On a chilly start to proceedings across Kilkenny and Carlow today, let’s take a look at some of Thursday’s headlines coming across the KCLR sports desk.
Beginning with hurling and O’Loughlin Gaels will be hoping to advance to the Leinster Senior Club Championship final this Saturday. Brian Hogan’s side travel to Tullamore to take on Kilcormac Killoughey at half past 1 in Glenisk O’Connor Park. Speaking to KCLR ahead of that game, Hogan said that the quarter-final defeat of Mount Leinster Rangers allowed his side to put their county championship victory behind them and build some momentum coming into Saturday’s crunch clash.
You can hear that full interview on Friday’s edition of Scoreline from 6pm and we’ll also have full live commentary of the O’Loughlin’s game with thanks to Rapid Fire Safety and Security Services Limited.
In school action, St Kieran’s College are this year’s Leinster post-primary schools junior ‘A’ champion after a 3-21 to 1-16 defeat of CBS Kilkenny at UPMC Nowlan Park yesterday. While they needed extra time to settle things on the day, bragging rights in the city head back to the College Road this term. Carlow CBS were beaten in the south Leinster senior football B championship by Portlaoise CBS, that game finishing 4-13 to 1-13.
Today it’s the turn of the senior sides with CBS Kilkenny away to Good Counsel College in the Leinster Colleges senior A championship from 1pm while at the earlier time of 12.30pm Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown host Coláiste Eoin at Fenians GAA grounds.
Player of the Year voting
In camogie news, the voting is open for this years Camán Caint Player of the Year awards.
The individual player categories are open to public voting with Dicksboro, Rower Inistioge, John Lockes-Bennettsbridge and Graignamanagh all represented across senior, intermediate and junior grades. Voting remains open until Saturday night but if you want to hear who’s in the running for the Team of the Year awards, take a listen to the latest podcast below.
Athletics Awards
In athletics two names familiar to clubs in Carlow and Kilkenny were honoured at the National Athletics Awards in Dublin yesterday.
Adam Nolan of the St. Laurence O’Tooles club in Carlow was named Student Athlete of the Year while Mayo man and former Kilkenny City Harriers chairperson Matt Lynch was recognised with the Lifetime of Service to Athletics honour. Nolan set and broke his own Irish 110-metre-hurdles record over the summer to secure a place at the Under 20 European Championships.
Overall athlete of the year was split between two of the country’s current top stars, Ciara Mageean and Rhasidat Adeleke (Pron: Rasheeda Ada-lecky)
Women’s Rugby
It’s a case of Friday Night Lights for Tullow Rugby Club’s women’s team this week.
The Leinster League women’s division 1 side head into round 7 of the season tomorrow night with the visit of Trinity to Black Gates. Tullow head into the game one point off league leaders M-U Barnhall. Kick off is at 7.30pm.
Kilkenny Women meanwhile will face Edenderry on Sunday afternoon in Foulkstown, though victory this weekend won’t be enough to see them improve a fifth place in the Division 4 standings.
Kenny Out
The FAI confirmed last evening that the Stephen Kenny era for the Republic of Ireland is officially over.
A short statement released to media indicated Kenny’s contract will not be renewed and that “now is the right time for change ahead of friendly matches in March and June 2024”.
Thyestes tickets
Last one for this morning, in racing, early bird tickets for the annual Goffs Thyestes Day in Gowran Park have gone on sale. The race that stops a county returns to the Kilkenny track on Thursday January 25th. You’ll get all the details on GowranPark.ie.
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