FOR ALL those in the deep south who believe the All-Ireland club hurling final in Croke Park today is more or less a foregone conclusion, that the honest physical endeavour of the Antrim champions Dunloy will succumb to the pacy, cultured hurling of Newtownshandrum — a word of warning from one who should know.

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM captain John McCarthy is used to leaving the comfort of the scratcher at an hour when most of us are just turning over for the second sleep.