By Michael McMullan

DUNLOY didn’t tap into their 2023 Antrim football final defeat to Cargin too much but Deaglan Smith feels their preparation made the difference this year.

The Saffron champions face Newbridge when the Ulster Championship kicks into action at Owenbeg on Saturday night.

Smith has been a driving force in the Dunloy title challenge in a special year for the club.

“It will probably go down as one of the best weeks that I’ve had in the village, especially in the Dunloy shirt,” he said at Tuesday’s Ulster launch.

While their 2023 final defeat was disappointing, the Dunloy group knew they were dancing on the season’s biggest Sunday for a reason.

It has been progression from underage to intermediate success and then on to making an impact on the senior championship. Despite not getting to last year’s decider, the focus was still there.

“It was the same goal,” Smith said. “It was to get back there and to right it wrong. Thankfully, we got to do it there this year.

“I don’t think we were anywhere near prepared for that game (2023 final) as well as we were prepared this year.”

That’s where the learning comes from, playing the top teams. Smith points to Cargin, their pedigree and a record of winning titles.

“We kind of had to go back to the drawing board and look to see what we did wrong and what we could have done better,” he said, pointing to getting off to a good start in their three Antrim knock-out games.

“We definitely got it right this year. We got off to a really good start in actually the last three matches, St Brigid’s, Portglenone and Cargin.

“Once we got ahead, that was obviously a big part as to why we won those games and ended up winning the final. Once you get ahead, just try and stay there.”

Dunloy’s approach has been both exciting and effective. They also take a look at decommissioning the opposition’s strengths but much of their success comes from believing in what works for them.

“It’s fast, free-flowing football,” Smith said. “We get the ball and if the shot is on, we take it.

“Nobody gives it off if a boy hits a ball wide, it’s a case of go again and you’ll get another opportunity and thankfully it’s been paying off for us.”

Another important factor in their success was in how they dusted themselves down from losing narrowly to rivals Loughgiel in the hurling championship a week before their football final date with Cargin.

“We just had to scratch it off,” said Smith, revealing how there wasn’t a word spoke on the way home. Until later on.

A few of the lads got together for a bite of food and made the decision to park the hurling and throw everything they had at the football final.

“In years before we would have just slackened off a wee bit and let that define the year, but no, this year we definitely added fuel to the fire,” said Smith, who is fully aware of the challenge Newbridge will pose on Saturday.

“I’m counting down the days and can’t wait to go out and have a rattle at it and just give it all we can and see if we’re good enough.

“They won Derry two years in a row and I’d say they’d be hurting even from last year (Ulster defeat).

“I’d say they’ll be; they’ll have their heads up for this game and definitely want to make an impact.”