Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship Final

Dunloy v Cushendall

Sunday 1 November – Venue: Páirc Mac Uílín, Ballycastle

Throw in: 2pm

Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)

Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to Sunday’s Antrim senior hurling final between Dunloy and Cushendall.

The weather has already had its say.  Now it’s time for the hurling to do the talking.

After Storm Beolo forced the postponement of last Sunday’s showpiece, Dunloy and Cushendall will finally lock horns in Ballycastle with the Volunteer Cup awaiting its next destination.

And what a contest we have in store.

Two clubs who have dominated the Antrim hurling landscape over the past decade.  Two teams packed with county experience, emerging talent and players who know exactly what is required when championships are on the line.

For the Cuchullains, Sunday represents an opportunity to reclaim a crown they haven’t held since 2022.  For the Ruairi’s, it’s a chance to return to the summit after surrendering their title last season.

But who holds the advantage?

Dunloy’s passage to the final has been impressive, culminating in a ruthless 5-21 to 0-6 demolition of Glenariffe in the semi final.  It was an exhibition of attacking hurling with Dunloy showing the movement, pace and clinical finishing that made them such a formidable force during their four-in-a-row run between 2019 and 2022.

Keelan Molloy remains the heartbeat of this Dunloy attack.  His ability to manufacture something from seemingly nothing is a constant threat while Nigel Elliott, Seaan Elliott and Ciarán Elliott provide an attacking dimension that few defences in Antrim can comfortably contain.

Add Conal Cunning to that equation and Dunloy possess an embarrassment of riches in the scoring department.

‘Coby’ was outstanding when these sides met in the group stages, registering 13 points as Dunloy recorded a six point victory at Páirc Mhuire.  On that occasion, the Cuchullains finished stronger with Molloy’s second half major proving to be the decisive score.

That result will undoubtedly give Dunloy confidence.  But anyone believing Sunday’s final will follow a same script would be foolish.  Cushendall are a different animal when silverware is at stake.  With Eoin ‘Sammy’ O’Neill ruled out and a huge question mark hanging over Daire McMullan, the Cuchullains will have been more than happy to see the postponement to get ready for this final.

Cushendall haven’t hit the heights of previous years in this years championship and this is precisely why they should be feared.

Their quarter final encounter with Ballycastle saw them concede four goals before eventually prevailing while their semi final victory over Loughgiel required every ounce of experience, resilience and determination they could muster.

That win over the Shamrocks may prove more valuable than any comfortable victory could at this stage of the championship.

Joseph ‘Pep’ McLaughlin has been in outstanding form, and his contribution of 1-8 against Loughgiel underlined his importance to the Ruairí Óg cause.

Neil McManus continues to defy the passing years, Sunday will be the Cushendall legend’s 17 final.  His influence extends far beyond the scoreboard and there are few players in Antrim hurling better equipped to take control when a championship contest enters its final, frantic stages.

Callagh Mooney brings energy and drive around the middle of the park while the return of Fiontan Bradley provided a timely reminder of the options available for Brian Delargy.  His second half goal against Loughgiel was the defining moment in their win against Loughgiel.

While injuries have forced their hand this year, there is a youthful freshness about this Cushendall team.  Seven members of their successful under 21 side featured against Loughgiel, providing evidence that the next generation are ready to contribute alongside the established names in the maroon and white.

For me, the middle third is where this game will be won or lost.  Dunloy thrive when they can move possession quickly through the lines, creating opportunities for their dangerous inside forwards.  Their movement off the shoulder and ability to turn possession into scoring opportunities will test the defensive structure of this Cushendall side.

If the Cuchullains are afforded time and space, they have the ammunition to punish their rivals.

Cushendall, meanwhile, must make the contest as uncomfortable as possible. Winning breaking ball, disrupting Dunloy’s supply and forcing them into contested possession will be essential.

The Ruairí Óg cannot afford to allow Molloy and company the freedom they enjoyed against Glenariffe.  Equally, Dunloy will know that conceding frees within McLaughlin’s range could become expensive. Discipline, particularly in the defensive third, may prove every bit as important as attacking flair.

And then there is the experience of these occasions.

The last time these teams met in a county final, in 2024, Cushendall prevailed by the narrowest of margins after a dramatic contest played in the teeth of Storm Ashley.  A match I still maintain should never have been played but you’ll be pleased to know I am not going down that particular rabbit hole in this article.  It makes me think that there is unfinished business from a Dunloy perspective.

Their football championship exit has allowed the Cuchullains to concentrate entirely on the small ball, and their hunger to regain the Volunteer Cup has been evident throughout this campaign.

But Cushendall have been here before. They have demonstrated repeatedly that their championship pedigree cannot be measured solely by performances in earlier rounds.

The extra week’s wait adds another intriguing dimension. Momentum can be a delicate thing, and both management teams will have had additional time to assess the opposition and fine-tune their preparations.

Ultimately, this promises to be a battle between Dunloy’s attacking fluency and Cushendall’s capacity to survive pressure and produce decisive moments.

There will be periods when both teams dominate. There will be momentum swings, individual brilliance and, almost certainly, moments of controversy.

Would we expect anything less when these two meet?

The Verdict

Cushendall’s ability to find a way through difficult championship encounters makes them dangerous opponents, and their experience could yet prove decisive if the game remains in the balance entering the closing stages.

But Dunloy look a side determined to make up for lost time.

Their strength throughout the field, greater consistency during this championship and wealth of attacking options give them a marginal edge.

Cushendall will ask serious questions. McManus and McLaughlin will have their moments. But if Dunloy can reproduce the intensity and movement that have characterised their campaign, they should have just enough to get over the line.

It won’t be comfortable. County finals between these two rarely are and these two sides know each other inside out.  Sunday will be the fifth time in 10 years these two sides will meet at this stage with that 2024 win the only time the Ruairí’s defeated Dunloy at the final in that time frame.  After a three-year wait, the Volunteer Cup could finally be heading back to Pearse Park.

Dunloy to edge a thriller by two points.  Did you expect me to predict anything else???