'Mageean gave it everything. We must do the same' - Sands

Ciara Mageean's death has left a huge void in the life of Portaferry, but Daithi Sands says he and his St Patrick's team-mates "won't have to look too far for inspiration" when they face Dunloy in Sunday's Ulster Club SHC semi-final.

Corner-forward Sands scored four points as Portaferry secured a fifth-straight Down title on 18 October, but a fortnight later, joy turned to sorrow when former European 1500m champion and Portaferry native Mageean passed away aged 34.

Sands says it's "been a bit of a rollercoaster" for all in the Ards peninsula town as they come to terms with the loss of their much-loved superstar and her passing was keenly felt among the Ports' hurling squad which Mageean had worked with in recent years.

On Sunday, sport will again unite the Portaferry community when they face Dunloy in Armagh (15:30 GMT) for a place in the 29 November decider against Slaughtneil.

"It's still surreal, still a shock - it doesn't seem real or right," Sands told BBC Sport NI.

"It's been really difficult in one sense as she is so linked and everyone in the town was behind her, so you can't get away from it. At the same time, when it comes to training, it's almost a nice way to focus on just training and getting yourself right.

"The way Ciara was, you look to what she would have done or wanted. She was so inspirational and you take the bits she gave us over the years. Then, from a human perspective and the cancer journey, how inspirational that was.

"As sombre as it's been, it's still a chance to reflect and think, 'she gave it everything, so we need to do the same'."

On the hurling field, Sands and his team-mates have endured heartbreak on the provincial stage in recent times.

While Slaughtneil powered past them at the semi-final stage last year, the 2024 final saw an eight-point advantage turn into a three-point loss as they were rocked by Se McGuigan and Shea Cassidy within a minute.

In 2023, it looked like they were home and dry against Cushendall in the semi-final, only for Neil McManus to bury a late free to force extra time as the Antrim side powered home.

The Down champions have proven themselves right in the mix for a second provincial crown - and first since 2014 - but while they have knocked on the door, "nobody's going to let you in - you have to burst it down", according to Sands.

Dunloy - playing their first game outside of Antrim since they lost the 2023 All-Ireland final - will not be short of their own motivation for a game which has all the ingredients to become a thriller.

"The past couple of years have shown we are more than capable at that level, but now it's not about knocking on the door - we need to get over the line in one," Sands insists.

"Sunday, being a semi-final, I don't know if that will make a difference, but if we get over the line, it will be a big boost psychologically to get a win at that level."