By Michael McMullan BRIAN Delargy and his management deserve the credit for Cushendall’s progression over the last three seasons, insists Ryan McCambridge. Victory in Sunday’s Ulster final saw the ‘Dall take home the Four Seasons Cup for the first time since 2018. The intervening years have been dominated by Dunloy and there were “bad years” when […]
By Niall Gartland CUSHENDALL have the opportunity to edge their noses in front at the top of the all-time leaderboard when they take on Sleacht Néill in Saturday’s Ulster Senior Championship final at Páirc Esler in Newry. As things stand both themselves and Antrim rivals Dunloy share the honour of topping the leaderboard with 11 […]
By Michael McMullan IT will be 77 days since their last competitive game when Brendan Rogers leads Sleacht Néill out for Sunday’s Ulster final showdown with Cushendall in Páirc Esler. It’s like a new season, but it’s not a shock. Michael McShane knew what his side were getting into if they retained the Fr Collins […]
By Shaun Casey TWENTY-FOUR hours after captaining his country to a victory over Scotland in the hurlingshinty hybrid international game at Páirc Esler, Newry, Neil McManus was back in the same venue eyeing up his next opponent. He attended the Down final between Portaferry and Ballycran, with his side Cushendall awaiting the winners. “It was […]
By Shaun Casey LAST year’s 19-point pummelling at the hands of Sleacht Néill still rankles with the Portaferry players and they’re hoping to right those wrong this weekend. They take on Antrim champions Cushendall in the Ulster semi-final in Armagh on Sunday and the Down men are keen to make an impact in Ulster. “I wasn’t […]
By Michael McMullan YOU can hear the traffic buzzing in the background as Brian Delargy answers the phone. It’s matched by the excitement and satisfaction in his voice as he danders along. Monday morning after winning a championship, you just want the day to last forever. Pop in for a fry. Scan the papers. Meet […]
By Niall McCoy “WE were close today but we think we’re close everyday. Someday we’ll get them.” The above is a quote from Cushendall manager Brian Delargy after last year’s county final loss to Dunloy. They may have lost by six points, but it was never a six-point game with Chrissy McMahon tagging on a […]
SO here we have it, Loughgiel and Cushendall will duke it out for the Volunteer Cup as the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship reaches its conclusion. First things first, for Loughgiel to overcome Dunloy in the semi-final was the big upset of the year, but for me, it’s almost written in the stars that Cushendall win […]
By Michael McMullan AT just 22 years of age, Loughgiel captain Declan McCloskey typifies the age profile of a team aiming to land the club’s 21st senior title on Sunday. The Shamrocks face a Cushendall team (Corrigan Park, 2.30pm) who handed them a 15-point defeat in the final game of the group stages. Goalkeeper Chrissy […]
By Michael McMullan CUSHENDALL’S focus is simple ahead of their Antrim semi-final clash with Ballycastle insists former Antrim star Neil McManus. It’s knock-out hurling and time to put in the best performance possible as the race for title number 15 takes another step on Saturday (Loughgiel, 2.30pm). McManus, who called time on a stellar county […]
