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gaa · Saturday 15 August 2026 · Various 
Bathshack Antrim SHC Group 2 - Cushendall v Dunloy
At TBC · Co. Antrim
At TBC · Co. Antrim
The Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship throws up few fixtures that carry the weight of Cushendall Ruairí Óg against Dunloy. These two clubs have shared the bulk of Antrim’s senior hurling titles between them for three decades, and when they meet at any stage of the championship the occasion matters far beyond the points on offer. If you follow hurling at all - or are curious about Gaelic games at their most local and intense - this is the kind of match worth travelling to the Glens for.
Cushendall Ruairí Óg and Dunloy are the defining clubs of the modern Antrim SHC era, having between them won 19 of 20 championships over one period. Cushendall claimed their 16th county title in 2024, beating Dunloy in a final that went down to the wire in Ballycastle. That result means the head-to-head ledger is tightly poised again, and every group game feeds into a knockout format that runs through to the county final in October.
This Group 2 fixture sits alongside Glenariff Oisin and St Endas in the same pool, so both clubs will be sharply focused on their points tally from the off. Antrim club hurling is fast, competitive and relatively compact - clubs are close-knit communities and the matches attract good crowds, particularly in North Antrim where the sport runs deepest. Ruairí Óg play at Páirc Mhuire in Cushendall, a ground that has featured on national lists of scenic GAA venues, set against the backdrop of the Glens. Venue confirmation for this fixture is TBC - check antrim.gaa.ie closer to the date.
Cushendall sits on the Antrim Coast Road (A2), roughly 50 minutes from Ballymena and about an hour from Belfast via the A8 and A2. The route through Glenariff is one of the more scenic drives in Ulster. There is no direct rail link; the most practical option for those without a car is to take a bus or taxi connection from Ballymena or Larne. Parking is generally available near GAA grounds in smaller towns, though spaces can fill early on championship days - arriving 30 to 40 minutes before throw-in is sensible.
Cushendall is the main village of the Glens of Antrim, with a small harbour, independent shops and easy access to Glenariff Forest Park a few miles down the road. The village pubs are well used to match days and a pint after the game is straightforward enough. There is more to see in Cushendall and across Co. Antrim.
Heading to TBC in Cushendall? Antrim has plenty more to see. Read the Cushendall area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.