HISTORY beckoned in Belfast last autumn with the Volunteer Cup making it's long awaited return back to the home of the Johnnies as they managed to overcome Loughgiel in Ballycastle to clinch a narrow victory in the final to achieve a monumental achievement.
This year they will be in uncharted territory for the Johnnies as they will be seen as the team to beat given they hold the crown with Gerard Cunningham refusing to let go of their title just yet.
The feeling across the Saffron County is that rather than Belfast becoming the hurling stronghold or being able to build upon this achievement, the Johnnies triumph was a temporary loan and their true owners – whether it be Dunloy, Loughgiel or Cushendall – will come home to recollect their trophy.
After the group draws were made back in May the excitement has truly built and as I write this I can already see group stage match-ups which hold history, novelty and most importantly strong hurling amidst their ranks.
Dunloy, of course, will hope to earn themselves another title having fallen at the semi-final stage last season when it looked inevitable that a double was on the cards for the Cúchullains. That blow was softened by the first football championship returning to their village for the first time since 1936.
Cushendall will look to return with hope they can blood experience with youth and if not for a semi-final head-loss (two red cards) they may have achieved this feat.
Hurling is the strongest code, and the championship brings an ice-cool air of anticipation and I cannot wait for this one to throw-in on August 14th with the champions St John's hosting their bitter rivals Rossa in the opening fixture.
Enough pre-ambling, let us get down to the preview and look forward to another monumental year of hurling within our very own borders.
BIG GAME PLAYER: Seaan Elliot can restore hurling glory to Dunloy
Group One
Rossa
The Jeremiahs no doubt look back on their quarter-final clash with the Johnnies with heartache and serious 'what if?' mentality as it really felt that after their league win just a month prior that the Volunteer Cup would also be destined to come back to Belfast, but with blue and yellow ribbons attached to the sides.
Their nearest and dearest caught them in three minutes of weakness at the end of last year's quarter-final clash up in Hightown, but before they knew it Ryan McNulty was striking to put them down and out and end their hopes of a championship title.
This year, they've not hit the league with the same emphasis, but despite that they have rekindled their form right at the end of the campaign and despite a bottom half finish, they achieved eight wins this season and will strive to go further than last season's quarter-final.
Key Player: Deaglan Murphy
Best Finish: Winners (2004)
Predicted Group Finish: 2nd
Betting Odds: 10/1
Ballycastle
The men from the 'town' have endured an almost famine like wait since their last Volunteer Cup and in all honesty despite their youth and blend with experience, they have always been a busted flush when it comes to the Championship campaign.
They were so nearly close to pipping Rossa in last season's league exploits, but fell short, and then come championship they were beaten at the quarter-final stage and were unimpressive in that run.
MacQuillan's will hope that this year, just maybe, they can breathe new hope into the town and bring home a party atmosphere come October.
Key Player: Cadhan Crawford
Best Finish: Winners (1986)
Predicted Group Finish: 3rd
Betting Odds: 10/1
St John's
I have no doubt in my mind that there are some Cunninghams and Neesons on the Whiterock Road that are still reminiscing of the victory last autumn and despite their defeat to Slaughtneil in the Ulster final, the Johnnies were the happiest men, women and children to live in the West of the city over the past year.
Since their victory against Loughgiel, many have departed back to the land of Oz, some have put away their hurl and helmets, and some will hope that the next one is not 52 years away.
This season has been a real struggle in the small ball for St John's, and Gerard Cunningham's men will need to really up the ante and find their form or face a miserable defence of their title.
Key Player: Enda McGurk
Best Finish: Winners (2025)
Predicted Group Finish: 4th
Betting Odds: 4/1
Loughgiel Shamrocks
Loughgiel will be hoping they can rectify last season's defeat in Ballycastle as they look set for a decade's long wait for the Senior Hurling crown which is as much a decade as it is an eternity in North Antrim circles.
