Hogan: Fitness and composure getting Gaels out of tight corners

Brian Hogan did his best to explain how the Kilkenny champions keep winning close games.

17 December 2023; O'Loughlin Gaels manager Brian Hogan and his daughter Rachel, age six, celebrate after their side's victory in the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Club Championship semi-final match between O'Loughiln Gaels, Kilkenny, and Ruairí Óg Cushendall, Antrim, at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Meath. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

A dozen years after coming up short as a player with O'Loughlin Gaels in the 2011 All-Ireland club SHC final, Brian Hogan is preparing for another final now as manager.

That's not something we expected to be saying this year because at the start of the season, the new management had a job of work to do just to make the group competitive within Kilkenny.