Westmeath county player Luke Loughlin put in a memorable performance for his club The Downs in the Leinster Club Semifinal at Croke Park.
The intercounty star scored an imperious 0-05 to help his side beat Meath champions Ratoath in a thrilling match.
Luke Loughlin is at the heart of all of his side’s good attacking play and his latest score leaves Ratoath in real trouble.
live now on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player - https://t.co/j90jEuigvs. pic.twitter.com/rsbHiK8YAj— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 19, 2022
Loughlin was chosen as Man of the Match and his performance won plaudits from many watching at home.
Delighted for The Downs on reaching the Leinster Final after beating Ratoath. Really happy for Luke Loughlin. A more likeable GAA character you wouldn’t see. Lovely Interview at the end.
— Cahir May (@CM_11) November 19, 2022
Luke Loughlin #Baller
— Craig Gartland (@CraigGartland) November 19, 2022
His great display comes after he recently celebrated going 500 days sober after his battle with alcohol.
In A Very Bad Place
Loughlin shared his story with the world in July, after going a year being sober. The 27-year-old revealed that he had to come to terms with his addiction to alcohol and drugs.
I was in a very bad place. I had to come to terms with addiction to alcohol and drugs. Basically my addiction was anything that could take me out of reality. I genuinely got to the stage where I hated everything about myself. So, when I was drinking and doing drugs, I was becoming someone else, but that person I was becoming was killing me.
However, after realising he had a problem, Luke spent 3 months in the local addiction centre. He also used his local gym and his love of football to help him overcome his addiction.
His sobriety helped his performances with Westmeath. 2022 was the first year Luke was not dropped from the panel from the start of preseason to the last game of the championship.
At the end of the interview, Luke urged young men to share their problems with others.
If you're going through something you share it. You don't have to be this big macho, you can show weakness, you can let things out. You feel so much better talking about stuff, I think that's the most important message.
"Nothing changes, if nothing changes" is the mantra that Westmeath footballer Luke Loughlin now lives by. Over the last twelve months the 27-year-old has faced the biggest struggle of his life, but he's now in recovery | Read more: https://t.co/S9QX5mEESs pic.twitter.com/VeBihtmTWu
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 14, 2022
Great Year
Helping his club win their county championship and make it to the Leinster Club Football final is one of many achievements, Luke has had this year. He started in his county's triumph against Cavan in the Tailteann cup final, scoring 0-2. Next up for Luke Loughlin and The Downs is Kilmacud Crokes in the Leinster decider in two weeks time.
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