‘Big Two’ face off in hurling classic

ONE could be forgiven for thinking there’s a jaded appearance about Sunday’s Mount Sion/Ballygunner showdown in the Waterford SHC decider at Walsh Park, being as they’ve met in six of the last 11 finals.

Not a bit of it. Every renewal between the “Big Two” sets pulses racing on Suirside, and the fans will turn out in the thousands for this latest instalment in a gripping hurling story.

Provided the luck of the draw kept them apart, the teams were raging favourites to meet on county final day.

While Mount Sion looked shaky in the first round when last year’s intermediate champions Ardmore ran them to a solitary point, things have gone pretty much as expected.

The Gunners haven’t always reached maximum potential, but they always had plenty in the tank when the questions were asked.

Since that first round scare against Ardmore, the champions have steadily strung their game together, and while they were also pushed to the limit by Lismore in the second round they returned to dish out a hammering to the same opposition in the semifinal.

While the youthful Kenny Stafford will be a big loss to them, Mount Sion will be boosted by the probable inclusion of Ken and Roy McGrath.

Both have been struggling with injuries, but the rest of the side will take massive confidence from the presence of the richly talented brothers.

Mount Sion are served by players of vast experience and an equal abundance of skill. Ian O’Regan is fast emerging as a challenger for the goal keeping duties with the county team, and a defence that is built around Tony Browne, Brian Flannery, Brian Greene, Anthony Kirwan and the ultra consistent John Cleere won’t concede scores easily.

If, as expected, the McGraths get the nod, they may well form a midfield pairing capable of supplying plenty of ammunition for an attack that is led by all-star Eoin Kelly and also includes fellow county colleagues Eoin McGrath and Micheál White.

Add in goal poacher supreme Barry Browne and Sean Ryan, who also has a definite sight for goal, and the firepower potential is lethal.

The Gunners, champions five times in the 1990s (defeating Mount Sion in three of those finals), will have all the motivation in the world to atone for last year’s defeat to their great rivals. Since then they have been bolstered by the addition of the former Clare and Galway star Fergus Flynn.

The Gunners’ defence also looks awesome, built as it is around Fergal Hartley and Stephen Frampton in the half line, Alan Kirwan in the No. 3 berth and a vastly experienced goalkeeper in Ray Whitty.

Their probable midfield of Andy Moloney and Tom Fives is as good as you’ll get on the club scene, and an attack that includes Fergus and Paul Flynn, Paul Foley, Billy O’Sullivan and his exciting teenage brother Shane makes it easy to understand the quiet air of confidence flowing through the Gunners camp.

Their respective semifinal displays will have tilted the favour every so slightly in Mount Sion’s direction, but the role of underdog is one that admirably suits the Gunners.

So, a very tentative vote for Mount Sion to chalk up that record 33rd title.