Junior Championship Final 2016 Preview
This Saturday, 17th Sept, Cushendun will be hoping to make up for a heartbreaking defeat to Creggan in the 2013 decider when they take on the city outfit of Lamh Dearg in Armoy in the final of the Junior Championship.
Both teams have been boosted recently by players returning from plying their trade in the States during the summer and to this end, current league positions will count for nothing when Rasharkin whistler, Michael Hardy gets proceedings under way on Saturday.
Cushendun's path to the final included a facile victory over a very under strength Davitts team and a much tougher battle with Glenarm. The Glenarm match in particular was in the balance right up until the last few minutes with Cushendun relying on the quality of their bench to see them through. Unfortunately for Cushendun, hot shot Alex Mc Mullan and the tough tackling Don Whelan will not be available for the final having played central roles in the campaign so far. Youth and plenty of experience in the Cushendun set up has proven to be the recipe for a good championship run this year. Indeed there are still a few members on this year's panel who were listed on the team sheet when Cushendun played in the Senior Championship final in 2000 against Dunloy. The management team of Seamus Mc Quillan and Skinner are working hard this week on the starting fifteen and Skinner has said that the team will not be announced until Saturday morning to ensure that all players stay focused on securing a spot in the starting line up. There should however be no surprises in some key positions with Marty J expected to line out in goals. The evergreen RJ, a veteran of over 20 championship campaigns should fill the full back berth and a fairly settled defensive set up is sure to be named. Team captain Conleth will likely lead the attack from his favourite position at number14 and it is the selection of the remaining attackers that will prove they key choices to be made by management.
It is good to see the "flag monster" has been out and done his work around the village. All we need now is a good competitive game with a Cushendun victory to celebrate on Saturday night.
The team appreciate all the good wishes and would love to see a big turnout of the Green and Black army in Armoy on Saturday at 2.00.