James Stephens Minor league champions 2023

EOIN EVERARD

It's gotten a bit confusing how we sometimes look at our health. When pain strikes the low back we usually think we just got a new problem or injury. But why then was coughing, shaving, or doing the laundry, so di erent this time? ese are things we do every day. Rarely is a new episode of low back pain brought on by a well-de ned injury or trauma. Trauma in most cases is usually quite trivial. We confuse pain as a signal for something that is physically changing each time.

So what is the problem?

e problem is joint sprain or subluxation. is is a ligament problem and occurs with small micro traumas over many years, or sometimes with acute events such as car accidents or falls. Over time the ligaments stretch, causing the joints and vertebrae to displace, irritating the delicate nerve bres. But over a few days or weeks, the pain that accompanies this injury gradually lessens, and in many cases goes away all on its own. But has the problem also gone away? Likely not, because when ligaments are traumatized, the repair mechanism involves scar tissue, which is less elastic than the original, and makes the joint vulnerable to re-injury and sometimes impairs the free and symmetrical motion of the spine.

Physiotherapists examine for this type of joint sprain using palpation for tenderness and oedema, and a G.P can also help con rm this by x-rays to see the directions the vertebrae have moved towards. ese speci c analyses can tell us the vulnerable directions and how the vertebrae need to be repositioned to promote good alignment and good posture. e adjustment is designed to reduce this misalignment, and induce more symmetric motion. When movements are asymmetrical in the spine, they can lead to premature degeneration of the spine and arthritis. is may be why a simple task such as lifting a laundry basket can are up the back so easily. You may be lifting with good form and posture but with an asymmetrical spine, the loading is very o balance. Sometimes the disks are so damaged that a simple sneeze is enough to cause excruciating pain. So when these trivial events seem to trip you up, it means there is an underlying problem that is not getting corrected.

Email everardpilates@gmail. com to get our free book Secrets to a Healthy Spine or for more information about back Pilates and availing of a free trial. Visit everardpilates.com/backfreetrial.

James Stephens are Minor A Hurling League Champions a er Beating Dunnamaggin Monday evening in Dunmore

Minors Draw

Clara minors completed their run of matches in the Roinn A minor league on Monday of last week when they held city club O’Loughlins to a draw in Clara. In a very spirited performance the Clara lads led for most of the contest but overall it has to be said that a draw was a fair result. O Loughlins were first out of the traps with an Eoin O Brien point but this was one of only two times that they led in the whole match. Conor Hoyne was soon on the mark and went on to give a flawless display of sharp shooting and free taking for the whole evening. He finished the game with a superb tally of 0-14, 0-9 of this in the first half. Dillon Cummins with a monstrous strike was the only other Clara scorer of the first half, and the hosts paused for hal ime 0-10 to 1-6 ahead. Ruairc Sweeney had scored the goal for the city side and it was to prove a very important score.

Conor Hoyne took up where he le o with two pointed frees at the start of the second half. The game was finely balanced all the way through and every score was vital.

Eoin Corr and Tommy Delaney chipped in with points and Dillon Cummins struck another peach from distance. The central defensive spine of Clara was hurling very well, namely Philip Carrigan and Hugh Kelly, as well as David Barcoe at midfield. But it took a great hand save from Conor Galvin to keep them in the hunt, while Philip Carrigan was fortunate not to concede a penalty.

O Loughlins scored two points in a row to take the lead for only the second time with 5 minutes remaining but Conor Hoyne hit one from play and one from a 65 to give Clara back the lead. An O Loughlins substitute equalised and the final whistle sounded, maybe prematurely according to some observers, but few could quibble with the result. As well as those mentioned John Bergin, Alex Firbank and Joe Power were prominent for the home team. Clara 0-19 O Loughlins 1-16.

Team - Conor Galvin, Tom Murphy, Philip Carrigan, John Bergin. Alex Firbank, Hugh Kelly, Daniel Ryan. Davy Barcoe, Dillon Cummins 0-2. Tommy Delaney 0-1, Conor Hoyne 0-15, 0-9f, 0-3 x 65, Joe Power. Padraic Meany, Eoin Corr 0-1, Bill Kealy.

