“Happy to be called up to the Irish U-19s for the Euro qualifiers,” – Shane McLoughlin.
The simple, one-line, social media statement from Castleisland’s rising Soccer star, Shane McLaughlin said it all.
Those who knew him, from the time he first kicked a football on a field of play here, never doubted but that he’d make it all the way to the top of his chosen sport.
Earlier this year he signed a professional contract with Ipswich Town FC. They don’t hang about when it comes to signing talent. Shane had just netted a dozen top-class goals for his adopted club and his bosses went for the ink and parchment immediately.
Shane has won every award and honor Castleisland AFC club could have bestowed on him. Even on a trip home last April the club here made a presentation to him which marked his success strewn path to date.
His natural talent for always being in the right place and a no fuss execution of great goals are his trademarks.
Shane has been through the life-shaping experience of the Georgie O’Callaghan Schoolboys’ Academy – only Georgie wouldn’t put that fancy a name on it. However, for all intents and purposes that’s exactly what it is.
Reacting to the latest news, Georgie said that his protégé fully deserves the Irish U-19 call-up.
“He fully deserves the call-up as he doing very well with Ipswich Town. Even though he’s only just back after an injury, I never had any doubt about him making it onto the Irish team panel and you’ll hear a lot more from him. We’re all delighted for him,” said Georgie.
As a primary school pupil, Shane traveled to the UK on Georgie O’Callaghan’s annual trips to Manchester. These trips have been an annual feature of Castleisland schoolboy soccer in an unbroken sequence since 1973.
Admitting to a little home-sickness at the beginning of his cross-channel career, Shane said that the three years he has spent there has thought him a lot and he’s delighted with the club set up there now.
Former Republic of Ireland manager, Mick McCarthy is his boss in the UK and he gets on well with his team-mates. Several of these lads helped him to settle in at the club.
