This is a great team marked by the numerous successes it has enjoyed over the last number of years. Its greatest success however is it’s unity as a group of players. A group of young lads brought together through the ethos that O’Loughlin Gaels instils and a common passion for the game of hurling. These lads enjoy playing the game and have developed a friendship that binds them together when they take the field of play. One there’s that the success follows. After disposing of Dicksboro, James Stephens in the lead up to the final the lads came up against a powerful challenge in Ballyhale. Big strong hard challenges were met with relish and the boys new they were in for a good game of hurling. Exactly what these lads want. The stiff wind in the Thomastown sky meant that the O’Loughlin s lads had a tougher challenge in the first half. The wind holding the ball in the air suited the Ballyhale defence and the St. Johns side found it difficult to get their scores. Eoin Wall made a couple of piercing runs into the defencive zone only for the final pass to go astray under intense pressure. It wasn’t until the 29th minute before Eoin Wall eventually broke the Ballyhale resolve to get a fine goal. Ballyhale tacked another point from a free before the half ended leaving the half time score O’Loughlin Gaels 1-5 to 0-6 Ballyhale. The second half suited the Gaels that bit better. The exertions of keeping the Gaels at bay from the Ballyhale outfit waned somewhat as the half progressed and the game opened up with some fine scores won by the O’Loughlins attack. Sean Kenny (2pts), Adam Flynn (2pts), Dacel Fwamba, Eoin O’Shea, Ronan Buckley and Ryan Poyntz all 1 pt each. The top scorers on the day were Eoin Wall (1-4) and Ben Maher (0-9). All great scores but none would have been possible but for the defencive play of one Jordan Molloy. He was a joy to watch and his workrate , skill and vision were exceptional. In fairness he had the freedom to do so with the knowledge that his back was covered by his flankers Mikey Butler and Luke Hogan. Teamwork!. David McCormack manned the goal and pulled off a remarkable reflex save after the aforementioned Jordan Molloy deflected a rasper from Ballyhales centre foreward. Oisin Murphy, Barry lawlor, Conor Heary, Eoin O’Shea and Ryan Poyntz all worked tirelessly around the middle of the park with a massive display by Conor Heary who had the onerous task of keeping tabs on the oppositions key player. Adam Flynn roamed around the centre of attack breaking ball and setting up a fine attacking platform for these guys to win out deservingly and take the title now retained from 2015. Congratulations boys and a big bualla bas to Managers Brian Dowling, Paul Phelan, Rick Leydon, Kevin Cleere who’ve primed these guys well.
Panel: D. McCormack, L. Hogan, J. Molloy (Capt), M. Butler, B. Lawlor, C. Heary, O. Murphy, R. Nuckley, E. O’Shea, R. Poyntz, A. Flynn, S. Kenny, E. Wall, D. Fwamba, B. Maher. J. Malone, J. Murphy (Spuddy), I. Clifford, E. Neary, J. Ryan, R. Boyd, J. Collins, L. Whelan, P. Nolan, J. Kearns, J. Murphy.
SENIOR HURLING . O’LOUGHLIN GAELS GAA 3-11 TO 0-13 JAMES STEPHENS GAA
It wasn’t a classic but it was a deserved win. The St. Johns side were always the better team and showed more menace up front. County player Mark Kelly earned a fine return of 2-4 for the workrate he put in throughout the game and could have been more but for another goal was deemed to be a square ball by referee Richard Dowling. In fact that was one of two goals disallowed for the same infraction. O’Loughlins first goal came from a penalty smashed to the net by goal keeper Stephen Murphy after another attack was hauled down by a hapless Village defence. It was the way the game unfolded and in truth the gap could have been greater but for the free taking of James Stephens David Walton. It wasn’t a classic but it sees the Gaels prepare for a Championship quarter final knowing a little more about the teams build up. Huw Lawlor showed great experience beyond his years in defence while Andy Kearns had an outstanding game. Paddy Cantwell came on midway through the second half for the injured Martin Comerford and put in a fine performance. Shane Mahony had his first outing at Senior league and showed that he’s another player for the future marking his day with a fine score. The league is over now and its business time now as the Championship looms. The lads will need your support so make sure to get along to the games. Keep an eye on the clubs facebook/twitter pages for fixtures ahead.
