Kilkenny SHL- O'Loughlin's kick off title defence in winning style

The defending County and Leinster Champions and All-Ireland finalists O’Loughlin Gaels got their League campaign off to a winning start, as they were always in control against near neighbours Clara in Gowran last Saturday.

A Luke Hogan goal in the 4th minute sent them on their way as they led 1-1 to 0-1, and they maintained their dominance for the duration of the contest.

Kerry Senior Hurler Fionán Mackessy was making his League/Championship debut for the O’Loughlins men and he fired over a point from play in the 7th minute to extend their advantage (1-2 to 0-1), before further points from Jordan Molloy, Luke Hogan and Mark Bergin (0-3 0-2 from play) gave them a 1-7 to 0-5 lead by the 18th minute.

O’Loughlin Gaels second goal arrived shortly afterwards from Sean Bolger to stretch their lead further (2-7 to 0-5), and Clara’s task became increasingly more difficult.

Clara to their credit battled manfully throughout despite the magnitude of their task, and a hat-trick of points in quick succession from Paul Cody, James Bergin and Chris Bolger narrowed the deficit to five points. 2-7 to 0-8.

However, O’Loughlin Gaels responded as they outscored Clara 0-5 to 0-1 for the remainder of the half, as further points from Eoin O’Shea, Luke Hogan, Sean Bolger and Mark Bergin (0-2 0-1 free and 0-1 65) gave them a nine point cushion at the interval, 2-12 to 0-9.

Clara had seven different scorers throughout the opening-half as the highly valiant Liam Ryan scored 0-3 from play, while Kevin Nolan (long distance free), Joe Connolly and Martin O’Connell were also on target in the opening-half along with the afore mentioned Paul Cody, James Bergin and Chris Bolger.

O’Loughlin Gaels maintained their nine point advantage by the 40th minute (2-17 to 0-14), as scores were exchanged at a point per minute.

The outstanding Mark Bergin added two further points(including a free), while David Fogarty, Fionán Mackessy and Sean Bolger kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Clara added further points in the opening period of the second-half from Paul Cody(2), Chris Bolger, Liam Ryan and James Bergin (free), but despite their best efforts a comeback was never on the cards as O’Loughlin Gaels remained in control.

Mark Bergin added three further points(including two frees) in the final quarter, as the energetic Jack Nolan and county senior Huw Lawlor fired over long range efforts.

Paul Cody was one of the games outstanding performers with 0-5 from play and he added a brace of points in the final quarter, while further points also came from substitute Conor Hoyne who impressed when introduced and a James Bergin free.

There were two goals in injury-time as Luke Hogan finished superbly for his second goal following a long delivery by Fionán Mackessy, before Chris Bolger replied with a consolation goal for Clara that was deserved for their plucky efforts.

Martin O’Connell had a tremendous game and his long range point was the final act on the scoreboard, but their was no disputing

O’Loughlin Gaels overall superior dominance as the champions got their campaign off to a winning start.

Teams and Scorers

O’Loughlin Gaels - Mark Bergin 0-11 (0-6 frees and 0-1 65), Luke Hogan 2-2, Sean Bolger 1-2, Fionán Mackessy 0-2, Eoin O’Shea, Huw Lawlor, David Fogarty, Jordan Molloy and Jack Nolan 0-1 each

Clara - Chris Bolger 1-2, Paul Cody 0-5, Liam Ryan 0-4, James Bergin 0-3 (0-2 frees and 0-1 65), Martin O’Connell 0-2, Joe Connolly, Kevin Nolan (free) and Conor Hoyne 0-1 each

O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy, Ronan Buckley, Tony Forristal, Mikey Butler, David Fogarty, Huw Lawlor, Jordan Molloy, Jack Nolan, Jamie Ryan, Mark Bergin, Fionán Mackessy, Conor Heary, Owen Wall, Luke Hogan, Sean Bolger.

Subs: Eoin O’Shea, Paddy Butler, Conor Kelly.

Clara: Kevin Nolan, Paddy Bolger, Jack Langton, Sean O’Shea, Martin O’Connell, Shane Staunton, Harry Boyle, Dara Glynn, Joe Connolly, Liam Ryan, Paul Cody, Conor O’Shea, Sean Carrigan, James Bergin, Chris Bolger.

Subs: Conor Hoyne, Zak Lawlor, Peter Nolan.

Referee: Peter Burke