Two special goals by two special players Caitrin Dobbin and Keelan Molloy
By John Curly McIlwaine
Two great Croke Park goals, both by Antrim players in a great weekend for Antrim and Ullster hurling and Camogie. Down champions Clonduff got it all underway at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon when they beat Kilkenny and Leinster champions James Stephens in the Intermediate final, Paula O’Hagan and Sarah Louise Graffin leading the line. O course Sarah Louise is married to Cushendall’s Arron Graffin, while substitute Ursuala Kearney is married to another Cushendall man, Ciaran Kearney. To complete the Cushendall treble Claire Kearney, who was an All Ireland Junior All Ireland medal winner with Antrim at Croke Park earlier in the summer, made it a double when she lined out at right half back her new club Clonduff. On the line for the ‘Yellas’ were two Antrim men Kieran McGourty and Alastair McGilligan, Alastair starting off a great weekend for his native Dunloy. One other Antrim connection – Rasharking Camogs played in the half time mini games.
Sarah Louise Graffin in action for ClonduffAlastair McGilligan Kieran McGourty Rasharkin Camogs who played in the mini games at half timeUrsula and Ciaran Kearney with their family Claire Kearney and her dad Brian
Loughgiel were next on show and though the Sharmrocks lost out narrowly to reigning All Ireland champions Sarsfields they can count themselves a little unlucky as the gave a brilliant display, one everyone in the club can be rightly proud of. A slow start was to cost them but they got back into the game with a brilliant goal from Caitrin Dobbin and with Roisin McCormick back at her brilliant best they gave the champions the fright of their lives.
Loughgiel camogs stand for the anthem before the senior final against Sarsfields of Galway Roisin McCormick who starred up front for Loughgiel
On Sunday it was turn of Bridini Oga, Glenravel to show their skills as they took on Adare from Limerick in the All Ireland Junior Camogie final, just up the road from Croke Park at Abbotstown Centre of Excellence. The biggest game in the club’s short history and reserved their best display of the year for the occassion as they edged out the challenge of the Limericks side to book a final place in two weeks’ time.
Laoise McKenna picks a high ball out of the air as Bridini Oga beat Munster champions Adare at Abbotstwon. Sarah Fyfe who scored four points from play for Bridini Oga Glenravel in their win over Adare of Limerick
Back in Croker Dunloy Cuchullains took centre stage and though nobody in the national media, or even the local bookmakers, gave them a chance, they upset the odds with a great display of hurling to set up a final place against the greatest club side in the history of hurling, Ballyhale Shamrocks, who later in the day beat last years winners Ballygunner of Waterford in a classic game.
Even that game had an Antrim connnection as Colum Cunning, whose cousins had figured strongly in the Dunloy team in the opening game, was one of the linesmen.
Keelan Molloy cuts through the St Thomas’ defence on his way to scoring one of the goals of the year. Pic by John McIlwaine
Conal Cunning was running at the St Thomas defence, while later in the day his cousin Colum was running the line in the Ballyhale v Ballygunner semi-final
Back to the two goals that had everyone talking, the first on Saturday by Caitrin Dobbin for Loughgiel and the second by Keelan Molloy for Dunloy the following day, Molloy’s major now forever linked to Mark Sidebottom’s great commentary. Mark seemed to save his best work for St Thomas’s games. Who will ever forget his discription of Liam Watson’s last gasp penalty against the Galway men in Parnell Park in 2014.
Overall a weekend to remember and lots more to look forward to in 2023
The boys and girls from Glenann and St. Mary’s Primary Schools in Cushendall are pictured with their brand new personalised books alongside Ruairí Óg Chairman, Fergus McAlister and Star Players Martin Burke and Eoghan Campbell.
The schools provided each child with their own copy for Christmas which combines their passion of hurling and camogie with a love for reading!
