The Dunloy team who beat Loughgiel in last week’s semi-final.

Under 21 Hurling Championship

Holders Dunloy will take on Ballycastle this evening at 7-30 in Loughgiel in the final of the Under 21 Hurling Championship. The young Cuchullains qualified for the final with a comprehensive 3-14 to 2-4 win over Cushendall in the quarter final and a hard fought 1-19 to 1-15 win over Loughgiel in last week’s semi-final in Armoy.

Ballycastle started their journey with a tough encounter at Rossa Park where they got the better of the home side by a single point on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-16. Last week’s semi-final win over St John’s in Ballymena was tough and tight in the opening half but the young McQuillans got on top in the second period and pulled away to win by 2-15 to 0-12.

Dunloy will start as favourites to make it back to back titles, and with the return of their talisman Keelan Molloy (who missed the semi-final win over Loughgiel) their hand is strengthened even more. Eoin O’Neill will miss out because of suspension, but Molloy’s return means that they will line out with more or less the same team who lifted the title last year. However Ballycastle will be determined to upset the odds and their two wins to date will give them confidence as they bid to win the club’s first title in this grade since 2012.

The Ballycastle team who beat St John’s in last week;s semi-final in Ballymena.