that the men from the south have a small pool from which to pick and are to be commended for the work they are doing, with limited resources.
Our students will face stiffer examination papers in the weeks to come. They will need to make sure they study diligently in order to ensure they are up to passing the test!
F/T: O’Loughlin Gaels 6-17, Piltown 0-05
Robbie O’Driscoll, Shane Mahony, Huw Lawlor, Brian Buckley, Jack Lawlor, Robbie Buckley 0-2 (1 65), Gary Bryan, Thomas Gleeson 0-1, Cian Loy 0-1, Ross Butler 1-0, Luke Rafter, Danny Bolger 1-2, Shane Maher 1-4 (3f’s), Daniel O’Connor 2-05 (1 f), Ben Leydon 1-2 Subs Used: Sean Kiely, Robbie Murphy, Kevin Rowe, Thomas Wadding
Camogie
The Junior Camogie team played Thomastown in the 1/4 Final of the Championship last Sunday morning in St John's Park and won on a score line of 2-5 to 0-3. Having played with the wind in the first half the girls went in at half time ahead 0-4 to 0-2, scores coming from Aisling Butler and Sarah Buckley. Early in the second half some hard work from the O Loughlins forwards resulted in a Amy Bryan point. Sarah Buckley and Bronagh Cleere both added goals and Thomastown converted a free to leave the final score O Loughlins 2-5 Thomastown 0-3. Team Lizzie Kavanagh, Stephanie Buckley, Shauna Brennan, Grainne Walsh, Kate Walsh, Rebecca Cleere, Kate Nolan, Laura Greene, Laura Murphy, Sarah Burke, Sarah Buckley(1-3), Bronagh Cleere(1-0), Amy Bryan(0-1), Aisling Butler(0-1), Karen Cleere. Subs Laura Butler and Megan O Keeffe.
Club Lotto
There was no jackpot winner of this week’s club lotto. The numbers drawn were 6, 16, 19, 23 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!
Tea & Refreshments
Beginning on the First Sunday of November, and each 1st Sunday thereafter, Tea & Refreshments and something for the kids, will be served in the Parish Centre after the 10.30 Mass. This is a Parish Pastoral Council initiative and the frequency of this little social event may well be increased in the future.
Kilkenny Cancer Support Charity Shop
Urgently require volunteers for our shop due to expansion. We need men and women possibly retired or school leavers, unemployed people or people who have four hours a week to spare. You will be fully trained in retail and customer service. We have a lovely team environment and it will be good for you C.V. to add volunteering as part of your service to your community for a local Kilkenny Charity such as Cois Nore. Please call Margaret on 085171100 or 0567715001 or call into the shop anytime.
Virtual Tour
Be sure to log onto our parish website – stjohnskilkenny.com – and click on Virtual Tour to see the beautiful wide-angled views of the exteriors and interiors of our three parish churches.
The Magenta Ball
THE MAGENTA BALL for Lifeline Kilkenny takes place on October 11th in Hotel Kilkenny.
Lifeline is Kilkenny’s suicide prevention forum and it consists of state and voluntary bodies in Kilkenny that deal on a daily basis with people effected by depression, bereavement and suicide.
It is tasked with the implementation of the county plan 'Our Community: Our Conversation'. The plan has over 60 actions encompassing all communities and all ages countywide.
The forum is made up of committed individuals and organisations, the will is there, the funds are not. To raise funds The Magenta Ball will take place in Hotel Kilkenny on October 11th.
A fabulous night out with pre dinner cocktails at 7pm, followed by dinner with wine and the night will finish to the sound of Thank Funk a seven piece swing band. Tickets are €50 each and can be purchased from Trish @ 087 7565376.
Suicide has touched every community in Kilkenny, help Lifeline make a difference.
More information about Lifeline can be got at www.lifeline-kilkenny.org