Hurling & Camogie

Picking team is biggest headache for Loughiel boss Johnny Campbell

Johnny Campbell has led Loughgiel Shamrocks to the county title in his first year in charge <br /> Picture by S&eacute;amus Loughran
Johnny Campbell has led Loughgiel Shamrocks to the county title in his first year in charge
Picture by Séamus Loughran
Johnny Campbell has led Loughgiel Shamrocks to the county title in his first year in charge
Picture by Séamus Loughran

LOUGHGIEL Shamrocks rookie manager Johnny Campbell revealed the hardest part of his first year in charge has been leaving players out of the team.

Still only 34, Campbell took the senior team reins at the start of the season and, last Sunday, he guided the Shamrocks to their first county title in three years. They edged out defending champions Ruairí Óg, Cushendall by three points in Ballycastle and will now face Down champions Ballygalget in the Ulster semi-finals on October 9.

“That’s one thing I found hard this year: picking the team,” said Campbell.

The former Antrim defender decided to retire from playing due to an ongoing hip problem, but it was a major surprise he was thrust into the managerial spotlight so soon after hanging up his boots.

And Campbell knows he has big shoes to fill after PJ O'Mullan jr, assisted by the late Jim Nelson, won the All-Ireland title back in 2012: “It is difficult going from player to manager," he said.

“I’ve made mistakes this year and I’m not afraid to hold my hand up to them. I remember our first game, when I nearly fell out with one of our players. That was a learning curve for me and I’m still learning.

“Credit to the fellas, they’ve been patient with me and I thank them for that and I’ve been patient with them. You’re just trying to do the best for the boys who put in the time and the effort and hard work throughout the year.

“I know what they invest into it and it’s hard leaving boys out. But that’s the nature of the game. They mightn’t like it, but they’ve taken it in good heart and put the head down and worked hard.”

Regular county ace Odhrán McFadden, Dan McCloskey and James McNaughton were among the Loughgiel subs who helped get the team over the line last weekend: “It showed that we needed the subs that we used,” added Campbell.

“Each and every one of them played their part. It could be a different team the next day, different subs coming on, it’s just that togetherness you’re trying to build and, hopefully, everyone can buy into it.”

The newly-crowned Antrim champions have two weeks to prepare for their Ulster semi-final showdown with 'Galget (Sunday October 9), while Derry champions Slaughtneil face the winners of Middletown and Lisbellaw.

“We’ll not be looking too far ahead of ourselves," said Campbell. 

"A couple of years ago, Portaferry pipped Cushendall in Ulster. That’s no disrespect to Portaferry. So we’ll knuckle down and get ready for the next game. We're looking no further than that."