By Michael McMullan

EDDIE McCloskey doesn’t have to worry about Carey’s resolve as they embark on Saturday’s Ulster Intermediate final against Swatragh.

Taking charge of the Faughs along with fellow Loughgiel Shamrock Benny McCarry, they will be on home soil as they hope to add to their Antrim league and championship double.

From early in the season, the duo could see the battling qualities from casting their eyes over Carey’s pre-season games

“We got an idea that the boys battle to the end,” said McCloskey. “That was a big, big important characteristic of the team and squad.

“I suppose we kind of embraced that and had that as our mantra. We can accept being beat, certainly, but we don’t beat ourselves. It has to be a hell of a team to beat us.”

Carey finished top of Division Two but needed to come from behind against Cushendun to clinch the title on the final day.

In a highly competitive championship, one section had four teams level on six points going into the final round of games.

It was the similar for Carey who finished in top spot on a day a defeat at the hands of Glenariffe could’ve put them out.

In Ulster, they needed penalties to see off Éire Óg before a late goal edged out Castleblayney last weekend to book their final spot. Of the games they lost this season, five were by a point.

“It’s definitely a big positive from a management point of view,” McCloskey added.

“It goes to show you the mentality of the boys and the togetherness of the boys and the drive and determination.

“We’ve had in abundance, but it’s important that we carry that going forward, not just this season but in the seasons ahead.”

Off the pitch, the club have had to come to terms with the passing of young Joe Hegarty. James Black also buried his father in recent weeks with their semi-final against Castleblayney postponed in his memory.

Storm Bert put it back another day after Carrickmore’s pitch was flooded but at the third time of asking, they got the job done.

It sets up an Ulster final with Swatragh and McCloskey had a look at the Derry champions up close in their semi-final win over Bredagh in Ahoghill.

“They’re a good quality team, they’re the last team to win a senior championship other than Sleacht Néill,” McCloskey said.

“They’ve got that tradition, they’ve got that quality and it’s going to take a big, big performance from us if we want to get anything out of the game.

“As far as Swatragh, we’ll do our homework. As far as we’re concerned, as management and the team, we’ll prepare ourselves mentally as we have done all year and see where it takes us.”