Kilkenny SHL- O’Loughlins lay down early marker in win over Shamrocks

O’Loughlin Gaels continued their unblemished start to the senior hurling league with a seven-point win over the Shamrocks (Ballyhale).

Brian Hogan’s side have been well tested in recent weeks but Saturday’s clash in Thomastown this was always going to be the acid examination of their early season form. With Luke Hogan and Robbie Buckley grabbing the goals and Paddy Deegan and Fionan Mackessy also showing well, it was a display that would have sent out a few warning signals around the county.

Shamrocks had been the better side for much of the opening period with Ronan Corcoran, TJ Reid and Richie Reid doing a lot of damage, but once Hogan netted for the Gaels in the 23rd minute the momentum began to change. A run of 1-5 without reply before the final whistle put the seal on a fourth league win this term for last year’s beaten county finalists.

The opening 10 minutes was all about the Shamrocks as they raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead through points from Killian Corcoran, TJ Reid and Eoin Cody - if it hadn’t been for a big save from Stephen Murphy at the expense of Brian Cody, then the game could have turned out very differently.

Frees from Conor Kelly and a effort from play by Conor Heary helped the city side settle into proceedings though Shamrocks were finding their scores a bit easier with a slight wind at their backs.

Evan Shefflin and Ronan Corcoran added to the Ballyhale club’s tally and just when it looked like they might get away, O’Loughlins found the net against the grain with Luke Hogan taking advantage of a Richie Reid mistake to finish past Dean Mason.

Shamrocks did regain their composure and, with scores from TJ Reid, Ronan Corcoran and Eoin Cody, they led at the break by four despite the concession of a goal (0-16 to 1-9).

Shamrocks didn’t get another score till the 40th minute. Before that O’Loughlins reeled off five points on the spin as valued contributions from Conor Kelly, Jack Nolan, Paddy Deegan and Fionan Mackessy gave them the edge on the scoreboard.

Shamrocks battled their way back into the game and, helped by TJ and Richie Reid, they were back in front going down the stretch but a devastating conclusion by O’Loughlins did it for them with Robbie Buckley getting the decisive goal and Finn Hogan, Paddy Deegan, Greg Kelly, Owen Wall and Conor Kelly hitting further points.

Teams and Scorers

O’Loughlin Gaels - Conor Kelly (0-7, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65); Fionan Mackessy (0-5, 0-1 free); Luke Hogan, Robbie Buckley (1-0 each); Paddy Deegan (0-3); Conor Heary, Jack Nolan (0-2 each); Eoin O’Shea, Owen Wall, Greg Kelly, Finn Hogan (0-1 each)

Shamrocks - TJ Reid (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65); Eoin Cody, Richie Reid (0-4, 0-1 free each); Ronan Corcoran (0-3); Killian Corcoran, Evan Shefflin, Stephen Barron (0-1 each).

O’Loughlin Gaels - Stephen Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Ronan Buckley; Jamie Ryan, Paddy Deegan, Finn Hogan; Eoin O’Shea, Owen Wall, Fionan Mackessy; Conor Kelly, Luke Hogan, Kevin Murphy.

Subs; Jack Nolan for Ryan, h/t; Robbie Buckley for K Murphy, 37 mins; Greg Kelly for O’Shea, 52 mins.

Shamrocks - Dean Mason; Killian Corcoran, Joey Holden, Dara Mason; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Brian Cody, Ronan Corcoran; Liam Barron, Eoin Cody, TJ Reid; Eoin Kenneally, Stephen Barron, Niall Shortall.

Subs: Conor Walsh for S Barron, 54 mins.

Referee - Eoin Maher.