Yahoo News Antrim Club Championship draws 2024: Cushendall in ‘group of death’ as Creggan withdraw from senior grade
The senior draws for the 2024 Antrim Club Championships took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast on Friday morning with representatives from all four codes.
However, a last-minute change to the senior hurling draw proved the main talking point. At the 11th hour, last season’s Intermediate champions Creggan opted out of the senior grade, leaving just seven teams in the draw.
As it transpired, Loughgiel, Ballycastle and St Enda’s were drawn in the three-team Group One with the trio being assured of progressing to the knockout stages.
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The winner of each group will progress to the last four with the second and third in each group entering the quarter-finals.
Defending champions Cushendall are in Group Two along with Dunloy, who won four titles between 2019 and 2022, and Belfast pair Rossa and St John’s.
Speaking at the draw Cushendall boss Brian Delargy insisted that last year’s Antrim and Ulster success has been parked as the Ruairi Óg’s look ahead to the start of their title defence.
“It certainly concentrates the mind whenever you are pulled into a draw like ours," said Delargy.
“We knew there was a chance of that. I don’t think it could have been any tougher when you look at the teams that are in it.
“It is Championship hurling - you will have to be at your best every day. Last year is done, the cups have been handed back.
“We found out 10 minutes before the draw that Creggan had pulled out. It isn’t great to have only three teams in the other group either.”
Meanwhile, in the Antrim Senior Football Championship, holders Cargin face the same three teams in the group stages as 2023, namely Rossa, St John’s and Randalstown.
Last year’s beaten finalists Dunloy are in Group one with Aldergrove, Lámh Dhearg and St Enda’s.
Portglenone are in Group Three with Ahoghill, Moneyglass and Glenravel with St Brigid’s in Group Four along with St Gall’s, Aghgallon and Creggan.
The first round draw for the Antrim Ladies Championship was also made while the Camogie draw is to be held at a later date.
The draws for the Intermediate and Junior grades will be held next week.
Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship
Group One: Loughgiel, Ballycastle, St Enda’s
Group Two: Cushendall, Dunloy, St John’s, Rossa.
Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship
Group One: Dunloy, Aldergrove, Lámh Dhearg, St Enda’s
Group Two: Cargin, Rossa, Randalstown, St John’s
Group Three: Portglenone, Ahoghill, Glenravel, Moneyglass
Group Four: St Brigid’s, St Gall’s, Aghagallon, Creggan.
Northern Property Antrim Ladies Senior Football Championship
Round One: St Paul's v Glenavy; Glenravel v Moneyglass; St Brigid's Bye
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