Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship
Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to this weekend’s senior hurling championship with the group games coming to an end.
Six games done and dusted, three to play and we have our first knockout scenario of the championship on Saturday evening.
The current format of the championship has its detractors and naysayers but for me, other than the obvious number issue in one of the groups, it’s the best format we’ve had. It’s not knockout championship that everyone yearns for, but given the calendar, split county/club season and player availability, it’s the best format possible.
While Group 1 has been seen as a foregone conclusion in regards to who will automatically qualify for the semi-finals, the quarter final positioning remains to be settled. Last day out, Ballycastle and Naomh Éanna played out a draw that perhaps isn’t much of a surprise. The Town looked to have sealed the win when they were two clear going into injury time but scores from Ruairi Donaghy and Niall O’Connor brought the Hightown Road men back from the brink.
Tiarnan Smyth was in fine form for Ballycastle, 1-4 of his 1-7 coming from open play while Neal McAuley was rolling back the years. The scenario for Ballycastle is simple, a win against Loughgiel and they top the group, avoid a defeat by more than 10 points and they will come up against either St John’s or Rossa in the quarter finals, leaving Naomh Éanna to face either Cushendall or Dunloy in the other quarter final.
It will have been four weeks since the Shamrocks last match when they welcome Ballycastle to Healy Park on Sunday. It’s far from a perfect scenario when you’re looking to build momentum within a championship schedule. They are in a no-win situation where they are expected to win and if they don’t do it with some flair if not panache then the doubters will be there and pressure begins to build.
For what it’s worth, I fully expect them to win and with a bit to spare. While some might look upon the four-week break as a negative, I see it as the carrot Loughgiel management will need to focus their side. They’ll come in hungry for championship hurling and in front of their own crowd, they’ll want to put on a show.
Group 2 currently sits as most would have expected. Reining champions Cushendall welcome Dunloy to their backyard with a semi-final place at stake while Rossa make the short journey to Corrigan Park to face St John’s – anything other than a win for the home side will see them knocked out of the championship. If a local derby needed any more spice, it’s just been doused in petrol.
The two sides met in a similar situation last week in the football championship, St John’s coming out on top. If I were to put a name down on a docket for this one, I’d side with the Shaws Road men.
Since 2017, the Volunteer Cup has resided in either Cushendall or Dunloy. The Cuchullains with five titles and the Ruairi’s with two in that time frame. Saturday evening will be a contest between the two sides who have championship pedigree and should be a mouthwatering contest. It’s not exactly a winner takes all scenario, but with a place direct to the semi final on the line, perhaps this one might mean more for the Cuchullains. Many of their squad are involved in the football quarter final against St Brigid’s next Sunday and another championship contest six or seven days later would be far from ideal.
Dunloy’s last outing with the big ball against Lamh Dhearg, they did so resting many of their dual stars and taking others off during the hour. A nod, perhaps, to the significance of the Cushendall game in the eyes of the Dunloy management.
The Cuchullains were hugely impressive against Rossa last day out, especially in the first half. Their hunger in the middle third, movement and speed had their opponents’ chasing shadows. Nigel Elliott with a super performance while Keelan Molloy was at his irresistible best. They managed the second half professionally, keeping Rossa at arm’s length.
Cushendall made light of the ridiculous conditions later the same day against a St John’s team who flattered to deceive. On the day, Joseph McLaughlin gave an exhibition of free taking while Scott Walsh’s performance in the half back line was top drawer. The Johnnies threatened a second half comeback with the elements at their back but it never fully materialized with the organization of the Ruairi’s and their ability to recycle the sliotar shining in the rain…..and puddles. I can’t let this game go without sending out an apology of sorts to Dominic Delargy – it was he who managed to score his sides first goal and not Ciaran Neeson as I reported.
Back to this game.
It’s been a while since Cushendall have beaten Dunloy in the championship. From memory, I think it’s 10 years. There has been a couple of draws in there but the Cuchullains always seem to have that something extra when it comes to these contests.
That being said, Cushendall are a different animal and have improved from last year, even without the services of Neil McManus. He hasn’t hurled in the championship yet, but was part of the panel against St John’s. Likewise, Conal Cunning for Dunloy. Injury has left him watching on the sideline for the opening two matches, he is nearing back to full fitness but whether Saturday comes too soon remains to be seen.
Prediction time.
It’s going to be close and I wouldn’t rule out a draw, again between these two. Cushendall’s strength is their defence while Dunloy’s attacking unit when purring is almost unstoppable. Paddy Power has the Cuchullains at 4/6 while the ‘Dall are 11/8. The draw at 8/1 looks appealing….
Group 2
Cushendall v Dunloy
Date: Saturday 7 September
Venue: Cushendall
Time: 6pm
Referee: Colm McDonald (Naomh Gall)
St John’s v Rossa
Date: Saturday 7 September
Venue: St John’s
Time: 6pm
Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)
Group 1
Loughgiel v Ballycastle
Date: Sunday 8 September
Venue: Loughgiel
Time: 2pm
Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)