Last Saturday, in the preliminary round of the under 21 championship, a clash between O’Loughlins and Danesfort saw the two teams tie, in a close physical match.
The teams met in the O’Loughlin men’s home-ground, under a brooding sky and a strong wind which was a huge factor in the game.
In the conditions, it is no surprise that the game was a difficult and mucky battle, although both sides displayed some great hurling.
Robbie Welsh opened the game with the first point of the day and was followed by two converted frees for either side, one taken by Conor Bergin of O’Loughlins and the other by Richie Hogan.
Conor Bergin was then awarded another free and Mark Bergin scored a great point from mid-field, giving O’Loughlins a two point lead.
It was Kevin Morrissey, a real asset on any team, who broke the pattern with a very well struck and successful shot at goal. With the score now at 1-4 to 0-2, it seemed that O’Loughlins were pulling away.
Robbie Welsh countered the goal after a few minutes later with a point but Conor Bergin answered with a point and two more followed this from Mark Bergin and Kevin Morrissey.
Minutes before the half time whistle, Richie Hogan brought Danesfort to four points and Conor Bergin converted two points to bring the Gaels men to 1-9.
While the scoreboard showed an eight point lead, it was clear that Danesfort were not out of the game, they were at a strong disadvantage by playing against the wind and found it hard to get the ball to their half of the field.
However, with the wind, (and the rain ) at their backs in the second half, they cooked up a storm.
Richie Hogan scored an inspirational point in the opening minutes of the second half from mid-field. He then scored another point from a free and his example was taken up by Oisin Daly, who scored a great point from play.
Conor Bergin stepped up and after a great run put the ball over the bar, showing that O’Loughlins were still alive and kicking.
Both teams were battling hard, however it was Kilkenny senior hurler, Richie Hogan who kept coming up trumps. The young hurler went on to score an incredible six unanswered points to make the score a tie at 1-10 to 0-13. Hogan really showed his strength scoring two great points from the half back line, two from the left hand side of the field and two from frees.
Both teams managed to put a point each on the board before the final whistle, one from Conor Bergin, a converted free, and one from Gavin O’Keeffe.
A number of players stood out on the day in question. Stephen Forristal had a great game in the backline for O’Loughlins, and both Mark and Conor Bergin were the strength in the O’Loughlins team on the day.
Ben O’Connor at centre back for Danesfort had an impeccable game of hurling and really kept O’Loughlins at bay. Michael Cunningham at corner back also played a great game, completely dominating his position. Of course Richie Hogan has to be mentioned, scoring 10 out of the 14 points for his side as well as keeping the ball moving forward. He seemed to control everything that happened in the second half.
The question remains to be seen as to whether or not it was the wind that carried Danesfort or their hurling. We shall find out when the replay is played.
