Kilkenny SHL- O’Loughlin’s cruise past wasteful Clara

O’Loughlin Gaels put themselves very much in the mix to qualify for a quarter-final spot in the championship with their third win from their four matches against Clara on Saturday afternoon.

A lot of the O’Loughlin Gaels damage came from their two corner-forwards Owen Wall and Sean Bolger who scored nine points from play between them, while the highly prolific Mark Bergin kept the scoreboard ticking over with 12 points himself.

Played in front of a packed attendance on a glorious summer September afternoon in Gowran last Saturday lunchtime, the city men were always in control on he scoreboard against their near neighbours.

By the 16th minute, O’Loughlin Gaels led 0-12 to 0-6 with Sean Bolger on fire with 0-4, while also on target during that opening quarter blitz were Owen Wall with a great effort, Eoin O’Shea who blazed over with the goal at his mercy, the hard-working Cian Loy, Jack Nolan, Jordan Molloy, while Mark Bergin pointed three frees.

They stretched the lead further coming towards half-time (0-15 to 0-7) with further points from two Mark Bergin frees and another from play by the always dangerous Owen Wall.

Clara who shot 12 wides in contrast to just a solitary wide for their opponents throughout the opening-half, finished the half strongly with points from two Dara Glynn frees and one from John Murphy.

Dara Glynn pointed four times from frees throughout the opening half, while along with John Murphy, Matt Kenny, Chris Bolger, Liam Ryan, Martin O’Connell and Paul Cody were also on target for the Clara men during the opening-half.

Mark Bergin pointed magnificently from the sideline at the start of second half to stretch the lead further (0-16 to 0-10), before Clara halved the advantage with points in quick succession from Conor O’Shea, Dara Glynn and Paul Cody.

By about the midway point of the second half , the O’Loughlin’s men built up a 0-23 to 0-16 lead with the outstanding Owen Wall(2), Mark Bergin (2 frees), Cian Loy, Jamie Ryan and Paddy Deegan putting them in control.

They remained in control afterwards with Mark Bergin keeping the scoreboard ticking over from play and frees, while Paddy Butler and Owen Wall added further points.

Clara grabbed a consolation goal from Chris Bolger in the 55th minute with Dara Glynn, Paul Cody and Jack Langton adding points to their account, but O’Loughlin Gaels held firm.

Teams and Scorers

O’Loughlin Gaels: Mark Bergin (0-12, 0-8 frees, 0-1 sideline and 0-1 ‘65), Owen Wall (0-5), Sean Bolger (0-4), Cian Loy (0-2), Jack Nolan; Jamie Ryan; Paddy Butler; Jordan Molloy; Paddy Deegan ; Eoin O’Shea (0-1 each)

Clara: Dara Glynn (0-6, 0-5 frees), Chris Bolger (1-1), Paul Cody (0-3), Liam Ryan; John Murphy (0-2 each), Matt Kenny; Martin O’Connell; Jack Langton; David Langton; Conor O’Shea (0-1 each)

O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor, Ronan Buckley; David Fogarty, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Jamie Ryan; Eoin O’Shea, Mark Bergin, Cian Loy; Owen Wall, Paddy Butler, Sean Bolger.

Subs: Mikey Butler, Oisin Murphy.

Clara: Kevin Nolan; Conor Cody, Jack Langton, Paddy Ryan; Matt Kenny, Shane Staunton, David Langton; Paul Cody, Conor O’Shea; Martin O’Connell, Dara Glynn, John Murphy; Liam Ryan, Peter Nolan, Chris Bolger.

Subs: Sean O’Shea, Tom Ryan.

Referee: John Kennedy