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Dunloy 2-20 Loughgiel Shamrocks 2-13
Dunloy claimed their third Antrim Hurling Senior Championship title in four years, as they represented Loughgiel in a windy Ballycastle this afternoon.
Gregory O’Kane’s men saved their best performance of the season for last as they cleared in the second half to score an impressive victory.
Keelan Molloy was in his prime, with Paul Shiels recovering from an injury in the semifinal to dictate his play as a sweeper, as Dunloy handled the first half well despite playing against the strong wind.
As expected, the first exchanges between these fierce rivals were tough and uncompromising, and it took a while for the game to establish itself with Loughgiel only a 0-5 to 0-4 lead in the first half of the water break thanks also to Liam Watson’s impressive score of a line ball that makes a difference.
Dunloy was smart on possession, as they played a short passing game and were almost inside for their first goal in the 24th minute when Keelan Molloy passed the ball to Gabriel McTaggart, who was eliminated, but Kevin Molloy regained possession and his shot as goal was overturned for the equalizer.
Loughgiel took the lead as the first half reached injury time, but that Dunloy goal came as Molloy scooped up Seaan Elliott’s line ball and moved closer to goal. He couldn’t make a clean shot that was half stopped, but Eoin O’Neill was available to push home.
Loughgiel drew at halftime with Donal McKinley and Watson on goal, but at 0-10 to 1-7 and the wind to come Dunloy was much happier.
They made full use of the elements on the restart as scores began to flow through Cunning, Keelan Molloy, Elliott and O’Neill with a brief rally from Loughgiel that saw points from James McNaughton, McKinley and Watson to keep them in touch earlier. to enter. the last quarter.
However, Dunloy removed all doubt in the 55th minute when the second goal came as Loughgiel’s excellent Neil McGarry was finally forced to cough up possession with Kevin Molloy running clear, circling Chrissy O’Connell and finding the net.
A free by Cunning left it 2-18 to 0-13 with Watson hitting the net from a 20-meter free in response to Loughgiel, but an impressive score from O’Neill to the right and another free from Cunning was the response from Dunloy.
Loughgiel was chasing goals but couldn’t find a way until Benny McCarry hopped on Declan McCloskey’s long delivery to crash home in injury time, but this was mere consolation as Dunloy solidified their status as top dogs. by Antrim hurling.
Dunloy: R Elliott; P Duffin, A Crawford, C Kinsella; R. Molloy, C. McKinley, R. McGarry; P Shiels (0-02, 1f), N McKeague; S Elliott (0-02), Kevin Molloy (1-02), Keelan Molloy (0-04); C Astucia (0-08, 6f), G McTaggart, E O’Neill (1-02). Substitutes: E Smyth for N McKeague (52), C McMahon for G McTaggart (56), K McKeague for A Crawford (60 + 2)
Loughgiel: C O’Connell; T Coyle, N. McGarry, S Dobbin; T McCloskey, D McMullan, Declan McCloskey; D McKinley (0-03), Dan McCloskey; J McNaughton (0-04, 4f), C McKendry, E McCloskey (0-01); S McGrath (0-01, L Watson (1-03, 1-00f, 0-01 wide), S Casey (0-01). Substitutes: B McCarry (1-00) by C McKendry (40), R McKee for S Casey (40), O McFadden for T McCloskey (55)
Referee: Darren McKeown (St. Gall).
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