Neil McManus and Cushendall were left to rue missed opportunites as they narrowly lost out on a place in the All-Ireland senior club hurling championship final this afternoon.
Kilkenny's O'Loughlin Gaels will now play Galway's St. Thomas' in the decider next month at Croke Park after the Leinster champions walked away from Páirc Tailteann with a one point victory following an enthralling encounter against the Antrim side.
It will only be O'Loughlin Gaels second ever appearance in the senior club final having last made it in 2011 where they were defeated by Clarinbridge.
Cushendall were also hoping to make it to the final for only the second time in their history, having lost out in the 2016 decider to Na Piarsaigh.
The Ulster champions played excellently throughout this afternoon and for much of the game it looked like an upset was on the cards.
They led by 1-04 to no score after the opening five minutes and went in at half-time three points up.
It took until the 51st minute for O'Loughlin Gaels to lead for the first time after Mark Breslin pointed. McManus levelled the game up in stoppage time before David Fogarty slotted over what proved to be the winner.
#GAABEO 60+3 nóim @RuairiOgCLG 1-16@oloughlingaels 1-17
An fear ceart san áit ceart agus Gaeil Uí Lochlainn leis an mbua!
The winning point from David Fogarty! 😍
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺#GAA @GAA_BEO pic.twitter.com/wPKPdRRm6R— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 17, 2023
McManus had an excellent chance to level the game soon after which he missed leaving Páirc Tailteann stunned into silence.
Neil McManus on late missed chance for Cushendall
"I got the hard one and missed the easy one," he said when speaking to GAA Beo after the game.
"Ryan McCambridge played me a beautiful ball up the line and I knew when it was coming to me that I was going to shimmy one way and then shoot the other.
"I should've took an extra step into it and drove it over the bar like I've been telling all the young lads in training every night. I should've taken my own advice really."
Despite the defeat McManus was optimistic that Cushendall can come back stronger next year.
"We've a great culture in the club that's the long and the short of it. We've limited numbers but we always try, always put in the effort.
"The Glens is a beautiful seaside resort which means house prices are very dear and it's hard for young people to raise families so we're working with limited numbers but we're trying to address that.
"I think while the standards stay where they are in our club, we'll be ok."
The Antrim and Ulster champions will be hoping that 2025 will finally be their year to walk up the steps of the Hogan Stand.
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