Kilkenny SHC: 13-man O’Loughlin Gaels earn dramatic victory over rivals Dicksboro

A stoppage-time goal from Kerry’s Fionan Mackessy clinched the victory at the death.

Sun, 06 Oct, 2024 - 15:17

Robert Cribbin

A 13-man O’Loughlin Gaels side claimed a stunning victory over city rivals Dicksboro in a highly dramatic Kilkenny SHC quarter-final in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Second-half red cards to Mikey Butler for a high challenge on Shane Stapleton and team captain Mark Bergin for an off-the-ball incident with Ollie Walsh looked to have the defending champions in real trouble but a stoppage time goal from Kerry’s Fionan Mackessy saved the day as Brian Hogan’s side battled to a 2-17 to 0-20 success.

With Luke Hogan netting an opening minute goal and proving a real menace in attack, O’Loughlin’s appeared to be in full control as they led their near neighbours by two at the break (1-8 to 0-9).

The two red cards then arrived in the 39th and 42nd minutes and for the following ten minutes of play, Dicksboro gained control with Harry Shine leading the way with nine points in total.

The younger Dicksboro side who are managed by former Kilkenny player Michael Walsh and have current Cork selector Donal O’Rourke in their ranks looked primed to do a number on the champions but O’Loughlin’s refused to take no for an answer and they gradually ground their way back into proceedings with a ferocious finish.

Luke Hogan, Jordan Molloy and Paddy Deegan hit massive points to draw the sides on level terms going into what turned out to be four minutes of stoppage time.

Cillian Buckley who was playing as the sweeper in front of the O’Loughlins full forward line edged Dicksboro back in front with a point from his own half but the winners still wouldn’t go away.

Taking inspiration from Tipperary defeating ironically a Kilkenny team in this year’s minor decider, O’Loughlin’s struck for goal when Conor Heary offloaded to Fionan Mackessy who smelt blood and while an easy point was on, the attacker went for the jugular and he was rewarded when he fired a late goal to the end.

That wasn’t the end of Mackessy’s heroics as he then hit over the final free to bring his tally to 1-4 as his team claimed the unlikeliest of wins.

Earlier in the day Mullinavat secured their place in a senior semi-final for the first time since 2015 when they had eight points to spare in a 2-21 to 0-19 win over Erin’s Own.

A goal in each half from Brian Phelan proved to be the difference for the South Kilkenny outfit as they saw off a gallant Castlecomer side who had Kilkenny star Conor Fogarty score three points from play.

‘Comer were well in the game for long spells and it was only Phelan’s double act that kept the difference between the sides in a last eight meeting that never really caught fire.

The semi-final draw took place afterwards with O’Loughlin Gaels meeting Benenttsbridge and Thomastown facing Mullinavat with the games scheduled to take place next Sunday afternoon.