McAuley Cup tournament – Senior Hurling

Loughgiel v Dunloy at Armoy – Throw-in 2pm

Old rivals Loughgiel and Dunloy will meet in Sunday’s McAuley Cup Senior Hurling final in Armoy after the two north Antrim rivals came through last week’s semi-finals. Dunloy beat Cushendall while the Shamrock had too much for Ballycastle and although all the teams were badly understrength they still produced some good fare.

In last year’s Antrim Senior Hurling Championship the Shamrocks caused a shock when they ended Dunloy’s ‘drive for five’ in the semi-final in Ballycastle. Winning the McAuley Cup may not be high on either manager’s wish list for this season, but you can be sure both sets of fans will be keen to see their teams do well. Wins against your arch rivals is what makes sport special!

The McAuley Cup is named after Paddy McAuley, who was one of the key people involved in reformation of Armoy Glen Rovers Hurling Club and a few year after he passed away the club members came up with the idea of a competition in his memory. It was initially a pre-season tournament for clubs building up for the hurling year ahead. The timing has changed a few times over the years so it is good to see it back to its original timing.

The match gets underway at 2pm with piper Eamon Downey leading the teams in a pre-match parade around 1-50