U19s LOSE

The Clara U19s bowed out of this year’s championship to Barrow Rangers at the quarter final stage in Paulstown on when they lost by the bare minimum. In truth this was one they le behind them and they will rue many missed opportunities on the night but Barrow Rangers to their credit dug out a victory that didn’t look likely with 10 minutes to play.

Conor Hoyne scored the first point of the game as Clara opened into a strong wind. However a er Sean Carrigan pointed a er 18 minutes the Clara men were just 1-3 to 0-5 adri . Conor Hoyne had accounted for the other Clara scores through frees but the likes of Luke Lawlor and Hugh Kelly had carved out chances for Ned Langton, Harry Boyle and Tommy Delaney to run at the Ranger’s defence and draw frees. But then a lapse of concentration in defence allowed Barrow Rangers to score an unanswered 1-4 and the gap was all of 8 points. Joe Power was very unlucky for the first goal as his initial good save broke kindly to a second Paulstown attacker whose shot came o Joe and trickled over the line. The second goal was an unstoppable rasper a er a searing run by Noah Scully. The gap at hal ime was 2-8 to 0-6.

Sean Carrigan goaled a minute into the new half following a sustained bit of Clara pressure and when Conor Hoyne added two frees the gap was back to just a goal with barely 5 minutes gone. Barrow Rangers responded with three points of their own against a Conor Hoyne free and one from play by Harry Boyle. Davy Barcoe thundered into the game at this stage and with Philip Carrigan, Ben Crow and Cian Kelly driving Clara forward from behind, four points in a row were scored to tie the game with 10 minutes to play. Sean Carrigan pillaged three of these and substitute Eoin Corr bagged the other. It now looked like breeeze backed Clara had all the momentum and would kick for home. But Barrow Rangers hit back with two pointed frees and a 65 to go three clear again. Clara came again but two points from Conor Hoyne were separated by the dismissal of one of their players and the clock ran out on them. Alex McDonald early on, Zach Lawlor and Ben Murphy later on and sub John Bergin were others to catch the eye for Clara. The only comfort they could take here however was knowing that all of their squad are underage again next year.

Team - Joe Power, Alex McDonald, Zach Lawlor, Philip Carrigan, Cian Kelly, Ben Crow, Ben Murphy, Conor Hoyne 0-10, 0-8f, David Barcoe, Ned Langton, Harry Boyle 0-1, Luke Lawlor, Tommy Delaney, Sean Carrigan 1-4, Hugh Kelly. Subs used John Bergin, Eoin Corr 0-1. Also Alex Firbank, Dillon Cummins, Tom Murphy, Daniel Ryan, Bill Kealy.

LAST GASP WIN

The Clara Juniors had a terrific victory over Ballyhale Shamrocks in a top class Junior match in Clara on

Tuesday of last week. The sight of Henry She lin in the Ballyhale green made it a particularly exciting game for the players, especially the younger players. Some of those weren’t even born by the time Henry had bagged his third All Ireland senior medal!

A late Alex McDonald goal won it for Clara when he bravely batted a ball past Shamrocks goalie Mark Aylward. 1-14 to 0-15 was how it finished.

Team - Jason Barcoe, Jim Kehoe, James Dowling, Ben Crow. Peter Nolan 0-1, Tom Ryan 0-1, Harry Boyle. Killian Phelan 0-2, Conor Phelan. Luke Whelan, Joe Connolly 0-7, 0-5f, Cian Kelly 0-1. Sean Carrigan, Alan Coleman, Rory O Kee e 0-2. Subs used Alex McDonald 1-0, Noel Kehoe, Ben Murphy.

