Antrim Hurling

[SaffronOak]

When they had to be, they were excellent.  St JOhn's let them off one too many times and you cant do that against a team of Cushendall's calibre.

[NorthAntrim]

Aodhan played against Cushendall in Cushendall in the championship round robin.  Cushendall a different animal to Loughgiel.  A better team than last year also when they won the championship.  Bare in mind, Dunloy only pulled away in last 5 minutes of '22 final - late Chrissy McMahon goal.

Dunloy were missing Ronan Molloy and Eamon Smyth who have played in wing half back all year.  EMcF looked like a natural there against Loughgiel to be fair.  Seaan Elliott been playing in a deeper role all championship.  Loss of Coby at inside forward is massive.  Up to Eoin O'Neill, Chrissy McMahon etc to step up further in his absence.  Paudie Martin is an asset off the bench but cant see him starting.  Would be a big call to have Luke McFerran starting - he's the minor captain and a talent but to throw him into the championship final mix against Cushendall is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Either very confident Cushendall man, which I doubt, or playing down the favourites tag for Dunloy.
All points correct though but as it stands I still have Dunloy as favourites and would be keen to see if the keep the young lads and the team who hurled excellently in the semi or return to those from the last few years who have missed a game or two.

A Dunloy realist 

Performance level of Tom was excellent.  Made him undroppable basically.  Aodhan has shown these signs and his progress over the last 12 months has been phenomenal.

When it comes to the starting 15s on Sunday, I maintain that Cushendall will be closer to full strength than Dunloy.  From what I understand, Cushendall arent at full strength but close enough while we all know the injuries Dunloy have.

That plus the weather has Cushendall favourites in my eyes.  Nothing to do with downplaying Dunloy's tag as bookies favourites.  Have to look at the whole picture here as well.... The 'Dall have been excellent through the championship barring the last 5-10 minutes against Rossa in their first match.

Aodhan was county minor captain back in his ballymena days so obviously had something about him, plus a years training with the county seniors behind him too

[Gael-in-exile]

Cushendalls main strength is never giving up, in fact it was why there was so much space for McMahon in 2022, although that goal made it a 6 point victory not as close as suggested above.

The space in Ballycastle will suit Dunloy more, both teams are missing players but I just think Dunloys back up players in the semi done enough to suggest they should replace Smyth & Molloy in half back. Dunloy brought on McKeague, McMahon, Martin and McTaggart who all contributed well. And they've only lost one player in the forwards to injury that I'm aware of.

Cushendall may hope the grounds heavy and look to McAfee, D Delagry, & McQuillian coming in up front, but none of those have contributed as well as the Dunloy replacements. M Burke be a big help in defence even if young McAuley hurled well.

Dunloy have the players it's just which will play to give them the best outcome, Cushendall need a few more scorers.
I'm still sticking with Dunloy by no more than 4

[saffman]

Anyone the ticket link for sunday?

[podge]

Anyone the ticket link for sunday?

If you click right into the fixture on the Antrim website under 'upcoming club fixtures' there is a link to buy tickets there.  Which in fairness I find a very helpful feature as finding games on Universe is not always easy.

[Jonkunlon]

Carey much the better team and full value for the win. Glenariffe were poor and couldn't find a way to win.

Rocket is an unbelievable player at both ends of the pitch. Dangerous in attack and pulled his defence out at the other end. Conor McBride Carey's most dangerous forward on the day.

Decent enough game but Glenariffe just didn't have that offensive threat.

[Milltown Row2]

Having so many wides in the first half and not converting the one decent goal chance they had didn't help, the sending off I don't think changed the winner in the end.

Rocket is a proper club warrior and a great outlet for his team, as said on both ends of the pitch

Not the classic but Carey won't care too much, Eddie and go have been able to get them over the line. They were seconds from going out against Clooney in one of the best games I seen all year.

Hopefully they enjoy a good week's celebrations and re focus for the tough Ulster campaign where Antrim teams have not preformed as well

[Jonkunlon]

Having so many wides in the first half and not converting the one decent goal chance they had didn't help, the sending off I don't think changed the winner in the end.

