Kanturk star Lorcán McLoughlin calls time on inter-county career
ONE of the most talented and committed hurlers of his generation has decided to hang up his intercounty boots after almost a decade lining out for Cork. Kanturk’s Lorcán McLoughlin has been an ever present in the Cork setup since he first joined the squad back in 2010 and managed to help his beloved reds to three Munster titles in that time, but he will go down as yet another great Cork hurler to never get his hands on the Liam McCarthy.
McLoughlin, 29, was the quintessential all-rounder, able to play almost anywhere on the pitch and always guaranteed to make an impression, but in recent times he has found it hard to break back into the team – only making a cameo appearance in the Munster Final this year before going off again with a shoulder injury just minutes later.
The Kanturk star not only shone at inter-county level, but also managed to guide his beloved Kanturk to the all-Ireland Intermediate hurling crown earlier this year after winning the county title at the end of 2017.
The dual star also claimed an All-Ireland Under 21 medal with Cork in 2009 and most recently played in the Cork county senior football final with Duhallow – a side he always gave his best for.
McLoughlin will always be known for his prowess with the small ball but he was equally adept with a football in hand and enjoyed double success in 2017 being part of the Kanturk Intermediate side that won the county championship in spectacular fashion.
Tributes have been flooding in for the likeable Corkman with his club Kanturk tweeting: “Words cannot do justice to describe how proud we have been supporting Lorcán McLoughlin on the biggest stage of all over the years. Your skill and grace on the hurling fields of Ireland were a joy to behold.”
The man himself stated on the same platform: “Honoured to have represented the Cork senior hurling team for the past nine seasons. Thanks to my club, family and friends who have supported me through the good days and bad days. Wishing the Cork senior hurling team the best of luck for the 2019 season.”
Cork may well be on the up at present however there is little doubt that the loss of McLoughlin will bite somewhere in the coming months and years as a player of this quality and versatility really doesn’t come around too often.
On a professional note Lorcán was always a pleasure to interview and a brilliant hurler to watch. His honesty, after winning or losing, was always refreshing and despite the result always made himself available, if required, to give an insight to the general public on what it was like to be at the heart of some of the iconic moments for Cork hurling.
A truly great hurler has retired has left the inter-county stage.