Brian Delargy issues Cushendall injury update ahead of Slaughtneil showdown

Cushendall manager Brian Delargy is hoping to have a full panel to pick from as his side prepare to do battle with familiar foes Slaughtneil at the Box-It Athletic Grounds on Saturday night.

The Ulster Club SHC semi-final is a repeat of last season’s provincial final which Cushendall won by four points before suffering a narrow loss to O’Loughlin Gaels in the All-Ireland semi-final.

After seeing off the challenge of Dunloy and Storm Ashley in the Antrim final at Ballycastle last month, Delargy says a few niggles is his only concern on the injury front ahead of the Ulster semi-final showdown.

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“Hopefully we will be alright - there are a couple of niggles but you are always going to get them at this time of the year when the games come thick and fast,” said Delargy.

“The three or four weeks has let us get some boys rested up, get the physio and treatment, so touch wood we'll be alright.

“The boys enjoyed it - we all did - but they were back on the pitch on the Thursday (after the Antrim final).

“You sometimes bring them back the first night and go easy, but the boys came back in good form and raring to go again, so since that Thursday it's been really good and the standards have gone up.

"We'd a challenge game and a lot of work done, so this week it's tapering down as all the work is done.

"It was important to get a challenge game as we have a panel of 33 and not a lot of them see game time coming into the Championship.

“You keep everybody fresh with a game and everybody got at least half an hour, so it was worthwhile and hopefully, it will stand to us.”

While Cushendall missed out on a second All-Ireland final appearance following that one-point loss to O’Loughlin Gaels last December, Delargy insists getting back to the All-Ireland series hasn't been on their radar in 2024.

The Ruairi Óg’s were taken to extra-time in the Antrim SHC semi-final by St John’s and were 1-16 to 2-12 winners over Dunloy in the county final.

Delargy says it would be foolish to look too far down the tracks with Portaferry, who also brought Cushendall to extra-time in the Ulster semi-final last year, awaiting the winners of Saturday’s clash.

“When we had our meeting at the start of the year, it wasn't mentioned about winning All-Irelands,” added the Cushendall manager.

“It was just about keeping the group together and build on what we've been doing.

"We won the Antrim league with good performances throughout and now onto Championship and Ulster. I can't remember the All-Ireland semi-final (last year) mentioned once.

"They are a good bunch of lads and we just want to keep the season rolling. I know it's a cliche, but it's one game at a time. Playing the champions of each county, they are battle-hardened, successful and know how to win.

"It's good that the three teams there are back from last year, so they are used to it. If you don't perform and get put out, you have a long time to wait, so it's about performing and getting the win.

“Slaughtneil will be wanting to put it right after last year's performance, but we know we are going to have to play our best and hope they come with their best, so may the best team win.”

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