Jimmy, like Ger, had the vision and drive to transform game
On an October Sunday in 1994 he oversaw his first league match as Clare manager. It was against Kilkenny, in Sixmilebridge, the kind of venue you’d hardly get for a league game now.
He handed six players their debut. Michael O’Halloran from the local club who’d never played minor or U21 for Clare was given a shot at corner-back. Frank Lohan was tried as well while up front was Eamonn Taaffe, the goalscorer and hero of the following September. Clare would edge Kilkenny that day in the Bridge but only Loughnane could have foreseen the glory to come.
