Antrim Hurling

[Kidder81]

Aye Jerome is not a commentator in any way and struggles to complete the role.
But Johnny should know some of the hurlers. He continually mistakes players names with or without a team sheet. And some simple errors in the game too related to the play.
I don't want to be hammering him but it feels like it now, I just hoped that Antrim could find a better production.

He's certainly set up to fail, standing in the crowd basically being asked to commentate with no better of a vantage point than anyone else 

[Gael-in-exile]

Again that's not his fault and that's why I don't want it to be in him. That's back to county, fixtures planning for suitable venues etc.

[Jonkunlon]

At this point and time Loughgiel are not in a great place. They were chasing shadows for much of today. Timing of Dunloy runs and offloads is something to behold.

Makes for a fascinating final. Best attack in the county v the meanest defence.

Officiating was 1st class. They missed nothing and didn't buy the dives, stick holds, feigned high tackles and other dark arts.

Sammy was the best player on the park first half. Loughgiel struggled with him.

[paddyjohn]

At this point and time Loughgiel are not in a great place. They were chasing shadows for much of today. Timing of Dunloy runs and offloads is something to behold.

Makes for a fascinating final. Best attack in the county v the meanest defence.

Officiating was 1st class. They missed nothing and didn't buy the dives, stick holds, feigned high tackles and other dark arts.

Sammy was the best player on the park first half. Loughgiel struggled with him.

Agree, Mark did very well I thought.

I said it at the start of the year, another year under the previous management and the Shamrocks would have been closer to another county title. I've no axe to grind with any of them either.

[Saffrongael]

At this point and time Loughgiel are not in a great place. They were chasing shadows for much of today. Timing of Dunloy runs and offloads is something to behold.

Makes for a fascinating final. Best attack in the county v the meanest defence.

Officiating was 1st class. They missed nothing and didn't buy the dives, stick holds, feigned high tackles and other dark arts.

Sammy was the best player on the park first half. Loughgiel struggled with him.

Agree, Mark did very well I thought.

I said it at the start of the year, another year under the previous management and the Shamrocks would have been closer to another county title. I've no axe to grind with any of them either.

Not sure I would agree with that, I just don't think they have the players compared to Dunloy. Dunloy took their eye off the ball last year with the football exploits.

Dunloy just have better players & I think they will give Cushendall their fill of it in two weeks

[NAG1]

Saturday's game was a strange one and I'm not sure Cushendall will even know where they are at after that, St John's will be kicking themselves.

The goal chance toward the end for the Johnnies was the winning/ losing of the game and probably shows why they keep coming up short.

The game in Cushendall was a bit like men and boys, bar the wayward shooting which conditions probably played into Dunloy would have been out of sight. Loughgiel didnt seem to have any tactical answer.

[NorthAntrim]

The amount of ball Loughgiel lumped down on top of Molloy/Shiels was crazy. I think the conditions suited Dunloy. Likewise St Johns who should've nailed that goal chance just before Cushendalls and probably put them out

[imtommygunn]

I didn't see yesterday's game but the johnnies should really have won that game on saturday. The final is an interesting one - I don't think Cushendall will have the pace to deal with Dunloy. Also I think they're better matched physically whereas Loughgiel maybe not quite as physical.

[NAG1]

The amount of ball Loughgiel lumped down on top of Molloy/Shiels was crazy. I think the conditions suited Dunloy. Likewise St Johns who should've nailed that goal chance just before Cushendalls and probably put them out

It did seem a bit primitive as an approach but think they were scared to go shorter with the puck out in fear of getting turned over higher  up. Physically they were dominated and there weren't the options even there to vary the puck out.

Dunloy were able to work their puck out better especially into the breeze. Helped them get a foot old in the game.

[Last Man]

I didn't see yesterday's game but the johnnies should really have won that game on saturday. The final is an interesting one - I don't think Cushendall will have the pace to deal with Dunloy. Also I think they're better matched physically whereas Loughgiel maybe not quite as physical.

I would say might have rather than should have. I tip my hat to their energy and work rate but you need a bit more than that if the likes of McManus, Campbell and Burke have other ideas which on this occasion they did.
The Johnnies FB line was excellent, Conor J in attack was great value as well.

[NorthAntrim]

For me Ryan McCambridge was one of Cushendalls best. Cant see Shorty and Molloy having as easy a day with him in that area

[paddyjohn]

At this point and time Loughgiel are not in a great place. They were chasing shadows for much of today. Timing of Dunloy runs and offloads is something to behold.

Makes for a fascinating final. Best attack in the county v the meanest defence.

Officiating was 1st class. They missed nothing and didn't buy the dives, stick holds, feigned high tackles and other dark arts.

Sammy was the best player on the park first half. Loughgiel struggled with him.

Agree, Mark did very well I thought.

I said it at the start of the year, another year under the previous management and the Shamrocks would have been closer to another county title. I've no axe to grind with any of them either.

Not sure I would agree with that, I just don't think they have the players compared to Dunloy. Dunloy took their eye off the ball last year with the football exploits.

Dunloy just have better players & I think they will give Cushendall their fill of it in two weeks

I'm not slighting the Dunloy performance yesterday at all. They were superb.

[imtommygunn]

For me Ryan McCambridge was one of Cushendalls best. Cant see Shorty and Molloy having as easy a day with him in that area

He's far better out round midfield. I think it's taken a while to find his best position - definitely a huge player now for cushendall.

Yeah LM could have is probably more apt than should have. Definitely could have won that game.

Intermediate final should be interesting now. I imagine Glenariffe favourites?

Junior A and B went against my predictions. In the B it read like Philip Maguire was too good. It's been a while since Rasharkin won the junior but they always seem to be knocking on the door.

[SaffronOak]

Think this was Dunloy's first time concentrating on hurling only for a considerable length of time.  They looked sharp and more like themselves compared to anything we seen last championship and up until Sunday with maybe the 1st half in their Rossa game the exception.

Jack Bohill was excellent for the Johnnies.  Kept tabs on young McLaughlin - hasnt been many capable of doing that so far.  Would expect Cushendall to improve for the final but I also think Dunloy will improve.  Serious missed frees/65s well within scoring range and a few other bad misses in there. 

[Gael-in-exile]

Dunloys young guns stepped up well, McFerran in midfield I thought outshone his two name sakes/brothers even if one was a minor who did show well.
Loughgiel however didn't adapt to Dunloy leaving shields in round the 45.  Surely with players of James McNaughtons calibre they would be better dropping him out to mf area and trying to create shooting chances from there.

As for Dall they had 4 weeks off so between injuries, suspensions and that break will be glad to get through. At this stage though I'd have to say Dunloy be much happier with their performance over the two semis and this would be my favourites as it stands.