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Cushendall manager pays tribute to ‘perfect ambassador’ Neil McManus following remarkable 3-9 haul in Slaughtneil defeat
At this stage of his playing career, just about every superlative has been used to describe Neil McManus.
However, his herculean efforts on Saturday night still left Brian Delargy lost for words to do justice to his remarkable feat.
Yet, his 3-9 haul, which included a last-gasp goal to force extra-time, couldn’t prevent Cushendall slipping to an Ulster Club SHC semi-final loss to Slaughtneil in the Box-It Athletic Grounds.
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“He’s unbelievable - he is just the perfect ambassador for our club,” said Delargy.
“If you see the way he gets on around the training field with the young boys who come in - he is just a credit to his family.
“He is an unbelievable Gael, but I’m glad he’s a Cushendall man. The way he wears that jersey just inspires everybody around him, not just the young cubs, but even his teammates. You are lost for words sometimes with what Neil does.”
Despite his side lose their Ulster title, Delargy had nothing but praise for both teams after they served up a thrilling encounter with the Derry champions pulling five points clear in extra-time.
“We know that’s what Cushendall teams have done all through the years and that’s the culture we have in our club - when things get tough, we just knuckle down but came up short.
“Slaughtneil were super, powerful, striking, the scores they hit - they were top-class to be honest.
"When you go in there to the dressing room ahead of extra-time, that's living.
“The buzz and everybody thinking we're back again like we were last year against Portaferry, but we came back out and Slaughtneil hit two points and that took the buzz out of it a bit, but the boys died with their boots on."
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