Sunday will be the sixth meeting of Dunloy and Cushendall in a count final and to date Dunloy are well head of their rivals. Since Dunloy made the breakthrough in 1990 these two have been the dominant teams in Antrim hurling, winning 26 titles between them, while Loughgiel have four and Rossa one. They first met in a final in 1999 when a late goal by Terence Sambo McNaughton sealed the winn for the Ruairis, but Dunloy have won the subsequent finals between the two, in 2002, 2009, 2017 and 2019.
This is a pictorial recored of those meeting in the finals
1999
Cushendall v Dunloy at Casement Park
Wee John welcomes GAA President Joe MacDonagh to Casement Park on the day of the 1999 finalTeam captains Gregory O’Kane and Conor McCambrige with match referee Tommy McIntyre Monty leads the Ruairi Og team in the pre-match parade Sambo McNaughton, who scored the late goal that win the game for Cushendall, battles it out with Paul Molloy Nippe mcKee hand passses the ball away Aodin Delargy is closed down by Sean Ilhatton John joins Monty in the stand to collect the Volunteer Cup
2002
Dunloy 3-12 to 1-8 at Casement Park
Team cpatain Gary O’Kane lifts the cup after Dunloy’s ten point win, the biggest winning margin in any of their final meetings Liam Richmond is challenged by Cushendall full back Charlie McAlister
2009
Dunloy 3-14 Cushendall 1-13 at Casement Park
One of the stars of the 2009 win was a young Darren Quinn who is seen here celebrating after scoring a goal Dunloy captain Michael McClements lifts the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship cup aloft after his team’s win over Cushendall in the final at Casement Park, Belfast. Dunloy goalkeeper Gareth McGhee, who gave a man-of-the-match display in his team’s county final win over Cushendall, jumps for joy after scoring his team’s second goal from a penalty. The Cushendall team who played in the half time games. How many made it throough to senior level?The Dunloy team who played in the half time games that day. How many made it throough to senior level?Paddy Richmond celebrates after scoring a goal Eleven Up! Gregory O’Kane and Alastair Elliott who set a new Antrim record by winning their eleventh Antrim Hurling Senior Championship medals when their side beat Cushendall in the 2009 county final at Casement Park.Neill McManus celebrates after scoing his team’s goal
2017
Dunloy 2-15 Cushendall 2-9 at Ballycastle
Dunloy celebrate on the day this new Dunloy team made the breakthrough Aidan McNaughton is first to the breaking ball Corner back Sean Delargy clears from defenceEion ‘Sammy’ O’Neill in action for Dunloy Woody McKillen clears from centre back Nigel Elliott fires in a Dunloy goal Coby Cunning celebrates after scoring a Dunloy goal Victory can even make the lame walk as Orrin Quinn celebrates at the final whistel Dunloy’s Keelan Molloy celebrates after scoing the insurance point in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final win over Cushendall at Pairc MacUílin, Ballycastle. Pic by John McIlwaineDunloy captain Paul Shiels lifts the cup after his team’s win over Cushendall in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final at Pairc MacUílin, Ballycastle. Pic by John McIlwaine
2019
Dunloy 3-16 Cushendall 2-15 at Ballycastle
2019 was the closest of the finals between the sides. Dunloy held a one point lead with time almost up, before Seaan Elliott sealed the win with a late goal after good approach work with his brother Nigel. Dunloy captain Paul Shiels lifts the cup after his team’s win over Cushendall in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final at Pairc MacUílin, Ballycastle. Pic by John McIlwaineNicky McKeague in action against Cushendall Keelan Molloy in action in 2019 final Cushendall’s Paddy McGill in action during the second half of the 2019 final Nigel Elliott celebrates a score
