Experienced Antrim champions equipped to end semi-final losing streak

FOR the time being, it will matter little to either surprise Munster champions De La Salle or experienced campaigners Cushendall that the conventional view is that the All-Ireland club hurling champions will come from the other semi-final.

For both of them, getting to the final is the real challenge.

And this applies more so to the Waterford city side, who have never been outside the county, than to the Antrim champions who have the experience of eight semi-final appearances (one a replay).

It may seem unfair to question the credentials of De La Salle but the reality is that this will be their toughest game to date.

They went in as underdogs against Cork champions Sarsfields and failed to perform in the first half of the Munster final.

On the other hand, in winning the two games — each by a two point margin — they displayed all of the character required of a team to be successful and a lot of the skill which has characterised Decies performances in recent years.

At this level of competition, the contributions which teams gain from inter-county players can often mean the difference between winning and losing and so it has been with De La Salle — through the roles of Kevin Moran at centre-back, Brian Phelan at midfield and captain John Mullane.

All three have been immense through the campaign and Mullane’s influence in attack has been especially important. So too has been Stephen Brenner’s reliability in goal.

Cushendall also depend on their senior players and currently they have up to six members of the Antrim side (all starters).

And, they are likely to be boosted by the return after injury of Neil McManus, reckoned to be one of the county’s best forwards on his day.

With DLS manager Owen Dunphy commenting after the Munster final that their lack of pressure hurling showed, everything has been done through a sequence of challenge matches (one against the county team) to sharpen their hurling.

But Cushendall won the Ulster final on October 20, De Le Salle coming through on November 30, so current form is a bit of a lottery. However, while they have been inactive for a longer period, Cushendall’s greater experience will mean the difference, changing their luck for the better.

* Verdict: Cushendall