It was a big day on Saturday for our u13s all of which were giving their first opportunity to play championship hurling for O’Loughlin Gaels. All of them got their chance and all of them took it with both hands firmly gripped on the hurley. 

Roinn A Championshp
O’Loughlin Gaels 2-7 to 1-12 James Stephens

The first game saw the A’s do battle with city rivals James Stephens at Palmerstown.  It was a super game of hurling with both teams going at it hammer and tongs throughout.  The opposition got off to a great start after been awarded 3 frees early in the game which were duly converted to settle their nerves. Freetaker Luke Hanrahan returned 2 more as the village defence struggled to cope with the power of wing forward Greg Kelly. ..He soon would register the first point from play (the first of his 3 from play) but not before James Stephens converted 2 more points. Kelly was causing all kinds of hardship and had a goal cancelled and called back for a free after winning a ball on the right wing and making a beeline for goal, using his strength to shift three tackles and rifling to the back of the net.  He was fouled on route however and the free was converted by Luke Hanrahan. James Stephens pointed one more free just before the break and the game was set up for a thrilling 2nd half on a scoreline of O’Loughlin Gaels 0-4 to 0-6 James Stephens.

Within 5 mins of the restart James Stephens had registered 1-1.  Greg Kelly hit 2 points back from play before the James Stephens free count rose 3 more leaving the Gaels with a tough challenge now as they score stood 0-6 to 1-10. The Gaels as to be expected dug in. Kelly was dragged down just outside the square and Ruaidhri Galwey stitched the resulting free to the roof of the net. The game was back on.  O’Loughlin Gaels were in the ascendancy and Luke Hanrahan added another pointed free to put 3 points between the sides.  3 mins from time and Luke Hanrahan dropped one short in search of a goal. ..he found it as the dipping ball fooled the goalie and the sides were level. Then the game changer..O’Loughlin were fired up and had the opposition on the racks.. every player on the pitch were fighting for their club honour now in a frenetic 2 mins of hurling. Wing forward Fionn Lawlor was back helping at corner back, hooking and blocking he won a ball in the corner, changed direction and cleared it down the line…. Full forward kevin Waldron was back also to move it on and Ruaidhri Galwey gathered the pass and attempted to bring it forward but went to ground with three village lads around him.  The decision went against the Gaels however and the subsequent passage of play yielded another point for the Village. Time was up now and one more chance possibly afforded but the winners won the puck out and earned a 65 after a fine save from goal keeper Michael Bourke Lambert which they duly converted. The Final whistle sounded at the end of a pulsating game and the players although devastated congratulated their opposite numbers.  Two very good teams did hurling a great service last Saturday morning and each young lad that took to the field should be applauded.  There’s plenty to look forward to with this group..very proud Gaels.  Lovely Hurling.

Team: M Bourke Lambert, E Burke, B Wall, J Johnson, T Crowley, R Galwey (Capt) (1-0f), L Quigley, A Maher, L Hanrahan (1-4f), F Lawlor, E Bennett, G Kelly (0-3), E O’Brien, K Waldron, J Hynes.

Roinn C Championhsip
O’Loughlin Gaels 1-3 to 3-6 James Stephens

The second game took place later in the evening against the same opposition.  A little deflated after the earlier loss our boys needed to focus early.  The game stared well with both teams shown that this was going to be every bit as competitive as the first match. The opposition hit 1-1 before wing forward Orestas Balsys hit the first of his scores of the day, a 3 pointer to bring matters back to a single score. The village followed soon after with another goal however and before the half was out would have hit 3-2 to O’Loughlins 1-1 (both scores coming from Orestas Balsys).
Darragh Powell at centre forward was causing concern for the village and their efforts to tighten up on him in the second half was testimony to his threat. He won a free soon after the restart which Balsys converted. The game moved into a dog fight with every ball hotly contested.  Scoring opportunities became harder to come by but the village managed to maintain their advantage right through to the final whistle and earn a well deserved win.  Again no one can be faulted for effort from the club’s point of view and it can only be a good thing that all 34 u13 players available played championship hurling for their club this weekend.  It will stand to them for the coming years and hurt of championship defeat will drive them to reverse fortunes in the coming years.
Well done all involved.

Team: Z Evans, O McKenna, J Bolger (Capt), C Murphy, CJ McChamcheu, K Delaney, JJ Mooney, R Sweeney, H Roberts, D Byrne, D Powell, O Balsys (1-3), E Maher, C Daly, B Little.  E O’Callaghan, C Wall, D Butler, P Phelan, D McCormack, J Tyrell, S Morrissey, J Holohan. Cian Nolan, A Banks, K O’Connor, S Butler.

