Mention Antrim County hurlers like Alastair Elliott, Liam Richmond and Gregory O Kane and the name Dunloy springs automatically to mind. This hurling and camogie parish plays host to the first round of the inaugural junior Ulster Club Junior Camogie Championship when the current Antrim League and Championship winners Dunloy take on the Down Junior League and Championship winners An Riocht.
What a match we have in store with both clubs steeped in Camogie history. In 1980 and 1981 An Riocht were crowned Ulster Senior Camogie Club Champions with Dunloy having won a similar number of titles.
An Riocht have made remarkable progress this year having won the championship at the fourth time of asking and winning the league for the first time in nearly twenty years.
This is a very young team with a very bright future and having assured themselves of intermediate status next year enter the game full of ambition and confidence. It is remarkable to think that the average age of the team is 18 with 10 of the panel having been on or are currently on the various Down county panels. This is testimony to the work put in at juvenile level and the rewards are starting to show with the club in two minor finals and having just captured the U14 league title.
The team started training last November and it is remarkable to think that they have scored a total of 30 goals 94 points (184 points) in this remarkable season and only lost one match in the whole campaign having been beaten by their Ards rivals Ballygalget the night after the Ulster final when 5 of the An Riocht team had represented Down against Antrim at Casement Park.
An Riocht did not get it all there own way in the championship beating Darragh Cross, a very strong Ballygalget team and overcoming their neighbours Longstone in one of the most competitive junior finals in many years. This battle will stand them in good stead against Dunloy and the experience which the girls will gain from this latest adventure will be a welcome bonus.
Dunloy are seen as overwhelming favourites by many and can call on a vastly experienced panel of players and management. They two have won the league in some style and demolished Gort na Mona in the Antrim final 6-15 to 1-0. They had several stars in the team most noticeably full forward Claire Dixon (3-3) and midfielder Ciara McNeill (1-7). Corner forward Chloe Quinn also rowed in with 1-2.
However now it is all on the day and while this panel do not underestimate the mountain they have to climb they relish the thought of pitching themselves against one of the strongest teams in the competition.
Manager Sean Caughey is very upbeat about the game.” It should be a fantastic game to watch and I only hope for the girls sake that they can give a maximum performance on the day- if they do that then we are very much in with a shout. These girls have worked their socks off all year and it is a fitting tribute to them that they have the opportunity to represent their club and their County in this inaugural competition and no doubt it will bring back fond memories for the girls of 80/81 who did the club proud and who undoubtedly laid the foundation for these girls to now again ignite a dream of Ulster success.”
“Dunloy look very strong with some remarkable players such as Dixon and McNeill but then again we have a few of our own” he continued.” Sophie Colgan at full forward is our highest scorer this year with 8 goals and 31 points (55) while Laura Brennan and Niamh Mulhern have scored 8 goals and 25 points (49) and 7 goals and 27 points (48) respectively. An amazing return given that they are all still minors. I have no doubt that we will give it our all and it is in the lap of the Gods after that”
It promises to be a great adventure for the An Riocht team and their supporters and an amazing match in store for any neutrals.

Pen Pics

Goalkeeper Joanna Sloan
A marvellous season for Joanna so far following a very nasty injury. A very safe steady goalkeeper who was inspirational in the championship final. It is hard to see Dunloy putting many goals past her. County experience and honours will mean she will not at all be unnerved by the occasion

Right corner back Ciara Trainor
One of the finds of the season Ciara has made this position her own and improves with every game. Many thought her season would have been over following a serious car accident. The tenacity with which she resumed her training duties is also very evident in her game and her tireless work is exemplary. Her mother Maura was a member of the 80 & 81 Ulster Championship winning teams.

Full back Louise Rodgers.
Louise is the lynchpin of the defence and is never found wanting in that position. She quietly gets on with the job and is a magnificent reader of the game. Claire Dixon the Dunloy full forward will know she has been in a game. Cork hurlers have the “Rock” O’ Sullivan – An Riocht has Louise Rodgers.

Left Corner back Aine O Reilly
Following a spell abroad Aine quickly settled back into the panel and has been a great addition to the team. She is strong and assured and again has a lot of county experience. She appeared as a substitute in the championship final against Longstone and snuffed out one or two threats from the beaten finalists.

