Advertisement
It's A Family Affair

The Hogan brothers - Kilkenny senior winning captains with different clubs two years in a row

Brian and Keith Hogan have both savoured glory with O’Loughlin Gaels and Clara.

pjimage Brian Hogan (2016) and Keith Hogan (2015) are recent Kilkenny county winning captains

FOR THE SECOND successive year on Sunday, it was a member of the Hogan family who was lifting the cup after the Kilkenny senior hurling final.

The novelty lay in the fact that they both play for different clubs.

On Sunday, Brian Hogan was savouring leading O’Loughlin Gaels to glory a year after his brother Keith had done the same for Clara.

Sunday’s victory sparked celebrations for the multiple Kilkenny All-Ireland winner, in stark contrast to the dejection at losing the decider a year previously.

“Last year was a bit of an awkward situation,” admitted Hogan, when speaking to TG4′s GAA BEO after the game.

“I’m just after coming from having a few words with my brother. He’s delighted for me. Look I was delighted for him last year.

“Obviously there was huge disappointment at losing on a personal level. It was a complicated situation. Thankfully we don’t have that situation this year. It’s a fantastic moment.”

Keith and Brian Hogan in opposition in the 2015 Kilkenny county final Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Keith Hogan embraces his brother Brian Hogan at the end of the game Brian and Keith Hogan embrace after the 2015 Kilkenny county final

The background to how the brothers ended up playing for different clubs stems from when Brian was born, the Hogan family lived in Kilkenny city and he played for the local O’Loughlin Gaels club.

The family then moved to Clara, just outside Kilkenny city, before Keith was born.

Brian continued to play for O’Loughlin Gaels as he stayed going to St John’s NS in Kilkenny city. Keith attended primary school in Clara and that then became his club.

A 2016 county final face-off was prevented when Clara lost out at the semi-final stage this year to Ballyhale Shamrocks, who then lost out 0-19 to 1-12 against O’Loughlin Gaels on Sunday.

Brian Hogan celebrates with his son Jack Brian Hogan with his son Jack after Sunday's game James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The success marked O’Loughlin Gaels fourth Kilkenny senior hurling crown with Brian Hogan a constant feature in all of those wins – 2001, 2003, 2010 and 2016.

The target now will be to emulate their achievement in 2003 and 2010 by progressing to win in Leinster. A semi-final against Offaly’s St Rynagh’s or Wexford’s Oulart-the-Ballagh awaits on 20 November.

“The first in the club’s history (was) in 2001, I was on the team and it’s a memory that stuck with me forever.

“The guys up there, it sounds a bit cheesy, but they’re my brothers in terms of growing up hurling with them and training with them every second night.

Henry Shefflin congratulates Brian Hogan Henry Shefflin congratulates Brian Hogan after Sunday's game James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“It’s just fantastic to go back up to the club now and meet the people you’ve grown up hurling with, coached you and everything.

“To be at the top of Kilkenny hurling, it’s so difficult. To have got there is just a great feeling.”

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!

Two Munster senior winners not in Limerick 2017 hurling squad as attacker recalled

‘I can’t say how much this means, it’s unreal’ – Brian Hogan reflects on winning Kilkenny title

Your Voice
Readers Comments
14
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.