Derry champions Slaughtneil bidding to win back-to-back Ulster titles

Saturday marks a red-letter showcase for hurling people across Ulster as the AIB Ulster Senior Club Hurling Final takes centre stage.

Derry champions Slaughtneil will bid to win back-to-back Ulster titles for only the second time when they face Antrim’s St John’s at the Box-It Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday evening. The throw-in is scheduled for 6.00pm.

It will be the first ever championship meeting between the sides. St John’s last emerged from the Antrim Championship in 1973, the same year they claimed their only Ulster crown, having been awarded it thanks to a walkover from Derry’s Kevin Lynch’s.

The Belfast men ended their 52-year wait for another Antrim title last October, producing a famous 2-16 to 1-18 victory over the highly fancied Loughgiel Shamrocks to secure their eighth county crown.

In contrast, Slaughtneil’s record over the same period could hardly be more different. Robert Emmet’s have collected 15 Derry titles since St John’s last Antrim win. Their dominance has been relentless in recent years: since 2013 they have tightened a copper-fastened hold on the Fr Collins Cup, winning thirteen county titles in a row.

During that run, they have also lifted five Ulster Senior Club Championships, including back-to-back victories in 2016 and 2017. This year, Slaughtneil eased past Kevin Lynch’s in the Derry decider, blitzing the Dungiven men 3-24 to 1-10 at Owenbeg. Since their breakthrough triumph in 2013, they have won every county final by an average margin of 12 points.

After emerging from their respective county championships, both sides took contrasting routes to the provincial final. Slaughtneil were forced to dig deep to overcome Down champions Portaferry in a repeat of last year’s provincial decider, with Shea Cassidy unerring from placed balls and striking ten frees.

St John’s, meanwhile, delivered a commanding performance to defeat Donegal champions Setanta 3-20 to 0-12. It marked the first time a Donegal club had participated in the Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship, but the Antrim champions showed no hesitation in booking their final appearance.

Last season, Paul McCormack’s men enjoyed a remarkable championship journey, defeating Cushendall in a thrilling semi-final before edging past Portaferry in the Ulster final. Their run came to an agonising halt in the All-Ireland semi-final, where they lost by the minimum to Cork’s Sarsfields.

The South Derry men will once again look to the experienced core of Chrissy McKaigue, dual star Brendan Rogers and Meehaul McGrath to lead the charge. But they possess match-winners across the pitch, with the likes of Fionn McEldowney, Ruairí Ó’Mianáin and Shane McGuigan all capable of turning a game on its head.

Cormac O’Doherty was a key forward for the champions last year, averaging eight points per game in Slaughtneil’s run to the All-Ireland semi-final.

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This season, the Derrymen are without the athleticism of Jack Cassidy, who is currently plying his trade in American college football. However, the introduction of rising young star Cathal Ó’Mianáin, younger brother of Ruairí, has ensured a seamless transition.

St John’s, meanwhile, will be backboned by a strong Antrim contingent, with a hugely physical battle guaranteed from the Belfast men. Donal Carson, Aaron Bradley, and brothers Conor and Ciaran Johnston bring significant experience in the Saffron jersey.

Conor Johnston hit four excellent points from play in the Antrim final, while Down forward Oisín McManus contributed 1-2 against Loughgiel. Last time out against Donegal champions Setanta, McManus struck 0-12 of the West Belfast club’s 3-20 tally.

Despite winning five Ulster crowns since 2016, Slaughtneil have never managed to break their duck at All-Ireland level and progress beyond the semi-final stage. Paul McCormack’s men will undoubtedly relish the opportunity for another shot at the All-Ireland series following last year’s heartbreak should they get over the line on Saturday evening.

The winners of Saturday’s mammoth clash will go on to face Galway champions Loughrea in mid-December for a place in the All-Ireland final.