By Niall McCoy

BREDAGH’S continued rise in hurling matters could take a significant step forward on Sunday as they meet Antrim’s Dunloy in the Ulster Minor final in Ballinascreen.

The Cherryvale outfit completed a Down two-in-a-row back in September, a significant achievement given the historical domination of the Ards clubs. They hit 7-12 in the county final against one of those, Ballygalget, and their scoring prowess continued in last week’s Ulster semi-final as they hammered Derry representatives Lavey on a 1-19 to 1-3 scoreline.

Free-taker Finbar Blaney and Luke Doran continued to carry plenty of scoring threat with Shane O’Connell continuing his tradition of having an eye for a goal. Their defence is razor sharp too, with goalkeeper Daniel Kinney providing confidence at number one, and they kept Lavey scoreless in the second half in wet and windy conditions.

Dunloy are looking for title number three and entered the provincial arena boosted by ending Loughgiel’s domination of the Saffron minor grade in a role reversal of what happened at senior level in 2023.

In Paudie Martin they have an exquisite free-taker but he was held to just two scores as Carrickmore gave them a real scare in the Ulster semi-final.

It was all going to plan as Conor Mort hit the net within a minute as Dunloy raced into a six-point lead, and Aidan Richmond soon hit a second major. However, the Tyrone side are made of stern stuff and the Cuchuallain’s had to battle for their 3-12 to 2-9 victory – Oisin McCallin with their third goal in the 59th minute.

This has all the hallmarks of being a real close encounter with Antrim’s usual superiority in provincial competitions set to be tested. Bredagh have shaken things up in the Mourne County and will have no fear of repeating the trick in Ballinascreen.