Cushendall 1-20 Loughgiel 1-19: Dall hold off Shamrocks in dramatic Antrim Final finish
- Published
Drama as Dall survive late Loughgiel fight back
Cushendall won a 15th Antrim Hurling title after Loughgiel's James McNaughton missed a last-puck free which would have ensured extra-time.
Dall led 1-20 to 0-19 with the scheduled five minutes of added time played before McNaughton netted after a mistake by keeper Conor McAlister.
Loughgiel then won a free near their right sideline some 70 metres out but McNaughton's effort was inches wide.
Fergus McCambridge's early goal had helped Cushendall take control.
Three McNaughton points gave Loughgiel a 0-3 to 0-1 advantage before Neil McManus squared for McCambridge to net in the sixth minute.
Loughgiel briefly led again at 0-7 to 1-3 after 14 minutes but that was the last time they were ahead on the scoreboard as Dall moved 1-11 to 0-9 up by half-time.
Cushendall increased their advantage to six shortly after the restart and the margin was six again by the 52nd minute and still five with two minutes of normal time remaining before the dramatic finish at Corrigan Park.
Loughgiel fancied after downing Dunloy
After ending Dunloy's five-in-a-row ambitions by beating last year's beaten All-Ireland Finalists in the semi-finals, Loughgiel were fancied by many to add to their record 20 Antrim titles by winning a first Volunteer Cup since 2016.
It looked good the Shamrocks early on as McNaughton's three scores from play put them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead by the fifth minute.
However, Cushendall were suddenly ahead a minute later as Loughgiel keeper Christy O'Connell seemed to lose the flight of the sliotar in the low autumn sun which allowed McManus to unselfishly set up McCambridge to net.
Initially, Loughgiel regrouped well from that setback as points from play from Christy McGarry and wing-back Declan McCloskey helped them hit four of the next six scores to move ahead once more.
But that was the last time they led as they were outscored 0-8 to 0-2 in the second quarter, helped by a run of five unanswered scores between the 22nd and 29th minutes, which included youngster Joseph McLaughlin's second point and two Niall McCormack efforts from play.
'If wee John was here, he would be lifting the cup'
Despite the influential McManus having been relatively well contained by Loughgiel centre half-back Damon McMullan with the former Antrim star's four first-half points all coming from frees, Dall were in a healthy position at 1-11 to 0-9 up at the break and the margin soon became six after impressive duo Paddy Burke and Fred McCurry both notched their second scores from play.
McCurry's point came after Paul Boyle had gone for goal at the other end after breaking clear of his marker only to be denied by McAlister, who also bravely blocked the attempted follow-up.
A strong eight-minute period saw Loughgiel outscore Cushendall 0-4 to 0-1 to cut the margin to three by the 48th minute only for Dall to respond with three points in 60 seconds as two more Burke efforts were split by a score from midfielder and man of the match Ryan McCambridge.
Back came Loughgiel once more as a Ryan McMullan score was followed by Shan McGrath and Paul Boyle points only for Cushendall to seemingly close the door by the 58th minute following scores from McManus and centrefielder McCambridge.
Loughgiel's injury-time efforts to fight back seemed destined to be mere huff and puff as McNaughton's 30-metre free sailed well over the crossbar but then came the late drama as Dall keeper McAlister fumbled a free that been lofted into the square which allowed McNaughton to bat to the net from close range.
With the Cushendall bench and supporters screaming for the final whistle, referee Colm Cunning allowed one more play and incredibly, McNaughton was presented with his last-gasp chance to ensure extra-time.
The shot appeared destined to go over the bar only to tail inches wide late in its flights as the relieved Dall men celebrated and Loughgiel's players slumped to the turf.
WEEKEND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
SUNDAY
Antrim SHC Final
Cushendall 1-20 Loughgiel 1-19
Down SFC Final
Fermanagh SFC semi-final
Enniskillen Gaels 0-9 Erne Gaels 1-10
Armagh Hurling Final
Keady 0-11 Middletown 1-15
Derry SFC semi-final
Glen v Slaughtneil, Owenbeg, 18:00
SATURDAY
Tyrone SFC semi-final
Errigal Ciaran 2-19 Ardboe 0-7
Derry SFC semi-final
Newbridge 0-2 Magherafelt 0-12
Fermanagh SFC semi-final
Derrygonnelly 5-8 Kinawley 3-10
FRIDAY
Tyrone SFC semi-final
Trillick 2-11 Dungannon Clarkes 1-9