Ulster JHC Club semi-final
Shane O’Neill’s Antrim v Sean Treacy’s Armagh
Eoghan Ruadh Hurling Club Dungannon 5.00pm Saturday
Saturday’s Ulster Junior Club Hurling championship semi-final in Dungannon pits Antrim champions, Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm against Sean Treacy’s of Lurgan and the Feystown side face a much stiffer challenge than they did last weekend when they proved much too strong for Carrickmacross in Inniskeen in the quarter-final, but it is one they will relish.
The Glenarm men had quite a bit to spare as they swept aside the challenge of the Monaghan champions who were minus a few regulars but you can only play the team that’s there on the day and Shane O’Neill’s went about their job with great efficiency and determination.
Facing the wind in the opening half, Glenarm put themselves in a strong position at half time when they led by 3-11 to 1-8 with their goals coming from Niall McGael, and two from Darren Hamill despite falling behind to an early goal.
Hamill completed his hat-trick early in the second half and the Feystown side went on to add 16 second half points with full-forward, Liam Magill leading the way and the Glenarm sharp shooter finished with 0-8 to his credit with Niall McGarel and Sean O’Boyle also prominent in a very sharp attack as they ran out 4-27 to 1-12 winners.
While Shane O’Neill’s were laying down a marker in Inniskeen their opponents on Sunday, Sean Treacy’s of Lurgan were demonstrating why the Antrim champions should take them extremely seriously.
A hat-trick of goals from their own sharpshooter, Danny Magee guided the Lurgan men through to the last four as they overcame the challenge of Cootehill Celtic at the Atheletic Grounds.
Magee finished with a grand total of 3-6 to his names as Liam Kelly’s side ran out 12-point winners in the end.
Full forward Raymond Daly also chipped in with two goals while four other players weighed in with scores.
Michael Doran hit 0-3 and Tiarnan McKavanagh, Stephen Holloway and Kane Lavery got their names on the score-sheet and 5-12 is impressive scoring in anybody’s book.
Magee certainly looks one to watch for the Antrim champions but he is unlikely to be afforded the space he was given against the Cavan men while Shane O’Neill’s have the forwards to trouble them at the other end.
The Feystown side are unlikely to show any changes from the side who excelled in Inniskeen with Michael Abram in goals and Barry Hamill and Declan McDermott anchoring a strong and commanding defence.
Daniel Black has been a powerhouse at mid-field where has a useful partner in Kieran O’Boyle with team captain Darren Hamill, Niall McGarel, Ciaran Magill, Dylan McLaughlin and the O’Boyle’s, Sean and Kevin with the firepower to see Glenarm through in attack.