Rocket is a proper club warrior and a great outlet for his team, as said on both ends of the pitch

Not the classic but Carey won't care too much, Eddie and go have been able to get them over the line. They were seconds from going out against Clooney in one of the best games I seen all year.

Hopefully they enjoy a good week's celebrations and re focus for the tough Ulster campaign where Antrim teams have not preformed as well

Double save from the Carey keeper from that Glenariffe goal chance was incredible.

Was the linesman alerted Skinny to the red card incident and the Glenariffe player involved didn't raise an eyebrow.

Carey well organised.

[Milltown Row2]

Having so many wides in the first half and not converting the one decent goal chance they had didn't help, the sending off I don't think changed the winner in the end.

Rocket is a proper club warrior and a great outlet for his team, as said on both ends of the pitch

Not the classic but Carey won't care too much, Eddie and go have been able to get them over the line. They were seconds from going out against Clooney in one of the best games I seen all year.

Hopefully they enjoy a good week's celebrations and re focus for the tough Ulster campaign where Antrim teams have not preformed as well

Double save from the Carey keeper from that Glenariffe goal chance was incredible.

Was the linesman alerted Skinny to the red card incident and the Glenariffe player involved didn't raise an eyebrow.

Carey well organised.

Think Colm was close enough in fairness but yeah didn't seem to be any complaints

[Jonkunlon]

Having so many wides in the first half and not converting the one decent goal chance they had didn't help, the sending off I don't think changed the winner in the end.

Rocket is a proper club warrior and a great outlet for his team, as said on both ends of the pitch

Not the classic but Carey won't care too much, Eddie and go have been able to get them over the line. They were seconds from going out against Clooney in one of the best games I seen all year.

Hopefully they enjoy a good week's celebrations and re focus for the tough Ulster campaign where Antrim teams have not preformed as well

Double save from the Carey keeper from that Glenariffe goal chance was incredible.

Was the linesman alerted Skinny to the red card incident and the Glenariffe player involved didn't raise an eyebrow.

Carey well organised.

Think Colm was close enough in fairness but yeah didn't seem to be any complaints

He was to be fair. Missed nothing all day. Solid performance from the officials. Good playing surface, good crowd and atmosphere. Good day all round - unless you're from Glenariffe. They'll be disappointed with their performance.

[Milltown Row2]

Would say they didn't turn up, that's been their poorest performance from the games I've watched or been involved with this year..

Think they are young enough and will give intermediate a good rattle again next year

[imtommygunn]

I thought they would win that. With their underage setup being so successful I suspect they would have been hoping to make the breakthrough to senior sooner rather than later. They should be challenging again next year I imagine.

[Saffron71]

The difference in that game was the 1 minute (Maybe less) period around the 44 minute.  Young Tosh missed what looked like a nailed on free to level it and not long after Conlith McKinley had the ball in the Glenariffe net.  Glenariffe were starting to find their rhythm after half time until that point.  Obviously the goal opportunities for both sides in the second half were crucial.  Stephen McGinn with a savage double save (Glenariffe would have been really disappointed not to have scored given it was a really clear cut goal chance), and then the Carey goal which I feel the Glenariffe keeper might have done better on.  Ultimately after the goal, Carey's game management was excellent.  When Glenariffe lumped ball after ball down on top of their defence they continued to come out with it and play it through the lines when needed.  Glenariffe's wides total cost them big time but Carey were the better side on the big occasion.

[Jonkunlon]

You're correct on the lumping ball tactic. It failed repeatedly. The only defence of it was that Carey had an extra man and it was going to be tough to play through the lines for Glenariffe.

The free you refer to was a poor miss. In line with the left hand goal post and within a very manageable distance - wind supported.

Glenariffe will be back.

The reward for winning Intermediate Championship -  tankings next year in the Senior Championship and I'm guessing your management team jumping ship. Perhaps I'm being cynical.

[Around the glens]

Where's all the hurling refs in the county?

The same ref has done the minor u21 and now the senior final.. a ref from Tyrone and one from derry pulled them out during the championship too.