O'Loughlin Gaels displayed excellent fighting spirit to overcome a gallant Erin's Own in round two of the 2011 St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Championship, played in Ballyragget on Friday last. O'Loughlin’s started very slowly. They were unsure and were like a team a bit off the pace.
Erin’s Own, although they started much more brightly, failed to capitalise on their dominance in the first quarter.
It took O'Loughlin’s until the 16th minute to score through Martin Comerford. Before this score 'Comer had five points on the board, one from each of their half forward line — Michael Murphy, Anthony and Michael Owens — as well as good scores from Jimmy Byrne and a long range point from Damien Fogarty.
After Comerford’s point Mark Bergin added three quick frees in succession including a ‘65 and a 21-yard effort.
On 28 minutes Damien Fogarty again converted a long range free which was to be the final score of a poor first half. Half-time score was Erin's Own 0-6, O'Loughlin Gaels 0-4. Castlecomer had to face the strong breeze in the second half. It didn't seem to affect them at first. They attacked twice early in the half and got three frees, two of which were converted. Separating them was a Mark Bergin conversion. Freetaker for 'Comer Michael Murphy hit over his fourth and fifth points before the 47-minute mark. Mark Bergin again kept the City boys in touch with a well-taken free. This left the score on 0-10 to 0-6 at this point. Erin's Own failed to register scores for the remainder of the game. Brian Dowling moved out midfield for O'Loughlin's and became playmaker in chief for Gaels. He scored a brilliant point himself then laid one off for Alan Geoghegan. Martin Comerford pointed his second, again with assistance from Dowling. On 54 minutes Alan Geoghegan fired over his second (another classic ). This was followed by a free from Mark Bergin which came from a brilliant piece of fielding from his cousin Conor Bergin.
Next up it was another Bergin, this time half back Niall, who scored a fantastic solo effort. Substitute Jack Nolan then threw his weight around and fired over a point to put three between the sides.
But it was left to the aristocrat himself, Alan Geoghegan, to send over his third and equally brilliant point, to leave the scores at the final whistle; O'Loughlin Gaels 0-14, Erin's Own 0-10.
O'Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy, Brian Murphy, Brian Hogan, Eddie Kearns, Alan O’Brien, Andy Kearns, Niall Bergin (1 ), Peter Dowling, Maurice Nolan, Alan Geoghegan (3 ), Martin Comerford (2 ), Mark Bergin (6f ), Sheamy Cummins, Brian Dowling (1 ), Conor Bergin. Subs used: Jack Nolan (1 ), Anthony Forristal.
Erin’s Own: Tom Brophy, James Mullins, Sean Meally, Peter O’Donovan, Gerry Callinan, Damien Fogarty (2f ), Conor Fogarty, Donal Meally, Jimmy Byrne (1 ), Anthony Owens (1 ), Michael Owens (1 ), Michael Murphy (5,4f ), Ronan Ryan, Michael Moran, Peadar Boran. Sub used Eddie Brennan.
