FRIENDSHIPS will be put on hold tomorrow as defending champions Loughgiel Shamrocks put their Ulster senior hurling title on the line against Derry kingpins Slaughtneil.
Loughgiel boss PJ O'Mullan has been coaching the Slaughtneil camogie team for the past two years.
More than that, O'Mullan has become a close friend of the Derry club.
The 2012 All-Ireland club-winning manager has been asked to speak to the Slaughtneil hurlers on a number of occasions.
It provides an interesting sub-plot to tomorrow's provincial decider, as does the involvement of Chrissy McKaigue in the International Rules series.
The dual star is planning to follow the example of Ireland captain Michael Murphy and play for both club and country within the space of 24 hours.
McKaigue will travel from Croke Park immediately after tonight's second Test against Australia.
While it is not an ideal situation for player or club, Slaughtneil boss Mickey Glover revealed that McKaigue's team-mates are supportive of his decision to play in both fixtures.
"What a weekend it will be for him," said Glover.
"He is playing for Ireland against Australia then he will go out and play in the provincial final on Sunday.
"Chrissy is a good lad, he is very committed.
"I don't know what role he will play for Ireland but we will just wait and see and have a chat with him on Sunday morning.
"We have to take it as it is. Physically, he is well able to play two games.
"He trained with us in Celtic Park on Tuesday night and the boys gave him their 100 per cent backing because we know playing for Ireland is something that he loves."
Glover also stressed that O'Mullan's involvement with Slaughtneil won't give the Loughgiel boss too much of an advantage tomorrow.
The Slaughtneil boss was keen to point out that he has his homework done on the reigning Antrim and Ulster champions as well.
"We know Loughgiel as well," said Glover.
"I know I have had PJ in talking with the squad.
"He probably knows our team as well as anyone but we would know Loughgiel as well. We have a lot of friends in the club.
"He is a nice fella. After the match we will shake hands and before the match we will shake hands, during the match... God knows what will happen!
"Hopefully whatever happens goes our way."
Earlier this week, O'Mullan even went so far as to say he would be cheering for Slaughtneil this weekend if they weren't playing Loughgiel.
Yet, Slaughtneil will not be lured into a false sense of security. Loughgiel have been back to their ruthless best in the Antrim and Ulster championship this year.
The Derry championship certainly won't be expecting O'Mullan's men to do them any favours.
Clearly the Shamrocks are still hurting from their below-par showing in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final replay against St Thomas's of Galway in Clones back in February.
A spirited performance saw them claim a last-gasp draw in Parnell Park with Liam Watson netting a stunning late goal to earn his side a 3-19 to 1-25 draw.
However, the Antrim men failed to reach the required standard in the replay in Clones and lost out 0-15 to 0-7.
This season, Loughgiel are men on a mission.
O'Mullan's side have blitzed all before them this season.
Facile wins over St Gall's (3-27 to 2-6), Cloughmills (0-21 to 0-6) and Ballycastle (3-14 to 2-6) earned them a shot at old rivals Cushendall in the Antrim decider.
While Loughgiel were bidding for a fourth consecutive Antrim title, Ruairi Og have traditionally given the Shamrock their toughest assignment prior to the All-Ireland series.
In this year's decider, however, it was vintage Loughgiel. The reigning Antrim and Ulster champions sent out a powerless message by inflicting a 3-14 to 2-6 defeat on Cushendall.
O'Mullan's men were not - and are not - finished just yet.
What made their Antrim success even more impressive was that it was achieved without injured All-Ireland winning skipper Johnny Campbell, who also misses out tomorrow, while they will also be without Joey Scullion after he was injured in a league game.
Slaughtneil's Derry campaign saw them claim a four-point win over their bogey team Kevin Lynch's, Dungiven in the semi-final before beating Ballinascreen in the Derry SHC final.
Their Ulster semi-final against St Patrick's, Lisbellaw was a whitewash. Intermediate champions in 2012, the Fermanagh side were forced to step up to senior level and Glover reckons they were "punching above their weight".
The 4-18 to 0-7 win isn't exactly ideal preparation for an Ulster final against Loughgiel.
Still, Glover insists side young side will not fear the Shamrocks.
"We are not stupid - we know they are a very strong side" said the Slaughtneil boss.
"They have been on the road a long time and they were club champions two years ago. They are going for four Ulster titles in a row.
"We are going to have key match-ups. They have some fantastic forwards. We are under no illusions. They are a very accomplished side, they know each other inside out.
"We know we have our work cut out but we are not afraid. We will give them the respect they are due.
A shock win for Slaughtneil tomorrow would see them becoming the first club from Derry to lift the Four Seasons Cup.
It is a tall order, though. Even if Chrissy McKaigue comes through tonight's International Rules test unscathed, Loughgiel appear a class above every team in Ulster at present.
Even with Joey Scullion and Johnny Campbell sidelined, the attacking threat of Eddie McCloskey, Shay Casey, Benny McCarry and the mercurial Liam Watson should be more than enough to see the Shamrock's retain their Ulster title.
n shamrock riches: Slaughtneil will have plenty to deal with when they take on Loughgiel in tomorrow's Ulster Club SHC final against Loughgiel, including Shay Casey (left), Benny McCarry (centre) and Tiernan Coyle (right) Pictures: Margaret McLaughlin
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Loughgiel Shamrocks Antrim SHC round one: St Gall's 2-6 Loughgiel 3-27 Antrim SHC quarter-final: Cloughmills 0-6 Loughgiel 0-21 Antrim SHC semi-final: Loughgiel 2-10 Ballycastle 1-9 Antrim SHC final: Loughgiel 3-14 Cushendall 2-6 Ulster SHC semi-final: Loughgiel 1-16 Ballygalget 1-9
Robert Emmet's, Slaughtneil Derry SHC quarter-final: Slaughtneil 1-16 Swatragh 1-10 Derry SHC semi-final: Dungiven 1-12 Slaughtneil 1-16 Derry SHC final: Ballinascreen 2-11 Slaughtneil 4-13 Ulster SHC semi-final: Lisbellaw 0-7 Slaughtneil 4-18