Team captains Martin Comerford & Andy Kearns with new Club Chairman, Brian murphy, Lord Mayor, joe Malone and event Sponsor Michael Whelan of SRS Steel & Roofing Systems at the launch of the Players Fundraiser The Bull Rush
www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie
U21s ARE COUNTY CHAMPIONS
A 34 year gap was finally was closed on Sunday afternoon when O’Loughlin Gaels took this year’s u21 Hurling Championship Title in dramatic fashion at Nowlan Park. Glenmore provided stiff opposition and although O’Loughlin Gaels started well going 1-2 ahead before Glenmore registered their first score, it was a hard fought contest throughout. Shane Parsons started proceedings with an early goal after good Shane Mahony pressure to put the St. Johns side on the front foot. They certainly were the better side in the opening fifteen minutes but when Glenmore got a handle on things they made their dominance in their half back line count providing the platform for a return of two goals from play helping them bring the sides all square by half time. 1-6 to 2-3 the Half Time Score. However the second half saw the O’Loughlin’s lads build on a restored confidence and scores from Daniel O’Connor, Sean Bolger and a buoyant looking Ross Butler gave the Gaels a little breathing space. Both sets of players dealt admirably with the slippy conditions and provided the gathering with a good quality game. It was hard hitting at times and the ground made for an energy sapping encounter. Ross Butler added his second point and Sean Bolger added a couple of pointed frees during the same period of time that Glenmore added four of their own, mainly through the work of Alan Murphy who was having a fine game for Glenmore. An off the ball incident on fifty minutes developed into a short melee and resulted in both sides loosing the services of one player. With both sides down to fourteen and the game in the melting pot Glenmore added another point to make it the minimum of advantages for the St. Johns side going in to additional time. The crowd were on the edge of their seats and the players were on their last legs and with O’Loughlin’s on the attack on the thirty second minute Seanie Bolger, who had been magnificent for the club all season, caught onto a breaking ball and rifled the ball to the net much to the delight and relief of a very vocal O’Loughlin Gaels support. The whistle sounded and O’Loughlins were crowned u21 Champions for the 1st time since 1981. The win has a capped a great year for the clubs’ hurling teams having participated in five County Hurling Finals, winning three. Well done to all the lads and their management teams and the huge team of support that is O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club. Final Score O’Loughlin Gaels 2-13 to 2-09 Glenmore.
Team. Gary Kelly, Jay Leahy, Thomas Gleeson, Huw Lawlor, Jack Lawlor, Gary Bryan (0-1), Paddy Deegan, David Burke (Capt., 0-1), Ross Butler (0-2), Daniel O’Connor (0-1), Shane Mahony (0-2), Sean Bolger (1-5, (5f)), Robbie Buckley, Shane Parsons (1-0), Cian Loy. Ben Leydon, Daniel Bolger, Paul Denieffe, Pat Byrne, James Lenihan, Daniel O’Driscoll, Vincent Wallace, Lyndon Brannigan, Eoin Croughan, Brian Buckley, Tervince Wallace, Shane Maher.
The u16s added Football County Champions to their repertoire of titles for 2016. Having accomplished titles in the hurling championship, hurling league and a prestigious 7’s tournament during the season, the lads dominated proceedings at St. Johns Park on Sunday morning to claim the final prize of the season. Dicksboro came with high hopes but with a return of 1-1 in a two minute spell at the end of the first half their only reward, it was never going to be enough to beat a rampant O’Loughlin side. Success is in their veins now and they possess a determination that’s very difficult to deactivate. A hatrick from talisman and Captain Eoin Wall capped a great year from him but in truth it was never ever going to be about one man. Across the whole team and panel a huge effort was put in all year. This day was a final reward for all that hard work. Goals from Jamie Ryan and Ben Maher added to the tally and hard worked paid off for Eoin O’Shea (1pt), Dacel Fwamba (2pts) Ryan Poyntz (1pt) and David McCormack (1pt) who all added their scores to fine team performance. Well done to all the panel and their management headed by Brian Dowling, who also was part of the successful u21 Management later in the afternoon. Not a bad days work – 2 County Finals in one afternoon.
Team: Joe ‘Spud’ Murphy, Oisin Murphy, Adam Flynn, Joe Murphy, Mikey Butler, Conor Heary, Eoin O’Shea, Dacel Fwamba, Ryan Poyntz, Luke Hogan, Ben Maher, Jordan Molloy, Jamie Ryan, Eoin Wall, Ronan Buckley. Eoin Neary, Sean O’Leary, Ian Clifford, David McCormack, Podge Nolan, Barry Lawlor, Odhrán Lawlor, Jamie Malone, Robert Boyd, Johnny Collins.
