O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club have two new All-Ireland Chamoions as players Laura Murphy and Laura Greene were involved with the Kilkenny Camogie Teams who won the Senior and Intermediate Titles respectively. Laura Greene played a huge part in the Intermediates success taking the game to the Cork opposition when the game was in the melting pot with a fine mid-field performance. Laura Murphy’s performances in training had bumped her to the senior panel and has made a fine contribution to the success of Kilkenny Camogie teams. Congratulations too to Liam Egan who had the girls in supreme condition for the games in Croke Park. A great weekend for Kilkenny camogie and a great weekend for O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie. Well done all.
ALL-IRELAND SUCCESS
While praise our players successes at All-Ireland level we must acknowledge the accomplishments our officials as they reach the height of achievement in their discipline. Congratulations and well done to Sean Cleere who refereed last weekend’s All-Ireland u21 Hurling Final between Waterford and Galway. Sean was accompanied by clubmen Mick Nolan, Coleman Loughnane, Nigel Skehan along with Noel Burke who all umpired the game and we congratulate all and a good game. We’ll be seeing more of the same in the future no doubt.
SENIOR HURLING
Makw sure to support the Senior Club Hurlers on Saturday in Thomastown as they take on Ballyhale Shamrocks in the final round of the St. Canices Credit Union Senior Hurling League. The lads will be looking to keep their league form going with a good performance but your support is vital. Throw in is at 5pm
JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The Junior Hurling Championship Semi-Final takes place next Sunday morning at 11am in Palmerstown against our City neighbours James Stephens. This is a big game for our Junior lads who’ve put a huge effort into this years campaign. As always your support is vital. Support you club’s teams.
MINORS CHAMPIONSHIPS
It’s been another disappointing week for O’Loughlin Gaels with both Minor teams exiting their respective Championships in the first round. The pairing for the Roinn a Championship 1st round was O’Loughlin Gaels v Dicksboro who would arguably considered to be the best two teams in the competition. So with a lot at stake nerves played a large part in the manner in which this game was played. It never allowed itself to open up as a game and free taking played a major part in the final result. It was nip and tuck all the away keeping the large crowd in attendance at Kells Rd. enthralled throughout the whole game. In the final quarter the game increased somewhat in tempo as both teams took turns in taking the lead. An injury time free awarded to Dicksboro was expertly converted from distance to give the ‘Boro boys the lead and ultimately the win even though O’Loughlins Gaels did have a chance to equalize one more time but the opportunity was stifles away by the ‘Boro defense. Disappointment for the boys and the club but in a tight game both sets of supporters knew there was nothing in it only a puck of a ball. There was plenty of evidence of high quality hurlers going forward and the future looks good for the club. Well done boy nd keep up the hard work.
The Minor C Championship was played out in Kilmanagh the evening before against a very strong Tullaroan side. Tullaroan got off to a flying start stretching a sizeable lead before the O’Loughlin boys registered their first return. With the Tullaroan side odds on favourites to win this competition the St. John’s had it all to do but chased the game all through showing great heart right up to the final whistle. A big thanks to all the young players, parents and their management teams for the efforts put into this grade throughout the year. We look forward to seeing these lads get back onto our fields again next spring with a renewed drive and desire to push themselves to the limits. They’re O’Loughlins lads so we know they will. Well done all.
U14s CHAMPIONSHIP
This group of lads have found the going tough for much of this year but their performance last Wednesday evening in Clara against a well drilled Thomastown side was nothing short of brave. Thomastown opened up with a sizeable lead in the first half against a defense that had no answers to a pacey Thomastown attack. It was batten down the hatches for them in the second half which meant our boys really had to dig it out to cut back such a deficit and true to form they did just that. A little bit of pace and some clever O’Loughlin Gaels forward play saw the goals come but when your chasing a game you risk a counter attack and Thomastown you’d have to say were clinical in this regard and the result went with our country friends. Our boys fought hard as is to be expected of O’Loughlins lads and no doubt they will return in the spring better players for the lessons learned this year. Again a huge thanks on behalf of the club to the players, their families and mentors for the huge time and efforts that go into keeping our teams going. Well done all
McDONAGH JUNCTION SHOPPING CENTRE
As our juvenile teams continue to compete in club championships it must not underestimated the importance of our Juvenile Team Sponsors. McDonagh Junction Shopping Centre has continued to support our teams for the last number of years and their contribution to our teams preparations does not go unnoticed. O’Loughlin Gaels GAA would like to take this opportunity to thank McDonagh Junction Shopping Centre for their continued support.
CLUB LOTTO
There was no winner of last week’s Club Lotto..The numbers drawn were 5, 8, 15, 20 and the bonus number was: 19. Tickets can be bought from the usual selling agents or by asking at the clubhouse bar. The Jackpot is now at a healthy €16,400..so get yourself a ticket and don't miss out on your chance to win
JACK & JILL CYCLE – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17th
Starting and Finishing at O'Loughlin Gaels GAA Club this is one for all you cycling enthusiasts. There will be lots going on so even if you're not into the bike come along and support this very worthy cause.