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Anthony Daly (left) and Davy Fitzgerald have been heavily involved in the promotion of Limerick hurlers. Morgan Treacy/INPHO
crossing the divide

6 Clare stalwarts who have left their mark on Limerick hurling

These Clare heroes have had a part to play in Limerick hurling glory.

1. Anthony Daly

Eyebrows were raised last December when Clare’s 1995 and 1997 All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Daly was confirmed as new Head Coach of Limerick GAA’s underage hurling Academy.

Daly also came on board as coach with Shannonside minor hurling boss Leo O’Connor and while Limerick lost to Cork in their Munster championship opener, a playoff victory over Waterford has set up a repeat meeting with the young Rebels on 1 July.

Daly was at his passionate best on the touchline as Limerick came from six points down to set up a last four clash with the Leesiders.

And having served stints in charge of Clare and Dublin senior teams, Daly could accept a much bigger role with Limerick in the years to come.

Daly has also worked with Freshers teams at Limerick IT.

Anthony Daly Anthony Daly is Limerick's current minor hurling team coach. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

2. Ger O’Loughlin

Daly’s Clarecastle sidekick Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin has also been heavily involved in Limerick hurling in recent years.

O’Loughlin guided Adare to a hat-trick of Limerick SHC titles from 2007-2009 before taking the Clare senior job.

He returned to Adare in 2012 and brought the club to another county final, where they lost to Kilmallock.

O’Loughlin left for Cork outfit Newtownshandrum but was back in Limerick last year with devastating effect.

Under his tutelage, 2015 All-Ireland club finalists Kilmallock sprung a surprise by defeating Na Piarsaigh in the Limerick decider, before O’Loughlin masterminded a first Munster club crown in 20 years.

Ger O'Loughlin Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin brought Kilmallock to an All-Ireland club final in March. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

3. Tony Considine

Considine formed one-third of the Clare management team that inspired All-Ireland SHC glory in 1995 and 1997, working alongside Ger Loughnane and Mike McNamara.

But the man who went on to become Clare boss in his own right has also left his mark across the border in Limerick.

Considine was coach when Garryspillane won their one and only county senior hurling title in 2005, when current Limerick star James Ryan scored two points as an 18-year-old.

Considine followed that up with two county titles in four years at the helm in Kilmallock, where his good work was continued by O’Loughlin.

Considine has also been linked with the Limerick senior post in the past.

Tony Considine Ê Former Clare selector and manager Tony Considine has won county titles with two Limerick clubs. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

4. Davy Fitzgerald

As coach of Limerick IT’s Fitzgibbon Cup team for over a decade, current Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald has helped to oversee the development of a number of Shannonside stars.

Paudie O’Brien, Gavin O’Mahoney, Paul Browne, Seanie O’Brien and Richie McCarthy have all played for LIT and will start against Fitzgerald’s Banner County in Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final.

Limerick sub-goalkeeper Aaron Murphy and championship debutant O’Brien were key figures on Fitzgerald’s 2015 Fitzgibbon Cup team, while two other subs on Sunday, Wayne McNamara and Seanie Tobin, are also LIT graduates.

Former Limerick defender Damien Reale also played for LIT and Dublin export Maurice O’Brien won a Fitzgibbon Cup medal in 2007 when O’Mahony was also a member of the panel.

David Reidy impressed during the 2015 Fitzgibbon Cup for LIT and is expected to start for Clare against Limerick.

Davy Fitzgerald talks to his team after the game Davy Fitzgerald addresses his LIT players after victory over local rivals UL in 2014. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

5. Brian Lohan

During his time as a student at University of Limerick, Clare’s 1995 and 1997 All-Ireland winning full-back Lohan was a renowned Fitzgibbon Cup hurler.

In 1994, he captained UL to glory in the final against Waterford RTC and his performances throughout that campaign earned Lohan the player of the tournament award.

The Wolfe Tones colossus was shortlisted for the Fitzgibbon Cup Team of the Century in 2012.

After a spell working alongside former Limerick forward Gary Kirby with Patrickswell, Lohan returned to his third-level roots in 2012 when he took charge of the UL Fitzgibbon Cup team.

And he led a side including current Clare stars Tony Kelly, David McInerney and Jack Browne to a first Fitzgibbon Cup success since 2011 with a replay victory over Waterford IT in March.

Brian Lohan Brian Lohan won Fitzgibbon Cup medals for University of Limerick as player and manager. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

6. Sean Stack

Clare great Stack has always held a natural affinity with Limerick, as his mother hailed from Glin in the northwest of the county.

The two-time National Hurling League winner lined out against Limerick in the 1981 Munster final but Stack’s greatest legacy to Limerick hurling was his time in charge of Na Piarsaigh.

In five years, Stack masterminded two county senior hurling championship wins and on both occasions, they went on to win Munster titles, in 2011 and 2013.

Stack worked wonders with the Caherdavin club as his first year involved saw Na Piarsaigh lose the 2009 county final to Adare by a whopping 17 points.

Stack’s Na Piarsaigh were beaten in two All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals but he helped to hone the skills of rising young stars Shane Dowling, Ronan Lynch and Kevin Downes, as well as established intercounty player David Breen during his time there.

Sean Stack Former Clare centre back Sean Stack enjoyed great success with Limerick club side Na Piarsaigh. Meabh Horan / INPHO Meabh Horan / INPHO / INPHO

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