This weekend will see O’Loughlin Gaels back in their second semi-final, having lost their first in a replay against Newtownshandrum in 2004 while the Shamrocks last reached the semi-final in 1990 when they lost to Ballybrown (Limerick ) by a point.
O’Loughlin Gaels won three games in Leinster in their march to glory which was crowned by a three-point win over Oulart-The Ballagh in the final. Mark Bergin has been their top scorer on 1-23 while Brian Dowling has landed 2-5. Kilkenny star, Martin Comerford is another important figure in the Gaels’ attack while Brian Hogan is very much the anchor figure in a secure defence.
The Gaels are maintaining Kilkenny’s excellent tradition in the club championship. Since 2000, Graigue-Ballycallan, O’Loughlin Gaels (2 ), James Stephens (2 ) and Ballyhale Shamrocks (3 ) have dominated Leinster while James Stephens (1 ) and Ballyhale (2 ) have won the All-Ireland title.
Loughgiel were easy winners over Ballygalget (Down ) and Keady (Armagh ) in the Ulster championship and are now bidding to become the first Antrim side to reach the final since Dunloy lost to Newtownshandrum in 2004.
Loughgiel Shamrocks are the only Ulster club to have won the All-Ireland SH club title. Their success came in 1983 when a side captained by goalkeeper, Neilly Patterson beat St Rynagh’s (Offaly ) in the final.
Paths to the semi-final:
O’Loughlin Gaels 3-16, Rathdowney Errill (Laois ) 0-14.
O’Loughlin Gaels 1-21, Ballyboden St Enda’s (Dublin ) 3-11 (after extra-time ).
O’Loughlin Gaels 0-14, Oulart-The Ballagh (Wexford ) 1-8.
Average for: 1-18; Average Against: 1-12.
Top scorers:
Mark Bergin...........1-23.
Brian Dowling........2-5.
Danny Loughnane..1-3.
Niall McEvoy.........0-6.
