By Michael McMullan

WINNING a first league title in 30 years was a massive boost but Rossa’s focus is now locked in making it to the knock-out stages of the championship.

That’s the take of manager Christopher McDonnell ahead of this weekend’s clash with Loughgiel.

They failed to make it out of a tough group of St John’s, Cushendall and Dunloy last season.

Despite playing with 14 men for the second half of this year’s first game with Cushendall, following a second yellow for goal-scorer Eoin Treanor, they pushed the champions all the way.

“I’ll be honest with you,” McDonnell said. “We were going against the wind with 14 men, so you were fearing the worst but the boys dug in.”

Neil McManus hit 2-8 but McDonnell felt Joe Mulholland did very well on McManus.

“When Neil gets that ball in his hand, you just know something’s going to happen,” he said.

“He’s just that deadly and he’s still probably the best forward in Antrim.”

Winning the league was a reward for their efforts across the season, balancing county duty and their pool of dual players.

“When you’re looking at sort of the names of the trophy, it is the single code teams who win that league,” McDonnell said.

“So, for a dual team to go and do it, it’s massive. It’s massive for us, it’s 21 years since we’ve won the county title and it’s probably 30 years since we’ve won the league.

“To get that trophy in the bag and a wee bit of tin in the pocket gives lads that confidence and that momentum to kick on and a great reward for the efforts.”

The additional challenge this week is cramming their preparations into their time left after the footballers’ were out against Portglenone last weekend.

It’s not a bone of contention for McDonnell. Dual clubs know the lie of the lands before any season begins.

“Last week was about keeping the single code lads together, when you’re comparing that to Loughgiel, Cushendall and Carey, they’re just getting a full blast at it.

“We’re almost like sort of a fire brigade. We’re a week on, week off, week on, week off. You’re just trying to keep the thing ticking over.

“The cards are on the table We’re not complaining about that, we knew that from the start of the year.

“You’re almost like a student, trying to cram the night before an exam. You’re getting your shooting in, your touch, your tackling and your tactics, a look at the other team. It’s a bit of a squeeze.”

The hope how is that the league campaign, a battle with Cushendall and this weekend’s game with Loughgiel will tell them exactly where they are at.

A top three finish is their goal. Knock-out hurling is where Rossa want to be.

“This year, it’s about getting out of the group by hook or by crook,” McDonnell added.

“One way or the other, we want to get to that knockout stage and get reset. So that’s the big challenge.

“You’re going all out against Cushendall, Loughgiel and Carey. I’m sure all those teams are saying the same thing.”