Slaughtneil ready to make the big push for hurling glory

Slaughtneil are a peculiar case, in that there was an upside to losing a football county final. It granted them five exclusively-hurling weeks in which to prepare for Antrim champions Dunloy in the Ulster semi-final.

Slaughtneil's Garald Bradley and Cormac O'Doherty celebrates at the final whistle of the Ulster club final. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Nobody is going to say it out loud, but the chances of a Derry team reaching their first All-Ireland club hurling final were significantly enhanced by the events of November 7 in Celtic Park.

That day, Glen beat their neighbours, Slaughtneil in the county football final.