Gaelic Games: Dunloy defeat Cargin in Antrim Senior Football Championship final

Dunloy bridged an 89-year gap as they claimed the Antrim Senior Football Championship with a 3-12 to 2-6 win over Cargin at a sunny Corrigan Park.

Two years ago, the Cuchullains came away disappointed when losing against the same opposition, but this was their day as their attacking style brought the ultimate reward.

Cargin were bidding for their fourth-straight title, but were playing catch-up throughout and despite some fine comebacks in the past, this time it was beyond them.

Dunloy captain Seaan Elliott - one of many who now have county senior medals in both codes - led from the front, putting last weekend's hurling semi-final disappointment behind him to top-score with 1-8, but Anthony McQuillan's men had heroes all over the field as they celebrated the club's seventh football title and first since 1936 amid joyous scenes.

"I can't fathom how we've gone 89 years without winning a senior football title as we've had some great footballers in Dunloy over the years and some great teams," McQuillan said.

"This group of players have stuck together for a long time. When a lot of those boys were 16, some said they'd never play (football) after minor and then after minor, they said they'd never win an Intermediate championship.

"They won that and then it was 'they'll play senior for a year or two and be straight back down' because they concentrate on hurling, but concentrate on football too.

"After Cargin beat us in 2023, I watched it back the next morning and wondered how did we lose that game as we had so many chances. Same today, we had the ball in the wrong man's hand but sorted that at half-time and in the second half, we got the ball into Seaan and Keelan (Molloy) as they know where the posts are."

Cargin owned the ball for the opening three minutes but did nothing with it, and this rather laborious approach would characterise much of their play in the opening period.

In contrast, Dunloy were much more willing to get on the front foot and were rewarded with early two-pointers from Keelan Molloy and Seaan Elliott.

The defending champions were finally off the mark in the 13th minute from a Tomas McCann free and he had the opportunity to level moments later from a penalty, but sent his effort wide to the left.

Three remained the gap in the 23rd minute as Dunloy found the net when Reece Cunning sent a long ball down to Aodhan McGarry who spotted Luke McFerran inside to steady and finish.

Dunloy ought to have built on their advantage but for some poor finishing, while Cargin were right back in it at the half as Conhuir Johnston was put through in added time and his shot took a deflection to loop into the net and leave his side just 1-5 to 1-3 in arrears at the half.

Johnston pointed seconds after the restart to leave one in it, but Dunloy quickly took a grip as in the 33rd minute, Elliott burst through and fed older brother Nigel who lashed high to the net.

Six minutes later and a third goal arrived as Nigel Elliott was taken out inside the box by Callum Gribbin and it was younger brother Seaan to finish.

Elliott added a two-point free to extend the gap to 11 before Cargin got a lifeline by way of a second penalty when Pat Shivers was fouled and this time, Michael McCann tucked it away.

However, Elliott hit back with another two-point free and although the McCanns, Michael and Tomas, kicked late two-pointers for Cargin, they came between Dunloy's insurance score from Tom McFerran as the Cuchullains ended their long wait.

Dunloy: C McMahon; R Cunning, A Crawford, J Scally; A McGarry, R McGarry (0-1), C Kinsella; E McFerran, D Smith; E O'Neill, S Elliott (1-8, 1-0 pen, 1xtp, 2xtpf, 1f)), T McFerran (0-1); L McFerran (1-0), K Molloy (0-2, 1xtp), N Elliott (1-0).

Subs: C Cunning for L McFerran (37), K McQuillan for N Elliott (60+3), B McCloskey for D Smith (60+4)

Cargin: J McNabb; B Kelly, R Gribbin, K O'Boyle; J Laverty, Conan Johnston, S O'Neill; J Carron, K McShane; D Johnston, Conhuir Johnston (1-2), P McCann; M McCann (1-3, 1-0 pen, 1xtp), T Shivers, T McCann (0-3, 1xtp).

Subs: J O'Neill for R Gribbin (HT), P Shivers for T Shivers (40), C Gribbin for P McCann (40), E Quinn for J Carron (45).

Referee: D McKeown (St Gall's)

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