All O'loughlin Gaels players, management, members and supporters had to suffer the heartbreak of losing the Club All Ireland hurling final last Thursday, St Patrick's Day. The Parish of St Johns, including Dunmore and Johnswell was a virtual ghost town as all its inhabitants made their way to Croke Park.
The GAA club itself hired eleven coaches from M&A coaches of Ballyraggett. Nobody was left behind.
The ref blew the whistle to start the game and the boys from St Johns were absolutely motoring. Four unanswered points could have been six and still not ten minutes gone. Indeed O'Loughlin Gaels controlled this match for 31 minutes. At this stage O'Loughlin’s led 0-10 to Clarinbridge's 0-5.
Then disaster struck when Mark Kerins got away from fullback Andy Kearns and gave keeper Stephen Murphy no chance when he pulled on the sliothar to the net. Seconds later there was panic again in the O'Loughlin's fullback line and they conceded a penalty.
Ace goalkeeper Stephen Murphy produced a top class save to deflect the sliothar over for a minor score.
Referee Johnny Ryan from Tipperary blew up for half time and amazingly the sides went in level. The impetus was now definitely with the Galway champions. The second half resumed and Clarinbridge started as they had finished the first. Try and try as they might the Gaels just had no answer. Clarinbridge powered on through the remaining minutes and indeed held O'Loughlin’s to just two points, which both came from placed balls. All credit to Clarinbridge they were the better team. O’Loughlin’s have no excuses.
Homecoming a massive success
The O'Loughlin Gaels committee organised a homecoming for their All-Ireland finalists in their clubhouse on St Patrick’s night. Upstairs in the lounge, the team and their partners along with invited guests such as founding member — Fr Tom Murphy, new club president, Mr Eamon Doyle and club sponsor Mr Pat Carroll enjoyed a four course meal and some well earned refreshments.
Downstairs in the gymnasium a full bar had been set up and over 500 supporters enjoyed catering and drinks and discussed the match. At 9.30pm the O'Loughlin Gaels team were introduced on stage by Eamon Doyle who was a brilliant master of ceremonies on such a difficult night.
Chairman of hurling in O'Loughlin Gaels Mr Martin Brennan sincerely thanked all the players, the management and all the backroom staff. He also reminded them that the first round of the local league championship is only a matter of weeks away!. A long night of entertainment followed to cap a most historic day in the forty year history of O'Loughlin Gaels.
