Bathshack Antrim SHC semi-finals: Loughgiel v Cushendall (Ballycastle, 2pm); Dunloy v St John’s (Dunsilly, 5pm)
St John’s have been the nearly men of the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship for the last number of years and they’ll bid to shed that tag by reaching the county final at the expense of holders Dunloy on Sunday.
Over the last four campaigns, the Whiterock Road men have bowed out at the semi-final stage on each occasion, losing out to North Antrim opposition every time.
The Johnnies might have thought their luck had changed when they edged out Loughgiel in Portglenone in last year’s quarter-final having lost out to the Shamrocks after extra-time in an epic 2020 semi-final.
Read more: Eddie McCloskey still hungry for more silverware with Loughgiel
However, they ran into a Dunloy team in top form in the semi-final with Gregory O’Kane’s men also powering past Rossa in the county final.
They suffered replay defeats to Cushendall in 2018 and 2019 and St John's haven't reached the county final since 1994 and haven't lifted the Volunteer Cup since 1973.
At full strength, St John’s are a match for any team in the county, but Brian McFall admits he'd love another week or two to get his key players up to full fitness.
"Conor Johnston (broken wrist) got his cast off on Monday and he was back training and the bone has healed well," said McFall.
"Conall Bohill and Oisin Donnelly trained, but both aren't 100 per cent yet. Jack Bohill is also back after a serious shoulder injury.
"Most of them are coming around well, you'd just love another week or two to get them up to speed.
"For the first time this year, it will be difficult to pick the team. All year, we've got one or two players back from injury then lost another one or two players. It has been a nightmare.
"Domhnall Nugent has delayed a knee operation until the end of the season. He'll be able to feature at some point, but he isn't fully fit. Aidan McMahon (knee cap) is gone for the rest of the year."
Dunloy manager O’Kane isn’t without his own injury concerns after dual ace Chrissy McMahon picked up an ankle injury in the Intermediate football win over Davitt’s last weekend.
It is understood Seann Elliott sustained a shoulder injury in the same game while Oran Quinn played no part for the footballers.
Antrim attacker Eoin O’Neill has also been unavailable for Dunloy after travelling to London, but Nigel Elliott is back in the fold after missing last season after going travelling to Australia.
"I'd love to have the strength-in-depth Dunloy have! They have some excellent young players coming through the ranks and that's where we going to struggle in the next few years," added McFall.
"No matter what team they put out on Sunday, they are going to be a handful.
"We can't worry too much about who might or might not play for them. We have to focus on getting our own performance right.
"If any team deserves a bit of luck in a semi-final it is this team. We've had some games in our hands and we've thrown them away. It would be a massive relief to get into the final and get that monkey off our backs."
The first semi-final on Sunday is a local derby meeting between Loughgiel and Cushendall who’ve already clashed in the 2022 Championship.
On that occasion, the Ruairi Ógs prevailed by five points at Dunsilly and went on to top Group Two while the Shamrocks defeated Rossa in commanding fashion in the quarter-final earlier this month.
Eddie McCloskey has fully recovered from an Achilles problem and hit six points from play against Rossa while Antrim ace James McNaughton is also expected to be fit to start after picking up a knock in the quarter-final.
Cushendall have been touted as the biggest threats to Dunloy’s crown all season with Antrim stars Paddy Burke, Scott Walsh and Eoghan Campbell in their defence, they’ll look to nullify the significant threat posed by the Loughgiel attack.
That might be easier said than done as McCloskey, Paul Boyle and Shan McGrath were excellent against Rossa but, at Ballycastle, the elements will always make life difficult for the shooters on both sides.
This one is sure to go right to the wire and those hoping to make the second semi-final at Dunsilly later on Sunday will be hoping extra-time isn’t required.
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