Dunloy to shock past masters Birr
SUPERFICIALLY, you would go immediately for a Birr win here. Powerhouses of this competition, joint top of the roll of honour with Ballyhale Shamrocks of Kilkenny (four titles apiece), Birr are past masters when it comes to the All-Ireland club championship.
They are also past masters of Dunloy, who have never defeated them at this level (a draw in the ‘95 final the closest they’ve come).
Despite impressions to the contrary, Birr are not an old side, not even an ageing side, despite the presence of captain Brian Whelehan (36).
They do have experience, in the form of keeper Brian Mullins, in Simon and Barry Whelehan, Rory and Gary Hanniffy, Niall Claffey, but all those guys are either in their late 20’s or early 30’s and have plenty of years left.
Outside of those, however, Birr have a plethora of new young talent coming through, all carefully nurtured by the wily Padjoe Whelehan.
So, obvious favourites, then? Not so fast.
Dunloy too have a strong recent tradition; 10 Antrim titles since their breakthrough year in 1990 testament to their prowess — and believe it, the Antrim title is hugely competitive. They beat champions Cushendall by a point in the semi-final, 0-18 to 3-8, before accounting for another hurling powerhouse, Loughiel Shamrocks, in the final. In the Ulster semi-final they beat Ballycran of Down after a replay, and this was the big one — though there was only six points in it at the finish, Kevin Lynch’s of Derry were a formality in the final. Like Birr they have a side bristling with experience, the likes of Alistair Elliott, free-taker Gregory O’Kane, the free-scoring brothers Liam and Paddy Richmond, Conor Cunning, Colm McGuckian, keeper Gareth McGee and midfielder Malachy Malloy, all of whom have played with distinction in the county colours.
In any terms, this is one hell of a serious club side, and no-one is more aware of this than tomorrow’s opposition.
* Verdict: Dunloy.
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