Tag Archives: Sparrow O’Loughlin

Most GAA clubs feature families who have been involved as players or administrators for generations. Cratloe have some of that type of influence but most of their active GAA families are not originally from the parish. Cratloe native and former Kilmallock senior hurling manager, Tony Considine feels this is in fact a huge advantage to Cratloe and adds freshness to the club. Generational baggage handed down is not a factor. “Management-wise everyone they have is inside but remember they’re not from Cratloe. Maybe if there was an insider, they mightn’t be as successful. Somebody didn’t buy the right pig from a fella or stole his hen,” Considine suggested. “In a club where someone local is involved, everyone knows you and, more importantly, they know everyone belonging to you. Your great uncle might have hit a slap at some fella in a pub or told him he was useless years ago. That’s the same everywhere. “I think this is why Cratloe …

HAVING spent the past year coaching Cork side Newtownshandrum, Ger ‘Sparrow’ 0’Loughlin is on the move once more, this time to take charge of the Kilmallock senior hurlers. The former Clare manager replaces another former Banner boss, Tony Considine at the helm in Kilmallock. During his tenure with The Balbec, Considine guided them to two senior county titles. Considine vacated the Kilmallock hot seat this year after four years in charge and his services were quickly snapped up. For 2014 he will manage Galway club side Turloughmore. Clarecastle clubman O’Loughlin is no stranger to the club scene in Limerick, having worked with Adare previously. He won a hat-trick of titles from 2007 to 2009 with Adare and also brought them to the 2012 county decider, a final they lost to Kilmallock.