By Michael McMullan

SWATRAGH hurling is continuing to rise but they are at another crossroads as they bid for Ulster glory against Antrim’s Carey Faughs on Saturday.

For Sean Martin Quinn, he can see the progress deeper than their results in recent years.

Numbers are more plentiful with a greater interest and a relaxed environment.

“When I started playing senior, if we got over 20 players it would’ve been a good turnout at training,” Quinn said of coming out of underage in 2017.

“Now we’re sitting with well over 30 or 35 men at training there every night and upwards towards 40 some nights. To me that’s been a clear sign of progression.”

There is a healthy look to their minor team with an appetite to keep wielding their hurls into the senior ranks.

When Seamus Bradley and Declan ‘Chapper’ McGuckin took over the team during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, they brought a different mantra.

Enjoyment and hard work came hand in hand. While fun was important, training was no walk in the park.

“The number one thing was enjoying it, I think they really got that message across,” Quinn felt.

“The camaraderie and togetherness are there in the group, it’s welcoming for anybody around the village.

“Coming out of minors, they feel more comfortable coming into that environment.”

Winning games always helps and with numbers at training, there can be more variation and enough to play a proper game. That’s the cycle.

After a draw with Kevin Lynch’s in the group stages this year, wins over Na Maghan and Coleraine were a must to book a senior semi-final spot.

With a better score difference, Swatragh edged out Kevin Lynch’s for top spot to set up a semi-final with Banagher. It was a defeat that sticks in the throat.

“We just never got going,” said Quinn, still pondering over the upwards of 20 chances passed up.

Derry’s structures then paired them – as beaten semi-finalists – with Kevin Lynch’s in the Intermediate final.

Swatragh had never beaten them in championship hurling. They did come close but this was the year they actually came out on the right side of the result.

“It’s a testament to the group and the togetherness we have, to come back from that (losing to Banagher),” Quinn added.

“To put in the sort of performance we did against Kevin Lynch in the Intermediate final was brilliant.”

It was the monkey off the back and a chance to banish their Ulster Junior demons of last year.

Despite being fancied to go the whole way, the ‘Swa came a cropper against St Eunan’s.

“We know we’re better than what we showed last year,” Quinn said. They were conscious of the snide remarks at falling short despite a heavy favourites’ tag.

Going into Ulster this season, Swatragh had a chip on their shoulder. They had to deliver.

A win over a Lisbellaw side with a smattering of Fermanagh county players was backed up by victory over Bredagh.

Speaking before knowing if it was Castleblayney or Carey they’d face, Quinn said they’d get a look at the semi-final but there was a deep focus on themselves.

In his eyes, as a dual player, hurling isn’t as tactical as football. Knowing the opponents isn’t a major advantage outside of sussing out the key opposition payers.

“Around 80 or 90 per cent of hurling games are won by the key ingredients,” Quinn summed up.

“There is the determination, stick work, team work and ability.”

Below that is the structure and any brief tactics. In hurling, there is beauty in going out to play ball.

“It’s basically down to you what you do on the day,” he summed up. “Obviously, you look into opposition but 90 per cent of it is down to what the team itself does.”