Wild and windy Nowlan Park was the Saturday evening venue for the eagerly awaited S.H.C quarter-final between O’Loughlin Gaels and Clara. The draw pitted OLG against last year’s county Champions in a winner takes all knock out scenario. Something was simply going to have to give! In the end two soft goals would prove the difference between the teams. The goals gifted Clara safe passage to the semis – where we wish them well.
Martin Comerford found Danny Loughnane in the first minute, who struck sweetly for the opening score of the game, with only seconds on the clock. Clara’s Liam Ryan then lobbed a speculative ball which freakishly found the OLG net, in what would be an omen of things to come. Gorta was in the thick of the action once again and broke ball into the path of Mark Bergin, who duly dissected the posts. The Continent were beginning to get on top at this point and rattled off five unanswered points – two from Mark Bergin and one each from Martin Comerford, Mark Kelly and Conor Bergin.
But disaster was to strike again – this time on the stroke of the half-time whistle. A short puck out led to a defensive mix-up which Clara punished with a second three pointer. The teams left the field of play on level terms – hardly a fair reflection of the balance of play.
H/T O’Loughlin Gaels 0-09, Clara 2-03
The second half saw the introduction of Davy Burke but it was Clara who dominated the opening quarter of the second thirty. What their swarm defensive system lacked in aesthetic beauty; it more than made up for – in brute force effectiveness. Our boys seemed to convince themselves they needed goals to get back in the game. Time and time again, they ran into maroon traffic patrolling the Clara half of the pitch. When the goals did finally come (a Stephen Murphy 21 yard pile-driver & a Mark Kelly goalmouth scramble) they unfortunately proved – too little, too late.
F/T O’Loughlin Gaels 2-12, Clara 2-14
Stephen Murphy 1-0 (f), Anthony Forristal, Eoghan Grant, Eddie Kearns, Paddy Butler, Brian Hogan, Niall Bergin, Paddy Deegan 0-1, Mark Bergin 0-4 (3 f’s), Martin Comerford 0-1, Jack Nolan, Sammy Johnston 0-1, Conor Bergin 0-1, Mark Kelly 1-3, Danny Loughnane 0-1
U14’s Roinn A Final
O'Loughlin Gaels would like to send hearty congratulations to Maurice Nolan and his U14 boys, who were crowned County Champions today. OLG beat Erin's Own of Castlecomer by the comprehensive score line of 6-14 to 1-05 in Jenkinstown this afternoon. This completes a momentous League and Championship double for this group of boys. We look forward to seeing them blossom even further, in the years to come.
O'Loughlin Gaels under 14 team came up against deserving finalists Erin's own of comer in this final played in a blustery Conahy. Having been given an early scare against Lisdowney in the semi, these young men were not going to allow that happen again and they were the team that came out of the blocks with all guns blazing. They were first to every ball early on and took a deserving early lead with 2 cracking goals from Jamie Ryan topped up with a goal from Conor Heary who kept the score board ticking over with 5 further points and Conor Kelly knocking over a couple more.
Erin's own had beaten the village to earn their place in the final and have a never give up attitude. They recovered from the blistering pace set by O’Loughlins to get a goal and go in at half time trailing but still in the game. 3:08 to 1:03
The lads knew not to fall asleep against this strong Erin's own team and the first 10 minutes of the second half yielded few scores, but excellent hurling from both teams. The breakthrough score from O’Loughlins came from David Fogarty following an excellent passage of play from star player Sean Kenny. Sean caught the ball and took on several players before unselfishly offloading to David who still had work to do and managed a skilful flick past the keeper.
That seemed to be the score to allow our lads push ahead and they finished out in style to win in convincing fashion. Captain Mickey butler lifted the trophy to rapturous and deserving applause from the big crowd.
Well done lads, it was a performance fitting for a final.
Noel Heary
Cois Nore for Cancer
Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre Kilkenny is delighted and thrilled to be associated with Savour Kilkenny Festival of Food in the first ever 'Spud n' Hurl Race' at Kilkenny Castle Park on Saturday October 25th at 2pm. Entry is just a fiver - bring your hurl and we'll provide you with a spud - and if you don't have a hurl, fear not - we'll give you one to dash around the Castle Park in a bid to be crowned King/Queen Of The Spud!
Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre Kilkenny is a really important community based service, offering a safe and confidential space to provide compassionate, practical and emotional support to cancer patients and their families throughout Kilkenny. We provide holistic assessment, advice and support to patients, carers and their families meeting the challenges of adapting to life with cancer and beyond.
Round up your friends, workmates and families for some fun around the Castle Park. Come and find out the surprises in store among the champions of Kilkenny's Senior Hurlers!
Tickets are on sale at the Kilkenny Cancer Support Shop on John Street, Kilkenny, and on the morning of the event at Savour Kilkenny on The Parade.
All proceeds from this event go directly to Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre on Walkin Street, Kilkenny
Club Lotto
There was no jackpot winner of this week’s club lotto. The numbers drawn were 11, 13, 15, 22 and the bonus number was: 16. 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. Best of luck!
Kilkenny Cancer Support Charity Shop
Urgently require volunteers for our shop due to expansion. We need men and women possibly retired or school leavers, unemployed people or people who have four hours a week to spare. You will be fully trained in retail and customer service. We have a lovely team environment and it will be good for you C.V. to add volunteering as part of your service to your community for a local Kilkenny Charity such as Cois Nore. Please call Margaret on 085171100 or 0567715001 or call into the shop anytime.
Dunmore Community Hall
Dunmore Community Hall Committee is pleased to announce that the Community Hall and facilities are available for use by groups. Anyone wishing to organise an event or a series of events should contact one of the following to discuss details. Helen O' Neill (0871306976), Martin Gibbons (0868360782) or Rodger Curran (0862428715).
Virtual Tour
Be sure to log onto our parish website – stjohnskilkenny.com – and click on Virtual Tour to see the beautiful wide-angled views of the exteriors and interiors of our three parish churches.