The O’Loughlin Gaels senior hurlers travelled to the famous Buffers Alley club on Saturday last for their final Group three game against the Wexford outfit. Buffers Alley has had somewhat of a makeover recently and after the game, the justifiably proud members showed us around their magnificent new centre of excellence.
Mark Bergin started in typically lively fashion and struck two sweet points from either wing, before getting on the end of a John Doyle lay-off and batting to the net for an MB special – Cul! Paddy Cantwell and John Doyle then got in on the act with neat points of their own. Mark Bergin then converted a sixty-five to make it 1-05 to no score after twelve minutes. Buffers Alley are nothing if not dogged though and they then enjoyed a five minute spell that yielded four points on the trot – the pick of them coming from the hurl of full forward – Keith Bourke. The Continent’s defence dug in for the battle ahead. Stephen Tyrrell, Padraig Meaney and Eddie Kearns all put in heroic blocks to stem the tide. Mark Bergin finished the half as he started with three in a row (one sixty-five) to leave six between the sides at half time. H/T Score: O’Loughlin Gaels 1-08, Buffers Alley 0-05
Paddy Cantwell fired straight and true for a wonder score at the start of the second half. This was then followed by one of the scores of the game. An intricate move involving Paddy Cantwell and Conor Bergin led to John Doyle being free (ball in hand) on the edge of the square. John rifled his shot to the far right corner. The net shook, the green was raised and the Continent was rolling now! Buffers Alley grabbed a point in desperation before Danny Lenehan drilled one over the crossbar to restore OLG’s ten point lead. It was at this point though that Buffers Alley were rewarded with a period of dominance that in truth – they deserved. They fired 1-04 without reply to narrow the gap to three. Then up stepped Alan Geoghegan (as he’s done many times before). Alan dispatched a bullet off his left to the top right hand corner of the net – Cul! The Alley men tagged on two late points before Stephen Murphy (goalkeeper) pulled off a wonder save at full stretch to deny the Wexford side a certain equaliser. Points at the end from Martin Comerford and Danny Lenehan meant the gap was five at the full time whistle. F/T Score: O’Loughlin Gaels 3-12, Buffers Alley 1-14
Stephen Murphy, Brian Murphy, Eoghan Grant, Eddie Kearns, Stephen Tyrrell, Paddy Butler, Padraic Meaney, Mark Bergin 1-06 (2 65’s), Jack Nolan, Danny Lenehan 0-02, Martin Comerford 0-01, Paddy Cantwell 0-02, John Doyle 1-01, Alan Geoghegan 1-00, Conor Bergin, Subs used: Ricky Leydon, Evan Walsh, Fergal Brennan. O’Loughlin Gaels are now through to the quarter final of the Leinster League, to be played on April 5th – opposition and venue TBC.
Top of the Hit Parade
Congratulations to our O’Loughlin Gaels juvenile section who marched in the recent St Patrick’s Day Parade. The adjudicating committee awarded OLG with the best young persons float on the day. Special thanks must go to Stephen McCormack and Mark Brett who worked hard to organise our juveniles and have them looking so well.
Creating Resilience in Challenging Times
That's the title of a talk being given by Dr Fergus Heffernan in St Fiacre's Church, Loughboy on Thursday April 3rd next at 8:00 p.m. Fergus is a very popular speaker. His talk will cover areas such as: building self confidence, diet, taking positive control of your life and even........how to breathe. It promises to be an enlightening and entertaining evening. Tickets are priced at €10 and are available by simply ringing 087/3356738.
Johnswell National School Enrolment
Enrolment is now open or for the school year 2014 / 2015. Places are still available. Please contact 056/7759895 or e-mail: johnswellschool@eircom.net
Marble City Boxing
Congratulations to three members of OLG juveniles who represented The Marble City Boxing Club with distinction in the recently held Leinster Championships. Eric Walsh (U12’s) & Donal O’Leary (U14’s) were involved in tight tussles. I’m assured they gave as good as they got, before going down eventually to their opponents on split decisions. A special word of praise must go though to Jack Sheridan (U14). Jack is a newly crowned Leinster Champion. His late grandfather – Johnny Sheridan was a founder member of Marble City Boxing Club as well as Juvenile Chairman of O’Loughlin Gaels. Jack’s father – John Sheridan trains our under 14 B’s (when he’s not traipsing up and down John Street impersonating St Patrick!).
That Special Occasion
If your family has an upcoming special occasion such as a 21st birthday, a wedding anniversary or a christening - O'Loughlin Gaels has the perfect venue. Catering can be arranged by booking in advance. Please give Paddy Greene a call on 086/1298329.