1: Casement Park development cleared to go ahead

The venue is coming back. After a closure that stretches back to 2013 the news arrived this year that GAA should be returning to the the west Belfast Stadium. Minister for infrastructure Nichola Mallon announced that she was recommending approval for the development to continue. She said that she had weighed up the objections to the planning, and decided that the benefits would outweigh any issues. The project had been set in motion to build a 30,000 plus size stadium which would become the provincial ground for Ulster. However, issues with planning and safety put a halt to the development. The minister’s approval means that the project should continue on, once the financial side of things is sorted out. It won’t be immediate but it would seem that GAA will return to the venue sooner rather than later.

2: Double delight for Saffron hurlers

You wait around for years for a piece of silverware, and then two come along. The Saffron hurlers captured the league title in October. They had to wait from March to complete the job after the coronavirus gripped the country and forced all action to be postponed. Yet the Saffrons kept their composure and maintained their focus and returned to the field to beat Kerry by 2-20 to 2-23. Thanks to brilliant displays from Gerard Walsh, and Joe Maskey they got the win, which was not only a trophy, but also qualification to play in division one of the National League. That was the goal that manager Darren Gleeson wanted to achieve at the start of the year. But to go on and win the Joe McDonagh cup served to prove that here is an Antrim team that has the ability to play to its full potential. That they did so with Neil McManus on the sidelines for much of the campaign only served to show that they have great strength and depth. The win means they will play in the Liam MacCarthy next year.

3: Tyrone influence could deliver glory for Antrim

Lenny Harbinson’s departure as Antrim manager at the end of the summer was no major surprise as the St Gall’s man had completed his three year tenure in the post. What was disappointing was that Lenny didn’t get a proper go at his third year in charge. The break in the campaign perhaps goes some way to explaining how Antrim were not able to gain promotion to division three. Had they done so, Lenny might have remained in the post. But his departure meant that a new face took on the role, namely Enda McGinley. The former Tyrone star has Stephen O’Neill, Stephen Quinn and Sean Kelly in his backroom team. It is a high profile appointment that brings two men with All-Ireland winning experience into the fold and that should inspire Antrim to gain promotion next year.

4: Classy Cuchullains

The Cuchullains won their 14th senior hurling title this year, equalling Cushendall’s record. They still trail Loughgiel’s 20 titles but at the same time, Dunloy’s record is remarkable. The Antrim senior hurling championship is a hotbed, and while Cushendall and Loughgiel are the other usual contenders, St John’s have added their name to the mix. But Dunloy’s win proved that they are a team who will get better. They were stylish in the 2-20 to 2-13 win over Loughgiel. Keelan Molloy, Ronan Molloy, Conal Cunning and Kevin Molloy played brilliantly in the final. It was a great result for Dunloy, and a great final as well, proving that the Antrim championship is still a brilliant competition.

5:

Cargin’s title

deserves massive respect

Cargin won their third senior title in a row, an achievement that the club have never recorded before. Damian Cassidy’s team had to beat Rossa, Lamh Dhearg and Creggan in their final three games, but showed all their class to do so. The temptation for outsiders is to class the Antrim football competition as one that Cargin dominates. Yet their three wins in a row, should be put into context. They have had to battle harder than ever to win their recent titles. There was a time when Antrim was dominated by St Gall’s and Cargin. Not anymore. Lamh Dhearg, Creggan, Portglenone and St John’s all regard themselves as serious challengers to the title. So to win three in a row in this championship is a massive achievement.