Also pictured are the Principal of Glenann PS, Mr Shivers along with his pupils Archie, Cathaoir, Annie and Oliver, as well as the Principal of St. Mary’s PS, Mrs Magee with her pupils, Saoirse, Caolan, Cormac and Niamh.
St Mary’s PS principal Mrs Magee with Glenna PS pupil Oliver and St Mary’s PS pupil Niamh
And the Dunloy juggernaut rolls on. The Cuchullains came to Croke Park on Sunday as underdogs but booked their place in the Club All Ireland final for the fifth time in their history.
Four points separated the sides by the time referee John Keenan called time at the end of the hour, Dunloy having to withstand a barrage of St Thomas attacks on their goal in the closing stages but the winning of this game came in mid-way through the second half and a moment of pure genius from Keelan Molloy. Collecting a pass from Nigel Elliott, Molloy gathered and set off to find a yard of space. The St Thomas defence converged on Molloy but he continued on his merry way, lifting the sliotar to evade a challenge before rippling the onion bag. You’ll travel far to see a finer goal. It felt like a game changer at the time, it proved to be the winning of this game.
Defensively Dunloy were superb. St Thomas rarely looked like threatening Ryan Elliott’s goal with Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn, Eamon Smyth and Kevin Molloy all superb. The midfield duo of Conor Kinsella and Eoin McFerran snuffed out the threat of the lauded duo of Bernard and David Burke while in attack Dunloy caused problems for the full hour. Ronan Molloy, Seaan and Nigel Elliott going through a mountain of work, Conal Cunning with touches of class while Keelan Molloy is turning Croke Park into his playground.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAConal ‘Cobey’ Cunning who finished with 0-7 for the Cuchullains
The Cuchullains made one change to the team that claimed the Ulster Championship two weeks ago, Deaglan Smith coming on for Anton McGrath. They played against the breeze in the opening half but made a superb start. Nigel Elliott with a cracking score inside the first 20 seconds and Conal Cunning two minutes later. St Thomas and Conor Cooney opened their account in the 6th minute but Dunloy were well on top on the opening exchanges and should have been further ahead but for some wayward shooting.
The Galway champions were making the most of the wind at their back with Gerard Kelly’s puck outs going a mile towards Hill 16. Dunloy were dealing with the aerial assault with Kevin Molloy and Ryan McGarry instrumental but St Thomas begun to settle into the game with Damien McGlynn bringing the sides level.
Keelan Molloy’s dummy and strike from out the field restored the Dunloy lead moments later but it would be their last score for fully 16 minutes at St Thomas looked to turn the screw. They opened a two point lead in the same time with Conor Cooney’s second of the day (free) along with scores from Oisin Flannery and Mark Caulfield but Dunloy without scoring, were looking dangerous. When they got past the sweeping David Burke, the inside forward trio always looked like doing damage and they were awarded a penalty after 19 minutes thanks to the brilliance of Nigel and Seaan Elliott. The later dragged down inside the square. Cunning stepped up to take the penalty and while he struck his shot well, St Thomas ‘keeper Kelly dived to his right and at full stretch pushed the sliotar to safety.
Despite that miss, Dunloy looked to have found another gear. Keelan Molloy’s second of the game cut the St Thomas lead to the minimum but the Dunloy radar was faltering with a number of wides.
Keelan Molloy raises his hand in celebration after scoring Dunloy’s goal
St Thomas weren’t fairing much better at the other end of the pitch with Conor Cooney uncharacteristically missing a couple of frees.
The closing stages of the first half were key for the Cuchullains. They had another half goal chance with Nigel Elliott going close but they tagged on another couple of scores from Cunning (free and ’65) either side of Cooney’s second converted free of the half to leave the sides tied on 0-6 apiece at the short whistle.
Being level at half time was the bare minimum Dunloy’s performance in the first half deserved. They had created 17 scoring chances against the wind but were wasteful in possession on a couple of occasions.