Right half back Nicole Kelly
Nicole has been a revelation this season and promises to be a major player in the camogie scene over the next few years. For one so young she is courageous, agile and possesses skills way beyond her years. Many players a lot her senior have tried to no avail to intimidate her and put her off her game but she has never failed to deliver above average performances all season.

Centre half back Coleen Fearon
There is no doubt that Coleen is another major star for the future. She possesses absolute skill and works tirelessly for the team. Her blocking at times is incredible and again as one so young she often “receives” attention from more senior opponents but on every occasion has risen to the challenge. She is calm under pressure and will no doubt be a major influence on this game

Left half back Marie Trainor
Small in stature but remarkably big in heart. She had a magnificent championship final against much bigger opponents and has made this position her own. She has All Ireland experience and brings a lot of mobility to what is recognised as one of the best halfback lines in the county

Midfield Ciara Cunningham (Captain)
The heart of the engine room Ciara has achieved much this season having to adapt to a new role as captain and midfield. Her inspirational performances and leadership has cemented together a very strongly bonded team and she is delighted to at last get the cups and medals which had eluded her in previous years on previous teams. She has grown in confidence in every game and do not expect anything less than a captains performance from her on Sunday

Midfield Clara Killen
A quiet unassuming player but a terrier on the field. She is exceptional at ground camogie and her tackling and tenacity is the main reason why the forwards get such good supply of the ball. Her teamwork with Ciara Cunningham and Ashling Clarke leaves the midfield a stronghold which is hard to breach. She will not be overwhelmed by the big stage. Expect great things from her.

Right half forward Laura Brennan
8 goals and 25 points says it all about this young girl, or maybe not. When you add natural defensive skills, speed and a frightening will to win you get nearer the truth. Another county player she has performed at all levels. While having a disappointing game by her own standard in the County final she has been inspirational all season and is certainly All Star material, again another one with great potential and a great future.

Centre Half Forward Lisa Hughes.
It is a pity that Lisa (like Aine, she spent Spring in Australia) was not with this panel from the start of the season. She is revered within the club along the same lines as footballer Martin Clarke due to her past exploits. A remarkable and composed player she has added a wealth of talent and experience to the An Riocht attack. She is a great player who will continue to grow within this team.

Left Half Forward Naoimh Mulhern
7 goals and 27 points to her credit Naoimh is probably the fastest forward on the team. Her speed of turn has left many defenders in her wake all season and she relishes the big stage. She has scored some remarkable goals for club and county including a cracker against Longstone in the championship final. If An Riocht are to stand any chance Naoimh and indeed the whole half forward line will have to show that massive scoring potential which we have come to expect from them

Right Full forward – Sarah Jane Harper
Young Sarah Jane has trained consistently all year and basically just loves her camogie. She filled in for Joanna Sloan in goals earlier in the season (when Joanna was in Australia) and deservedly makes her championship debut given her commitment. Again, a very fast player who will grasp her chance with both hands.

Full Forward – Sophie Colgan
The teams top scorer with 8 goals and 31 points (55) she will be heavily relied on to give a big performance following her boast on camera following the Championship final victory when she stated very categorically that she was a better player than her brother (county football star) James. Kerry had Kevin Donaghy, Kilkenny had Henry Sheflin and An Riocht have Sophie Colgan. She has been amazing this season and works incredibly hard to improve her game. Exceptional free taker.

Left corner forward Aishling Clarke
Aishling plays as a third midfielder and has put in some sterling performances this year. She is quick to the tackle and has a remarkable ground stroke. She will battle to the end and is a key player in the midfield engine room. Her mother Patricia is Chair of the camogie club and also played in the 80/81 team

Subs

Orla Cunningham - Orla is sister of captain Ciara Cunningham and has worked hard at her game all year. Will undoubtedly secure a regular place on the team over the next few years

Emily Keenan - again a totally dedicated camogie player and very much part of the team. She has made great progress this year and should be a valued player for many years to come

Christina Trainor- sister of Marie Trainor she is near to breaking into the side. A very skilful player with a very bright future

Ella Colgan- one of the youngest members of the panel and sister of Sophie Colgan. She has trained very hard this year and is near to starting. She is a totally committed player with bags of skill