Less than twenty-four hours after winning the Three FAI Colleges and Universities Player of the Year award, Sean McLoughlin was obliged to face the media in the Turner’s Cross press room having secured another accolade. The young centre-half was han
Less than twenty-four hours after winning the Three FAI Colleges and Universities Player of the Year award, Sean McLoughlin was obliged to face the media in the Turner’s Cross press room having secured another accolade.
The young centre-half was handed the man of the match trophy following his commanding performance in the Leesider’s 3-0 win against Bohemians on Monday afternoon.
“It’s been a good few days,” admitted McLoughlin shortly after full time.
But his manager was more effusive with his praise when it was his turn to meet the press moments later.
“That’s his manner. The one thing about a guy like Sean McLoughlin is you could never see him having an ego or an opinion of himself that he would make public,” said John Caulfield.
“He’s always very much with his feet on the ground. He has that intelligence and that’s what you love about a guy like him. He's always that type of modest guy and he’ll always be that way.
“Sean is a really good lad. He’s put his head down, his training has been fantastic and we feel that if he can keep developing he could turn into an outstanding player.”
On the eve of Monday afternoon’s important fixture with Bohs, McLoughlin was granted permission by Caulfield to attend the F.A.I’s Football award ceremony at the RTE Studios in Dublin on the provision he was able to rest for the required amount of time afterwards.
“I left as soon as I got my award really because I had the game in the back of my mind,” insisted McLoughlin.
“It was a good experience obviously seeing all the recipients and the set up so it was good to be behind the scenes.
“I wasn’t too late, I think I was home at like 12 or something like that so it was grand it didn’t affect me too much.
“Winning is the main thing but if you can keep a clean sheet for the back five it’s a big bonus. When the game was dying out towards the end we knew we had to stick it stay compact and make sure we got the clean sheet too.”
While the loss of the experienced Alan Bennett has come as a blow to the Champions, one positive has been the form of McLoughlin who has helped City keep two clean sheets from their last three matches, conceding just one goal in the process.
And the former U.C.C defender admitted the advice he has received from Bennett has been invaluable.
“Benno has been around the league years. He’s extremely experienced and it helps really when I’m stepping in for him, the type of personality he is, he helps me off the pitch,” added McLoughlin.
“He gives me little tips that will help me during the game. Unfortunately, he’s injured and that’s why I got the chance but he’s helped me along and when he gets back fit he will have his part to play too.
“Benno is a huge part of the team and you notice when he’s on the pitch he’s a presence so we have to see what happens.
"Certainly as a footballer I want to play every game so when Benno comes back maybe I’m with him so we’ll see how it goes anyway.”
The City number 29 joined the club last summer just a matter of weeks after his header secured U.C.C the Munster Senior League Premier Division title as they defeated runners-up Cobh Wanderers 1-0 on the final day of the season.
And the 21-year-old admitted he knew he had to bide his time before being able to prove he could cut it at a League of Ireland standard.
“When I came in in July last year I probably wasn’t in the best shape for this level anyway so I had to work hard,” said McLoughlin.
“I knew that with six months until the end of the season I wasn’t going to come into the team that much so I had to kind of get up to the pace.
"Then pre-season I had to get into the gym and get to the physical standard and I think I’ve done that now and I’ve shown I’m able to play at this level.”
