Former Republic of Ireland player and later manager, Mick McCarthy has given Castleisland native, Shane McLoughlin a huge careen boost by bringing him into the Ipswich Town FA Cup squad. McCarthy, now the Ipswich Town manager, called the highly talented and honoured McLoughlin on to the bench for the club’s game against Portsmouth earlier this week.
A graduate of the Georgie O’Callaghan schoolboys system in Castleisland, Shane is one of the most prolific scorers to grace the game locally and obviously he has continued in that vein since his move cross-channel.
FA Cup Playing Time
Being named on the bench by a manager of McCarthy’s calibre and being within a shout of getting vital FA Cup playing time is seen as the next in the series of big steps for the 18 year old Shane. He is also being spoken of as near-future international level material.
He is considered as one of the most exciting and promising youth talents in the club and has shone throughout the season for the U-21 team in spite of a period of injury. He got a call-up to the Irish U-19 team last November for the Euro qualifiers but injury would rule him out of that later.
Fully Deserved Call-Up
His former Castleisland schoolboys’ coach, Georgie O’Callaghan is following Shane’s progress keenly and they meet up when he’s home on a break.
“He fully deserves the call-up as he’s doing very well with Ipswich Town. I told you before that you’ll hear a lot more about him. We’re all delighted for him,” said Georgie.
Castleisland AFC made a presentation to Shane to mark his achievements in the game during one of his trips home last April. By the looks of it now it will be an event they’re likely to repeat in the not too distant future.
