25 October 2009
Dunloy claimed the AIB Ulster Club Hurling Championship for the 10th time when they withstood a spirited fightback by Down champions Ballycran to record a five-point win in Sunday’s final at Casement Park.
The Antrim champions dominated most of the opening half but a late rally by the Down men meant they were only a point up at the break as a goal by Ballycran's Aidan Clarke in first-half injury time changed the whole complexion of the game.
The men from the Ards went ahead for the first time with points from Conor Arthurs, Simon Wilson and Conor Woods but Paddy Richmond regained the initiative for Dunloy with a superb goal from the tightest of angles in the forty-ninth minute following a long range free by Gareth McGhee.
A long free from Wilson went all the way to the Dunloy net as man of the season McGhee made a rare mistake, and Ballycran hopes were raised again, but when Richmond scrambled home his second following a great sideline ‘cut’ from Sean Dowds the tenth title was all but secure.
Considering their long list of injuries going into the game this was a top performance by the Dunloy men. Damian McMullan, Malachy Molloy, Paudie Chivers, Conor Cunning and long term injury sufferer Paul Shiels would be a big loss to any team, but those who stepped in played their part in their tenth title win. Worthy of special mention is the evergreen Gregory O’Kane whose cool head and skilful touches helped steer his team through some sticky patches. With fellow veteran Alastair Elliott he collected his tenth provincial championship medal on Sunday, a record which will probably never be repeated. He still retains a great appetite for the game despite heading closer to the forty mark and on Sunday he once again showed his class at vital times to help maintain his club’s proud record of never losing a game in the Ulster championship.
DUNLOY – Gareth McGhee, Michael McClements, James McKeague, Cathaior Cunning, Kevin Martin, Conor McKinley, Colum Cunning, Kevin Molly, Sean Dowds, Liam Richmond, Gregory O’Kane, Paddy Doherty, Alastair Elliott, Paddy Richmond, Darren Quinn
