Slaughtneil: Ulster hurling champions ‘couldn’t throw in the towel’ in final

McGuigan added “it wasn’t looking good” at half-time but the experienced players in the team rallied the rest of the squad.

“A few of the more experienced heads just said to keep plugging away. We knew we had it in the legs and we knew we had done the work,” he added.

“We made life unbelievably difficult for ourselves but that only adds to the occasion.

“It was an unbelievable feeling at the final whistle. It was pure relief, to be honest.”

After winning a first provincial title since 2021, Slaughtneil will now progress to the All-Ireland semi-finals.

McGuigan will lead his side against face Cork champions Sarsfields in the last four as the Ulster champions look to reach a first All-Ireland decider.

“If us boys retire without making an All-Ireland final it will be a massive regret,” the captain added.

“There’s no point in shying away from that, we really want to get to an All-Ireland final.

“We’re playing the Munster champions and there’s no easy game there. It will be unbelievably tough.”