As we begin our build-up to Sunday’s All Ireland semi-final clash between Cushendall and O’Loughlin Gaels we look back at the Kilkenny champions clash with Antrim champions Loughgiel Shamrocks in 2011 semi-final at Parnell Park. Goals made the difference for the Gaels as they won by 3-10 to 0-10, all three goals coming in the second half. Loughiel had just ended a nightmare run of six defeats in a row in Antrim finals but they never lost their self belief and dissapointed as they were by losing to the Leinster champions they came back the following year to beat Na Pairsaig of Limerick in the semi-final before beating the Leinster champions Kilcormac Killoughy in the 2012 All Ireland final at Croke Park.
All Ireland Senior Club Hurling semi-final 2011
O’Loughlin Gaels 3-10 Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-10
Kilkenny champions O’Loughlin Gaels stormed through to the All-Ireland Club SHC final with a nine points win over Loughgiel at Parnell Park.
They have earned a reputation as a second half side, and once again, they came good when it mattered, squeezing the Antrim men out of the game.
Peter Dowling, Alan Geoghan and Danny Loughnane struck the second half goals that ended the dream of the Shamrocks, the only Ulster side ever to have won an All-Ireland title.
The Kilkenny men got off to a flying start with a handful of long range points from Mark Bergin and Maurice Nolan.
And they were denied a goal in the sixth minute when Bergin sent Danny Loughnane clear, but goalkeeper Damien ‘DD’ Quinn produced a stunning save.
Liam Watson’s neat strike was Loughgiel’s only score of the opening 10 minutes, and the Antrim star struck for goal from a 20 metre free, apparently against the instructions of manager PJ O’Mullan, only to see his effort kept out.
While Nolan and Peter Dowling gave the Leinster champions the edge at midfield, they failed to turn territorial advantage into scores, and found themselves leading by just two points after 20 minutes.
And they were denied a goal for a second time when Barney McAuley timed his tackle perfectly on Brian Dowling.
Gaels hadn’t scored for 17 minutes when Dowling swung over a 22nd minute point, but that score was cancelled out within seconds by Eddie McCloskey, before Watson narrowed to a point from a free.
A late burst saw Bergin and Nolan tag on point to send Gaels in with a 0-06 to 0-03 interval lead, and they tightened their grip with quickfire scores from Niall McEvoy (2) and Loughnane immediately after the restart.
However, that was only after Brendan McCarry had a golden goal chance at the other end, but goalkeeper Stephen Murray’s slight touch proved decisive.
As Brian Hogan became more influential at the heart of the Gaels defence, Loughgiel’s attacking momentum dipped, and the Kilkenny men struck a decisive blow in the 41st minute when Peter Dowling grabbed a goal, netting at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked down by Neill McGarry.
Loughgiel responded with a volley of scores, including a long range free from corner back Barney McAuley, but their challenge was dead in the water when Danny Loughnane grabbed a second goal from close range after the Shamrocks defence had failed to clear a booming delivery from goalkeeper Stephen Murphy.
Gaels went through to the 17 March showpiece in some style when Alan Geoghegan drilled home a third goal five minutes from the end.
O’ Loughlin Gaels: S Murphy, B Kelly, B Murphy, E Kearns, A O’Brien, B Hogan, N Bergin, P Dowling (1-00), M Nolan (0-02), N McEvoy (0-02), M Bergin (0-03, 1f), A Geoghegan (1-00), B Dowling (0-01), M Comerford (0-01), D Loughnane (1-01).
Subs: S Cummins for Dowling, C Bergin for Geoghegan, E Grant for B Murphy
Loughgiel: D Quinn, P Gillan, N McGarry, B McAuley (0-2, 1f), M McFadden, Johnny Campbell, M Scullion, D Laverty, L McKillop, E McCloskey (0-2), James Campbell, A McCloskey, B McGarry (0-01), J Scullion (0-01), L Watson (0-03, 2f).
