Dunloy’s talented bunch bunch of player overcame a strong St Galls side in the sunshine at Dunsilly on Saturday to not only win their first A Football Feile since 2006, but also to win a historic first double Feile in both Hurling and Football for the North Antrim dual club, just 3 weeks apart.
The group stages for the southwest A Teams were hosted in Dunloy and the champions started with a comprehensive win over Tir Na Nog by 2-5 to 0-1. Dunloy Started brightly with a goal from full forward Dylan McTague. A flurry of points from Oisin O’Brien widened the gap and a second goal sealed the first group points.
Next up was Casements Portglenone and Dunloy started brightly again playing with the strong breeze. Goals from Paidi O’Kane in both halves secured another win with a scoreline of 2-07 to 1-02.
The final group game saw Dunloy play Aghagallon, which was a winner takes all encounter, as a win for the Aghagallon side would have saw them finish top of the group by virtue of the head to head win and proceed to the all-county final later in the afternoon at Dunsilly. Dunloy were in no mood to let that happen and again stamped their authority early in the game with goals from Paidi OKane , Oisin O’Brien and Tom Richmond, running out eventual winners on a score-line of 4-03 to 1-01.
The final played in perfect conditions in Dunsilly was a great contest for the majority of the game and the football on show belied the age groups playing. Dunloy started strong again with an Oisin O’Brien goal, before St Galls responded with a major of their own. A second goal for Dunloy this time by Paidi O’Kane saw the eventual champions lead by 2-02 to 1-01 at half time. Further goals by Blaine Mullan & Harry Blaney extended Dunloy’s lead and it looked like it was all over. However, St Galls had chances of their own and two outstanding saves by the Dunloy netminder Ciaran O’Brien, halted any resurgence from the Belfast team. A second point from Dunloy midfielder Ethan Guiney confirmed that the dual club from North Antrim would win a historic first Double Feile Championship.
Dunloy now proceed to the All Ireland Football Feile in County Derry on the 28th June, a week after they will compete in Wexford in the All Ireland Hurling Feile.
A great achievement for this talented bunch of lads. Team Mentors Enda Doherty, Tim McGarry, Kevin Doherty, Malachy McAleese, Ady Traynor & Adrian Black.
Feile A fooball Champions Cuchullains Dunloy
Feile A Hurling Champions Cuchullains Dunloy