Ciaran Elliott's first-half goal helped the Cuchullains end their four-year wait for county honours and avenged their defeat by Cushendall in the 2024 final.

In a contest rearranged following last weekend's postponement because of Storm Beolo, Shane Elliott's side established a five-point interval advantage before resisting a late Cushendall fightback to secure their 17th Volunteer Cup.

The victory sets up an Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship semi-final against Down champions Portaferry on 15 November.

Elliott goal inspires Dunloy victory

Fiontan Bradley, a late addition to the Cushendall starting line-up, opened the scoring before Seaan Elliott levelled with a superb long-range effort.

The sides traded scores throughout the opening exchanges, with Joseph McLaughlin and Conal Cunning among those on target, before Dunloy began to assert their authority.

Cunning's converted 65 gave the Cuchullains their first lead, and a flowing move involving Nigel and Ciaran Elliott culminated in the latter drilling the sliotar into the net midway through the opening half.

Ciaran Elliott threatened further goals, only to be denied by crucial defensive interventions, including a superb hook from Fred McCurry.

Seaan Elliott added another point immediately after the goal, while further scores from Aodhan McGarry and Nicky McKeague helped Dunloy maintain their advantage.

Cushendall captain Eoghan Campbell and Bradley kept the scoreboard ticking over for the defending champions, but a late Neil McManus free was only enough to reduce their deficit to five points at the interval, with Dunloy leading 1-11 to 0-9.

Cunning extended Dunloy's advantage immediately after the restart, although McManus and McLaughlin responded to briefly reduce the deficit to four points.

However, the Cuchullains continued to dominate possession, with Cunning's accuracy from placed balls helping them establish an eight-point advantage midway through the second half.

Cushendall struggled to create clear-cut opportunities as Dunloy's defence repeatedly frustrated their attacking efforts, with Aaron Crawford producing a crucial block to deny Bradley a potential goalscoring opportunity.

Brian Delargy's side eventually found a breakthrough when McManus drove a close-range free low into the net in the 56th minute, reducing the deficit to four points and raising hopes of a dramatic comeback.

But Dunloy responded through Nicky McKeague before substitute Tom McFerran added another point in stoppage time to put the contest beyond Cushendall's reach.

McLaughlin threatened a late goal, only to be denied by goalkeeper Ryan Elliott and a covering defender as Dunloy held firm to claim their fifth Antrim title in eight seasons.