Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship semi-final: Ruairi Og Cushendall v McQuillan's Ballycastle (Saturday, Loughgiel, 3.30pm)
NEIL McManus has lauded Cushendall’s consistent ability to produce “tough, skillful hurlers” who are “a really good representation of the way hurling is played in our club”.
For the best part of two decades, veteran McManus has been the epitome of those traits that have been in the Ruairi Og club’s DNA for generations.
Cushendall are desperate to end Dunloy’s stranglehold on the Volunteer Cup. They came close in last year’s decider but the Cuchullain’s were more clinical in the closing minutes to win an incredible four-in-a-row.
Both Cushendall and Dunloy have banana-skin semi-finals to negotiate this weekend before both sets of players and management teams can think about a repeat final of last year.
McManus, though, likes what he sees in the class of ’23 with the likes of Joe McLaughlin and Ronan McAteer really coming to the fore during this championship to add some depth to the squad.
“What I like about this group is that we are a really good representation of the way hurling is played in Cushendall,” McManus said.
“There is an unbelievable amount of hard work being put in and there’s a great camaraderie. Cushendall seems to produce tough, skillful hurlers – people who are very brave.
“When you look back in our history we’ve been blessed with those types of players who give absolutely everything for you, so it’s really enjoyable and the set-up this year is a very good one. Everyone is enjoying it and trying to progress as a group.”
The Ruairi Ogs breezed into the semi-finals by winning their three group games – against Ballycastle, St Enda’s and Loughgiel Shamrocks - hitting 12 goals into the bargain.
McManus helped himself to a staggering 4-9 in their surprise 15-point win over Loughgiel, bringing his championship tally to 4-24.
On Saturday afternoon, they face Ballycastle in this year’s semi-finals, their second championship meeting of the season.
On the opening night of this year’s series, August 5, Cushendall had no trouble seeing off the McQuillan’s who were missing a couple of their stalwarts.
“I think there are a few Ballycastle players back from that first game,” said McManus, who hit 0-7 on home soil, just days after club stalwart John McKillop was laid to rest in the village.
“The difference between county and club is when you lose a couple in the county set-up, the squad can soak that up, whereas it can have a massive impact on the club.
“Mattie Donnelly is back for Ballycastle now and ‘Rambo’ [Ronan McCarry] who plays in the middle as is the captain of their team.
“And they’re still without Ciaran Clarke who would be an addition to every inter-county team in the country never mind the club.”
Ballycastle certainly saved their worst performance of the season for that Cushendall opener, but have improved since then and have been involved in one-point games all the way through to the semi-finals, with Eoin McAlonan grabbing a stoppage-time winner over Rossa in the quarter-finals.
So, Cushendall can expect a much better version of Ballycastle than the one they dismissed at the start of August.
McManus, meanwhile, has no regrets about announcing his inter-country retirement from Antrim three months ago even though he is still one of the fittest players in the county.
“I knew from early on the season that it would be my last with Antrim,” he said.
“I made peace with it long before I announced it, and I am under no illusions that I will really miss it, but I’ll be happy in the fact that I gave it all that I had during the period of time that I did have. That’s the bit that makes it a bit easier.
“When the lads go back for [Antrim] pre-season and I won’t, I know I’ll miss it then. But, over the years, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed representing Cushendall and whenever you get the opportunity to play in our senior team you’re representing your community. That’s not something that’s lost on me - and I think I’ll always enjoy that while I’m given the opportunity to do so.”