Manager J. Daly. Selectors: B Fox, E Lawlor, D Kelly, A Byrne, A O’Brien

U13s enjoyed two days of Team Building at location near Fethard-on-Sea Co. Wexford . The brilliant M & Fitness put the boys through their paces at a nearby beach that will stand to the boys as this team develops over the coming years.  The weekend included a litte down time at the local golf course where footgolf and crazy golf were on offer.and for the more avid golfers a little competitive 18 holes.  The evening BBQ at 'Camp Comerford' was tended to by parents  and was welcomed by a very appreciative group,  hungry after all the afternoon and morning activities.  Bunk down then for the night, up early for the big breakfast and off to the beach on Day two for a morning of Fitness and Skills Development Training before relaxing for the afternoon and home. 

A big thanks to the Defence Forces for all their help with setting up camp, Mickey and Flah from M & F Fitness, a host of parents for supplies, help & sponsorship, and the mentors for their time and effort. 

Well done all ...Lovely Hurling.

ROINN A FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1st RD - SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4th AT ST. JOHN'S PARK - 10:30AM
REFEREE: JOHN GUINAN

O'Loughlin Gaels 4-4 to 1-2 Tullogher Rosbercon

Well done to the u13s who got the season off to a flyer with a solid win over a very strong Tullogher Rosbercon side in this competition. Great movement caused ontold damge in the vivitors defensive area and our boys reaped the rewards in goals and maximum points 

​Great job ..well done all.

U12s embarked on an expedition to the most southern part of the country in search of all things GAA, some team spirit and a bit of craic.  They found all three!!

Day one included competitive action at Bruff GAA Club in Limerick. It rained hard...and the boys hurled hard. No amount of rain ( and there was a deluge) was going to dampen the spirits of this weekend.  Hot showers, soup & sandwiches afterwards provided by the hosts would make sure of that. Back on the bus then on to Ventry - training camp for the weekend - where the Ban an Ti had the dinner waiting.  Bags in the rooms, wolf down the dinner and off to Ventry Strand for a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean. No problem sleeping tonight so as an early start was due for Day 2

Day two took the boys back over the Mountains and in to Tralee where Tralee Parnells hosted games with Ardfert,, Ballyheigue and our young Gaels. Good sunshine and a good sod and lots of travelling support (Lots!) drove our boys to hurl at their best. Bouyed by the previous days successes the lads played out a series of games against the best the Kingdom could offer. A huge thanks to our friends at Tralee Parnells for looking after us.

Time to relax,  off to Inch Beach for a little bit of surfing...some chips and a little bit more surfing. Back to the Ban an Ti for another mighty feed and end the day with a dip in the ocean at Ventry Strand before lights out and an opportnity for the travelling support to gather in the local 'eaterie' and talk about the boys efforts on the field of play.

Day 3 got off with another big Ban an Ti breakfast before boys and supporters were treated to a trip around Dingle Bay accompanied by local hero Funghi... who danced them a merry dance around the rugged coastline. A spot of lunch at Paidi O'Sheas before heading back to St. John's Park. Not before one final call to the women who looked after them and say thanks.. Ban an Ti Catilin agas Ban an Ti Marian. Brilliant ladies both of them

Well done to all involved for looking after our young Gaels.  It was a great trip and one they'll remember forever..

​Lovely Hurling

The u11s spent Saturday afternoon in the Sunshine at Glynn Barntown GAA in Wexford for thier annual M Laffan Tournament. Teams from all over Leinster took part in this festival of hurling excellence and our lads shot off the blocks with a win over a very formidable Naas side. IT was energy spping stuff with all players contributing to a fine team performance.

No rest for the wicked as they say and it was straight into challenge number 2 where the boys faced a fresh looking Castletown GAA. The scoring was tight right to the end before the fresher legs of Castletown took advantage by the final whistle.. Two maore games and another win and the boys were ready to kick back and relax. The group were rewarded for their efforts by the very satisfied mentors with some 99's. Now there's a perfect afternoon..Hurling in the sunshine with your mates, followed by 99's !!.....Lovely Hurling

It was great to see u12 Team Player Eoghan O'Brien out and about after a tough operation to watch his team mates perform at the recent Easter Hurling Blitz at St. John's Park.  The boys were thrilled to see him and had a lovely poster made of Eoghan visit to Croke Park last year with the club which they all signed.  Eoghan is on the mend now and we look forward o seeing him back on the training fields very soon.

​Lovely Hurling