No need to second guess the other manager

THROUGH the course of this season’s Clare SHC campaign, Fergie O’Loughlin almost discovered the secret art of bi-location.

He divided his evenings, between training his own club Clarecastle and parish neighbours Ballyea. It was a good relationship, with his native club in the top flight of the league and championship, while his adopted charges were keener on retaining their existence in senior B ranks.

But then the unthinkable happened. Ballyea, the minnows of Clare hurling shocked the county, and themselves by reaching the senior final, against the mighty Clarecastle. Once the last whistle blew in their semi-final win over Eire Óg three weeks ago in Cusack Park, O'Loughlin made up his mind.