Gaughan is so proud to do what he can for the green and gold
WHEN it comes to county finals, Tourlestrane’s Liam Gaughan has been there and done that. And he’s got the green and gold t-shirt.
In the seven successive titles that the south Sligo club have won, this gifted attacker has kicked a total of 1-29 and been named Player of the Match on three occasions.
Last Sunday there was the added bonus as his brother, Gary, captained Tourlestrane to victory over St Mary’s, an absorbing contest that went to extra-time. Another Gaughan sibling, Noel, was Player of the Match in the 2021 decider.
Despite his personal achievements, Liam Gaughan always has the club, his family and the community at heart. He said: “I do it for my love of every one of them boys on the team. I do it for the new lads coming into the squad that don’t have a run of medals yet, I do it for them.
“I do it for my family and it’s all about that, it’s all about community and all that in Tourlestrane and that’s why I do it. I don’t do it for myself at all, I do it for my friends, my family.” As if to emphasise this perspective, Gaughan took a break from his postmatch chat with Gavin Cawley to congratulate a team-mate who was passing by in the aftermath of the 0-15 to 0-13 defeat of St Mary’s.
This campaign, in particular, Tourlestrane were challenged – in both the semi-final and final they appeared vulnerable against Shamrock Gaels and St Mary’s respectively.
“We’ve been asked difficult questions again and again [by different teams] over the seven years and we’ve always come up with the right answers – so I didn’t doubt us, even when it went to extra-time.”
“I never, ever doubt this team. Never,” he stated in what was an emotional reflection on what had happened at Markievicz Park.
“That was an unbelievable game. I
think every final so far we’ve just had enough to get over the line in normal time, but St Mary’s – who are a great side – absolutely gave everything to try to beat us.” Gaughan repeated his mantra that the club means everything to him.
“It is just unbelievable to win [the title] again ... I don’t know, I’m kind of speechless.
“Each one of the finals that we win just gets better and better. I love this team, I love this group, I love everything about Tourlestrane, I’m so happy,” he enthused.