​If this were a TV Drama the critics would be raving about it. It had a similar tale to that of early 80s drama about the illusive Highwayman -  The local Village's Stage Coach was about to pull into it’s stop and record a successful 60minute journey when in the last scene Dick Turpin would turn up and deal the final twist in the storyline and takes off with the prize… In Dick Turpin’s case it was the girl.. in  Niall Higgins case an u16 County Final Medal!  

It wasn’t as simple as that however.. This was a superb game of hurling. The Village owned the first half..dictating all around the field and causing all kinds of animated panic on the Gaels sideline. This was a much more open game than last week’s drawn match as the village sought to give their key players the option to express their hurling ability...and that they did.  Their forwards reaping the rewards of good delivery from midfield..running into space and popping over scores at will. Ethan Kerwick did get the first score of the game but the Village would see out the half with a comfortable lead of 7 points ..0-7 to 1-11. (The goal coming from Leon Hayes). But for all their dominance O’Loughlin Gaels would go into the dressing room with some hope, as they had broken the Village defence on 2 occasions but for the brilliant goalkeeping of their no. 1.

​The second half started with a village pointed free putting them 8 ahead. Conor Kelly and Eoin Guilfoyle (Village) traded frees again before Vincent O’Grady pounced on a deflected ball to whip the Gaels first goal to the net..The St. John’s support perked up but young Guilfoyle , who was having the game of his life, returned 3 points for the Village (2 from play) to quell any nerves. O’Loughlins lads don’t do doubts and when Ronan Lavelle took advantage of another loose ball in the Village danger area the doubts started to creep into the leaders and the game shifted momentum. O’Loughlin Gaels struck again within a minute when Conor Kelly rifled another 3 pointer bringing the score to 3-8 to 1-16 on the 42nd minute  ..a 2 point deficit! Conor Kelly converted a 65 to bring it to the minimum and the game was in the melting pot.

It was a nervy, tense but brilliant final quarter with not an inch spared. There was no score for the almost 10mins when the Village pointed through Cian Kenny to put them 2 ahead. The final moments were manic..every young player putting their hearts and souls into it, showing pride in their respective clubs beyond the call of duty. Both sets of supporters rightly proud of their charges. As the game swung into the 31st minute Conor Kelly won a free on the 40…the question was asked…another 2 minutes was the answer. The decision was take the point and win the puck out. Conor’s effort sailed to the left and wide and the St. John’s support looked on in hope. But the players believed…never give up has always been the message. With the ball nestled down in the O’Loughlin defence they worked it up to the half forwards.. the pressure was relentless...Conor Kelly made a surge only to be met by 3 defenders…he managed to pass it off to Ethan Kerwick… Jack Sheridan and Ronan Lavelle got involved in the move..the ball passed from Gael to Gael as they looked for that last opportunity and with the whistle firmly in the referees grasp Niall Higgins received the final pass and had space to stand and deliver and pick his spot from 30 yards.  It floated in a slow motion arc through the air over the heads of several defenders and passed the hapless keeper and the movement of the net was met with a roar that sent startled crows flying from trees for 10 miles and the O’Loughlins supporters leaping from their skins.  The final whistle sounded and O’Loughlin Gaels were u16 Co. Champions for the third time in four years.

​O'Loughlin Gaels 0:15 to 0:15 James Stephens
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This was a very tense game throughout with The Village having the better of the first half exchanges going to the break 1 point to the good against a stiff breeze.  The young Gaels were going to have it all to do in the 2nd half and in a game where free taking was a big factor out marksman Conor Kelly showed some bottle in scoring a last minute free to equalise the game so that the Gaels live to fight another day. A large crowd attended the game in Jenkinstown and all were very well entertained. Lets hope that the young lads from both teams get their just rewards and the opportunity to re-play this game in Nowlan Park. Surely a reward for making Co. Final should be a day out in The Park! Well done all..lovely hurling.

​Congratulations to the Kilkenny GAA u16A's winning the Arrabawn Cup this evening that included a healthy O'Loughlin Gaels contribution. Picture shows happy Gaels, David Fogarty, Conor Kelly and Jamie Young with Team Selector, and Club u16s Manager, Niall Bergin after tonight's game. They day included wins over Limerick, Wexford and Clare before beating Tipperary in the Final on a scoreline of 4-12 to 2-10. Well done boys...great job.
 
Well done to u15 players Vincent O'Grady and John McNamara who were part of the Kilkenny North Development Squad Team that won yesterday's All-Ireland Shield Final. 
 
Congratulations also to Niall Higgins who represented the Club on the Kilkenny u16B Squad team at the weekends games. Well done all.. lovely hurling

U16 Roinn A Hurling League Final
O'Loughlin Gaels 2-14 to 3-10 Dunamaggin

Venue - Thomastown, May 8th at 7pm    Referee Kieran Canavan

This one went to the wire and with only minutes to go the outcome was looking ominous for the young Gaels. But they had spent much of the second half under the cosh and their determination prevailed in the final five minutes as they crafted a very special win.

