Dunloy confirm O’Kane has job of marking O’Connor

DUNLOY manager Sean McLean has named the starting 15 given the task of bringing the Tommy Moore Cup to the Cuchullain club at the fourth time of asking.

McLean has included both Gary O’Kane and Liam Richmond as both passed fitness tests yesterday.

“They’re spot on,” said McLean last night following a mass in the clubrooms which was co-celebrated by Fr PJ McCamphill, a former Dunloy and Antrim hurler, who returned from the missions for the decider.

Divine intervention seems to have worked because centre-back O’Kane was considered very doubtful after breaking a bone in his hand. Indeed, the plaster only came off a few days ago.

There was less doubt over Liam Richmond, listed at right half- forward with Nigel Elliott forced to make way.

If Dunloy play as listed, then the 33-year-old O’Kane will be given the unenviable role of following Ben O’Connor. However, there were reports last night that Dunloy might be planning to put Mickey McClements on the Cork star. But these were firmly scotched by McLean who insisted O’Kane was fit for the job.

He said: “Gary has hurled with better than Ben O’Connor and has never been found wanting. Why should we change to suit Newtownshandrum?” Nevertheless, McLean has made a few tweaks ahead of today’s eagerly awaited final.

McClements, at midfield in the semi-final against Portumna, has been moved to corner-back.

“Mickey swapped to that position the last day. We looked at their corner-forward and Mickey is a brave sticky marker, so we kept him there,” said McLean.

The Dunloy boss described the mood in his camp as “cautiously optimistic. We didn’t perform in Croke Park last year. The boys have a wee point to prove and do themselves justice. If they go down and hurl to the best of their ability, they won’t be far away.”