DLS up to the challenge this time, says McGrath

THE old cliche that a rising tide lifts all boats certainly pertains in Waterford hurling circles just now.

Following the success of the county's senior hurlers in winning the Munster championship, county champions Mount Sion have gone on to win the provincial club title.

The latest section to benefit from the county's success is De La Salle College who are just two points away from a place in the Dr Harty Cup quarter-finals.

More importantly, they will contest the Dean Ryan Cup final against

St Colman's tomorrow in Ardfinnan (2.30 pm) and they will start favourites to win the title for the first time in the school's history.

In four years teaching at the college Derek McGrath has taken teams to two Munster finals without success.

"Hopefully we can break our duck tomorrow," he said. "It would mean so much to the school to win, but we are up against one of the great traditionalists in St Colman's, a college we've

always had great difficulty in beating no matter what the grade.

"With hurling on such a high in Waterford it's up to us tomorrow to keep it going. I have great confidence in our lads. If they play to their potential, we can win.

"In the previous two finals we froze. This time around the players are older and hopefully a bit wiser. We have no injury worries, and are very determined to do well."

Colman's have concerns about the fitness of centre-back Mark O'Connor, who picked up a hand injury

recently. His absence would force a reshuffle, with team captain and

midfielder Padraig Cotter dropping back to fill the vacancy. Denis Ring expressed delight at having reached the decider after

coming so close to going out to St Clement in the semi-final. "To be fair we have had the easier passage, except for the semi-final. We looked to be going out when we trailed with 15 minutes to go, but the lads put in a storming finish to steal it," he said.

"We may not have the best hurlers but we do have a very spirited bunch who won't be easily beaten. I know we are up against a very good DLS team who have failed in the last two U-15 finals, but if they do manage to beat us, they'll have earned it."