Oatlands Capture Leinster Crown!

Oatlands College annexed a further Leinster title by being crowned Leinster Schools Senior Hurling Champions 2008 with a hugely impressive victory over Kilkenny’s Grennan/Duiske at the Eire Og grounds in Carlow on April 2^nd last.

In a hotly contested final between both sides which ended with a tally of 1-12 to 0-11 in favour of the Dublin champions, it was the Oatlands fighting spirit and desire to win that proved to be the difference between the teams in the end.

 Throughout a nip/tuck first half that saw both teams exchange score after score, Oatlands trailed at the interval 0-8 to 0-7 despite an impressive display.

 The second half proved to be a different story and Oatlands stormed to a historic victory spurred on by the defensive prowess of Rory O Carroll and Robert O’ Loughlin combined with the clinical offensive play of forwards Kevin O’Loughlin and Oisin Power.

 Indeed, it was Kevin O Loughlin’s conversion of a 47^th minute penalty, won by the industrious Nick Devereux, which was the undoubted turning point of the game.

 Kian Jennings and Conor Caulfield added a brace of points each to take the advantage beyond the competitive Kilkenny outfit.

 With huge support from Oatlands students and parents, it was a truly memorable day for the College. Huge thanks must go to teachers and mentors Tom O’Dwyer and Peter Beirne for all their hard work with the senior team. Congratulations to all concerned.

 Oatlands College: Jack Doughan, James O’Keefe, David Kearns, Bill O’Carroll, Robert O’Loughlin (0-1), Barry Mulligan, Conor Caulfield (0-2), Kevin O’Loughlin (1-6), David Higgins, Nick Devereux, Kian Jennings (0-2), Rory O’Carroll, Oisin Power (0-1), Darren Lawlor.