Former KDYS /Garda League Captain Shane Signs Ipswich Town Contract

Shane McLoughlin signing the Ipswich Town contract this week.
Shane McLoughlin signing the Ipswich Town contract this week.

As the KDYS / Garda Soccer Town League is about to kick-off at Limerick Road this Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm, comes the great news that a former league winning captain and player has just signed a professional contract with a cross-channel club.

Ipswich Town FC signed six of their most promising young players to professional contracts at Portman Road earlier this week.

Castleisland FC youth player, Shane McLoughlin was one of the six. People watching his career from here are not in the least surprised.

With Mick McCarthy

Shane has been under the management of former Ireland player and manager Mick McCarthy at Ipswich Town now for some time.

Shane as captain of the Desmonds Avenue U-10 soccer team which emerged as the 2007 Garda / KDYS Soccer League Champions at Limerick Road. Included are: Geraldine O'Sullivan, KDYS; Brian Leonard, Ben Cooney, Shane McLoughlin, Captain; Kevin Neligan and Sgt. John O'Mahony, competition founder. Back from left: Charlie Cooney, Kevin Keane, Síle Kerley, Coach; Matthew Browne and Aaron Nolan.  ©Photograph: John Reidy  29/06/2007
Shane as captain of the Desmonds Avenue U-10 soccer team which emerged as the 2007 Garda / KDYS Soccer League Champions at Limerick Road. Included are: Geraldine O’Sullivan, KDYS; Brian Leonard, Ben Cooney, Shane McLoughlin, Captain; Kevin Neligan and Sgt. John O’Mahony, competition founder. Back from left: Charlie Cooney, Kevin Keane, Síle Kerley, Coach; Matthew Browne and Aaron Nolan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 29/06/2007

The deal he has signed will keep him at Portman Road for the next year with an option of another 12 month stay.

It all seems like just a few weeks ago since the now rising star of cross-channel football played in the Garda Town League as a child.

His delighted, first coach and friend, Georgie O’Callaghan was over the moon with the latest developments.

He recalled telling people of the talent he had on his hands soon after Shane took his first assured and determined steps on the ladder he’s now steadily climbing.

Something Special

“You could see that he was something special. He was smaller than most of the lads he came up against – but that never stopped him getting stuck in and getting the better of them.

“He’s the one lad you could depend on to pull a goal out of somewhere when we were in trouble and you’d be often left wondering how he did it.

“His gear and his attention to training was always spot on. Anyone who saw him playing as a schoolboy won’t be a bit surprised that he was signed up by Ipswich Town,” said Georgie.

Georgie also confirmed that Shane is part of the Ipswich Town squad which travelled to Dublin this week to prepare for a pre-season friendly against Shelbourne FC on Saturday afternoon.

Back to the KDYS / Garda League:

“All the primary School games will be played off on Wednesday evening and the U-15 and U-18 games on Thursday night. Games will go on from 6pm to 8pm on both evenings and finals on both evenings will be held as close as possible to 7-30pm.,” according to co-organiser, Helena Falvey, KDYS.