Eoin Larkin’s cracking goal in the 45th minute proved decisive as this tight scoring semi-final of city neighbours saw the ‘Village’ take the outright lead for the first-time and they never relinquished the lead afterwards.
The sides were level at 0-11 each before the crucial score came.
Gary Whelan was about to strike a point 50 yards from the O’Loughlins’ goal, but his shot was meekly struck.
However Peter Barry – operating at full-forward – won possession and he cleverly used his hurling brain and experience to lay off to Eoin Larkin and he blasted an unstoppable shot from 20 metres that gave Ollie Blanchfield no chance. 1-11 to 0-11.
Larkin pointed a long distance free shortly afterwards and despite failing to score over the closing 18 minutes of action time, it didn’t matter as their St Johns rivals only recorded points from a Maurice Nolan free and a point from the excellent Mark Bergin.
It was a cracking contest that was tension filled right to the bitter end, as O’Loughlins fought hard in search of the winning goal, but they were denied by tenacious defending from Tomas Keogh, James Moran and the inspiring Jackie Tyrrell who had a magnificent second-half.
O’Loughlins were the better team for the majority of this pulsating contest, but Larkin’s 1-2 between the 44th and 47th minute proved decisive.
They were far more superior than their 0-9 to 0-7 lead at the interval, and they came through with all guns blazing in the closing stages as the Village retreated defensively.
Paul Kelly was simply brilliant at wing-back for O’Loughlins as he constantly towered his way out of defence, clearing long ball towards his attacking colleagues.
Mark Bergin was top class against Jackie Tyrrell at centre-forward as he scored 0-3, while the free-taking of Maurice Nolan, the towering presence of Alan Geoghegan, and the solid performances of Brian Kelly and inter-county centre-back Brian Hogan were a prominent feature of O’Loughlins’ play.
Donncha Cody was top class for the victors as he produced an inspiring display at wing-back, while the performances of the tigerish Tomas Keogh, James Moran, Jackie Tyrrell (second half ), the hard-working midfield duo of Richie Hayes and David McCormack and Eoin Larkin with 1-4 were central to James Stephens reaching the county final.
O’Loughlins began brighter and they built up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 13 minutes with Maurice Nolan pointing 3 frees, while Alan Geoghegan scored an excellent point following good work from Mark Bergin in a move that Brian Hogan started.
The Village responded with consecutive points from David McCormack (2, 1 free ) and Martin Phelan, but O’Loughlins added points from a Nolan free and Mark Bergin. 0-6 to 0-4.
Eoin Larkin and a McCormack free restored parity, before the O’Loughlins crew added unanswered points from Maurice Nolan (2, 1 free ) and a great effort from Alan Geoghegan- 0-9 to 0-6.
Donncha Cody struck over a long distance free from 90 metres plus as the Village trailed 0-9 to 0-7 at the interval, despite being outplayed for the majority of the first-half.
David McCormack pointed a free shortly after the restart, before Mark Bergin scored a truly excellent point, following great work from cousin Conor.
The Village replied and they drew level with points from a brilliant Richie Hayes’ sideline effort and a Larkin free in the 37th minute. 0-10 each.
A few stoppages of play saw the next minutes scoreless, before points were exchanged from pointed frees respectively by Nolan and Larkin.
Larkin’s goal in the 45th minute was the match winner and a low scoring final quarter, saw them having to soak up persistent O’Loughlins’ pressure but they qualified for the county final.
However, massive improvement is a must if they’re to compete with the Shamrocks.
Man of the match: Paul Kelly, (O’Loughlin Gaels ).
Teams:
James Stephens: Francis Cantwell, Tomas Keogh, James Moran, Niall McQuillan, Donncha Cody (0-1 free ), Jackie Tyrrell, Shane Campion, Richie Hayes (0-1 sideline cut ), David McCormack(0-4 0-3 frees ), Gary Whelan (0-1 ), Eoin Larkin(1-4 0-3 frees ), Peter Barry, Matthew Ruth, Martin Phelan (0-1 ), David Walton.
Substitutes: Shane Brennan, Brian McEvoy,
O’Loughlin Gaels: Ollie Blanchfield, Brian Kelly, Andy Kearns, Alan O’Brien, Sean Dowling, Brian Hogan, Paul Kelly, Mark Kelly, Niall McEvoy, Maurice Nolan (0-8 0-6 frees 0-1’65 ), Mark Bergin (0-3 ), Danny Loughnane, Brian Dowling, Alan Geoghegan (0-2 ), Conor Bergin.
Substitutes: Seamie Cummins, Jimmy Comerford, Peter Dowling.
Referee: Domo Connolly(Mooncoin ).