There was no winner of last week’s Lotto. The numbers drawn were 2, 7, 10, 25 and the bonus number was: 16. 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 held their AGM in the club house on Wednesday evening last in front of a large crowd of club members. After a moment silence respecting the memory of members and friends deceased the gathering listened intently to the years reports and contributed to discussion and debate when items were raised. There was acknowledgement that although there were disappointments on the field the year was a very successful one for our great club. Good work has been done and is continuing to be done by many ensuring that the club is in a healthy state. The evening saw a changing in the guard when outgoing President Eamonn Doyle presided over an emotional passing of the honour to long serving member and co-founder of the club Martin Hanlon. Brian Murphy was ratified as new O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Chairman taking over from Eddie Buckley who received a standing ovation from the membership in recognition of a great job done during his tenure. Coleman Loughnane and Mick Nolan too stepped down from their roles on the club executive and were thanked for the many years of great work they’ve provided to the club. New Chairman Brian Murphy thanked everyone present for their continued support and finished the evening wishing all the members a very happy Christmas.
THE BULL RUSH
The senior players have grouped to present their own Fundraising initiative. The purpose of the fundraiser will be to raise enough money to provide Strength & Conditioning Equipment at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA. The basic fundraiser is a raffle for a 1st Prize of a Bull Calf or €1000, kindly donated by club supporters. Tickets will be sold by the players for €10 each and we ask that you please support the lads where at all possible. Tickets will also be sold online in a sub-plot called The Bull Rush. Here the panel have divided into 5 teams captained by 5 senior players - Martin Comerford, Brian Hogan, Mark Bergin, Andy Kearns and Mark Kelly. The teams will compete against each other on a rush to sell the most tickets with the winning team receiving a ‘treat’ for their efforts – and bragging rights. Their progress will be monitored by no nonsense club supporter ‘Lochlainn the Bull’, who will keep the membership updated on his social media pages. If anyone is not putting in the effort no bull will be taken and they’ll be exposed for what they are by Lochlainn – slackers!!. A Big thanks to event sponsors, SRS Steel & Roofing Systems Ltd for their cotined spport. If you want to help your favourite team and captain log onto www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie and click Bull Rush. Best of Luck!
JUVENILE CHRISTMAS PARTY –
Last Saturday’s Juvenile Christmas Party was another huge event hosted for our juvenile players and their families all for free. All morning organiser Sean Hogan and his team of elves were preparing the hall and Santa’s Grotto so that the young Gaels can experience some magic. From 3pm they began to gather and dance to the seasonal music and hits sounded by the DJ. The hall filled with excitement and anticipation for arrival of one Santa Clause. True to his word at 3.30pm exactly Santa arrived into the St. Johns Park Complex on his Sleigh led by Rudolf to a very, very excited bunch. After a noisy welcome Santa greeted every youngster with a handshake and made his way to the Grotto where he met every single child and their family’s again and took photographs available for all the young members at the clubs pages . Such was the crowd that two hours later Santa re-embarked on his tour of the country in aid of Temple Street University Children’s Hospital. All the while Sean Hogan and his team provided games and treats for the children and the Camogie Café provided refreshments for the parents. Santa didn’t leave the complex empty handed either as a sizeable donation was gathered from the club and parents to bring back to his chosen charity. O’Loughlin Gaels GAA wish all our young juveniles a very happy Christmas and thank all for their wonderful generosity.
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.
YEAR OF MERCY CHRISTMAS CARDS
The ‘Year of Mercy’ (8th Dec 2015 – Nov 20 2016) edition of our Parish Christmas Card, including Pope Francis’ Jubilee Prayer, are now available for purchase at the back of the church, in the sacristy or at the presbytery. Pack of six for €5.
KILKENNY CHOIR AND KILKENNY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The Kilkenny Choir together with Kilkenny Youth Orchestra will present a concert on Sunday 13th December, 2015 at 4.30pm in St. John’s Church, Kilkenny entitled Sacred Music from Paris with compositions by Liszt, Gounod and Saint-Saens, conducted by Philip Edmondson.
Tickets at the door before the concert. €8/€5.
JOHNSWELL SCHOOL CRAFT LAE AND COFFEE MORNING
A coffee morning and Christmas craft sale will be held in Johnswell Primary School after 10am Mass on Sunday 13th December. The crafts will be made by the pupils and parents of the school. Please support.
ST. JOHNS PARIH LOCAL HISTORY CALENDAR
A new St John’s Local History Calendar for 2016 is now available. Contact Frank Cody, Newpark Close FRC at 056-7723309. Cost: €5.00