Then on Saturday night the Clara lads were sent crashing back to earth with a chastening 4-26 to 2-10 loss to Dicksboro in St. John’s Park. The Boro have probably as strong a panel as any side in the country at present and Clara were short a few of their better players who were needed for senior duty the following day. The di erence in class was soon evident and the Boro led 0-12 to 0-6 at hal ime, despite having played against the breeze. The goals started arriving in the second half and although Clara gamely scored two of their own, they were completely outgunned by the city team.

Team - Jason Barcoe, Jim Kehoe, James Dowling, Ben Crow, Zach Lawlor, Tom Ryan, Cian Kelly, Harry Boyle 0-1, Conor Phelan, Luke Whelan, Killian Phelan 1-6, 1-0 pen, 0-5f, Rory O Kee e 0-2, Sean Carrigan 0-1, Alan Coleman, Noel Kehoe. Subs used Ben Nolan, Adam Harding 0-1.

SENIORS WIN

Clara gained their first points of the Senior League/ Championship on Sunday in Bennettsbridge when they overcame Danesfort 0-23 to 0-13. They were helped in no small measure by a very wasteful Danesfort side that struck 17 wides, many of them bad misses. Nevertheless Clara had some very good performances here, unlike the previous round against Dicksboro, most notably from Shane Staunton and Paul Cody.

Liam Ryan was another who began very brightly and shot three fine points in the first 15 minutes. These helped Clara into a 0-9 to 0-7 hal ime lead, with David Langton and Martin O Connell also prominent. Danesfort began the second half with a spring in their step but were at their worst with their shooting at this juncture, and it was Clara that claimed the first 3 points through John Murphy, Chris Bolger and Paul Cody. Danesfort finally found the range and scored 5 of the next 7 points to reduce the deficit to two points. Clara’s two had come from the stick of John Murphy a er Paul Cody had struck the post with a goal e ort before cleverly crossing the rebound to John, and a terrific Shane Staunton e ort from distance. That was as good as it got for Danesfort however and Clara reeled o the next eight points in a row, 7 from play from Paul Cody (2), Chris Bolger (2), Matt Kenny, John Murphy and Martin O Connell, along with a di icult free from substitute Dara Glynn. James Mullally stopped the rot for Danesfort before Martin O Connell closed out the scoring with his second point of the day. Matt Kenny and Chris Bolger were much better in the second half and overall it was a satisfactory performance by Clara but they will know that they will have to bring much more to next week’s meeting with Tullaroan to gain any points there. See People Sport for full report.

Team - Kevin Nolan, Conor Cody, Jack Langton, Paddy Ryan. Matt Kenny 0-2, 0-1f, Shane Staunton 0-1, David Langton 0-1. Paul Cody 0-5, Liam Ryan 0-3. Conor O Shea, Martin O Connell 0-2, Peter Nolan. Chris Bolger 0-5, 0-2f, John Murphy 0-3, Joe Connolly. Subs used Dara Glynn 0-1f, Harry Boyle.

CLUB LOTTO

LOTTO: 8th August - No Winner, which means the Jackpot is on the rise - next week the Jackpot is €4450. Lucky Dip winners - €30 each to Ger Prendergast, Noreen Brennan, Matthew Campion, Barbara Farrell, Alva Hoyne. Bast of luck to all who support the Club and Parish Lotto.

CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of the week’s club lotto (Aug 8th). Numbers drawn were 3, 7, 17, 23 Bonus 11. Play again at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto

Promotors Draw 1. Pat Cody c/o Mary Cody. 2. Mags and Dinny c/o JJ Cullen. 3. Michael Kinchella c/o Eileen. 4. Sean Tyrrell. 5. Olywen Bergin you for your continued support

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

O’Loughlin Gaels 3-7 to 3-6 John Lockes

The u13 boys are Roinn A league champions a er a pulsating final against John Locke’s at Dunmore. The game was thrilling all the way through and with the final whistle looming and two points down the Gaels were awarded a late penalty. JJ Cahill stepped up and held his nerve to dispatch to the net and earn the win for the St. John’s outfit. Well done to a super bunch, two big pieces of silverware under their belts and championship around the corner. Hon the Lough’s. Sponsors, McCarthy’s Eurospar

TEAM NEWS

Senior Hurling league Rd. 2

Hard luck to the senior hurlers who were beaten by neighbours, Dicksboro on Friday evening at the Kells Rd. A good rattle but it wasn’t to be.

