All-Ireland Semi-Final Preview
By Brendan McTaggart
For one part of north Antrim, the wait is almost over. It’s been a long, hard winter for the Ruairi Og’s of Cushendall but their focus has remained the same and their drive has never diminished. Since the Ulster final win, their thoughts turned immediately to the semi-final. Even on the Athletic Grounds pitch in the aftermath of the game the delight of the Ulster championship success was obvious but there was always an element of ‘job done.’ They’ve had their eye on this stage since 2016.
A defeat on the biggest day in the club calendar still rankles and the focus is to reach that stage once more. Yet on the press night organised, the Cushendall camp was incredibly calm. Relaxed yet organised but you got the feeling they were comfortable in the situation they are in. That comes from experience.
90 days will have passed since that win against Ballycran. When you consider from their first match against Dunloy in the inaugural league format of the Antrim championship and the Ulster final was 78 days, it could be defined as another season lay waiting, preparing and more waiting.
You can see why the majority want to play out the full championship in a calendar year. To reach the top of your game and win your championship is one thing, to maintain those levels for 90 days is the conundrum for any side who are lucky enough to prepare for an All-Ireland tilt. Cushendall manager Eamon Gillan gave us an idea on how they have went about their business since the 11th November: “It Hasn’t been too hard to fill in. Training three and four nights a week with a lot of gym work but we’ve been trying to get as many matches as we can. They’re not that easy got but we’ve been lucky enough. We were down with Kilkenny, Wexford and Cork as well for about the last month.
“All in all, there hasn’t been much time off, a few days off over Christmas but that’s it.”
Although it’s a long slog for the management team as well, Gillan told us he’s enjoying the experience of preparing a side for an All-Ireland semi-final for the first time: “It’s different alright. Winter trainings a completely different ball game to spring and summer. There’s certain things you have to do to keep things fresh and there’s things can go against you. It’s about keeping the lads fresh and interested but for me it’s been enjoyable.
“We brought in Dinny Cahill for a few sessions, he always brings something different. Sambo came in as well but apart from that it’s mainly been ourselves. Ciaran would be the main man for the sessions but we’ve tried to mix it up. Take a night off and do something different. It keeps everybody on board and everyone happy.
“Going through the slog all the time, no-one’s interested in that. You have to keep reminding them all the time that it’s an All-Ireland semi and the drive has to be self motivated. They’ve bought into it, they really have and I cant fault them. We’ve been a bit unlucky with boys going away and a couple of injuries but we’ve built for Antrim and Ulster at a pace and trying out things. We’ve had lads all year who have stepped up to the plate and it’s going to be tough for me and the rest of the selectors to pick the starting team.”
6th February 2016 is a date that will have been engrained in the Ruairi’s history. The day they finally broke their All-Ireland semi-final voodoo in an outstanding performance against another Galway opposition, Sarsfields. Gillan told us that experience is vital while looking ahead at St Thomas’: “I’ve looked at more tapes and I was down at the Galway final, they’re a good side. We have our homework done though and I would be very hopeful, I really would be. If we click on the day and that’s all 15 boys we won’t be far away, but if someone isn’t firing then we have good depth. We’ve improved since the Ulster final.”
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”91″ display=”pro_blog_gallery”]Competing at the All-Ireland stage is another level and Gillan was of no doubt the Ruairi’s have to reach levels they haven’t achieved in the 2018 championship. The improvement is required but Gillan said the make-up of his squad allows that progression: “I like the fact there’s a lot of leaders in this panel. They’re as good as another selector in that they make decisions for you. They’re strong minded and very mature about the whole thing but they’ll do whatever’s required.
“There’s a few young lads yes but the vast majority of these lads have been there before and know what’s required. Nothing beats experience.
“We’ll need a bit more. It’s another gear and the lads know that but part of that gear has been the conditioning. The weather has been quite good for the time of year but it’s different from summer hurling. Everything is that wee bit slower but you have to be physically faster.”
St Thomas’ will obviously pose a huge threat. Defeating Loughgiel after a replay on their way to becoming all-Ireland champions in 2013, they a team backboned with All-Ireland winners with Galway two years ago. Understandably, they start the semi as favourites but Cushendall have been here before and defied the odds. Can they do it again? Gillan said: “We have a good squad of leaders. Elderly lads and by that I mean, they’re not starting off in life. The likes of Sean Delargy, Natty McNaughton and Graffin, Neil McManus. Boys that have been around the block. They aren’t in their early 20’s anymore but the mix is there with the younger lads who were part of the last All-Ireland team and then a few lads who have come in this year. The older boys know this doesn’t come around too often and for some of them this could be their last chance. Next year it could be a different name on the cup, Antrim is that tight with only a poc of the ball between three or four clubs with St John’s in the mix now as well.
“It’s about getting 15 hurlers playing to the peak of their ability. You can win an Ulster title with maybe 10 playing well and a few carriers, this is going to be about 15 boys playing well. It’s going to be very physical, boys on top of their game but that’s what we’re preparing for. The lads know that. You can have no fear factor in this one. The belief has to be there big time otherwise we’re just wasting our time and these boys aren’t wasting their time.”