It'S 10 years this week since Ger Loughnane realised something was up.
The calls and texts were coming through. Congratulations on another big one. Enjoy the big day. Remember, 60 is just another number. He was puzzled. His birthday is on September 23 but it soon became clear that, online, his date of birth is down as January 27, 1953. So maybe it's fitting for one of the High Kings of hurling. He's like royalty in having two birthdays...
That familiar booming laugh rumbles like thunder. "It's up there and there's no point fussing about it. That's the way it is, and away you go." That landmark is coming down the tracks, though. These days, 70 isn't old but there was a very real chance that Loughnane wouldn't reach 60.
