Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Final preview 2017
Cushendall celebrate their last gasp win over Dunloy in the 1999 final which denited the Cuchullains the 3-in-a-row
By Brendan McTaggart
Sunday will see us revisit a rivalry that has defined a generation. During the 90’s and noughties, Cushendall and Dunloy maintained a monopoly over the Volunteer Cup with only a Rossa victory managing to break their stranglehold in 2004. For 20 years, these two giants of Antrim hurling dominated the club scene within the county with the Cuchullains bringing ‘Big Ears’ back to the village on 11 occasions to the Ruairi’s eight. A remarkable feat for the two clubs when you consider Cushendall didn’t become the daddies of Antrim hurling until 1981 while the Cuchullains had an 82 year wait for their first title – 1990 the breakthrough year for the men from Pearse Park.
1990 started a golden era for the Cuchullains although they are currently in their longest drought since their maiden victory. 2012 was the last time the green and gold army left the village for a county final, the last to be played at Casement Park while the Ruairi’s have been the one constant for a decade and more. The Cuchullains have gone through a transitional phase. A cliché I don’t normally like using but a phase that was always going to come while the Ruairi’s have gone from strength to strength. Sunday will see them contesting their ninth final of the last ten years, 11 of the last 13. A record to match that from any era of Antrim hurling.
Malachy Molloy and Emmett McNaughton in action during the 2002 final
Remarkably, Sunday will be just the fourth occasion that Cushendall and Dunloy will have faced off in the county decider. An amazing stat when you consider how dominant these two sides were for the better part of 20 years. The Cuchullains won in 2002 and 2009, the last time they were crowned champions of Antrim while it took a last minute goal from ‘Sambo’ McNaughton in 1999 to dethrone the Cuchullains in 1999. A victory that stopped Dunloy from completing three-in-a-row but did little to dampen the Cuchullains dominance as they took the Volunteer Cup back to Dunloy for the next four years.
The most recent final in 2009 shows notable similarities to Sunday’s decider. The Ruairi’s came into the final on the crest of a wave and reigning champions having defeated Loughgiel the previous year. A team with spear headed by the youthful brilliance of Neil McManus, Arron Graffin, Paddy McGill and Shane McNaughton while they could rely on the experience of Aidan Delargy and Conor McCambridge. Much like how the Cuchullain’s will line out on Sunday. Youthful exuberance, inexperienced but brilliant with a ‘no fear’ attitude.
On a day when the Ruairi’s were supposed to cement their place as kings of Antrim, the Cuchullains proved there was life in the ‘old pup’. Three first half goals from Paddy Richmond and Darren Quinn, either side of a penalty from Gareth McGhee helped the Cuchullains to a strong half time position and one they would maintain until the final whistle. Indeed, it was McGhee’s performance that could be seen as the difference between the sides. The Cuchullains netminder was at his enigmatic yet brilliant best on the day, denying McManus and Shane McNaughton from point blank range in the first ten minutes of the game while scoring 1-1 himself. Sometimes, you know it’s not going to be your day and the Ruairi’s would have been forgiven for thinking the same back in 2009. Twice they rattled the woodwork with McManus and Conor McCambridge denied by the woodwork but lady luck shone done on the men in green and gold on that occasion. A late McManus goal gave the score line a fairer reflection as the Cuchullains ran out 3-14 to 1-13 winners.
I told you so! Dunloy’s Paddy Richmond celebrates after scoring a brilliant opening goal in the 2009 Antrim Senior Hurling Final win over Cushendall at Casement Park. Pic by John McIlwaine
On Sunday we will see a total of eleven survivors from eight years ago – Dunloy will have the experience of James McKeague, Conor McKinley, Kevin Molloy, Michael McClements and Paudie Shivers to call upon while the Ruairi’s have Sean Delargy, Arron Graffin, Donal McNaughton, Neil McManus, Conor Carson and Martin Burke. Cushendall are on the pedestal now and have set a standard in the last few years for other teams to aspire to. Beaten All-Ireland finalists less than two years ago while winning two of the last three championships – the Shamrocks denying them a three in a row 12 months ago. Their rivalry against Loughgiel has been enticing, enchanting and addictive. Drawing plenty of neutrals to gaze on the passion and skill between the two best in the county. Dunloy have almost been forgotten about when it comes to the rumour mill at the start of the year for the last few years when we start to make our predictions but as this season has progressed, they have certainly turned more than a few heads.
The Ruairi’s start Sunday’s final as favourites and rightly so but there’s been something brewing within the Cuchullain camp for the last few years. Beware the sleeping giant.
Two of the current stars. Cushendall’s Eoghan Campbell and Dunloy’s Conal ‘Coby’ Cunning