Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship
Preview
By Brendan McTaggart
It’s back.
You can almost smell the excitement in the air. Championship hurling is that excitement you can feel if not smell and it’s with us. It’s like Christmas but in summer. Marvellous stuff.
That’s how much I’ve missed the hurling.
Call me a hurling snob all you want but nothing beats championship hurling.
Before we get into the nitty gritty, lets look at the format. Eight teams, two groups of four. Round robin, quarter-finals, semi’s and a final. It might have taken a few trial runs and a pandemic but as the saying goes: “By George I think we’ve done it.” Three guaranteed games, incentives to top the group and no dead rubbers. Job is indeed, a good one.
I don’t know if this was always going to be the case this year, if it was then well done to those involved in striking the right note with this format. If not, please, whoever is making these decisions, keep this format. It works.
The only drawback is the times. A 2pm throw in and an all ticket affair for all games due to COVID restrictions makes it a nightmare for local journalists and a costly affair for families looking to attend. I understand the reasons for it though. The county board and clubs are making the most of the situation they are faced with. I do not envy the jobs of those who are committing their time to ensure we get to see some championship action. I doff my hat to all those involved.
So onto Sunday.
The main event is in Fr Healy Park. Live streamed to those who can’t make the event and for those who can, it’s an early championship treat. Dunloy may have won two of the last three championships but the Volunteer Cup has taken up residency at the Ruairi’s or Shamrock’s clubrooms for the better part of 15 years. Yet here they are, facing off on match day one of the championship.
Cushendall have changed management with Eamon Gillan stepping into the breach once again. Himself a Loughgiel man who served the Shamrock’s for years through administrative rolls but just like two years ago, he is preparing his side to face his native club.
Loughgiel fell at the semi’s of last year’s championship and hold onto the same management team, spearheaded by Hugh McCann. For the first time in 20 years though they are coming into a championship season without the services of Liam Watson. A legend in the Shamrock shirt and of the game in Antrim, his loss will undoubtedly be felt. But all things come to an end at some stage and Loughgiel will look forward. They had a brilliant minor team last year the Loughgiel management will undoubtedly look there for fresh blood as they continue their rebuild.
Naomh Éanna make their senior championship debut when they host St Gall’s. The Hightown Road men made a winning start to the league when they defeated St John’s. A massive boost for the 2019 Intermediate champions and a sign they may continue to push on from last years remarkable campaign and the foundations laid from Sambo.
St Galls are under new management with Chris Dornan stepping into the breach on the Milltown Row. Dornan lead Cushendun to the Antrim junior championship two years ago and has been involved in youth coaching in his own native Cushendall. His teams play with a distinctive style and it will be interesting to see how he makes an impression on a St Galls team with a wealth of experience.
Reigning champions Dunloy start the defence of their crown with a home tie against Ballycastle. They last met three years ago in the championship when the Cuchullains dismantled them in the semi-final on their way to bringing ‘Big Ear’s’ back to the village. They start this season as favourites to make it back to back titles, a fete they haven’t achieved since the 2002-03 seasons when they claimed their fourth title in a row. Incentive alone for the Cuchullains if they needed it.
Ballycastle’s championship campaigns have not been much to write home about for the past two seasons. Involved in the preliminary rounds against St Johns and Rossa, their campaigns were over before they ever really got started. That being said, their performance against Rossa in the ‘second leg’ at Páirc Mac Uílín is one they should take strength from. Hugely disappointing in the first leg, they rallied in the second half but came up short. Just. But like Loughgiel, they had a brilliant minor team last year and will add to a talented squad.
Belfast’s Old Firm completes the match day one fixtures and it’s a humdinger. The Johnnies make the short journey up the Falls Road to Rossa Park and this one is one to catch the eye. Always feisty, always intense, always worth the entrance fee. The form book really goes out the window when these pair face each other and I’d expect Sunday to be no different.
Colly Murphy is in his second year at the helm of the Jeremiah’s while Michael Johnston has brought Aidan Kelly into his backroom team. It’s not fair to say ‘expect fireworks’ as these two sides are more than capable of putting on an exhibition of hurling as well as ‘mixing’ it up.
It’s a festival of hurling and just a shame we can only take in one game at a time. If I put my neck on the line and make a trip to the bookies, I’d put my two bob bet on Cushendall, Naomh Éanna, Dunloy and St John’s.
Let the hurling and banter commence.
Group 1
Rossa vs St John’s @ Rossa Park
Dunloy vs Ballycastle @ Pearse Park
Group 2
Loughgiel vs Cushendall @Fr Healy Park
Naomh Éanna vs St Galls @ Hightown Road