It was hard luck to our intermediates who were beaten at Gowran on Sunday evening in Rd 2 of the League/ championship.

Well done to the u14s O’Loughlins Camogie team that got their league/championship o to a flyer at St. John’s Park on Sunday evening.

Next weekend sees plenty of action with our Senior and Intermediate Hurlers competing in Round 3 of the championships while the Intermediate Camogie team commence their League Championship on Sunday. Fixtures are in the clubs social media

LEINSTER WINNERS

Well done to O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club players Aoife Dillon, Orlaith Donnelly and Ava Butler who were winners on Saturday with Kilkenny Camogie at the u15s Leinster Camogie Blitz. Lovely Hurling

FAMILY RACE NIGHT

Tickets are on sale for the club’s big fundraiser Family Race night. This is hugely important to help us complete our development goals. Our new floodlights are almost done and our next projects include a wall ball and astro turf area, dressing rooms and ancillary facilities. It needs a massive push by members, players and supporters to get these jobs done and help drive our young Gaels to be the greatest. Get your tickets through juvenile players and mentors, adult players and club administrators over the coming days.

FRESHFORD

TWINS SPECIAL BIRTHDAY

Special Birthday wishes go out to local man Eamon Ryan of Moate Freshford and his twin sister Deirdre who celebrated a very special 50th birthday last weekend. Eamon and Deirdre celebrated the occasion at a party with their family and friends in Kavanagh’s Bar on Saturday night last.

Special birthday wishes also go out to local girl Sinead Farrell, Kilkenny Street who celebrated her 21st birthday last weekend also. Sinead marked her coming of age at party in the family pub on Saturday night last.

HOME FROM AUSTRALIA

Home on holiday in their native Freshford at the moment are the Ra er brothers Declan and Derek. Derek was also celebrating his 50th birthday and was part of the joint party with his friends Eamon and Deirdre Ryan on Saturday night last.

GAA NEWS

St.Lachtains junior hurlers faced into the second round of championship action on Sunday a ernoon last when they took on Tullogher Rosbercon at Palmersstown. A er a good win against Cloneen in the opening round the game was close thoughout and Freshford were a point behind in the closing stages when Ally Ra er got a great point to draw the game. Tullogher however went ahead again but the local lads kept plugging away and got the all important equaliser to finish the game all square on a final score of Tullogher Rosbercon 1-14 St.Lachtains 17. Next up is their game against Piltown on Sunday next at 12 noon.

Team; D Brennan, S.Dawson, H Burke, C.Bergin, B. Quinn,L Kennedy, B.Kennedy, P.White, P Donnelly, L.Hickey, C.Dawson, A.Ra er, C.Hickey, P.Killeen, S.Donnelly

Congratulations to the U15 boys who won the Shield final in the Hurling Blitz in Ballinakill last weekend. The local lads defeated St.Martins in the final to take the Shield with the Maggie Walsh Cup been won by the Harps of Durrow.

At Pairc Lachtain on Sunday last Lisdowney beat The Fenians of Johnstown in the Intermediate game played in good weather conditions and pitch looking prestige.

SARSFIELD WINNERS

Congratulations to three Freshford men who were on the victorious Sarsfield hurling team who won the Perth hurling championship in Australia recently. Seamus Hayes and the Guinean brothers Eoin and Paul were part of the winning Sarsfields side who defeated Western Swans on a final scoreline of 2-27 to1-14. Seamus played at full back Paul was at wing forward while Eoin was full forward and Seamus was given the honour of been captain of the team.

FUNDING

Kilkenny Local Community Development Committee recently allocated a number of grants to the County. The Communities Support Fund is supported through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Enhancement Programme. Cllr. Michael McCarthy, a member of the LCDC, congratulated all involved for their voluntary community work. Success -