It was another busy weekend for the clubs Juvenile section as St. Johns Park played host to clubs from Co. Clare prior to the Kilkenny v Clare NHL Rd 5 fixture at Nowlan Park. U10s , u12s and u16s went about their hurling business in an efficient manner up against the challenges of three of Clare’s finest. The first of the buses to arrive brought the young players and supporters from Wolftones Gaa club of Shannon. Two u10s teams and two u12s teams took to the sun drenched pitches in what was a perfect day for hurling. The u10s from both O’Loughlins Gaa and Wolftones GAA set the tone for the day by providing a spectacle that surely must have been inspired by the madness of the previous days six-nations rugby. It was frenetic with the sliotar travelling from one end of the pitch to the other via a frenzy of challenges, ground strokes, solos and out of hand clearances. Scores were abundant and the supporters gathered certainly enjoyed the youngsters synergy of passion and skill. There was everything..blood, sweat and tears (and that was just the coach). Both clubs certainly will be satisfied that the future is bright. The second groups to compete were the u12s of O’Loughlin Gaels, Wolftones GAA and Doora Barefield GAA. This was a pact schedule with a total of nine games played. Each club providing two teams that played three games each. Intense stuff on such a sunny morning. Energy sapping for sure but every young player gave 100% commitment to their cause. There were excellent games with Doora Barefield probably edging it with the overall results. Nothing was easy for either team though, nor would you want it to be, and there was some tough challenges throughout the mornings fare. High scoring stuff provided good value for those who lined out along the sidelines with their good value Barista Coffees in hand provided by the ever popular Camogie Café. On the back pitch our u16s faced up to the challenge of their counterparts from Kilmaley GAA. Hard hits, silken skills and top class scores cetainly whetted the appetite of the on looking support as the time neared for the NHL tie in Nowlan Park. Our boys proved too strong for the Clare lads as a number of the O’Loughlins contingent stepped up to the plate having been given their chance. Brian Dowling and his team will be satisfied with what they saw as they prepare for the summer ahead. If all that wasn’t enough our u6s managed to find space to train out in the sunshine for their first outdoor session of the year. It certainly was great sight to see all the pitches full with competitive action as young players enjoyed their hurling as it should be. As always our visiting friends were invited to the gym for the customary O’Loughlin Gaels hospitality where teas, sandwiches buns and biscuits were eagerly consumed while the banner banter was building for the big game. (Well done to our own Mark Kelly by the way for another fine contribution to Kilkenny’s quelling of said banter!) Good work yet again by the O’Loughlin Gaels juvenile section! www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie
O’Loughlin Gaels / St. Johns all conquering St. Patricks Day parade.
Our young Gaels’ excellent involvement in the St. Patricks Day Parade has earned them an award for ‘Best Parish Entry’. Well deserved too as the youngsters really bought into the occasion and it showed as they enjoyed every step of it while they marched proudly through Kilkenny’s streets. Last year the club won ‘Best Sports Club Entry’ and this is the third such award in recent years. Well done to organiser Stephen McCormack who has it down to a fine art for sure and to all the young player from our GAA and Camogie Clubs who took part. Maith sibh go leir. For a full report on the clubs entry go to www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie/events/st-patrick-day-parade
Handball Honours Congratulations to Kirk Green who has won the Intermediate Handball County Title. Kirk is also the current All Army All-Ireland Champion so is certainly showing good form. Well done too to Edel Mulholland who became Leinster Schoolgirls Champion recently. It’s well deserved as we all know Edel works hard at her craft. Our handballers always have a good tradition of representing O’Loughlin Gaels well so well done to Kirk, Edel and everybody in O’Loughlin Gaels Handball.
U8s & u10s Gaelic Football
Last week we noted the eminent restart of Gaelic Football for u8s and u10s which returns on Tuesday, March 31st at 6.30pm and every Tuesday. In preparation for this a pre-season u10 warm up game was held last Wednesday evening against James Stephens GAA in their grounds at Nuncio Road. Arguably the best football I’ve ever seen on a Kilkenny club pitch the young lads from both clubs showed there’s an appetite for the game in Kilkenny. Kick passing, handpassing, blocks and freetaking were skills abundantly displayed. There was great excitement too as the young Gaels played out their first ever floodlit game. Thanks to our hosts James Stephens for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Club Lotto
There was no jackpot winner of this week’s club lotto. The numbers drawn were 1, 12, 23, 25 and the bonus number was: 7. 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
Registration & Membership
The deadline for player registration is fast approaching. It is so important for all players to complete and return their registration forms to club registrar Geraldine Kelly or Secretary Margaret Hanlon or indeed your team’s manager. March 31st is the final date for returns and players must do it in order to avail of the cover provided by the GAA Player Injury Scheme.
“The Continent”
Anyone interested in the History of St. Johns Parish and the origins of the reference to St. Johns as ‘The Continent’ would serve their time well by heading to Rothe House on Wednesday Evening March 25th at 8pm for a talk by local Archaeologist and Historian Coilin O’Drisceoil on the History and Archaeology of St. Johns Parish.