Well-earned rest for Loughmore before Munster quest
Loughmore-Castleiney player-manager Shane Hennessy created his own piece of history on Sunday when his charges captured their sixteenth county senior football title by defeating holders Clonmel Commercials at FBD Semple Stadium.
By Michael Dundon
Not alone was he the manager of the team, he was also the goalkeeper, although injury prevented him from taking his place between the posts as Loughmore-Castleiney completed the magic double of winning the county senior hurling and football titles – a feat twice achieved previously by the club in 2013 and 2021.
Indeed, it was a memorable week for the Mid side as their premier junior footballers also won county honours by defeating neighbours JK Brackens on Saturday, Ciaran McCormack having the distinction of figuring in both finals while a number of the junior players were also senior panellists.
The manager injured a quad muscle in training prior to the county semi-final win over Moyle Rovers and was unable to play. He was hoping to be fit for the final, but it did not work out with his brother Joey deputising between the posts.
“I tried it out in training last week but felt it was not right,” he revealed.
“Joey did a good job against Moyle Rovers in the semi-final, so it was easy to make the decision not to play.”
Shane, who is also a selector on the club’s victorious senior hurling side, and who is joint county minor football manager, is one a number of Loughmore-Castleiney players who were involved in the club’s two previous county doubles.
“I would much prefer to be playing,” he said of his dual role.
“It’s easier to be playing. As a player you just get on with the game, but you have to take in everything as a manager but look, when you’re winning, you don’t think too much about those things.
“The first double was amazing, but this was even better.
“It’s such a great feeling to be involved with this club. I’m so proud to say I’m from Loughmore. We have an incredible group of players with a will to win that’s non-stop. We weren’t going to give an inch. We have proved in the last few weeks that we have it in the legs. We knew that if we can get down the finishing stretch ahead, we’d hold on and we did,” he added.
Next up for the club is their dual engagement in the Munster club championships – the hurlers awaiting the winners of the clash between the Waterford and Limerick champions on November 17th, while the footballers will take on the winners of the Clare v Limerick champions a week later.
But before all that, a week’s rest – a rare luxury for a squad of players who have had only two rest weekends since their club campaign began on the last weekend in June.
“We’re going to take this week off to give the players a rest and a chance to celebrate what they have achieved,” he revealed.
“We have been on the go week and after week between hurling and football and it’s been great, but we promised the players a free week this week and we’ll get back down to business again next week to get ready for the Munster championships.”