Kilkenny SHC Final- O’Loughlin Gaels look well poised to win back to back senior crowns

History is very much within sight for O’Loughlin Gaels as they move to within 60 minutes of winning successive Kilkenny senior hurling titles for the first time ever.

After putting an end to Shamrocks’ stranglehold on hurling in the county a year ago, the St John Park’s outfit have been hot favourites since the beginning of the campaign and while they’ve had their challenges, O’Loughlin’s go into this Sunday’s game in very good shape.

The Thomastown opposition have already upset the odds in many ways, after qualifying for a senior county final mere months after winning Kilkenny, Leinster and All-Ireland Intermediate titles but they will see this as a huge opportunity.

The South Kilkenny club will be aiming to replicate Clara, who won successive Intermediate and Senior titles in 2012 and 2013, and based on their championship displays thus far, they are in with more than just a fighting chance.

Thomastown had an impressive start to the league and while their form veered off somewhat, they showed their true colours when defeating the Shamrocks and Mullinavat in recent weeks.

Noel Doherty’s outfit have been the story of the championship and if they can replicate their form of the last two games, they will fancy their chances of bringing home the Tom Walsh Cup for only the second time.

Both sides go into this weekend with big injury doubts after Diarmuid Galway and Luke Hogan went down with serious-looking injuries in their semi-final victories.

Galway has been exceptional between the sticks for Thomastown and while his stand-in deputy Paul Barron played well after his loss against Mullinavat, the goalkeeper would still be a big loss if he does miss out.

On the other side, Luke Hogan would be an equally big absence for O’Loughlin’s with the big full forward proving a major oulet for the city side.

His reaction when going down in the first half against Bennettsbridge where he thumped the ground suggests he too will be in a race against time to be fit for what looked to be a hamstring knock.

One solace for Brian Hogan and O’Loughlin Gaels will be the return of Mikey Butler and Mark Bergin from suspension even if their replacements Ronan Buckley and Conor Kelly performed excellently in the semi-final win.

With Sammy Johnston also scoring a goal off the bench, it all adds to the the O’Loughlin’s management having a bit of a selection headache in the build-up to the final — but it’s certainly a good complaint to have.

By their own highest standards, O’Loughlin’s have probably not played to their full potential in the championship to date but that in itself is a big warning shot as they’ve still got to final day with some improvement still to come.

What hasn’t changed is O’Loughlin’s stubborness at the back, with five of their six preferred starting defenders all part of the Kilkenny senior squad this year so for any club that’s a hell of a starting point (Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, David Fogarty, Paddy Deegan and Jordan Molloy).

Jamie Ryan and Jack Nolan have also excelled in the middle of the field but it’s up front where they will look for the most improvement.

Fionan Mackessy apart who has been excellent since arriving from the Kingdom, the likes of Owen Wall, Sean Bolger and Mark Bergin may feel there is more in them but over the last year or so, there always seems to be new lads standing up and producing.

On the other hand, it’s a huge occasion for the South Kilkenny side, and one that doesn’t come around very often.

Other clubs may have doubts about how they’d handle the big day but there’s no real worry for Thomastown on that front after only being in an intermediate final this time last year as well as competing in Leinster and All-Ireland deciders.

John Donnelly is the man that makes the team tick, and it will be most interesting to see who O’Loughlin’s detail to track him as if he plays well, Thomastown are in with a real shout. Donnelly has continued where he left off during the county season and has been in stunning form despite carrying an ongoing finger issue and while his influence is standout, Thomastown still have a number of assets across the pitch.

Jay Burke and Eddie Donnelly are solid in the central defensive positions while Brian Staunton and Zach Bay Hammond are no strangers in getting forward.

Jonjo Farrell’s experience is key in midfield alongside Peter McDonald and in attack, John Donnelly is well assisted by Stephen Donnelly, Luke Connellan and Robbie Donnelly.

A big day for both sides, but hard to look beyond O’Loughlins adding to their senior title tally in the end.