Cushendall prove that if at first you don’t succeed…

AIB All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final - Ruairi Og, Cushendall (Antrim) 3-12 Sarsfields (Galway) 1-6: Earlier this year, when Neil McManus and his girlfriend sat down to book their flights to Asia for the beginning of a six-month round the world trip, they picked May as their travel date.

McManus had already informed the Antrim management he’d miss the entire year but knew he’d be required throughout spring by his club.

“I had no doubt we were getting to this All-Ireland final,” said McManus matter of factly, his 1-7 haul on Saturday helping to turn his prediction into reality.