*Fergie O’Loughlin and John Casey on the sideline for Clarecastle. Photograph: Chris Copley
CLARECASTLE’S FERGIE O’Loughlin is to take over as the manager of the Doon senior hurlers.
The Clare Echo has learned that Fergie is to return to the East Limerick club for the second time, having agreed to take charge following the exits of Tadhg Hayes and Jimmy Quilty.
Hayes was in his second year as manager with Quilty his coach for both seasons.
For O’Loughlin it will be the second year in a row that he is involved with a club competing in the Limerick senior hurling championship. He was coach of the Ballybrown senior hurlers in 2022 and they were the only Limerick club in league or championship to defeat seven-time champions Na Piarsaigh.
Harry Gleeson continues as manager of Ballybrown this season but they are coached by ex Tipperary hurler Shane McGrath.
Fergie was part of the Waterford senior hurling backroom team this year and Déise boss, Davy Fitzgerald is likely to take a handful of sessions during the summer. Other Clare personnel are expected to be part of the new-look Doon set-up.
In 2021, O’Loughlin was in his second stint with Clooney/Quin, having coached them to reach the Clare SHC final in 2017.
With his native Clarecastle, he was coach when they won the 2003 Clare SHC and when they reached the last four in 2014.
A former referee, he has also been involved with the Kerry senior hurlers, Kilmoyley, Ballyea, LIT and Bruff.
Beaten county finalists in 2018 and 2020 where Na Piarsaigh prevailed on both occasions, Doon reached the Limerick SHC semi-finals last year where they exited at the hands of Kilmallock.
Limerick midfielder, Darragh O’Donovan, rising star forward Adam English, defender Richie English and three-time All-Ireland winner Pat Ryan are among the high-profile players that will be lining out for Doon this season.
Success in the Limerick SHC has previously been achieved by Fergie’s brother, Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin who has four championship titles to his name as a manager in the championship after achieving success with Adare and Kilmallock.
