REACHING the last four of the Antrim SHC has been both an expectation and an end-point for St John’s in recent years, but their star defender Ciaran Johnston does not take either aspect for granted.
Semi-final regulars for several seasons alongside the ‘big three’ of Cushendall, Dunloy, Loughgiel, the Johnnies missed out last year, well beaten by Loughgiel in the quarter-finals.
Naomh Eanna of Glengormley stand in their way now, and Johnston knows they will present a formidable obstacle. However, he believes they can go further – and perhaps further again.
“It’s another great opportunity for us, but St Enda’s will see it that way too. Both teams know each other well and on a personal level, myself, Conor [his brother], the other lads who’ve played county for a long time with the likes of Joe [Maskey] and Niall O’Connor, we’d all be on good terms.”
He accepts that his club will be viewed as favourites, but sees their near neighbours as a team to be reckoned with: “If you’re going on previous years, yes, [we’re favourites] - but St Enda’s have done a huge amount of work. They’ve been a Division One team for a while now and consistently been competitive. We’re under no illusions about the task facing us.”
St John’s are probably more battle-hardened, their last eight place clinched by a late surge to see off Belfast rivals Rossa after group defeats by the clubs that have dominated Antrim hurling in recent times, Dunloy and champions Cushendall:
“Last year we had a difficult year, both how we finished up in the league and the championship, we were disappointed, but we’ve re-grouped as best we can.
“When we sat down at the start of year the first target was to get out of the group. That’s not down-playing matters because you saw what the group was like.
“Cushendall really should have been in an All-Ireland Final last season and Dunloy were a couple of pucs of a ball away from being All-Ireland champions before that.
“The big three have that tradition of winning, so it’s very difficult for us. But for us, we have won dual at every [underage] level, we have won everything. It’s just when we get to senior…”
It would be easy for the likes of Johnston and St John’s to give up in frustration. Cushendall, Dunloy, and last year’s losing finalists Loughgiel have kept the Volunteer Cup between them since 2004, when Belfast’s O’Donovan Rossa overcame the Shamrocks in the decider.
The demands on dual clubs such as St John’s and Naomh Eanna are high too, but with that word ‘dual’ having taken on a different meaning for Ciaran more recently – as a father of “two under two” and a solicitor by profession - he’s stepped away from football this season to focus on hurling.
The demands and blessings of fatherhood have altered his perspective about sport, he says:
“There’s a maturity to it for us now. With the kids I have, I’ve much more of an appreciation of playing. It’s not easy to say, but it’s not all about winning.
“In our group, it’s an enjoyable process. We’ve worked hard, but we’re also aiming, as much as we can, to keep enjoying it. That’s why you started out as a child and it doesn’t change at senior level. As soon as that hunger goes, for any player, perhaps it’s time to step away.
“We’re lucky that we’ve been able to retain so many. We’ve been in a right few semi-finals. It’s testament to the character in our group that we’ve kept coming back repeatedly. We’re still pushing, trying to break down that door.”
The second quarter-final, on Sunday, pits ‘Town’ against country, Ballycastle against Dunloy. The latter could probably have done without this extra match due to their dual status, although their footballers’ involvement did end last weekend with defeat against St Brigid’s.
Manager Gregory O’Kane will now have all his players fully focussed on the small ball code. Even if they still had a packed schedule the Cuchullain’s would be red-hot favourites to reach the semi-finals, where Cushendall and Loughgiel await.
Ballycastle finished bottom of the three-team Group 1, albeit only because they scored less overall than Naomh Eanna, with whom they had drawn 1-15 apiece in their meeting. Both had a minus 10 scoring difference from their defeats by Loughgiel Shamrocks, but the McQuillan’s managed only 11 points, although playing conditions were difficult.
Dunloy going forward is almost certain – and St John’s should join them.