They started the second half in the same vein of form as the first. Using the width of Croke Park to their benefit to create holes in the St Thomas defence and making the sliotar to the work. St Thomas came out with more intensity with Aaron Crawford having to come off after a dangerous foul that saw David Burke lucky to stay on the pitch. With ‘Snoozer’ leaving the pitch, it hurried the introduction of Paul Shiels, ‘Shorty’ instrumental as Dunloy looked to wrestle momentum and dominate the middle third.
St Thomas troubles in front of the target continued in the third quarter and while Dunloy weren’t exactly prolific, they opened a three point lead with Coby Cunning putting daylight between the sides.
Nigel Elliott fires over a Dunloy point
Conor Cooney’s free in the 44th minute was the first score for St Thomas in the second half but Molloy’s major followed. Brilliant from Nigel Elliott, the catch and vision to find Keelan Molloy coming off the shoulder. The run and finish simply outrageous from Molloy. A goal good enough to grace any pitch in Ireland, Keelan Molloy did it in headquarters.
Anton McGrath followed up Molloy’s goal with a sublime effort from his left, wide on the left but St Thomas found another level. They kept Dunloy scoreless for 10 minutes while Caulfield, Cooney (free) and McGlynn all fired over to leave two between the sides with five minutes remaining.
With the game in the melting pot, Dunloy delivered once again. Three scores in a two minute spell from Nigel Elliott, Cunning and a huge score from Eamon Smyth put them five clear.
The fourth official showed four minutes of injury time and St Thomas laid siege on Ryan Elliott’s goal. It was never coming. Dunloy defended heroically in the closing stages with an Eanna Burke point all the Galway men could muster as the final whistle blew.
With this current Dunloy team finally getting over the line in Ulster, they are now one step away from becoming hurling immortals.
On 22nd January, Ballyhale awaits.
Bloodied but unbowed! Kevin Molloy celebrates at the final whistle
TEAMS
Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn; Aaron Crawford, Kevin Molloy, Eamon Smyth; Conor Kinsella, Eoin McFerran; Ronan Molloy, Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott; Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning, Deaglan Smith
Subs: Anton McGrath for D Smith (29); Paul Shiels for A Crawford (33); Nicky McKeague for N Elliott (58); Gabriel McTaggart for R Molloy (60)
Scorers: C Cunning 0-7 (3fs 1’65); Keelan Molloy 1-2; N Elliott 0-2; E Smyth 0-1; S Elliott 0-1; A McGrath 0-1
StThomas’: Gerard Kelly; Cian Maloney, Fintan Burke, John Headd; Evan Duggan, Mark Caulfield, Cathal Burke; Bernard Burke, David Burke; Brendan Farrell, Conor Cooney, Oisin Flannery; Victor Manso, Eanna Burke, Damien McGlynn
Subs: Conor Headd for B Farrell (HT); Shane Cooney for V Manso (42); Darragh Boyle for M Caulfield (53)
Scorers: C Cooney 0-6 (4fs); D McGlynn 0-2; M Caulfield 0-2; E Duggan 0-1; O Flannery 0-1; E Burke 0-1
AIB All Irleand Senior Club Hurling Championshipsemi-final
Dunloy Manager Gregory O’Kane has been an integral part of the Cuchullains success both as player and manager. He speaks with Brendan McTaggart as he prepares his side to face Galway champions, St Thomas on Sunday in Croke Park
The Dunloy team who were beaten by Galway Champions Portumna in the club’s last All Ireland semi-final at Parnell Parkin2010. Three of that team are still part of the current team. Paul Shiels, Kevin Molloy, Kevin McKeague while Dick O’Kane is now team manager and Kevin Martin (front left) is one of his assistants
If you told someone from Dunloy in 2010 it would be another 12 years before they would reach another All-Ireland semi-final, there would have been more than a few raised eyebrows. Yet, here we are. The Cuchullains prepare for their biggest game in over a decade with Galway opposition laying between them and a chance to finally get their hands on the Tom Moore Cup.
