Ulster Intermediate club hurling final

Carey Faughs v Swatragh

Loughgiel 1-00pm

Saturday’s Intermediate club hurling final in Loughgiel is sure to draw a bumper crowd as Antrim Champions, Carey Faughs take on Swatragh of Derry. Both sides have impressed on their way to Saturday’s decider and will be well prepared for what should be an excellent final.

The inclusion of former Cloney Gaels player, PJ O’Connell in the Swatragh side adds a little bit more intrigue to the contest if any more were needed and O’Connell, now living in Kilrea will have been able to pass on some insight into the Carey side.

Not that it is likely to make much difference with both sets of management having already run their eyes over their respective opponents and it could be very much down to who wants it most on the day and who plays to their full potential.

Carey have certainly had to dig deep on route to Saturday’s final with both their quarter-final and semi-final going down to the wire.

Carey Faughs fans went through a range of emotions as they watched their heroes battle it out with a great Carrickmore team in the quarter final. Twice they came back from the dead to eventually take the game to penalties, when hero of the hour Steven McGinn sealed the win with two late saves.

It was back to Carrickmore and a meeting with Castleblaney Faughs for the Ballyvoy side in the semi-final for a game that had been postponed twice owing to the death of James Black, father of James ‘Rocket’ Black initially and then to Storm Bert.

The men from Ballyvoy were forced to dig deep before overcoming the challenge of excellent Monaghan champions Castleblaney in what turned into an uncompromising arm wrestle with little opportunity for open hurling.

It was nip and tuck all the way with Castleblaney leading for most of the contest but a long range point from mid-fielder Callum Kane brought the travelling Ballyvoy supporters to their feet as they edged ahead with ten minutes remaining.

Castleblaney were still hanging in there and free taker Fergal Rafter levelled once more but it would be the final time the sides were level and as play began to open up James McCaouig produced a strong run from deep in defence but was dispossessed.

However the ball broke favourably to substitute Fiachra McVeigh who sent Conor McBride clear on the right and he made no mistake as he fired to the net from 25 meters for the only goal of the game.

McBride’s goal moved the Antrim champions four ahead as the clock ticked towards full time but Castleblaney rallied with a point from Thomas Hughes and Carey were forced to defend in numbers as the Monaghan side went looking for the goal that would have sent it to extra time.

What about Swatragh?

In their Championship quarter final, Swatragh defeated Lisbellaw of Fermanagh 2-16 to 2-11 in Brewster Park on Saturday, November 2nd. Swatragh’s Sean Martin Quinn opened the scoring with a point. And Paul Cunning increased Swatragh’s lead with a well taken score.

The South Derry side always had the upper hand and P J O’Connell and Mick McCormack scored two goals in four minutes to put them in a commanding position.

Lisbellaw’s J P McGarry replied with a goal in the 63rd minute and John Duffy fired wide from a penalty 10 minutes from time as the Fermanagh side fought to get back into contention but to no avail

Swatragh’s commanding display was led by O’Connell, James Friel, Sean Martin Quinn, Paul Cunning, and keeper Niall McQuillan. 

Ahoghill was the venue for Swatragh’s meeting with Bredagh in the semi-final with the Derry men having six to spare in the end against the Down side.

Swatragh started the game with three scores, two of them coming from PJ O’Connell who was playing on his former home pitch.

Swatragh always seemed to have a man free and James Friel worked a short free to Quinn with the Swatragh player having ample time to slot the ball over the bar to put Swatragh five ahead.

Bredagh managed to narrow the gap to three at the break but Swatragh extended their lead on the resumption, and scored the only goal of the game when Oisin O’Kane took a pass from PJ O’Connell and found the net.

Bredagh hung in with Christie firing over a couple of frees but Swatragh continued to keep them at arm’s length.

Friel, who finished Swatragh’s top scorer with 0-5, pushed the gap back out to five in the 52nd minute and Bredagh weren’t able to respond.

Stephen McGinn has been excellent in the Carey goals this season and proved their hero against Carrickmore with those two amazing penalty saves while Patrick Gillan, Shea Hunter and James McCouaig have excelled in a strong Carey defence.

Youngster Callum Cane and Patrick Butler have formed a strong mid-field partnership while Connor McBride, James ‘Rocket’ Black and Caolan McCaughan have provided vital scores in a sharp attack.

They will face a Swatragh side on Saturday who have been impressive throughout their Ulster campaign and in James Friel, PJ’O’Connell, Sean Marty Quinn, Oisin O’Kane, Paul Cunning and keeper Niall McQuillan they have top performers.

This one could go either way but in a season where the Ballyvoy men have overcome adversity both on and off the field, Saturday can provide the perfect ending for the Carey Faughs.