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Great buzz and excitement around the town for the final, that has been missing for too long. No pressure on our boys, everyone outside the town expecting a Cushendall victory. Fair play to Ronan, Marty J and Dessie for turning things around so quickly. Will be some party in Ballycastle if the boys can get the job done. Can wait for Sunday. Up the black and amber.

Some interesting and possible match ups to ponder for the county final;
Graffin v Clarke
McCambridge v Mccaughern
Mcauley v McManus (fascinating)
Matty Donnelly v Carson
Dallas v C. McNaughton

Could be interesting enough!!! One thought... 2 of the best defenders in the county from Cushendal v 2 of the most exciting forwards in the county from Ballycastle.

Cushendall defence looks very tight, will be an interesting tussle. Great buzz about Ballycastle, that we have missed for so long. Come on the black and amber.

If we are looking inside the county then PJ or Dick O'Kane for me, maybe even the pair of them working together. Kevin Ryan left behind a county full of ill will & ill feeling amongst clubs and players. We need a United county now both on and off the pitch.

PJ deserves a chance given his record the last number of years with Loughgiel. Not too sure about Dick O'Kane. Was a great hurler, but what  has he done in management? He didn't do too well at Rasharkin and is he considered successful in Dunloy this year? PJ with Woody and a city man (Oliver Bellew) would maybe work?

That is still bothering him, but I think his knee is a bigger concern. Really unlucky with the injuries.

Cormac is injured, hasn't played all season. Starting to look like he will never be fit to play again. A big loss to club and county.

I hope Winkers dad is on the road to recovery. Life more important than hurling. Free admission next Sunday? Should be, but I can't see it happening. Traffic really bad today before the game. I left Ballycastle just after 4 and crossed the main carriageway at twenty past 4. The traffic was queued miles back down the road from Dunloy. Every spectator was coming in the same road and there were no stewards at the crossroads before the game. I missed the first ten minutes of the game and loads of others were later than me. Actually thought throw in would have been delayed as there were so many people not in the ground due to the traffic. They need the stewards at pappys before the game next Sunday.

On the match itself, I could only see one winner before throw in, Loughgiel. How wrong I was from what I seen on the field. Loughgiel looked nervous, loads of wides and bad touches. They looked to be on the way out before the game was abandoned. Hard to know how it will pan out now next Sunday. I may leave the house at 11.30am for the 1pm throw in on Sunday 😊

Well from a board which touted Loughgiel as a procession all year suddenly Cushendall are being recognised as favoured defending champions!
SiE was right all along!
All adds to the excitement!
With so little to separate them - lets hope it's not a ref's call that makes the difference!

Loughgiel are the bookies favourites. Unbeaten all season, flying all year,hurt by last seasons defeat, beat the Dall twice this season, motivated by their Centenary year.
The Dall not in great form, carrying injuries to Graffin & Shane, young Burke out for the season, poor all season, lucky to beat St Johns,reports of a possible fall out very recently in the camp due to ill discipline I'm hearing??

Everything points to a Loughgiel victory
Cushendall to win pulling up 

Excellent lol. +1

if ballycastle get to the final will it still be played at their home ground?

If we are lucky enough to get through on Saturday, I would say the final will be in Dunloy. Could also be in Cushendall if Loughgiel beat Cushendall, or Loughgiels pitch for the final if Cushendall beat the shams (can't see that happening)

Town to win by 2 and Loughgiel by 6. 😊

Rossa cant just drop back down again if they dont have a good championship, they need to stick at it. They have a good solid under 16 team and some good minors coming through and if they can keep working away with their future players they will be ok. Dropping back down isnt an option imo.

Rossa, or any other team for that matter, in next seasons division one will have to play Senior championship. You do not have a choice to play down a grade. (You are allowed to play up as many grades as you want, but not down) When Rossa played intermediate last year they were entitled to do so because they were in division 2.

Cloughmills have beat Carey twice this year already.

But that means nothing.  Using that logic wouldn't have had Cloughmills turn up against Glenariffe.  Championship is different especially in a division where everyone can beat everyone else.

Cloughmills have beat Carey 3 times this year. Twice in the league and also in the semi final of the Feis cup. Cloughmills obvious favourites, although they didn't handle the favourites tag too well yesterday. It should be a tight game anyway.

Anyone go to Gortnamona V Armoy yesterday? What happened? Hearing reports of a mass brawl after the game?

What's the thoughts on Micky Glover?

Obviously done a good job with Slaughtneil. Don't know too much about him but heard decent reports. Could be an option.

All well & good appointing an Antrim man but there isn't too many options unfortunately.

well what's the point in dumping more cash into a name or a lad from the south. we've had more than enough of them.   When jingo has been the best manger since Wee Joe.  Give it to someone within our own county and see what he can do.  Like I said.  Don't think there's a better time to be getting it.

I'd prefer an Antrim man but he has to be the right man for the job.

who?

St Pauls mam Glover?? Didn't realise he was taking teams

He was Slaughtneil manager the last couple of years and did well with them. As far as I know he is now a full time coach with Ulster hurling and was assistant manager of Antrim minors this year as well. Would certainly be a contender for the Antrim managers position (there are not too many candidates)

Here is winker getting a bit of leg strengthening done before championship lol. Good luck to him and his bride to be on their wedding day this Saturday. 

http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/gaa/hurling/moneysupermarket-comes-ballymena-top-hurler-9783496

Kevin Ryan has just resigned.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/gaelic-games/33767105