The Cuchullains have faced Galway opposition previously at this stage. Athenry in 1995 and 2001, Sarsfields in 1998 and Portumna in 2003 and 2010. Of those matches, they have recorded wins against Portunmna (’03) and memorably Athenry in 1995. An iconic late Jarlath Cunning goal with the last action of the game to give Dunloy a place in the St Patrick’s Day Finals. The original JC – no matter what Joe Canning or Joe Cooney has to say on the matter.
The one constant in those games was the now Dunloy manager, Gregory O’Kane. He has been part of every success in the Cuchullains club, and on Sunday he looks to lead Dunloy to another Club Final.
The Cuchullains first foray into the All-Ireland series came in February 1991. Having won their first Antrim and Ulster in the Autumn previous, Dunloy were pitted against Glenmore in Nolan Park. A side littered with Heffernan’s and O’Connor’s. Dunloy manager O’Kane recalls that game: “Away to Glenmore was our first game in the All-Ireland series and it was just a great experience. I didn’t really give a hoot at the time, I just wanted to go and play hurling and it was a brilliant experience at that time.”
The Cuchullains were second best on that day but would avenge that defeat in 1996 at Croke Park where they reached their second successive Club Final.
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Portumna legend Joe Canning and Dunloy’s Paul ‘Shorty’ Shiels were in opposition that day in Parnell Park
To give an idea of Dunloy’s pedigree, they are the only club within Antrim to have defeated club sides from all provinces in Ireland – Mount Sion (Waterford) completing the wins for Dunloy at this level.
St Thomas lay in wait on Sunday and those with an eagle eye will have noticed a few in red and blue in the Athletic Grounds for the Ulster Final. A side who have faced Antrim opposition in the past and a side who have already won the Tom Moore Cup. In 2013 they defeated Loughgiel, the then reigning All-Ireland Champions in a replay. The first match memorably finishing in a draw after Liam Watson hammered a 25 yard free to the back of the net with the last puck of the game. Dunloy manager O’Kane told us the Galway men are a fine side: “You watch them as much as you can, learn as much as you can and pick up as much as you can. They’re a quality side, how could they not be. They’ve won five Galway’s in a row and are past All-Ireland club champions. They’re a super side backed by the Burke’s, no less a family like the Burke’s and it’s a huge challenge but what a challenge to be involved in.
“Galway teams have their own unique style of hurling. They’re big, strong, physical men who like to use their bodies and they also like to use the ball. It’s nothing we haven’t faced before and that’s key. Meeting the challenge we face on the day come what may and giving as good account of ourselves as we can.”
Dick O’Kane congratulates a Portumna player at the end of the 2010 semi-final at Parnell Park
This is the first year the All-Ireland series is taking place before Christmas, meaning the Cuchullains didn’t have much time to recover from their bruising encounter with Slaughtneil. However, O’Kane had no complaints: “It’s good because the players are in such good spirits. We’re as fit and healthy as we ever where. There’s no time to think and we’re still on a high from the Ulster Final. The Ulster Final was brilliant but Sunday’s a completely new challenge and one we’re looking forward to.” O’Kane concluded: “There is great buzz in the village and it’s great for everyone. Great for the kids, for the older generation and great for everyone but the thing about the team is, we don’t want to get too involved in that there. We have our own job to do and that’s key that we concentrate on our jobs and be the best we can be on the day.”
Gregory O’Kane with his wife and family after the Ulster final win over Slaughtneil in Armagh
Cunning: “I’d love to be sitting in the house knowing I might have training on Boxing Day”
Brendan McTaggart speaks with Dunloy forward, Conal Cunning ahead of the Cuchullains semi-final with Galway champions, St Thomas’
2022 has been something of an annus mirabilis for Conal Cunning. A truck load of awards at club and county level after his escapades with the Saffrons and Dunloy. Last Sunday he added a first senior Ulster Club medal to his collection after he helped the Cuchullains to get over the line against Slaughtneil.
