By Alan Rodgers

A PLACE in the Ulster Club Intermediate final for the first time since 2015 is the big target for Carrickmore hurlers when they face familiar opponents in the semi-final this Sunday.

It will be a high profile clash for the Eire Ogs when they meet the Fermanagh champions Lisbellaw at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. For, the game is being played as curtain-raiser to the Ulster Senior Club semi between Sleacht Néil and Dunloy.

The Tyrone champions, who defeated Carey Faughs in the quarter final a fortnight ago, are bidding to reach a third final in the grade. But it’s this semi-final clash which for the moment is justifiably demanding all their attention as they bid to maintain the momentum of what has been a memorable season so far.

One of those who has once again been in impressive form for them is Conor Grogan. He is under no illusions about the extent of the task facing them against a Lisbellaw team which defeated Newry Shamrocks in the last of the quarter-finals last weekend.

“Normally we would have played Lisbellaw a lot over the years. But due to the way things have gone with Covid we haven’t played them in a couple of years,” he said.

“It’s going to be a battle on Sunday because games between the two of us have never been easy. They mightn’t get many competitive games in Fermanagh, but they’ve always been strong and showed that last weekend when they beat Newry.

“They’re going to be coming into the game fresh from their win over Shamrocks. There’ll be a good competitive edge between us and any team which beats Newry Shamrocks as the Down champions have to be respected and are going to be tough and will be full of confidence.”

Carrickmore, who defeated old rivals Dungannon in the Tyrone decider on November 6, went on to account for Carey Faughs of Antrim in a game that was much closer than the reasonably comfortable final scoreline suggests.

Nevertheless, it’s a performance and tie which should stand to them as they bid to reach the final again after six years.

Team manager Damien Maguire has no injury worries to report, ensuring that they will be able to call on expert players such as team captain Conor McElhatton, Lochrann O Donnghaile, Dermot Begley, Bryan McGurk, Justin Kelly and Sean Og Grogan to once again spearhead their bid.

“It was a good confidence boost to beat Carey Faughs, but that victory won’t count for anything if we don’t get over the line on Sunday against Lisbellaw,” added Conor Grogan.

“For ourselves we probably caught Carey Faughs on the hop a little bit and we’re just looking forward to Sunday and trying to reach the final.

“Our preparations have been going well since the county final. The management have been putting us through our paces and hopefully everything goes to plan.

“It would be brilliant to get to the final. This is what you want to be playing for, but to beat Lisbellaw is going to take a mammoth effort.”

The experienced midfielder and Tyrone player is also relishing the fact that the game is being played before the senior semi-final between the two teams he regards as the major challengers for that title.

“Regardless of whether we would have been playing or not, I’d have been going up to watch Sleacht Néil and Dunloy because they’re the two best teams in Ulster,” he added.

“It’s probably the biggest club game of the year here and whoever wins that one is going to be heading into the final as favourites. Hopefully we’ll have a final to look forward to as well, but you can’t be sure of anything against Lisbellaw.”