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"I Put Myself Under So Much Pressure"

Friday, 15 July 2022 at 13:45

Westmeath's Luke Loughlin says he was playing crap because he was too obsessed.

Westmeath footballer Luke Loughlin has opened up about the struggles that saw the 27 year old being dropped from the county panel at the start of the year.

He begun to tackle his drink and drug addiction 12 months ago, after seeking treatment at Cuan Mhuire Addiction Centre. This marked the start of a remarkable journey to personal and sporting development.

He blamed his obsessive streak for losing his spot on the county team. 

“At times at the start of this year I was doing things to too extreme levels with Westmeath and putting myself under so much pressure, and ultimately I was playing crap, I got dropped because of it."

Loughlin managed to find his way back on to the panel and featured for the Lake County throughout their league campaign, Leinster championship, and ultimately successful Tailteann Cup campaign.

Before this year, Luke’s demons went unchecked. It was the traumatic effect it had on his mother Oonagh, that landed on him hardest.

“The only time she ever got a good night’s sleep was when she knew I would be in bed depressed for five, six days at a time”

However, it’s Oonagh who was at the forefront of his mind when he landed his career defining success at Croke Park last week:

The Tailteann Cup winner has decided to open up about his struggles with addiction in a bid to help people in Westmeath and beyond:

He's developing good habits to his mind and body onside:

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