on Thanks to Column Thompson for his very in depth preview of our All Ireland Semi Final this Saturday.
Cushendall's much anticipated All Ireland Semi Final clash with Galway champions Sarsfields is now only a matter of days away. Contesting an All Ireland Semi Final isn't new territory for Ruairi Og but winning one would be. We've been close, no doubt about that and we've mixed it with the best. On our maiden voyage, back when the semi finals were played home or away, in Waterford we had Mount Sion rattled before falling by four. Battling displays against Buffer's Alley and Middletown followed in the 80's before a youthful Birr side broke Dall hearts in early 1992. By the time we faced Brian Lohan's Wolfe Tones in February 1997 the home and away system, sadly for many, had been done away with. This began Cushendall's love hate relationship with Parnell Park in Dublin, the scene of undoubtedly our best performances at All Ireland level but also the scene of heartbreak for several brave Ruairi Og teams. Superb displays from Ciaran Mc Cambridge, Leonard Mc Keegan and Conor Mc Cambridge we had the Munster champions on the rack. However a strong finish from the Clare men saw them over the line by the minimum.
Three years later we found ourselves back in Parnell for a crack at reigning All Ireland Champions St. Josephs Doora-Barefield, boasting legends such as Jamsie O' Connor, Seanie Mc Mahon and Ollie Baker in their ranks. The Dall men cared little for reputations and with Mark Mc Cambridge shackling Mc Mahon and Declan Mc Killop giving Baker all sorts of trouble at midfield Cushendall broke for the line. In the dying embers of the game a high ball soared towards Dall full forward Sambo Mc Naughton who brilliantly fetched the ball among the clouds and turned for goal. Sambo had only one thing on his mind, the goal that would catapult Ruairi Og into the promised land. However just as he was about to pull the trigger he was fouled. Goal chance gone but Conor Mc Cambridge converted the free to give Cushendall a one point lead with the game now in injury time. St. Josephs however didn't panic and they worked the ball to substitute Fergal O' Hallron who pointed from an almost impossible angle and the game finished a draw. St. Josephs made no mistake in the replay eventually running out 6 point winners.
Temporary respite from Parnell saw us travel to Mullingar in early 2007 where we faced Loughrea from Galway. In poor conditions Cushendall worked hard but errant shooting and a lack of composure from a very young Dall side was our undoing.
In 2008 a much more mature Ruairi Og side took the field, back in Parnell Park, to face Munster Champions De La Salle from Waterford. Cushendall matched the Waterford men in all departments, with Kevin Elliott dominating their famous danger man John Mullane, six points over the hour from Neil Mc Manus and a goal with twelve minutes to go from Shane Mc Naughton Cushendall looked good. An inevitable fightback came from De La Salle but in injury time Ruairi Og were still in front by a point. Brian Phelan stood over a sideline ball 70 yards from goal. No doubt he was looking to land the ball among his forwards around the square. He caught the ball brilliantly and it sailed amazingly straight over the bar. As Francis Mc Auley took the poc out the referee blew full time. Extra time rather than a replay followed and it was De La Salle who prevailed.
And so to 2016, Navan the venue and Sarsfields the opposition. They have their own history in the competition, winners in 93 and 94, runners up in 98 a team inspired by the great Joe Cooney, who's son happens to be the danger man this time round. However it has been almost twenty years since they have dined at Galway's top table. Make no mistake the Galway Championship is the most competitive in the land with any of up to eight or nine clubs potential winners. Any team from the West must be respected. They have accounted for Pearces, Gort and Craughwell (in a final replay) on route to the Galway title, three teams who could mix it with the best in Ireland on their day.
Cushendall however will have designs on qualifying for the final. This season has felt different, there is something in the air. The capitulation against Portaferry in last years Ulster Final is a distant memory. The vulnerability of seasons past has been replaced with a tough skin, a fighting spirit and a determination unmatched in Antrim or Ulster. Ruairi Og were behind in all five championship matches this year only to emerge victorious in them all. It took a second half goal blitz from Sean Mc Afee(3) and Neil Mc Manus to see off St. Johns in the Antrim quarter final. Belief, guts and a never say die attitude disposed of Loughgiel in the semi final and The Antrim Final against Ballycastle was an absolute classic. Cushendall overturned a nine point half time deficit to claim The Volunteer Cup. The Dall were again behind at half time in The Ulster Semi against Middletown but got the job done. The Ulster Final was one of the best games of hurling for many years. Slaughtneil's ability to get goals put Cushendall under real pressure but each time they responded, refusing to lay down. They refused to take no for an answer. The game went to extra time, energy zapping, the lactic acid meant the muscles didn't respond to the brains commands. But passion overcame science and a herculean effort from each and every player dragged Cushendall over the line. Yes Neil Mc Manus is the scorer in chief but every team has their free taker, their top forward. The most pleasing aspect of Cushendall's season was that different players stood up and grabbed games by the scruff of the neck. Mc Manus, Arron Graffin, Sean Mc Afee, Donal and Christy Mc Naughton. There were Roy Of The Rovers moments in each and every game. Heart, class, tenacity, bravery. Something special... different. Dare to dream.the rack. However a strong finish from the Clare men saw them over the line by the minimum.
