Loughgiel are ready to rock
Thursday, 9 February 2012
WE'VE all heard of that saying - 'a year older, a year wiser'. Well the hurlers of Loughgiel Shamrocks are hoping that old adage applies to them when they take on Limerick and Munster champions Na Piarsaigh in this Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final. They were at this very stage 12 months ago but their hopes of reaching a first national decider since that glorious 1982/83 season when they became the first, and only, club from Ulster to win the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, were dashed when they lost out to Kilkenny side O'Loughlin Gaels.
A year on, however, and there's no doubt manager PJ O'Mullan and his players will use that experience to their advantage, particularly against this Na Piarsaigh club who are in their first ever All-Ireland semi-final. Twelve months ago, Loughgiel could be forgiven at being more than happy to just be in the semi-final because, let's not forget, earlier that season, they finally broke their duck by winning their first Antrim county title in 21 years and then went on to claim their first Ulster title since 1989 as well.
But the Shamrocks will not be content with just making up the numbers at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon and one thing's for sure they will give it a right old rattle as they attempt to put an Ulster team in the final for this first time since Dunloy did it two years running in 2002/03 and 2003/04.
“I'm glad it's now upon us and we're looking forward to it," Loughgiel manager PJ O'Mullan told Chronicle Sport. "The players and myself as well, we've learned a lot from last year. We're more knitted together now. With the greatest respect to our Limerick opponents, there's no Kilkenny factor this year. Last year we up against players who had won an All-Ireland Senior title with Kilkenny. I think this year we are on a level playing field and the door is certainly open for both teams.
“I've no doubt that our players can deliver this year. All I ask is that they go out and give their all and if we are good enough then that's all well and good, and if we are not good enough, as long as they have played and given all they can. There's a big buzz about the parish and the club. I've no doubt they will get behind us and push us over the line. After last year we wanted to get back here and hopefully this year we can go one step better and be in Croke Park on March 17 in a final."
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