O’Loughlin’s u-11s win Kilmacud Crokes tournament
A hearty congratulations goes to the O'Loughlin Gaels under-11 hurling team who beat all-Ireland competition to win the Kilmacud Crokes annual tournament, held last weekend in Dublin.
O'Loughlin’s beat Tipp kingpins Toomevara in the final. Kilmacud had two teams while teams from Athenry and Portumna from Galway, Fermoy from Cork, and Na Fianna from Dublin also took part.
O’Loughlin’s u-8s record good victories
Craughwell of Galway made the long trip down to St John’s Park last weekend to play under-eight and under-seven challenge games against O'Loughlin Gaels.
The Galway side had beaten all comers in their neck of the woods and wanted to test themselves against some Kilkenny opposition.
The hard working O’Loughlin’s team proved to be too good for the Tribesmen in both games this time, although both games were excellent and the young boys gave great excitement to the large group of parents who travelled from Galway and also some locals as well.
Well done to James Kelly who organised his home club to make the trip to his new club in Kilkenny. A return journey will be made next year.
Minors heartbreak
O'Loughlin Gaels minor team suffered the worst of defeats last Saturday in the county minor semi-final when going down to Dicksboro by one point on a score of 10 points to 1-6.
O'Loughlin’s led for most of the game and were only overtaken on 57 minutes. O'Loughlin’s drew level and it looked as if extra time was on the cards, but Dicksboro centreback Gary Gaule collected a loose ball around midfield and pointed from distance to give the 'Boro boys a place in the county final.
Seniors up against it
It’s a credit to the management of the O'Loughlin Gaels senior team that they have reached a county semi-final, the team having to dig deep following so many injuries and retirements.
Since last year, All-Ireland medal winner Sean Dowling was forced to retire through injury, Ollie Blanchfield hung up his boots and Mark Kelly has a chronic Achilles heel injury that could take another year to heal.
Ally to this the departure of Tipp star Paul Kelly and one can see there was no more room for defections.
Unfortunately full back Andy Kearns has been ruled out with a torn groin while Maurice Nolan is out with a hamstring problem and, though Brian Hogan will play his hand, is not 100 per cent.
Brian Dowling has resumed light training, as has Nigel Skehan. Whether they will be fit to play will not be known until after a Sunday morning fitness test.