Three years later we found ourselves back in Parnell for a crack at reigning All Ireland Champions St. Josephs Doora-Barefield, boasting legends such as Jamsie O' Connor, Seanie Mc Mahon and Ollie Baker in their ranks. The Dall men cared little for reputations and with Mark Mc Cambridge shackling Mc Mahon and Declan Mc Killop giving Baker all sorts of trouble at midfield Cushendall broke for the line. In the dying embers of the game a high ball soared towards Dall full forward Sambo Mc Naughton who brilliantly fetched the ball among the clouds and turned for goal. Sambo had only one thing on his mind, the goal that would catapult Ruairi Og into the promised land. However just as he was about to pull the trigger he was fouled. Goal chance gone but Conor Mc Cambridge converted the free to give Cushendall a one point lead with the game now in injury time. St. Josephs however didn't panic and they worked the ball to substitute Fergal O' Hallron who pointed from an almost impossible angle and the game finished a draw. St. Josephs made no mistake in the replay eventually running out 6 point winners.
Temporary respite from Parnell saw us travel to Mullingar in early 2007 where we faced Loughrea from Galway. In poor conditions Cushendall worked hard but errant shooting and a lack of composure from a very young Dall side was our undoing.
In 2008 a much more mature Ruairi Og side took the field, back in Parnell Park, to face Munster Champions De La Salle from Waterford. Cushendall matched the Waterford men in all departments, with Kevin Elliott dominating their famous danger man John Mullane, six points over the hour from Neil Mc Manus and a goal with twelve minutes to go from Shane Mc Naughton Cushendall looked good. An inevitable fightback came from De La Salle but in injury time Ruairi Og were still in front by a point. Brian Phelan stood over a sideline ball 70 yards from goal. No doubt he was looking to land the ball among his forwards around the square. He caught the ball brilliantly and it sailed amazingly straight over the bar. As Francis Mc Auley took the poc out the referee blew full time. Extra time rather than a replay followed and it was De La Salle who prevailed.
And so to 2016, Navan the venue and Sarsfields the opposition. They have their own history in the competition, winners in 93 and 94, runners up in 98 a team inspired by the great Joe Cooney, who's son happens to be the danger man this time round. However it has been almost twenty years since they have dined at Galway's top table. Make no mistake the Galway Championship is the most competitive in the land with any of up to eight or nine clubs potential winners. Any team from the West must be respected. They have accounted for Pearces, Gort and Craughwell (in a final replay) on route to the Galway title, three teams who could mix it with the best in Ireland on their day.
Cushendall however will have designs on qualifying for the final. This season has felt different, there is something in the air. The capitulation against Portaferry in last years Ulster Final is a distant memory. The vulnerability of seasons past has been replaced with a tough skin, a fighting spirit and a determination unmatched in Antrim or Ulster. Ruairi Og were behind in all five championship matches this year only to emerge victorious in them all. It took a second half goal blitz from Sean Mc Afee(3) and Neil Mc Manus to see off St. Johns in the Antrim quarter final. Belief, guts and a never say die attitude disposed of Loughgiel in the semi final and The Antrim Final against Ballycastle was an absolute classic. Cushendall overturned a nine point half time deficit to claim The Volunteer Cup. The Dall were again behind at half time in The Ulster Semi against Middletown but got the job done. The Ulster Final was one of the best games of hurling for many years. Slaughtneil's ability to get goals put Cushendall under real pressure but each time they responded, refusing to lay down. They refused to take no for an answer. The game went to extra time, energy zapping, the lactic acid meant the muscles didn't respond to the brains commands. But passion overcame science and a herculean effort from each and every player dragged Cushendall over the line. Yes Neil Mc Manus is the scorer in chief but every team has their free taker, their top forward. The most pleasing aspect of Cushendall's season was that different players stood up and grabbed games by the scruff of the neck. Mc Manus, Arron Graffin, Sean Mc Afee, Donal and Christy Mc Naughton. There were Roy Of The Rovers moments in each and every game. Heart, class, tenacity, bravery. Something special... different. Dare to dream.
