In focus: Sean O'Loughlin

[josie andrews]

A closer look at Sean O’Loughlin’s 18-year career so far.

36-year-old played his 450th game for Wigan Warriors on Friday night.

Club Captain holds the Wigan record for most derby appearances of 50 after the game against St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

After making his 450 appearance for Wigan Warriors on Friday night, we take an in-depth look at Club legend Sean O'Loughlin

The 36-year-old has played his entire rugby league career at his hometown Club. In a career that stretches back 18 years, O’Loughlin is one of the most respected, consistent and inspirational individuals of the Super League era.

Revered by colleagues and opposition players alike, with many pointing to him as one of the modern greats, the loose forward is Captain of both club and country.

Rugby league runs deep in the O’Loughlin family, with both his father, Keiron, and his uncle, Kevin, playing over 250 games each for Wigan during the 1970s.

Sean followed in Keiron’s and Kevin’s footsteps as he started playing rugby league for Wigan St Patricks ARLFC, before being snapped up by Wigan’s Academy.

His first senior appearance for the Club came in a home game against Hull FC in 2002, and two weeks later he made his first start, playing as loose forward in an away game against Warrington Wolves.

In 2006, O’Loughlin was handed the Wigan captaincy, taking over from brother-in-law, Andy Farrell.

Under his leadership, the Warriors stormed their way to the 2010 League Leaders’ Shield and the Super League title, giving O’Loughlin his first set of silverware as a Wigan player.

The following year, he led the Club to its first Challenge Cup in nine years, overcoming Leeds Rhinos in the final at Wembley, and in 2012, he captained Wigan to a second League Leaders’ Shield.

In 2013, O’Loughlin skippered the Cherry and Whites to a historic double, with another Super League crown and Challenge Cup being added to the Club’s trophy cabinet.

He lifted his third Super League title in 2016, after a 12-6 victory over Warrington at Old Trafford.

A few months later in February 2017, the England international captained the Warriors to a record-breaking fourth World Club Challenge triumph, following a 22-6 win over Cronulla Sharks at the DW Stadium.

Later in that year, he was named the Club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year.

O’Loughlin’s most recent Grand Final winning ring came in October 2018, as Wigan overcame Warrington for a third time.

This season, the former Great Britain representative has made 22 appearances for Head Coach Adrian Lam, including the historic Betfred Super League fixture against Catalans Dragons at the Camp Nou in Barcelona in May.

He hit the 450 landmark against St Helens in Friday night’s Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Final at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

And despite defeat, O’Loughlin led his team out to commemorate a special night. He also holds the Wigan record for most derby appearances of 50.

Overall in 450 games for Wigan, O’Loughlin has claimed one World Club Challenge, four Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and two League Leaders Shields, as well as being named in the Super League Dream Team a record seven times.

Of his 450 games, he has made 417 starts and 33 appearances off the bench, scored eight tries, converted three goals and kicked two drop-goals - accumulating to 360 points overall.

He is seventh on the all-time Wigan appearance maker list, with only Shaun Edwards, Billy Boston, Eric Ashton, Ernie Ashcroft, Ken Gee and Jim Sullivan above him.

On playing for his hometown Club, he said: “I felt very privileged when I debuted as a kid and still just as privileged now to put the jersey on.

“As a kid I wanted to play here, and I got the opportunity to do that 20 years ago. It’s been an honour and privilege to do it. I’m always proud to put the jersey on.”

On the eve of his 450th milestone, last Thursday, O’Loughlin had the video room at Wigan’s new Robin Park Arena training facility named after him.

“It’s a little overwhelming and to have everyone there, staff and family included, made it very special,” he told Wigan TV.

He was also presented his 450th shirt by father Kieran, alongside his mother Lynn, wife Sarah and children George, Evie and Isla, who were there for the opening of the ‘SOL13 Suite’, which the Wigan squad will use for the numerous analysis sessions that are a part of their training schedules.

“It’s a nice touch from the Club,” he said. “It’s a little bit embarrassing as a player. It’s obviously an honour to get to the 450 games. It’s a little overwhelming and to have everyone there, staff and family included, made it very special.”

No three words could describe Sean O’Loughlin more than Leader, Loyal and Legend. The one-Club man will go down as one of Wigan Warriors’ greatest ever players, and at 36-year-old there is plenty more fight in the tank, as he aims to lift a fifth Super League title.

Tickets for next Friday’s Betfred Super League Semi-Final against Salford Red Devils at the DW Stadium are now on sale. Get yours NOW by clicking HERE.

This is NOT a Season Ticket game, although Season Ticket and Membership Holders are eligible for a special £5.00 discount on tickets purchased before 5pm on Thursday 3rd October.

Season Ticket Holders have until 5pm on Tuesday 1st October to save their seat at the DW Stadium. Any tickets not purchased by this time will then be available on general sale for the fixture.

https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2019 ... U2LgXcy.99

[medlocke]

If there's plenty more fight in him he must have been hiding it lately

[pearsy]

Been a fantastic servant for the Wigan club.He should retire gracefully with Flower and Clubb and free up some Salery cap.He already knows he has another post with the club

[ian.birchall]

Been a fantastic servant for the Wigan club.He should retire gracefully with Flower and Clubb and free up some Salery cap.He already knows he has another post with the club

The frightening point in Josies adulation at the top are the two words 'so far'.

[josie andrews]

Been a fantastic servant for the Wigan club.He should retire gracefully with Flower and Clubb and free up some Salery cap.He already knows he has another post with the club

The frightening point in Josies adulation at the top are the two words 'so far'.

I think you will find that is a comment from the club, I only posted the the thread