Dunloy ... 1-14 Mount Sion ... 1-13Something definitive has happened to Antrim hurling. This result was certainly no accident, nor a triumph against the odds - even if some bookmakers were last week offering foolish judgements on the most likely outcome.
It was a victory built on faith, mostly on the keeping of it and at times also the summoning of it. It was, as Mount Sion manager Jim Greene admitted, the day when hurling teams from the south might finally stop under-rating hurling teams from the north.
The way the Dunloy supporters loitered on the field afterwards - and there were many in Mullingar yesterday - suggested a moment in time where the innocence of Antrim hurling was dragged across the line that has long isolated Ulster hurling.
More likely it was a simple tribute to the team that has kept Antrim within sight of the Promised Land for over 10 years now.
Since 1991 in fact, in which time Dunloy have played in six All-Ireland semi-finals. Two years ago Athenry experienced some nervous moments before emerging on a misleading scoreline, and last year against Birr was even closer. Yet still the only logical winners of this game appeared to be Mount Sion, backboned as they were by so many key members of the Waterford team that last summer took the Munster hurling title.
After just 15 minutes of play yesterday all that was forgotten. Dunloy were leading 1-6 to 0-2, including a sweet goal from Paddy Richmond and hurling as maturely and as intelligently as most clubs down south could only dream of. Luck played a small part in the Mouth Sion response - a poached goal from Michael White just before the turnaround - but even with a mere three-point lead at half-time Dunloy were the far superior act.
Then came a more severe rattle to their cause and with around 10 minutes left to play Mount Sion stole a one-point lead. From then to the end it appeared that fate would be the greater force than faith. Having drawn level again, Dunloy missed at least three genuine shots at goal, while the clock ticked into added time.
What happened next belonged to yet another higher force. Mount Sion's Brian Flannery was called back for over-carrying the ball, when other referees might have awarded him the free. Alastair Elliott calmly converted the 40-yard shot, and with that Dunloy's faith was once again intact until March 17th - when they'll play Birr in the All-Ireland final.
"We had to dig very deep in the second half," said Dunloy manager Sean McLean afterwards, "but that just shows you the heart of these boys. I mean we've been down this road many times. We've had the experience of six semi-finals and I think that experience showed in the end."
McLean was quick to add that he was not a betting man, but when the odds of 10 to 1 began circulating he found it impossible not to have a flutter. "Aye, most of the boys had a bet at 10 to 1. And I had such faith in these boys that I had to have a bet too."
More than just that, McLean's now preparing his team for the annual club showcase in Croke Park. "To be honest we'd set our sights on the 17th of March at the very beginning. That's where we wanted to go, and now we're there. We know we've only won a semi-final, but we're already thinking about that day."
From goalkeeper Gareth McGhee (who made several crucial blocks) right through to number 15 Martin Curry, the Dunloy team was faultless. Gary O'Kane was pivotal at centre back, but with all six forwards scoring in the opening 25 minutes there was simply no shortage of inspiration. In the end 1-10 of their total came from play.
For Mount Sion, for whom forwards Ken McGrath and Michael White truly sparkled, the controversial free that marked their eventual downfall would sportingly be only a minor talking point afterwards. "Well of course I thought it was a free out," said their manager, "but the referee thought it was a free in. It's just a pity the match was decided on the particular issue, but I know we got a goal in the first half where Dunloy were unlucky with a free as well."
Greene, however, had little doubt over which team had performed closer to their peak on the day. "Overall it was a very even match, and in the end they just wanted it that bit more. We gave it our best shot and I feel we've made great progress this year. We've won Munster, but I reckoned a year ago that this team would take two or three years to fully develop. But we certainly didn't under-rate them in any way. We saw what Antrim did against Tipperary last year, and what this team did against Birr last year."
DUNLOY: G McGhee; D McMullan, S Mullan, F McMullan; M Molloy, Gary O'Kane (capt), P McMullan; C Cunning (0-2), C McGuckian (0-1); L Richmond (0-1), Greg O'Kane (0-2, one free), N Elliott (0-1); P Richmond (1-1), A Elliott (0-5, three frees), M Curry (0-1). Subs: M McClements for Richmond (38 mins), E McKee for Curry (46 mins).
MOUNT SION: I O'Regan; J O'Meara, A Kirwan, B Flannery; J Cleere (capt), T Browne, B Greene; K Stafford, R McGrath; E Kelly (0-2), K McGrath (0-5, all frees), E McGrath (0-1); M White (1-2), S Ryan (0-1), M Frisby (0-2). Subs: K O'Neill for Greene (19 mins, inj), J Meaney for Stafford (half time).
Referee: P Neary (Kilkenny).
