Slaughtneil facing tough test heading into All-Ireland hurling semi-final

Slaughtneil will take on Galway champions Loughrea in the AIB Senior All-Ireland Club Hurling Championship semi-final this Sunday at Parnell Park, with throw-in scheduled for 1:30pm.

The Derrymen are still seeking their first breakthrough at this stage, having fallen short in last year’s semi-final against Cork’s Sarsfields.

After five previous defeats in the final four, they will be hoping that the accumulated experience and the hurt of those near misses can finally propel them to Croke Park.

Parnell Park has hosted two of their previous semi-finals, including their 3-15 to 3-8 loss to Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh in 2018 and their five-point defeat to Waterford’s Ballygunner in 2022. Robert Emmetts now face another daunting task, this time against the challenge of back-to-back Galway champions Loughrea, who exited at this stage last season to eventual champions Na Fianna.

Paul McCormack’s side retained their provincial title with a 13-point win over Antrim champions St John’s last month, having earlier secured a 13th-straight Derry crown. Loughrea, meanwhile, held onto their Galway title with a one-point victory over St Thomas’ to secure their fourth ever county crown in November and advanced directly into the All-Ireland series.

Last season, McCormack’s men produced a remarkable championship run, defeating Cushendall in a thrilling semi-final before edging Portaferry in the Ulster final to claim a fifth provincial crown. Their journey ended in heartbreak in the All-Ireland semi-final, where they lost by a single point to Sarsfields in Newbridge last December on a scoreline of 0-17 to 0-18.

They have built on that momentum again this year, going unbeaten in Derry before seeing off Kevin Lynch’s to win a 13th consecutive Fr Collins Cup. That set up a repeat of last year’s provincial meeting with Portaferry in the Ulster semi-final, followed by a novel pairing with St John’s of Belfast a fortnight ago.

The Portaferry battle saw Slaughtneil prevail 1-23 to 1-18, while St John’s, appearing in their first provincial decider since last winning the Antrim title 52 years ago, posed a stern challenge. However, leading by five at the break, Slaughtneil’s class took hold in the second half as they eased to a 0-23 to 0-10 win, securing their sixth Four Seasons Cup and completing back-to-back provincial triumphs for the second time in nine years.

"Be loud and get behind us" urges Slaughtneil captain Mark McGuigan

McGuigan has urged GAA supporters across the county and province to make the trip to Dublin

Robert Emmet’s battle-hardened for Loughrea showdown

Slaughtneil have yet to break their semi-final duck, having fallen narrowly in each of their five previous attempts

Once again, the South Derry men will lean on the experience of Chrissy McKaigue and dual star Brendan Rogers in the inside forward line alongside the towering intercounty star Meehaul McGrath, usually berthed in the half-back line.

But match-winners lie all over the pitch, with Fionn McEldowney, Ruairí Ó’Mianáin, and Shane McGuigan all capable of turning a game. Cormac O’Doherty delivered a man-of-the-match performance from centre-back against St John’s, ending the game with a handsome tally of 0-10. O’Doherty was a key scorer last year, averaging eight points per game during Slaughtneil’s run to the All-Ireland semi-final.

This season, Slaughtneil are without the athleticism of Jack Cassidy, who is currently pursuing American college football. However, the emergence of rising young talent Cathal Ó’Mianáin, younger brother of Ruairí, has ensured a smooth transition.

Loughrea, meanwhile, represents a significant step up in quality, with strength across the field. The powerful All-Ireland medallist Johnny Coen, who made 43 appearances for Galway between 2011 and 2022, anchors their full-back line.

Tiernan Killeen is a regular in the Galway half-forward line, while Shane Morgan saw league action this year. Cullen Killeen and Vince Morgan were both part of Fergal Healy’s Galway U20 panel that reached this year’s Leinster semi-final, with the Galway champions boasting quality all over the field.

Much like Slaughtneil, they will be hoping to channel the hurt of last year's disappointment, losing to Na Fianna in almost identical fashion. The tribesmen suffered an agonising 0-17, 0-16 loss to the North Dublin side.

On the opposite side of the draw, Waterford’s Ballygunner will face Wexford neighbours St Martin’s in Thurles at 3:30pm. Both semi-finals will be broadcast live on TG4. The winners will meet for the Tommy Moore Cup in mid-January at Croke Park. Slaughtneil will be hoping to become the first Derry club ever to reach the All-Ireland final.