Watson the toast of mighty Loughgiel

Hat-trick hero Liam Watson was the toast of Loughgiel this weekend with his 3-7 tally helping to hold off the challenge of hot favourites Coolderry in this All-Ireland club senior hurling final in chilly Croke Park on Saturday.

It was a tour-de-force from the mercurial magician from the Antrim glens, surpassing even his performance in Loughgiel’s semi-final win over Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh and drawing fulsome praise from manager PJ O’Mullan.

“One thing I can tell you is that he is the best trainer in Ireland. I would put him up there with Shefflin, Gardiner and Donal Óg. This man is possessed when he trains. He is a super worker and a good team man. The fact that he put everything he had into the campaign this year meant we got the fruits of it. Any man that scores 3-7 in an All-Ireland final, what can you say?”