The history of the Volunteer Cup recently featured on TG4’s Scéalta na gCorn, presented by Gráinne McElwain.
Neil McManus, Antrim’s most well-known hurler, explained what the ‘Big Ears’ Cup meant to the people of the county and, on Sunday, he’ll be hoping to bring the famous piece of silverware back to his native Cushendall.
At Corrigan Park, the Ruairi Óg’s will take on North Antrim rivals and current county kingpins Dunloy in what is a repeat of the 2019 Antrim SHC final.
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The Cuchullain’s won on that occasion, 3-16 to 2-15, and Gregory O’Kane’s side completed a hat-trick of titles with a facile win over Rossa in last year’s final.
Sunday’s decider brings together the two in-form teams in the county with Cushendall and Dunloy finishing top of their respective Championship groups.
However, their path to the final was very different as Dunloy eased past St John’s 5-21 to 1-12 in their semi-final clash at Dunsilly.
Earlier that day, Cushendall withstood a furious comeback from Loughgiel in a remarkable finish at Ballycastle.
A 1-2 salvo from Christy McNaughton put Brian Delargy’s men 3-14 to 0-15 ahead with only minutes remaining.
Yet, the Shamrocks countered with two late goals from Rian McMullan and Maol Connolly either side of a point from James McNaughton, but time ran out for Loughgiel - much to the relief of McManus, who scored 0-10, and his Cushendall colleagues.
“It was a tight finish, but we knew Loughgiel were never going to go away,” said McManus.
“It would have been the same if they were in front and we were chasing the game, we wouldn’t give up.
“We knew it would go down to a score or two either way and so it did.”
And the Antrim star insisted he never believed the job was done, despite Cushendall holding a handsome eight-point lead in the closing minutes of the game.
“Never - genuinely we never thought that,” added McManus.
“We have been coming up against Loughgiel down through the years. . . I’m at this 20 years now and things never change.
“My debut against Loughgiel was the exact same in Ballycastle’s old pitch - they beat us by a goal on a horrible day in 2004. There is never usually more than a score in it anytime we play them.
“The game ebbed and flowed. It was wet underfoot and conditions weren’t easy, but it was a very enjoyable encounter too. These are the days we train all year for.
“It was heart in the mouth stuff, but that’s why we enjoy these moments and why they mean so much to everybody.”
McManus has played in an incredible 13 Antrim Senior Hurling Championship finals and he has six county titles, but has suffered seven defeats.
A win on Sunday would not only level up that particular tally, but it would also move Ruairi Óg’s level with Dunloy and Rossa on 15 Championships in the roll of honour with Loughgiel (20) and Ballycastle (17) out in front.
The novelty of playing in the county final hasn’t worn off and the 34-year-old will be of crucial importance if Cushendall are to regain the Volunteer Cup for the first time since 2018.
This year’s decider is, arguably, between the team with the best defence in Antrim and the team with the best attack in the county and Dunloy’s potent forward unit illustrated against St John’s what they are capable of.
McManus, though, feels Cushendall’s strength-in-depth will stand to them in the county final after their substitutes impressed in the semi-final win over the Shamrocks.
“The strength of the panel was probably the main reason why we got over the line against Loughgiel to be honest,” stated McManus.
“We are bringing on really quality subs.
“You have to motivate them again when they are told they aren’t starting.
"Some had a really big argument to be starting. But they made such an impact when they came on and we’ll need that again in the final.”
One of Cushendall’s impact subs from their semi-final victory remains an injury doubt, however, as goal-scorer Christy McNaughton jarred his knee late on and had to be replaced.
It is understood that Dunloy have no fresh injury concerns after their duel players came through last Saturday’s Intermediate Football Championship victory over Glenravel unscathed.
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