The Thomastown venue was resplended in the sunshine and drew a good crowd to witness this nail biting encounter between the top two teams in this years league.  From the throw in it was clear these two teams meant business.  It was too nice an evening to waste and these lads were here for hurling. By the 4th minute we had goals at either end, a fantastic diving save from 'Gaels keeper Declan Murphy at one end, and en effort deflected off the upright at the other end - a frenetic start that had the crowd salivating. Dunnamaggin struck first with a dropping ball bouncing unfavourably in the sunshine to raise the green flag.  Immediately O'Loughlins hit back through the sheer power of, and determination of Ethan Kerwick who gathered and drove his way to the 6 yard marker before rifling it to the net.  Game on!.  

Centre forward Conor Kelly was flawless all evening and started his tally with a 5th minute free that was countered soon after by Dunnamaggin's midfielder Alex Moore. Two more points were traded before Oloughlins hit a purple patch that yielded three unanswered points (2 from Conor Kelly and 1 by Vinny O'Grady) - a difference that they would hold at the break. Dunnamaggin would go ahead again though returning a pointed free and then a goal from their no. 11 Conor Brett when the ball fell nicely to him as the O'Loughlin Gaels defence failed to clear after aother Declan Murphy wonderful diving save. Conor Kelly took the 'Gaels ahead again with another point and Dunnamaggin followed with a converted free to level matters once more. Over twenty minutes gone and the crowd were enjoying every minute of this. O'Loughlin Gaels' second goal was something special.  Jack Sheridan dashed around the half forward line to pick up a breaking ball.  He made a few yards and looked to lose control but his determination made sure he won it back immediately and now had nothing on his mind from then only goal.  His winding run ended with a sweet strike off his left that stretched the keeper to a great save but like any good full -forward Vinccent O'Grady was in the right position to whip the parry to the net.  Three points clear again and after both centre forwards traded points, O'Loughlins deservedly went to the break 2-8  to 2-5 in front.

There was a stiff breeze in the high air that favoured the city boys in the first half. A new free taker was deployed by Dunnamaggin and this wind advantage was quickly noticed when the first score of the period was a long range converted free.  They added another from mdfield soon after before Conor Kelly returned the lead to 2 points on the 39th minute. Then just twelve minutes into the second half the Dunnamaggin corner forward Derrick Carroll gathered a pass on the left wing and made no mistake when going for goal..putting his team ahead.  The score put a pep in their step and they added another point during a good spell that yielded 1-3 against O'Loughlin's single point in a 15 minute period.  

The score stood at 2-10 for the Gaels to 3-10 for Dunnamaggin with less than 5 minutes remaining. The Gaels looked dead on thier feet - Ben Tyrrell was immense all evening and left every ounce of energy he had on the field.  He still kept a little in reserve to see out the game as he defended stoicly. Jamie Young came up trumps when needed most as too did David Fogarty in defence. Daniel Walsh had done his job and Mathew Hogan came in with fresh legs along wiht Charlie Maher. Ian O'Keefe made a telling contribution in the corner while Captain Declan Coffey and mid-field partner Niall Higgins had a lot to do in the centre of the field. With four minutes on the clock it needed a  moment of magic - queue Ronan Lavelle. The corner forward had dropped back to help out and gathered a ball on the 45 yard line...a solo on the touch line into the corner and a strike as sweet as you'll see guided the sliotar over the bar. The team stirred and every one to a man dug deep. The workrate earned two frees duly coverted by the deadball expert Conor Kelly. It was all square and the time was now at the descretion of the referee. There was time however and when Conor Kelly recieved the sliotar on the right wing there was only one place that ball was going. The resulting white flag was soon followed by the final whistle and O'Loughlin Gaels were League Champions for 2017. 

Fair play to both teams who conttributed to a right old rattle that entertained all present. O'Loughlin Gaels Captain recieved the league trophy from Willie Dempsey and thanked Dunnammaggin for a great game and reminded everybody that they'd be meeting again in August in the first round of the championship.  Now that's a mouth watering prospect!!

Well done to all the panel and to Team Mentors, NIall Bergin, Ben Fogarty, Benny Cleere, Paddy Tyrrell and Sean McNamara. Lovely Hurling.

O'Loughlin Gaels: D. Murphy, D. Walsh, J. Young, I. O'Keefe, P.McNamara, D. Fogarty, B. Tyrrell, D. Coffey (Capt.), N. Higgins, J. McNamara, C. Kelly (0-12, 6f), J. Sheridan, E. Kerwick (1-0), V. O'Grady (1-1), R. Lavelle (0-1).
H. Bland, M. Hogan, D. O'Leary, J. Leydon, J. Hickey, C. Murphy, C. Maher, N. Flanagan, L. Hehir, J. Byrne, J. Phelan, W. Slattery, L. Hennessey, M. Wallace. 

Round 4 

​Naas 1-9 to O'Loughlin Gaels 1-13

RESULT:  O'Loughlin Gaels 1-7 to 3-9 Clonnen/Railyard

Hard Luck to our u16B team who were under pressure from the throw in tonight but gave an earnest performance against the odds. These boys are training hard and love to hurl and put up some fantastic scores during an entertaining game at St. John's Park. There will be lots to take from this game as they continue to prepare for upcoming games. Well done all

The boys have played three games in the league so far winning their first against The Fenians and loosing out to a strong Conahy side last Saturday evening.