THE autumn sun that shone in Ballycastle 12 months earlier was but a distant memory as Dunloy reigned in the rain to remind everybody – Loughgiel included – that they are back in business.
Goals in either half from Nigel Elliott and Keelan Molloy proved seismic scores as the balance swung their way in brutal conditions at Pairc Mhuire, the Cuchullain’s overcoming the early loss of key forward Conal Cunning to ensure it is they who go forward to face defending champions Cushendall in a fortnight.
But it was Dunloy’s determination to right a few wrongs that provided the platform for Sunday’s success. Intent was signalled early, and often.
When Keelan Molloy put Damon McMullan over the line two minutes in, drawing a guttural roar from the green and gold cohort assembled on the hill, the gauntlet had been thrown down.
Last year, it was Loughgiel who set the tone, set the pace, and set the record straight when these north Antrim rivals collided at the semi-final stage; Dunloy’s drive for five ended in uncompromising fashion as the ravenous Shamrocks stole a march.
That could not, would not, be allowed to happen again.
“You look at World Cups, you look at Olympics, they’re four year cycles… maybe in that fifth year we were just at the end of that cycle,” said boss Gregory O’Kane.
“We did a few things during the winter, lads took a break during the National League, they got a bit fresher, got a bit of work done, and then we complemented the team there today with a bit of youth; that freshness, that bit of hunger back in the team.
“Hunger’s everything. Championship hurling… it’s hunger. The rest comes after hunger. We just had that serious bite for the ball today.”
And they needed it, because there were still spells when Loughgiel posed serious questions.
The Shamrocks took too long to settle as Dunloy, playing into the wind, got their game flowing, in as much as was possible, those trademark crossfield balls into the corners unleashing the pace of Cunning and Nigel Elliott to wreak havoc.
Those two combined for the first goal, Elliott finding Cunning in space, Cormac McFadden brilliantly stopping his drive, only for Elliott to tap home after following the move in.
However, a rethink was required when Cunning had to be replaced by Chrissy McMahon, the Antrim forward leaving the field in a fair amount of discomfort after just 12 minutes.
“He just took a knock to the back of the knee,” said O’Kane, “two players went for the ball – that happens, a day like that there.
“We’ll assess him and get him recovered then for the final.”
Slowly but surely, Loughgiel established a foothold and began to grow in confidence. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Allstar nominee James McNaughton was central to that, gliding across the heavy sod as though it was a glorious summer’s day, his frees keeping the Shamrocks in touch as Dunloy’s decision-making temporarily deserted them.
Then, when Declan McCloskey burst through on the half four mark, he had a choice to make, and plenty of time to make it – tap over and leave Loughgiel level as half-time neared, or go for broke?
He chose the latter, slamming a shot from distance to Ryan Elliott’s right, but it was a good height for the Dunloy ‘keeper who was able to retain his side’s lead.
The noise was cranking up among the spectators on both sides of the field as the players headed off at the break; the game right there in the melting pot for whoever wanted it most.
And the Cuchullain’s threatened to contribute to their own downfall, Cunning’s composure from frees sorely missed as a succession of poor wides drew sighs of exasperation from the other side of the fence.
However Loughgiel, irresistible 12 months earlier, weren’t equipped to seize that moment, managing just three points in the entire second half before Dunloy at last created a bit of daylight, Molloy’s goal 11 minutes from time suddenly settling any lingering nerves.
This is where their strength-in-depth showed itself too, young sub Paudie Martin and the experienced Kevin McKeague leading the charge from the bench as O’Kane’s men rattled off the final five scores of the day to send their supporters home happy.
The Cushendall contingent got a good look at the closest of quarters; this time it will be their title on the line when another rivalry is renewed on the county’s grandest stage.
Loughgiel: C McFadden; T Coyle, R McCloskey, C Blair; R McCormick, D McCloskey, D McMullan; B McGarry, E Og McGarry; D McCloskey, J McNaughton (0-7, 0-5 frees), D Patterson; S McGrath (0-3), C McGarry, R McMullan (0-1). Subs: D McKinley for E Og McGarry (40), J McCloskey for McGrath (45),
Dunloy: R Elliott; P Duffin, R McGarry, O Quinn; E McFerran, K Molloy, L McFerran; P Shiels, T McFerran (0-1); S Elliott (0-4, 0-3 frees), A McGarry (0-1), K Molloy (1-0); E O’Neill (0-2), C Cunning (0-1), N Elliott (1-1).
Subs: C McMahon for Cunning (12), G McTaggart (0-1) for L McFerran (38), P Martin (0-2) for McMahon (47), N McKeague (0-2) for N Elliott (55), K McKeague for Duffin (60+2)
Yellow cards: R McGarry (24), P Duffin (30+1)
Referee: M O’Neill
