By Michael McMullan

LOUGHGIEL manager Shane McMahon knows what they’ll face when their Antrim Senior Hurling Championship campaign gets underway this weekend.

The Shamrocks face the trip to Hightown on Sunday (2pm) to take on a Naomh Éanna side who gave them their fill of it in the league.

Goals from Cian O’Connor  and marksman John McGoldrick pushed them all the way back in May in a 1-18 to 2-12 showdown.

“Naomh Éanna are a good strong team,” said McMahon, in his first year at the helm.

“They were very close in that league game and, actually, we were quite fortunate to beat them. They’re progressing every year. You can see they’re continuing to get stronger and stronger.”

The Shamrocks were pipped to the league title on score difference by Ulster champions but McMahon feels his side got that they needed.

“We were obviously hampered for a lot of the season with the county boys with their commitments. We knew that’s how it would be when we started and we’d no bother with that. It gave us a chance to look at a few new players, a few young lads.”

Loughgiel, who beat Dunloy in last year’s semi-final before coming up short in the final against Cushendall, have been churning out successful minor teams of late. It helps the overall big picture.

“Yeah, you always want to get new players, to keep it fresh, keep a bit of competition within the squad,” McMahon said, happy they’d lost no players from last season.

“We actually we had a couple of fellas come back,” he added. “Maol Connolly had been in Australia. He had come back but just took last year out.

“He is back and we also Ciaran McKay…so both boys have been knocking on the door.”

McMahon brought coaches Declan McFadden and Paul McDonnell in with him. He also added selectors Sean Óg McFadden and Declan ‘Skinner’ Laverty.

With Creggan’s withdrawal, Antrim CCC pushed on with their two groups. The top team will advance to the semi-final with second and third playing off to join them.

Loughgiel’s group has no jeopardy with all three teams prevailing. After this weekend’s clash with Naomh Éanna, the Shamrocks will have a bye until their final game with Ballycastle.

In the meantime, McMahon is trying to pencil in a challenge game to keep his side tipping away. Loughgiel did have u-21 hurling to keep some of their side occupied until they were knocked out by Cushendall.

“Every other county is running their own championship and it’s just getting a free weekend,” McMahon said.

“We have still a few irons in the fire as such to see if we can get something for that (free) weekend because it’s a long break between the two games.”

In the other group this weekend, Dunloy host St John’s with champions Cushendall opening their campaign against Rossa.