O’Loughlin Gaels senior hurlers locked horns with Ferns St Aidan’s of Wexford, in a floodlit quarter final of the Leinster League – last Wednesday. The game saw the welcome return of both our black and amber exiles – Mark Kelly and Brian Hogan.
Mark Kelly was lively from the off – showing a clean pair of heels to his opposite number on several occasions. His pace began to pierce holes in the Ferns last line of defence and it wasn’t long before the green was raised for the first time. Kelly’s quick pick-up, followed by a surging run released Jack Nolan on the edge of the square. Jack drilled low and hard to shake the net for a three-pointer. Two minutes later, Kelly once again with back to goal – executed a lightening pick-up, turned and pinned his ears back. No support was needed this time – Kelly crashed it home for a second goal in as many minutes.
By this stage, there were signs that the Continent was moving and thinking well. Davy Burke was certain to be hooked but shortened his hurl to flick a thirty yard pass to put OLG on the offensive again. Mark Bergin (this campaign’s most consistent performer to date) pointed a free and his teammate in the middle (Sammy Johnson) drove from distance to make the score 2-02 to 0-02, with just eleven minutes gone. One of the best moves of the game would lead to the next score – a Mark Bergin special. Neat interplay between John Doyle and Martin Comerford set Mark free to apply the finish between the uprights. Ferns would manage only two more points in the opening half. Some of this was down largely to stout defending from our boys. Eoghan Grant made several interventions in the opening thirty, as did Eddie Kearns, Martin Gibbons and Brian Murphy. Danny Lenihan was introduced to the fray before half-time. The Continent would add four more points to their tally (three from Mark Bergin) and a Mark Kelly special to bring the opening half to a close. H/T O’Loughlin Gaels: 2-07, Ferns St Aidan’s: 0-04
Metronomic Mark Bergin opened the second thirty with yet another unerring free and a point from play. Davy Burke was then rewarded for his hard graft with a neat point of his own. Ferns, to be fair, battled back bravely and raised three white flags in succession. The management rang the changes and introduced Ricky Leydon, Paddy Cantwell and Kevin O’Brien. But it was county class which was to prove telling as in the nineteenth minute, big Martin Comerford went on a surging solo run through the heart of the Ferns defence. He hit a blinding shot off his left to the top right hand corner of the net to effectively end the contest – whatta goal! Martin would add two more points from play either side of a Mark Kelly free to bring proceedings to a close. The management and team are not getting carried away with their progress thus far in the Leinster League. The league itself is no more than a series of readymade challenge matches designed to prepare the team for the tough county league / championship ahead. F/T O’Loughlin Gaels: 3-13, Ferns St Aidan’s: 1-09. Stephen Murphy, Brian Murphy, Eoghan Grant, Eddie Kearns, Martin Gibbons, Brian Hogan, Paddy Butler, Sammy Johnson (0-1), Mark Bergin, (0-8, 4 f’s), Conor Bergin, Martin Comerford (1-2), Davy Burke (0-1), John Doyle, Mark Kelly (1-1), Jack Nolan (1-0). Subs used: Danny Lenihan, Ricky Leydon, Paddy Cantwell, Kevin O’Brien
St Patrick’s Day Parade Winners
Congratulations to all connected with the OLG juvenile entry into the recent St Patrick’s Day parade. Our entry won the best young person’s float and this was honoured at a special ceremony in the Town Hall on Thursday last. Mayor – Martin Brett spoke eloquently as did Councillor Malcolm Noonan. Congrats to all – well done again.
Diabetes Ireland
The Southern Regional Office of Diabetes Ireland, will hold a Public Education Meeting in the Newpark Hotel, on Thursday, 10th April at 8pm. Guest speakers are two health care professionals working in the Diabetes service. These talks are suitable for people with both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.
Membership Overdue
Calling all members: Membership is now overdue. Please pay your annual fee ASAP if you have not done so already. There is an attractive suite of membership rates ranging from single to full family membership. Please ask at the clubhouse bar and pay the fee that suits your needs best. The fees go towards the day to day running of your club. Please take prompt action. Thank you.
Your Continent Needs You!
Our boys make their first outing in the Senior Hurling League next Sunday 13th April. We play St Martin’s of Muckalee in Canon Kearns Park, Castlecomer. Throw-in is at 4:00 p.m. We need you to be there!