Dunloy’s drive for five ambitions were clearly outlined two weeks ago when they put Clooney Gaels to the sword in the opening round of their Antrim SHC title defence.
A hat-trick of three-pointers from Eoin O’Neill, who top scored on the day for Gregory O’Kane’s charges with 3-4, helped the reigning Antrim and Ulster champions cruise to a 23-point victory.
A stiffer assignment is expected this evening when they take on O’Donovan Rossa in a repeat of the 2021 county final, but Dunloy will be keen to laid down another marker.
O’Donovan Rossa began their campaign with a round one, although their outing against Naomh Eoin in Corrigan Park didn’t prove as comfortable.
Goals were the difference in the end and as Eoin Trainor and dual star Dominic McEnhill rattled the net in their 2-21 to 0-21 win.
Rossa will need to be on top of their game, and hope Dunloy dip below their usual high standards, to have a chance of upsetting the odds,
Naomh Eoin will be keen to bounce back following that opening day defeat and get their championship campaign heading back in the right direction and they can do that this evening with a win against Clooney Gaels.
Clooney Gaels are bound to have been affected by the Dunloy onslaught of two weeks ago and healing those mental scars will have been a tough task over the last fortnight.
While the Johnnies came up short in the first round, they showed glimpses of their potential and Saturday evening presents another opportunity for them to display their ability.
Down sharpshooter Oisin McManus was at his accurate best two weeks ago, although his personal haul of 0-13 wasn’t enough to guide Naomh Eoin over the line. They’ll also hope to raise a green flag this week, having failed to do so against O’Donovan Rossa.
On Sunday, Division One league champions Loughgiel are off to Ballycastle tomorrow for the second round of Group Two.
The Shamrocks were worthy seven-point winners the last day out, seeing off Naomh Eanna 1-22 to 3-23, despite playing with 14 men after Rian McMullan received his marching orders.
Loughgiel claimed goals at crucial times to fend off the Naomh Eanna challenge, with Enda Og McGarry, Jack McCloskey and Shan McGrath all raising green flags.
Ballycastle’s first day out proved a difficult one as they suffered a heavy 15-point defeat against Cushendall and face another uphill battle tomorrow afternoon.
