Buncrana set for historic Ulster Championship debut against Ballela

History will be made in Buncrana on Saturday when their senior hurlers line out against Down champions Ballela in the Ulster Club junior championship in O’Donnell Park. 

It will be the first time that the club will be taking part in the provincial championship, and while team captain Conor Grant is very conscious of the importance of the occasion, he is adamant that they are not turning up just for the occasion. 

But, on a less positive note, there are major doubts about the club’s talismanic leader Jack O’Loughlin, while fellow county player and Conor’s brother Oisin Grant is in Australia. 

“It was great to win the Donegal Intermediate championship against Carndonagh as we have had very good underage teams but we have been unable to translate that into senior victories in recent years,” Grant said.

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“Thankfully we got a bit of silverware and hopefully this will spur us on in Ulster. Hurling is spreading through Inishowen and Donegal, which is great.” 

Buncrana had an indifferent start to their championship in Donegal and lost earlier in the season to Carndonagh at home. But there was some soul searching done and Buncrana reaped the rewards late on in the season. 

They face Down champions Ballela who have the legendary Jonny McCusker who was the only non-Ards player on the Down team for years. 

“We know we face a big task against them, and they would be a lot more experienced than us as well,” he said. 

“But we are not there to make up the numbers and we will give it our all and hopefully we can come up with a result.” 

Grant added that the club were hoping that county star Jack O’Loughlin would be able to start. 

“He had to go for an operation on his cheekbone a few weeks ago after getting injured playing football and we are just hoping he can make it but it could be very much touch and go.” 

However, it is a proud occasion for Conor, whose father Seamus was a Burt stalwart. 

“It is a great occasion as these days do not come around too often so we are going to make the most of it and enjoy it but we are there to win. 

“There is a big Burt connection with my father Seamus and my uncle Fergal, who is part of the Burt management, and another uncle Dara is still playing. 

“Most of the hurling came from my grandfather Colm who passed away last year, and he was a legend in Burt. He never left Hibernian Park.”