Loughmore-Castleiney manager Shane Hennessy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
The Loughmore-Castleiney story continues with trademark passion and purpose.
It has been another rewarding year filled with matches, memories, and a couple of senior county titles.
Sunday’s AIB Munster Club SFC decider against Dr Crokes in Mallow is the next assignment for Shane Hennessy’s charges. Preparing for matches in the last month of the year is always a good place to be for any GAA team. “It is,” Hennessy replies.
“Would you believe we were actually training last December too for the mid football championship, it dragged on, and it actually hasn't been played this year.
“It was played on December 18 last year so we have a bit of experience, but this is a different experience altogether, preparing for a Munster final, the club's first in 51 years, a second one ever. Hopefully, on Sunday, it will be our first ever victory in a Munster club football final.”
UCC defeated Loughmore-Castleiney 2-8 to 1-5 back in 1973, and there is a proud footballing tradition in the Tipperary club. “Everyone loves it,” Hennessy says.
“We all went to the local primary school, we all played hurling and football from day one. Loughmore is traditionally a football club, way back in the 40s and 50s.
“My grandfather won a county football final with Loughmore in 1955. You've lots of relatives of the squad that would've been involved over the years with Loughmore football teams. So, there is a big tradition of football.
“We're probably more renowned as a hurling team at the moment, people might know us more for that now. Traditionally we've won more football county titles, and we'd have been known as a football club.”
Throughout the Tipperary championship in both codes, Loughmore were used to a busy schedule. Right now, though, the focus is firmly on football. “There is no secret to it, we give a bit more time to hurling within our club, so, having a bit of extra time to play football is only going to benefit us even more,” Hennessy remarks.
Loughmore-Castleiney's Brian McGrath celebrates after scoring a goal against Éire Óg at Cusack Park. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
“We get that extra kicking, that extra bit of tactical work that we can do. Earlier, on the week of football championship we'd have had one big session and one small session to work on certain elements, and we'd have to pick the main bits and pieces. To go into the nitty gritty and the detailed stuff, we've a bit more time, now, which is great.”
For Loughmore-Castleiney maximising the resources available is key. The panel is close, everybody matters, and people in the club relish that aspect. “Everyone within the squad are friends,” Hennessy acknowledges.
“I don't know if you know the phrase Richie McCaw used with the All-Blacks, what they said they didn't want a dressing room, we often refer to that. There is none of that within our dressing room, and we're tight-knit. We do know we're from a small place and that numbers are tight.”
Hennessy vividly recalls matches in the juvenile ranks. “I remember playing U16 matches when we had five girls playing on the team, just so that we could make up a team,” he adds.
“Girls weren't supposed to be playing U16, but they made a dispensation for us, just to allow us to play. We know we've a great spirit within the club, but you can't just rely on that, you've to work, too.
“There is an element of everyone will work hard, if you see the likes of the Noels and Johns (McGraths), how hard they work, if they're going to work that hard when they're naturally so talented, the next man is going to have to step up, and work just as hard to be able to play alongside them.”
Hennessy is certainly contributing to the Loughmore-Castleiney and Tipperary cause. Gaelic games are always on the agenda. As the Tipperary minor football boss, there is always something to do.
Planning and plotting is part of the process with the hectic schedule. “I'm the Tipp minor manager, selector with the hurling (Loughmore-Castleiney), I'm not at the Tipp minors as much at the moment, we had a new baby at home, born between the two county finals,” he says.
“I need to be at home too, but in fairness the lads with Tipp are understanding. Three of the boys are actually with me with Loughmore, three of them are involved with the Loughmore football group.
“We're good friends and they understand my situation at home, they're helping out as best they can. It is a busy time, but it is great to be busy and be involved in such a unique occasion for us.”
Noel McGrath remains an influential figure for Loughmore-Castleiney. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Potential exists in Tipperary football. Hennessy is adamant that a new crop of footballers are emerging in the county. “Tipp won the Munster in 2020 and maybe we didn't kick on as we should have,” he says.
“There is talent. I've been involved for the last four years with the Tipp minor footballers, there is some seriously talented footballers coming up. I'd say the 2025 U20 team, they have an amazing chance of success because of the talent pool that I've seen go through the minor ranks.
"They've got a great pick from the last few years to pick from. Commercials were Munster football champions in 2015, they're a serious outfit.
“We were able to gave over them this year, and we knew if we beat a team like Commercials that we had something about us. That we weren't just going to be happy with that this year, we wanted to push on, to test ourselves in Munster.”
Representing Tipperary in the provincial series was another challenge. “The word you used, challenge, the group that we have, they really embrace challenges,” Hennessy replies.
“If you take, for example, the hurling semi-final, we went in against (Thurles) Sarsfields, we were a point up, and we were facing into an absolute gale in the second half. We knew this was going to be an absolute slogfest, that it was going to be a major challenge, but we lived up to it. We just love taking on challenges.
“We knew facing Commercials in a county final was going to be a major challenge to overcome. We build ourselves up for that. Sunday is no different. We're going to be up to face the Crokes, we're going to give it absolutely everything that is required to get over the line.”
Injury has ruled Hennessy out of a goalkeeping position for Loughmore-Castleiney for recent fixtures. One of his brothers, Joey, has proven to be an able deputy. “I went back training last Wednesday, that was my first night back,” Hennessy reveals.
“It might be hard to drop him now, he has been in for three games, he has won three games. In fairness, he's only getting better.”
Undoubtedly, Shane Hennessy provided valuable assistance and guidance. That is simply the Loughmore-Castleiney way.
