This Sunday, O’Loughlin Gaels will take on Thomastown in the St. Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship Final.
The game promises to be a thrilling contest, and fans can catch all the action live on KCLR, with thanks to Eugene Foley Construction.
Despite the historic nature of the encounter, O’Loughlin Gaels manager Brian Hogan doesn’t believe the lack of prior senior meetings between the two sides will influence the outcome. Speaking to KCLR, Hogan said:
“I don’t think it has any major bearing. I know as a club, Thomastown and ourselves wouldn’t have faced each other [at senior level]. We obviously would have played them with our Intermediate Team last year. But no, I don’t think it has any bearing. I mean, all the sides in Kilkenny know each other pretty well anyway… The Kilkenny lads all know each other as well, so I don’t think it has any major bearing as such.”
O’Loughlin Gaels enter the final as defending champions, coming off a gritty 1-point win against Dicksboro in the quarterfinals, despite having two players sent off. Hogan credits that hard-fought victory as a major morale boost for his team. They followed it up with a 6-point win over Bennetsbridge in the semifinals to secure their spot in the final.
Reflecting on the Dicksboro match, Hogan praised his players for their resilience:
“They backed themselves… even with two less men to their credit. It wasn’t a perfect match by any stretch of the imagination in terms of hurling, but you have to take it in the context of the game itself, and it was a fantastic performance. When you’re coming back into training, there’s a pep in their step, they were bouncing.”
With confidence running high, O’Loughlin Gaels now turn their attention to Thomastown, who will be seeking to make history by winning their first senior title since 1946. In fact, this is only the fourth time Thomastown has reached the senior final stage, with none occurring this century after their last appearance came in 1988. Meanwhile, O’Loughlin Gaels are one of the most successful Kilkenny clubs of the new millennium, having captured the title five times since their first in 2001.
For a deeper dive into the upcoming showdown, check out the KCLR Hurling Podcast, where you’ll find a comprehensive preview of Sunday’s Senior Hurling Final.
