By Michael McMullan IT will be 77 days since their last competitive game when Brendan Rogers leads Sleacht Néill out for Sunday’s Ulster final showdown with Cushendall in Páirc Esler. It’s like a new season, but it’s not a shock. Michael McShane knew what his side were getting into if they retained the Fr Collins […]
By Shaun Casey TWENTY-FOUR hours after captaining his country to a victory over Scotland in the hurlingshinty hybrid international game at Páirc Esler, Newry, Neil McManus was back in the same venue eyeing up his next opponent. He attended the Down final between Portaferry and Ballycran, with his side Cushendall awaiting the winners. “It was […]
By Shaun Casey LAST year’s 19-point pummelling at the hands of Sleacht Néill still rankles with the Portaferry players and they’re hoping to right those wrong this weekend. They take on Antrim champions Cushendall in the Ulster semi-final in Armagh on Sunday and the Down men are keen to make an impact in Ulster. “I wasn’t […]
By Michael McMullan YOU can hear the traffic buzzing in the background as Brian Delargy answers the phone. It’s matched by the excitement and satisfaction in his voice as he danders along. Monday morning after winning a championship, you just want the day to last forever. Pop in for a fry. Scan the papers. Meet […]
By Niall McCoy “WE were close today but we think we’re close everyday. Someday we’ll get them.” The above is a quote from Cushendall manager Brian Delargy after last year’s county final loss to Dunloy. They may have lost by six points, but it was never a six-point game with Chrissy McMahon tagging on a […]
SO here we have it, Loughgiel and Cushendall will duke it out for the Volunteer Cup as the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship reaches its conclusion. First things first, for Loughgiel to overcome Dunloy in the semi-final was the big upset of the year, but for me, it’s almost written in the stars that Cushendall win […]
By Michael McMullan AT just 22 years of age, Loughgiel captain Declan McCloskey typifies the age profile of a team aiming to land the club’s 21st senior title on Sunday. The Shamrocks face a Cushendall team (Corrigan Park, 2.30pm) who handed them a 15-point defeat in the final game of the group stages. Goalkeeper Chrissy […]
By Michael McMullan CUSHENDALL’S focus is simple ahead of their Antrim semi-final clash with Ballycastle insists former Antrim star Neil McManus. It’s knock-out hurling and time to put in the best performance possible as the race for title number 15 takes another step on Saturday (Loughgiel, 2.30pm). McManus, who called time on a stellar county […]
By Niall Gartland RURAL depopulation. It’s a big, scary term and there are no easy fixes, but the close-knit community centred on Cushendall has taken a proactive and innovative approach to holding onto those who may be tempted to pick up sticks. Former Antrim hurling star Neil McManus is part of the ‘Grow the Glens’ […]
By Michael McMullan THE game of the weekend in Antrim is on Sunday (5.15pm) when Loughgiel host Cushendall at Fr Healy Park to decide top spot in the Group Two of the Senior Hurling Championship. Both teams have beaten Naomh Éanna and Ballycastle with the ‘Dall’s six goals against the Hightown men putting them top of […]
