All-Ireland Club Hurling semi-final: Slaughtneil sticks together after more heartbreak
There’s no way to avoid the traffic at St. Conleth Park, or find a hotel to ease your sorrows…at least not yet.
The people of Slaughtnier were on the pitch trying to offer words of comfort to sons, brothers, fathers, husbands, boyfriends, uncles, cousins, neighbors and friends.
Or in some cases partially appropriating Heaney’s line, “say nothing” – just be there for them. Stick together as a community as always.
Even for a neutral not involved in the game, Munster champions Sarsfield crushed Slaughtneil’s All-Ireland club hurling ambitions by the slimmest of margins 0-18 to 0-17 at the end of the game. It’s also a difficult moment to watch.
Shane McGuigan is heartbroken and his tears fall on the shoulders of his people, be they teammates, family or others at Slaughtnier.
Free agent Cormac O’Doherty tried to compose himself as he gazed onto the field in front of the goalposts, moments before captain Mark McGuigan had flashed a shot over the crossbar. A golden opportunity, and Slaughtnier’s goal could have secured the victory.
Rogers smiled sadly as family, friends and neighbors patted him on the back and paid their respects to Slaughtnier, who suffered a fifth defeat in five attempts at the All-Ireland semi-final stage.
It’s time to get in front of the microphone and try to find the right words.
