"There's a freshness about facing Cushendall" - McShane
December 01, 2023
Slaughtneil captain Brendan Rogers congratulated after the game by his manager Michael McShane ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty
Slaughtneil boss Michael McShane says his side are relishing Sunday’s Ulster club senior hurling championship final showdown against Cushendall.
The sides are set to meet for the first time since the 2015 decider when the Antrim champions edged their Derry counterparts after extra time (1-24 to 3-17).
Speaking to BBC Sport NI ahead of this Sunday’s clash at Pairc Esler, Newry (throw-in 2.30pm), McShane says the sides’ first competitive meeting in eight years brings “a freshness” to the game.
“No, we haven't and there's a first time for everything. When you look back on that final, it was a fabulous game of hurling for the neutral,” he stated.
"We came out on the wrong side of the result, but that was all about learning for us at the time.
"We came away from it obviously disappointed, but we learned enough to be able to go and get our first Ulster title the next year.
"We haven't come across Cushendall since so we're really looking forward to this Sunday. There's a freshness about it. Dunloy and ourselves have been knocking lumps out of each other for the last four years and are probably sick of each other so there's a freshness about facing Cushendall."
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