Under-21 B Championship (semi final)
Tuesday 14th Nov at Portglenone (8.00pm)
Casement’s v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
With Tir na Nog already safely in the final Casement’s and Dunloy will line out under the lights at Portglenone on Tuesday evening to determine which side will line out against the Randalstown men to decide the destination of the under-21 B title.
Casement’s will be aided by the familiarity of home turf, with the Cuchullian’s having agreed to such, and onlookers are certain to be well entertained in an excellent new facility at the O’ Cahan park complex.
The home side lost out to Gort na Mona up in the city on their grading round assignment on a 3-06 to 1-06 scoreline, but they showed a lot of improvement next time when playing hosts to St Joseph’s Glenavy.
The Bannsider’s strolled home with a 3-18 to 1-09 victory in that game which certainly looked impressive, and they will most likely be looking forward with confidence to the visit of Dunloy.
The Ports will have the services of regular ‘seniors’ Ronan Delargy, Ryan O’ Neill, Stephen Kelly, and Caolan Tierney available for duty as well as youngsters like Brian Convery and Feargal O’ Kane and they do look a solid outfit.
They looked like possible contenders at the start of the competition and that latest showing will have underlined such possible potential.
Dunloy, having already secured the under-21 hurling title are in search of a unique double and with more than a few more than useful youngsters involved in both codes they will come up to Portglenone with firm intentions.
The Cuchullian’s hosted Rossa in the opening round and although most observers predicted a close encounter they proved no match for the city side as the Dominic Mc Enhill led visitors proved hugely impressive 7-14 to 1-01 winners.
Dunloy looked a different proposition next time however and really put that reversal behind them coming home from an assignment in the B section at Aldergrove with a 4-08 to 1-07 victory.
The Cuchullian’s returned to home advantage for the next round, but although they continued in winning ways they were less than impressive and had to come late to deny a spirited challenge from the visiting All Saint’s on a two point margin, 1-09 to 2-04.
The Dunloy side will most likely be powered by individuals who have all county medals in their pockets, gained in both codes with the likes of Oisin Mc Poland, Keelan Molloy, Deaglan Smith, Callum Scullion, Conal Cunning and Eoin O’ Neill included they may well travel in quiet confidence.
This does look a close one which could go either way, but ground advantage may well play a part and act to tip the balance in favour of the Bannsiders.