Last year they saw their chance and their desire and willingness to get it over the line just seemed to evaporate as the 15 men took to the pitch in red jerseys and their fans left the home of their rivals severely disappointed that another year would pass and the line of dust grew an extra layer of thickness in the trophy cabinet.
James McNaughton and Roan McGarry carry the weight of the village in the heart of North Antrim, and you just hope their hurls are made of bamboo as the oak might snap if the pressure begins to cave in.
Key Player: James McNaughton
Best Finish: Winners (2016)
Predicted Group Finish: 1st
Betting Odds: 5/2
Opening Fixtures:
St John's v Rossa (Friday 14th August)
Ballycastle v Loughgiel Shamcrocks (Sunday 16th August)
Group Two
Cushendall
The North Coast is waiting to return back to the big time and it has only been a short spell without having their name etched into the trophy that they crave so desperately having beaten Dunloy in the 2024 final.
Last season when Neil McManus and Joe McCurry were given their marching orders against the Johnnies, you just felt that it was destiny for St John's to clinch their first title in over 50 years, but it did not stop Fintann Bradley announcing himself on the big stage as he stole the show despite their defeat.
McManus is no spring chicken, but alongside the McLaughlin brothers and the emergence of young Bradley I would not overlook the men from the 'Dall as potential favourites for this season's championship.
Key Player: Fintann Bradley
Best Finish: Winners (2024)
Predicted Group Finish: 2nd
Betting Odds: 9/4
Glenariff Oisins
It is tough when you are the new boys to the table, but it may be easier when you pit yourself against the best in the county and of course neighbours in Down when you play in Division One and there is no better preparation for a Senior Hurling Championship in my book.
Let's get it right, barring an opening game test against St Gall's last season where they won by five points, Glenariff breezed the Intermediate and Division Two and made a mockery of every journalist who called it Antrim's most competitive level.
It helps when you have Seanie McIntosh and Orrin O'Connor along others with Antrim U-20 county experience, which clearly states how many levels these lads have still to get to, but surviving in Division One is a statement, and maybe they can achieve a knockout stage berth, and you really would not bet against them when they are on their home patch in Waterfoot.
Key Player: Alex O'Boyle
Best Finish: First time competing
Predicted Group Finish: 3rd
Betting Odds: 25/1
St Enda's
A really tough campaign for the Glengormley men saw them sent to the pits of relegation after they lost their final Division One game against Ballycran at Hightown last month.
A disappointing end to their Division One status, and they don't want to be losing their Senior Championship status in the process if they can salvage that.
Last season Enda's almost caused a mighty upset and if it were not for the late deflection to prevent Niall O'Connor's free finding the net then it may have seen them end St John's before they even had thoughts of lifting the Volunteer Cup.
St Enda's are far from a right-off, realistically they have the Saffron captain, they have Joe Maskey and Ruairi Donaghy amidst their ranks who know how to score in this game, so write them off at your peril.
Key Player: Niall O'Connor
Best Finish: Quarter-Finals (2024)
Predicted Group Finish: 4th
Betting Odds: 100/1
Dunloy
The men from the village of Dunloy spent most of last summer forgetting about their failure to get past their bitter rivals Loughgiel in the semi-final as their blow was softened by victory over Cargin a week later in the football.
There is no doubt Dunloy have all the talent in the world within this panel, whether it be an Elliot or a Cunning running the show, it matters not and even with their talents if the hunger is not driving them on to win again.
They came so close to an All-Ireland victory, but since they have failed to stamp their authority on their own county although there is a serious need for a Volunteer Cup to return to the trophy room at Dunloy.
Key Player: Seaan Elliot
Best Finish: Winners (2022)
Predicted Group Finish: 1st
Betting Odds: 1/1 (even fav)
Opening Fixtures:
St Enda's v Cushendall (Saturday 15th August)
Dunloy v Glenariff Oisin (Sunday 16th August)
DARK HORSE: Rossa
WINNER: Cushendall
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