GER ‘SPARROW’ O’LOUGHLIN has revealed he was ‘thrilled’ to have the chance to bring on ex-Limerick senior Andrew O’Shaughnessy during Kilmallock’s AIB All-Ireland semi-final club win last Sunday.
O’Shaughnessy was brought on towards the end of the victory over Portaferry and his introduction prompted huge cheers from the Kilmallock support.
In 2009 O’Shaughnessy was diagnosed with MS. A supremely talented hurler, he lit up the underage grades as he won Harty and Croke Cups with St Colman’s (Fermoy), as well as an All-Ireland U21 title with Limerick in 2002. O’Shaughnessy played for Limerick in the 2007 All-Ireland senior final and was awarded an Allstar at the end of that season.
He didn’t feature during Kilmallock’s Munster club winning campaign last November but O’Loughlin has heaped praise on his attitude.
“Andrew has been working really hard in training. He’s a great guy to have around the place. I was thrilled to give him a run last Saturday, he’s a fantastic guy. He’d played beforehand in a couple of challenge matches and is still a really capable hurler.
“I remember my days managing Adare, we always knew he was the one fella we had to watch really closely when playing Kilmallock. He still has that fantastic attitude to training and all the lads love to have him around.
“He’s certainly still very much involved with us. Who’s to say what’s ahead? I just know every one from Kilmallock in Mullingar on Saturday was thrilled to see him playing.”
Kilmallock will have Gavin O’Mahony – suspended last Saturday – back available for the final but O’Loughlin is keen to stress the scale of the challenge ahead of them.
“Quite a lot of our lads wouldn’t have played in Croke Park where Ballyhale have been up there on many occasions, they’re well used to it. We’re going to have homework done and we know we need to improve.
“This is the ultimate one, playing a team like Ballyhale in the All-Ireland final. There’s great excitement around and everyone’s looking forward to it.”
