All-Ireland Club SHC: Cushendall's McManus says O'Loughlin Gaels a 'huge challenge'

Neil McManus scored eight points in Cushendall's Ulster final victory over Slaughtneil

Veteran Cushendall hurler Neil McManus says the Ulster champions are expecting to face a "huge challenge" when they play O'Loughlin Gaels in Navan.

The Antrim club will take on their Leinster counterparts in their All-Ireland Club semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

"They have some standout players, All-Stars, and they've been there and done it as well," reflected McManus.

"They're the Leinster champions. That's all you need to know," he added.

"They've dethroned Ballyhale [Shamrocks, 2022 Leinster SHC champions]. All credit to them, they've had a phenomenal season so far."

O'Loughlin Gaels boast the likes of 2023 All-Stars Huw Lawlor and Mikey Butler plus their Kilkenny team-mate Paddy Deegan, in addition to the prolific Mark Bergin, as McManus emphasises that the sport is very much a squad game now with regular selection posers.

2023 Hurling All-Stars Huw Lawlor and Mikey Butler are both members of the O'Loughlin Gaels team

Bergin fired 10 of O'Loughlin Gaels' 0-20 - including three from play - as they edged out Ballyhale 0-20 to 0-19 in a thrilling Kilkenny Final in late October when centre half-back Deegan hit the winner three minutes into injury-time.

"He's [Mark Bergin] a great player, very accurate from the placed ball and from play as well. He's somebody we'll have to watch closely during the game as well as from placed balls. Discipline is key," added McManus.

"It's the epitome of the panel game now. Ed McQuillan's contributions off the bench or from a starting place have been exceptional for us, so Brian [Delargy, Cushendall manager] has to weigh up, who does he start with, who does he finish with."

Lawlor is expected to be detailed to pick up McManus with Butler being tipped to shadow rising Cushendall star Joseph McLaughlin.

Cushendall's 2016 semi-final win came at Navan

McManus contributed 0-8 as Cushendall saw off Slaughtneil 0-20 to 2-10 in the Ulster decider in Newry earlier this month.

Now the Antrim champions are hoping to build on their 12th provincial triumph by improving on a record of 10 defeats in All-Ireland semi-finals, their sole victory at the last-four stage coming against Sarsfields of Galway in Navan in 2016.

McManus scored a penalty that day and hopes the fact that Sunday's tie will be played at the same venue could inspire his team.

"It holds a fond memory for us, no doubt," said McManus.

"It's a ground that we're familiar with, especially the county players, who have been playing there against Meath in recent times.

"It's been a long time coming for Cushendall to get back to an All-Ireland semi-final. As you can imagine the club and the community as a whole are really looking forward to it."

Cushendall are understood to have no injury concerns for their encounter with the Kilkenny kingpins, with Niall McCormack expected to again fly in from Canada, where he is a ski instructor, for the semi-final, just as he did for the provincial decider against Slaughtneil.