The crowd began to gather around the centre of Dunloy last night from 7pm onwards. Word had filtered through the senior team would be arriving home with the Volunteer Cup at 7:30pm.

Members of Pappy’s Band could be found readying themselves, children looking for the best vantage point, some folk scrambling for an umbrella and the off firework being let off prematurely.

Pappy’s Band gathered together and played tunes to the growing crowd before marching out Bellaghy Road, the Creagh Lorry waited. The football side who won the Intermediate championship just seven days previous joined Gregory O’Kane and they were led by another group of special players for company, the victorious U13 hurling team who had defeated Loughgiel earlier the same day in the championship final.

They brought the noise, the Dunloy support brought the colour. Smoke bombs and fireworks filled the night sky as the Creagh lorry rocked through the village. A cavalcade of noise around the centre of Dunloy, an unbelievable sight as they made their way to Pearse Park, followed by droves of people.

Club Chairman James McKeague addressed the crowd, congratulating the teams on their recent wins in what has been a memorable couple of weeks for the Cuchullains before giving Paul Shiels and Gregory O’Kane the microphone.

An acknowledgment of the gathering support from young and old, a recognition that the Cuchullains are living in special times. The party was only getting started…

Thank you to Angela Cunning for providing additional photographs of the homecoming..