Having led by five at half time, the Cuchullains had to dig deep and ‘Coby’ told us it was a matter of he and his team mates trusting the process: “We done things very well in the first half. Our composure on the ball and our work rate was unreal. I think we deserved to be five up at half time and look, Slaughtneil came out and had a good spell for 10 or 15 minutes but we stayed in there. We didn’t panic. We stuck to the game plan and we came out on the right side of things.”
Going into that game with Paul Shiels, not many outside of those connected with the Pearse Park side gave them much hope of finally getting past the Derry men. Cunning said to have ‘Shorty’ come off the bench along with the other subs was pivotal: “Shorty’s been the man and we know what he’s capable off. To see him coming on and with the other subs. Decky Smith was flying all year and was unlucky with his injuries. It was unreal for him to come on. We knew we had them two boys to come off the bench along with the likes of Nicky McKeague, that’s how we get wins. It’s 20, 25 or 30 boys on this panel that are capable of doing what needs to be done, put a shift in. The boys drive each other on in training full time.
“Whenever we got beat last year and previous, all you think on is Slaughtneil. Even during the Antrim championship I heard ones saying in the crowd ‘you’s will never get over Slaughtneil,’ it does hover over you and you do think about it but you try to put that to one side and concentrate on ourselves. We look at the things we’ve done wrong and where we can improve. We done that and it worked out fairly well. It was always going to take our best to beat Slaughtneil and that was one of our best.
“The hard work that’s gone into this, a lot of defeats and heartache to come back and continue to put the hard work in back at training and in the gym. It means so much.
“Slaughtneil set the standard for the last few years and to get over the line against them was an unreal feeling.
“I’ve never been as delighted to get back to training on a Tuesday evening in my life.”
Sunday will be Dunloy’s first game at this stage since February 2010 where they faced Galway opposition, Portumna. Of that team, Shiels, Kevin McKeague, Kevin Molloy and Conor McKinley are still part of the playing squad. Cunning spoke of his memories of that game in Parnell Park before adding: “Bunga and Kevy were playing against the likes of Joe Canning and Damian Hayes and that. I was maybe 9 or 10 but that’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve. To get to this stage and play against the best there is.
“That’s the boys we looked up to. It’s all about the youth, they were doing it for us and now hopefully we’re inspiring the next generation. We hope they’re looking at us and hoping they can be like us and play for Dunloy in an All-Ireland semi-final or better. Hopefully the cycle will continue.”
St Thomas’ will be a massive challenge for Cunning and his team mates. The last four of The Toughest competition will yield no easy opposition but it’s business as usual for Cunning: “We’ve done our analysis and what work we can do on them but at the end of the day its 80-20. 20% what they do and 80% we’ll look after. We hope we can perform and if perform to our best then the result will take care of itself.
“We looked at things we did well against Slaughtneil, like the whole championship, we’ve always looked at what we can improve on. At this level you have to and this is another level again. An All-Ireland semi-final against boys who have won All-Irelands, county All-Irelands. It is another step up but we’re really looking forward to it.”
Club All-Ireland semi-finals in Croke Park are a rare occurrence. The last involved the Cuchullains in 1996 against Kilkenny champions, Glenmore. One of the finest performances from the Cuchullains on the All-Ireland stage but Cunning insists playing at HQ’s will hold no fear for Gregory O’Kane’s men: “We’re lucky enough in the last couple of years with the Joe McDonagh finals to have that experience and it’s not every day you get the opportunity to play in Croke Park and every day you do play it’s a pleasure but at the same time it’s just a pitch like another other with concrete walls around the sides, a few plastic seats and the same smelly old toilets.
“Coming up to Christmas, the whole Parish is in some form and this has just added to it. The buzz is unreal but hopefully we’ll keep that good feeling going on beyond Christmas and reach an All-Ireland final.
“I’d love to be sitting in the house knowing I might have training on Boxing Day but it’s going to take a big performance and we will need to play at our very best, if not more, to get there.”