GORTA LE GORTU
Martin Comerford, Gorta, received a heavy knock during the league match last Sunday. The warrior as always put his body on the line and the sight of Gorta leaving the field by stretcher was a worrying time for everybody not least his family. A very generous round of applause was given by both sets of supporters recognising the great commitment this man gives his club and hurling in general. Thankfully Martin is fine and eagerly looking forward to the club championship. But lets not forget the commitment and bravery and sacrifices all our players make In the name of the great game. Good man Gorta! The County Board would do no wrong either by looking at the services available on all sidelines for such unfortunate events. It fell upon our club chairman, Eddie Buckley, to search under Ardan de Gras for the stretcher on this occasion. Our Eddie is always on the ball!
U14s MIXED BAG
It was a mixed bag of results for our u14 panels this week as the respective champoinships kicked off. The Roinn B team had a tough encounter and although coming out vanquished against a very strong Ballyhale side the acquitted themselves very well and matched them in the second half. It’s the end of the road for Roinn B but well done to all the boys and their mentors as the showed good fighting spirit. The Roinn A championship produced a first round win over Dunammaggin in a wet and slippy John Lockes Park. It was difficult to produce any sort of fluid hurling but our young Gaels handled the conditions better coming away with the win and a place in this years Championship semi-final. The quest to retain last years title still on track. Keep it up boys
JUVENILE NEWS
The u10s Took to the road again last weekend but only as far as our friends at Dicksboro GAA for their annual u10s Tournament. The young Gaels played games against the hosts plus city neighbours James Stephens in some high octane hurling. It was a great occasion and good fun as the city boys enjoyed hurling the socks of each other in a bid to have the best brag in the schools on Monday…as it should be. Well done boys and thanks to Dicksboro GAA – great sandwiches!!!
CLUB LOTTO – JACKPOT WINNER!!
The was no winner of last weeks Lotto. The numbers drawn were 4, 21, 23 ,27 and the bonus number was: 12. 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.
U12s CAMOGIE ARE COUNTY CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to the girls at u12 Camogie who defeated John Lockes of Callan last weekend in a very wet Tullaroan to become this years County Champions. Having suffered earlier defeats by the same opposition the success was all the sweeter. Just rewards for great work being done at O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club. Well done all and keep up the good work.
CAULFIELDS SUPERVALUE KITS FOR CLUBS
It may be steering towards the end of the season but already thoughts are towards getting ready for 2016 with the juvenile section receiving Training Kits from Super Value Loughboy thanks to their Kits for Clubs initiative. Thanks to all you shoppers out there who supported O'Loughlin Gaels coming out on top in our neighbours heartland. Manager Ezolda Chambers was on hand to present the kits. These will be very useful come spring when the Juvenile Section at O'Loughlin Gaels all gets going again. Thanks Caulfield's Supervalu Loughboy.
MEN ON THE MOVE
We all need a little maintenance so why not come along for your FREE Health Check as part of the Men on the Move programme in Kilkenny. You will be part of a network of 100 men from across County Kilkenny who are taking positive steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
The Free Health Checks will be available in Kilkenny City, Thomastown and Castlecomer. Each participant will receive 4 free Health checks (BMI, Waist Circumference, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and basic Fitness Test) over a 12 month period. Following this, they can avail of a free 12 week physical activity programme in their community and two health and wellbeing workshops.
This programme is part of a National Research Evaluation so by participating you are taking steps to improve mens’ health across the country and you are also helping to raise funds for local organisations.
The only condition is that those availing of the Health Checks are currently inactive and will commit to attending the 4 health checks over the 12 month period!
Health Check Dates:
Castlecomer Health Check Thursday 10th September 8pm Erins Own Clubhouse
Thomastown Health Check Monday 14th September 7pm Thomastown United
Kilkenny City Health Check Tuesday 15th September 8pm O’Loughlin Gaels GAA
For more information on the programme, please contact Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership on 056 7794991 or our supporting clubs and organisations; Thomastown United, Erins Own, Castlecomer Athletics Club, Clara GAA, Young Irelands, O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and The Mens Shed.
PILATES
Commencing THURSDAY 17th of September, 2015 in the Dunmore Hall from 7.00 -8.00 pm .
(6 weeks €50) All abilities catered for. Fully qualified Pilates Instructor. Places are limited so booking is essential.
For further information please call (086 8547710) Margaret