Cushendall's much anticipated All Ireland Semi Final clash with Galway champions Sarsfields is now only a matter of days away. Contesting an All Ireland Semi Final isn't new territory for Ruairi Og but winning one would be. We've been close, no doubt about that and we've mixed it with the best. On our maiden voyage, back when the semi finals were played home or away, in Waterford we had Mount Sion rattled before falling by four. Battling displays against Buffer's Alley and Middletown followed in the 80's before a youthful Birr side broke Dall hearts in early 1992. By the time we faced Brian Lohan's Wolfe Tones in February 1997 the home and away system, sadly for many, had been done away with. This began Cushendall's love hate relationship with Parnell Park in Dublin, the scene of undoubtedly our best performances at All Ireland level but also the scene of heartbreak for several brave Ruairi Og teams. Superb displays from Ciaran Mc Cambridge, Leonard Mc Keegan and Conor Mc Cambridge we had the Munster champions on the rack. However a strong finish from the Clare men saw them over the line by the minimum.
Three years later we found ourselves back in Parnell for a crack at reigning All Ireland Champions St. Josephs Doora-Barefield, boasting legends such as Jamsie O' Connor, Seanie Mc Mahon and Ollie Baker in their ranks. The Dall men cared little for reputations and with Mark Mc Cambridge shackling Mc Mahon and Declan Mc Killop giving Baker all sorts of trouble at midfield Cushendall broke for the line. In the dying embers of the game a high ball soared towards Dall full forward Sambo Mc Naughton who brilliantly fetched the ball among the clouds and turned for goal. Sambo had only one thing on his mind, the goal that would catapult Ruairi Og into the promised land. However just as he was about to pull the trigger he was fouled. Goal chance gone but Conor Mc Cambridge converted the free to give Cushendall a one point lead with the game now in injury time. St. Josephs however didn't panic and they worked the ball to substitute Fergal O' Hallron who pointed from an almost impossible angle and the game finished a draw. St. Josephs made no mistake in the replay eventually running out 6 point winners.
Temporary respite from Parnell saw us travel to Mullingar in early 2007 where we faced Loughrea from Galway. In poor conditions Cushendall worked hard but errant shooting and a lack of composure from a very young Dall side was our undoing.
In 2008 a much more mature Ruairi Og side took the field, back in Parnell Park, to face Munster Champions De La Salle from Waterford. Cushendall matched the Waterford men in all departments, with Kevin Elliott dominating their famous danger man John Mullane, six points over the hour from Neil Mc Manus and a goal with twelve minutes to go from Shane Mc Naughton Cushendall looked good. An inevitable fightback came from De La Salle but in injury time Ruairi Og were still in front by a point. Brian Phelan stood over a sideline ball 70 yards from goal. No doubt he was looking to land the ball among his forwards around the square. He caught the ball brilliantly and it sailed amazingly straight over the bar. As Francis Mc Auley took the poc out the referee blew full time. Extra time rather than a replay followed and it was De La Salle who prevailed.
And so to 2016, Navan the venue and Sarsfields the opposition. They have their own history in the competition, winners in 93 and 94, runners up in 98 a team inspired by the great Joe Cooney, who's son happens to be the danger man this time round. However it has been almost twenty years since they have dined at Galway's top table. Make no mistake the Galway Championship is the most competitive in the land with any of up to eight or nine clubs potential winners. Any team from the West must be respected. They have accounted for Pearces, Gort and Craughwell (in a final replay) on route to the Galway title, three teams who could mix it with the best in Ireland on their day.
Cushendall however will have designs on qualifying for the final. This season has felt different, there is something in the air. The capitulation against Portaferry in last years Ulster Final is a distant memory. The vulnerability of seasons past has been replaced with a tough skin, a fighting spirit and a determination unmatched in Antrim or Ulster. Ruairi Og were behind in all five championship matches this year only to emerge victorious in them all. It took a second half goal blitz from Sean Mc Afee(3) and Neil Mc Manus to see off St. Johns in the Antrim quarter final. Belief, guts and a never say die attitude disposed of Loughgiel in the semi final and The Antrim Final against Ballycastle was an absolute classic. Cushendall overturned a nine point half time deficit to claim The Volunteer Cup. The Dall were again behind at half time in The Ulster Semi against Middletown but got the job done. The Ulster Final was one of the best games of hurling for many years. Slaughtneil's ability to get goals put Cushendall under real pressure but each time they responded, refusing to lay down. They refused to take no for an answer. The game went to extra time, energy zapping, the lactic acid meant the muscles didn't respond to the brains commands. But passion overcame science and a herculean effort from each and every player dragged Cushendall over the line. Yes Neil Mc Manus is the scorer in chief but every team has their free taker, their top forward. The most pleasing aspect of Cushendall's season was that different players stood up and grabbed games by the scruff of the neck. Mc Manus, Arron Graffin, Sean Mc Afee, Donal and Christy Mc Naughton. There were Roy Of The Rovers moments in each and every game. Heart, class, tenacity, bravery. Something special... different. Dare to dream.