Triple Crown hero’s son named in Welsh side

FIONN McLoughlin, son of Gerry (Ginger), the renowned Ireland Triple Crown-winning prop in 1982, is a replacement on the Caerphilly team to meet Munster in the final group qualifying match of the Celtic League at Thomond Park tomorrow night (7.30pm).

The 6'2", 15 stone 3lbs player is a former Welsh Youths International who played for Galwegians and Connacht last season before returning to Wales where his family has lived for a number of years. He played in Caerphilly's recent heavy defeat by Ulster and is assured of a rousing welcome should he enter the fray at a venue where his father was such a great favourite with both Shannon and Munster throughout the 70s and 80s.

Unfortunately, Caerphilly are travelling with a damage limitation strategy in place. A part-time outfit that doesn't boast anything like the financial clout of Welsh neighbours like Llanelli, Pontypridd and Cardiff, they have so far been cannon fodder for the other teams in their group, losing to Neath (6-25), Llanelli (34-43), Ebbw Vale