Our country commemorates a number of significant centenaries in the next few years. The first of these gets underway in earnest this month and marks one hundred years since the beginning of World War One 1914 - 1918. The Great War (as it was also known) was fought in mainland Europe (France and Flanders) and saw man pitted against man in horrific trench warfare conditions. It is estimated that almost two thousand men and women with Kilkenny connections served in WW1.
This reporter called to the Town Hall in Kilkenny on Saturday last and met with OLG stalwart Donal Croghan. Donal is Chairman of The Commemorating 1914 – 1918 Committee. He explained that his Great Grand-Uncle John Purcell fought and was killed in The Great War. John Purcell hailed originally from Maddoxtown, Co Kilkenny. Fellow OLG member John Joe Cullen also has connections with The Great War and he too is a member of the committee commemorating World War One.
The Easter Rising of 1916 will have its Centenary commemorated in two years time. Both of these events have had a profound and lasting legacy on this island right up to the present day. If you have a relation from St John’s Parish who took part in either of these seismic conflicts (WW1 or Easter Rising 1916) and would like to share their story; please contact this reporter at the e-mail address above. We would be delighted to hear from you. We cannot change our history, so together – let’s share it.
Social Night – Sat Aug 9th
O'Loughlin Gaels is holding a social night next Saturday August 9th by way of saying a sincere thank you to a very special set of volunteers. We cordially invite the following: Programme Sellers,
Car Park / Gate, Bar Staff, Ladies Committee, Website Team, Dog Night Volunteers, Champions Sunday Team and Field Committee to our social gathering. Both you and your partner will be very welcome on the night - we look forward to seeing you there. More details to follow, consult: www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie
Golf Classic
O'Loughlin Gaels GAA Club holds its Annual Golf Classic in Kilkenny G.C. on Thursday 28th & Friday 29th August. €150 will get your team of three a tee time on the time-sheet and a chance to win some wonderful prizes. The sheet is filling up fast but Michael O'Reilly is on standby to take your call on 087/2554300. Or simply call into the Clubhouse bar any evening after 9:00 to book your time. For more detail please check: www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie
Club Lotto
There was no jackpot winner of the club lotto this week. The numbers chosen were 3, 21, 22, 27 and the bonus number was 9. If you want to be in with a chance to win €20,000, you can buy a ticket from the usual promoters or from behind the bar in the clubhouse. OLG wishes to announce a Double Draw for the August Bank Holiday Weekend. This gives participants two chances of bagging the €20,000 jackpot. If the jackpot is not won after both draws – we will then hand out twenty runner-up prizes of €40 instead of the usual ten. As the results of this draw were not known at time of going to press, please consult or website for more: www.oloughlingaels.gaa.ie
Lisdowney Sevens
Congrats to our OLG U13’s squad who took part in the Lisdowney Sevens at the weekend. The tourney was held on Saturday last in atrocious conditions. Our rain sodden youngsters battled all the way to the final, where they were pipped by a game James Stephens outfit. This reporter was informed that despite the matches being seven a side; over thirty OLG jerseys were used on the day – such was the relentlessness of Saturday’s rain. A special mention must go to Linda O’Leary who appears to have come to the rescue with what must have seemed a never ending supply of fresh socks to keep feet dry and warm for the fray. OLG squad: Jamie Young (Captain), Niall Higgins, Conor Kelly, David Fogarty, Declan Coffey, Jack Sheridan, Donal O’Leary, Success Edogun, Kieran Murphy, William Slattery.
Semi-Final
O’Loughlin Gaels would like to extend best wishes to four of its finest who take part in the All-Ireland semi finals in Croke Park on Sunday 10th August next. Ross Butler and Daniel O’Connor take on Waterford in the minor semi-final. Brian Hogan and Mark Kelly do battle against Limerick in the senior game. Best wishes to our players and don’t forget to spare a thought for their families who also make the trip to Dublin in hope and expectation.
Croker Bus
Reserve your seat on our Croker bound bus for the minor & senior semi-finals on Sunday August 10th. Tickets are keenly priced at €15 for adults and €10 for children and can be booked by calling to the Clubhouse bar. The bus will be leaving St John's Park at 10:00.
Summer Camp
OLG Summer Camp gets underway this week. The Camp throws in on Tuesday August 5th for two weeks and promises to be a festival of fun for all concerned. Niall Bergin (organiser) was in touch with this reporter to say there are a record one hundred and sixty eight boys and girls signed up for this year’s camp. By the end of Summer Camp 2014, your child will have had a chance to learn and hone their GAA skills in an environment that is encouraging and participative. OLG would like to extend best wishes to all those taking part.