Congratulations to the O’Loughlins u16 Football team who retained the Duggan Steel County Championship by defeating Dicksboro at a cold and blustery Palmerstown on Sunday morning. This was a tough encounter with two big teams slugging it out under difficult conditions. The first half of this game non-descript as both teams struggled to deal with the cold conditions. The soft ground and a stiff cold breeze resulted in lots of handling errors and few scores but both teams clearly were determined and didn’t give each other an inch. In a tight game every ball was contested and when referee John Guinan blew for half time neither team held the advantage.
The second half tempo of the game increased somewhat which helped to warm the blood of the sizeable support that had gathered. O’Loughlin Gaels had the disadvantage now of kicking into the wind but looked more like the team with the wind in their sails. Maybe it was the half time talk from Manger Brian Dowling but whatever it was these lads had goals on their minds and goals they got. Dacel Fwamba entered the fray adding pace to the forward pack and the momentum immediately turned in the St. Johns lads favour. Goals from Kevin Murphy, Eoin Wall and Tervine Wallace gave our lads the advantage late in the second half but Dicksboro fought hard and kept the fight up to the very end. With the sides level in the final minute Dicksboro’s final attack was hampered by a hardworking O’Loughlins defence. Peter Collins, Conor Heary and Shane Mahony linked up to quickly move the ball out of defence. Quick thinking and fast passing movement followed by a subline kick pass up to midfield caught the Dicksboro lads on the back foot and Ben Maher moved the ball at pace to the terrier like Eoin Wall. The lively corner forward had only goal on his mind and finished into the corner of the net for his second goal of the afternoon and the Gaels fourth. Soon afterwards the final whistle sounded and our lads savoured victory with their families and friends that had gathered to support topping a great season for the u16s. Well done to all involved.
Team: Sean Bolger, Stephen Scallon, Peter Collins, Kevin Murphy, Eoin Kelly, Shane O’Mahony, Conor Heary, Charlie Deegan, Ryan Poyntz, Ronan Buckley, Tervine Wallace (c) , Ben Maher, Eoin Wall, Joe Banville, Eoin O’Shea.
Dacel Fwamba, Stephen Scallon, Sean O’Leary, Eoin Neary, David McCormack, Robert Boyd, Padraig Nolan, Adam Flynn, Joe Murphy, John Nolan, James Higgins, Cian Madden, Adam Cummins, Jordon Molloy, Lorcan Whelan, Johnny Collins
One for your Diary: Juvenile Celebration Friday Jan 23rd at 8pm
Organisation is well underway for one of the big events of the year - The O’loughlin Gaels GAA Juvenile Celebration Night - celebrating the unprecedented successes of our young players. For the first time in the clubs history u14, u16 and Minor O’Loughlin Gael teams achieved a clean sweep of county hurling championship successes in 2014. On top of this these lads also accomplished County league titles and football championship honours as well as boasting players who represented successful Kilkenny and Colleges Provincial and All-Ireland winning teams.
The night will be hosted by Helen Carroll, presenter of the popular television show ‘Ear to the Ground’ and resident of St. Johns parish. Helen comes from a very proud GAA family so is very aware of GAA ‘lore and will guide us through the packed schedule with ease.
In acknowledgement of their outstanding achievement the event will be attended by Kilkenny County Board officials. There will be presentations made to three club stalwarts in honour of their achievements and should not be missed, more on this later.
ALL ARE INVITED TO COME and join us in acknowledging our juvenile Gaels achievements and pay tribute to 3 members who all have brought honour to O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club. There will be chat, music AND it’s an opportunity for us all to get together and reminisce and to create new memories. Let’s pack the hall and make it a night to remember. Throw in is at 8pm at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club on Friday, January 23rd.
ALL WELCOME
Club Lotto
There was no jackpot winner of this week’s club lotto. The numbers drawn were 3, 8, 9, 19 and the bonus number was: 18. 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!
The Parish Social
The Annual Parish Social takes place in Langton House Hotel on,
Sunday 1st February, starting at 8.30 pm.
Tickets are now on sale at €7 each, for which you get a meal followed by music and dancing to the popular ‘Cúpla’ band.
Tickets can be bought from any member of the Pastoral Council and from the Sacristy or at St. Johns Presbytery.
Operation Transformation
On Saturday 17th January 2015, the Operation Transformation National Walks will take place at venues all over Ireland. Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership (KRSP) is organising three walks in County Kilkenny and one of them is in Kilkenny City starting at 10am from Canal Square! There will be a walk leader there to guide the walk so no knowledge of the route is required. All welcome.
Blood Donor Clinic
The Blood Donor Clinic will be in The Rivercourt Hotel this week:
Monday & Tuesday from 4.30pm-8.00pm.
Give Blood! Help ensure essential blood supplies are always available
Pilates
Commencing 7th of January, 2015 in the Dunmore Hall from 8.00 - 9.00PM .
( 7 weeks €60) All abilities catered for. Fully qualified Pilates Instructor. Places are limited so booking is essential.
For further information please call (086 8547710) Margaret