On Sunday 27th September Antrim’s hurling superpowers clash in the county final with a superb game in prospect.Despite the fact thatDunloy and Cushendall have won 18 of the last 19 county championships between them it is hard to believe that this is only the third final meeting between these great clubs in that time. Cushendall winning the 1999 final with the mother of all comebacks, prevailing by 2 points after goals in the last 5 minutes from Jackie Carson and Sambo Mc Naughton. Dunloy gained revenge in 2002 when they proved much too strong for a Cushendall team in transition. This final will be seen very much as youth against experience, Cushendall’s young side will be led by young guns like Neil Mc Manus, Paddy Magill, Shane Mc Naughton, Aaron Graffin and 17 year old Paddy Mc Naughton, Cushendall do also have a few veterans in the side, captain Odhran Scullion, Kevin Elliott, Conor Mc Cambridge and Karl Mc Keegan. However when it comes to experience even these stalwarts cannot claim to have covered the miles that Dunloy attacking duo Alister Elliott and Gregory O Kane have clocked up, between them they have 20 county championship medals, 10 each, and they are the current record holders in this department. They will be backed up by the Richmond brothers, Paddy and Liam. At the back Dunloy have yet more seasoned campaigners in Malachy Molly and Damien Mc Mullan. As far as injuries go, both teams should have no problems but Cushendall will have to do without the services of Michael Mc Cambridge who for my money has been Ruairi Ogs best performer this year after he received a red card in the semi final with Loughgiel. Cushendall will go into the game as favorites due to the fashion in which they disposed of Loughgiel in the semi final, a game when they never seemed to get out of third gear against the hapless Shamrocks and the fact that they are the reigning Antrim and Ulster Champions. Dunloy have had a quiet enough path to the final with unconvincing victories over Ballycastle and Glenariffe, but write Cuchullians off at your peril, they showed in 2007 in the county semi final that they are capable of beating Cushendall and they will be determined to regain the volunteer cup and make up for a disappointing year in 2008 when they were beaten by Loughgiel in a semi final replay. I fancy Cushendall to prevail by a point or 2 but they will have to be on top form to withstand the challenge presented by Dunloy.
