From the GAA website
Ahead of their AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final against Mount Leinster Rangers on Saturday, we take a closer look at Antrim and Ulster champions Loughgiel Shamrocks.
Loughgiel face the Carlow and Leinster champions at Páirc Esler, Newry on Saturday at 3pm.
Who are they?
The modern-day kingpins of Antrim and Ulster hurling. Shamrocks GAA Club is located in the small village of Loughguile on the edge of the Glens of Antrim, eight miles from Ballymoney. The club was founded in 1915 and has a long history of success, including two All-Ireland club titles, which were won in 1983 and 2012. Shamrocks have won 19 county titles in their history and are currently on their greatest ever run of success, winning four county and provincial titles in a row since 2010. They have also won the Ulster Championship on eight occasions, adding titles from the last four instalments to the four provincial successes garnered in the 1970s and ‘80s.
Path to the semi-final?
Loughgiel claimed the county title with a 3-14 to 2-6 victory over Ruairí Óg, Cushendall at Ballycastle back in September, where Benny McCarry was the star of the show, netting 2-1 to eclipse the six points Liam Watson scored.
In the Ulster semi-final, the Antrim representatives had a much tougher time of it and laboured to a 1-16 to 1-9 victory over Down champions Ballygalget at Owenbeg, with McCarry once again doing the damage with his side’s only goal.
It was in the provincial final, against Derry side Slaughtneil, that Loughgiel met their toughest challenge to date. Eight points down after 15 minutes, two Eddie McCloskey goals cut the gap to four at the break, and with the aid of the wind and a third goal from Shay Casey in the second half, PJ O’Mullan’s charges secured a fourth Ulster title in a row.
Players to Watch?
Liam Watson is undoubtedly their star man. A wizard with the stick and small ball, he has consistently been Shamrocks’ best performer over the duration of their current, unprecedented run of success. Incredibly, he scored 3-7 in the 2012 All-Ireland final defeat of Coolderry on a day when he demonstrated his dazzling array of skills on the grandest stage of all. The team’s talisman, Watson is the man for the big occasion, striking an equalising goal from a 21-metre free with the last puck of the game in the semi-final against St Thomas' last year.
Watson, however, has been somewhat overshadowed by attacking colleague Benny McCarry, who has been on fire throughout the campaign at corner forward. So far, he’s hit 2-1 in the county final, 1-4 in the Ulster semi-final and then a more modest 0-1 in the Ulster final. McCarry is now regarded as one of the finest club hurlers in the province.
Inter-county star Eddie McCloskey (below) is another of Shamrocks’ leading lights. The 25-year-old wing-forward showed great character in the Ulster final, with his timely contribution of 2-2 digging his side out of real hole against Slaughtneil.
At the back, full-back Neil McGarry is a rock, while wing-back Tiernan Coyle is another man in a rich vein of form, while goalkeeper DD Quinn is one of the best in the business.
Strengths?
Still the only Ulster club team to win an All-Ireland title, one of Loughgiel’s greatest strengths is their ability to rise above all the mental and historical barriers facing teams from the province in national competitions. In 1983, they shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first Ulster side to lift the Tommy Moore Cup; against the odds, they did it again in 2012. With four successive Antrim and Ulster titles and regular appearances in the All-Ireland semi-finals, Loughgiel are now a real force on the national stage.
It’s a perennial bone of contention in Antrim, but part of the reason for that success is their almost singular focus on the club ahead of the inter-county side. Liam Watson is widely regarded as the best forward in the county and yet he isn't currently involved with Kevin Ryan’s side, and does not expect to be this summer. Loughgiel provide very few players to the Antrim senior side, and while it may not sit well with everyone, it has been a key factor in their emergence as the powerhouse of Ulster club hurling.
On the pitch, their greatest strength is undoubtedly a potent attack. Between them, the full-forward line of Benny McCarry, Liam Watson and Shay Casey are capable of devastating defences. Loughgiel have a panel of 28 with an average age of just 26.
On the Line?
The imposing, bear-like figure of PJ O’Mullan patrols the Shamrocks sideline, and has done so right throughout their incredible run of success since taking over in 2010. However, the 39-year-old has been stricken with ankle problems of late and is currently on crutches and due to undergo surgery in April. A man with Loughgiel hurling coursing through his blood, his father PJ senior, played on the 1983 All-Ireland winning team.
The legendary Jim Nelson, Antrim manager back in the glory days of 1989, was O’Mullan’s assistant but had to step back due to illness last summer. Gavan Duffy, who has plenty of experience with Queen’s, stepped in as coach, although Nelson has returned recently to help out of late. Dominic Casey, Chris O'Connell, Joe McGurk and Niall Gillen complete the backroom team.
Track Record?
Loughgiel’s track record at AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship level is impressive. In the semi-finals of the competition for the fourth year running, they are looking to get back to Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day, where they have won the Tommy Moore Cup twice in the past – in 2012 and 1983. Beaten in the final four by St Thomas’ after a replay last year, Loughgiel will be determined not to slip up against Carlow champions Mount Leinster Rangers this time.
