De La Salle aim for historic win over Gunners

DISREGARD the history books. Contrary to perceptions, De La Salle will contest their first Waterford senior hurling championship final on Sunday.

The record books show that De La Salle Training College was defeated in two deciders early in the last century. However, those same record books reveal that this present club wasn’t founded until 1927.

After a sensational semi-final victory over four-in-a-row chasing Mount Sion, they face Ballygunner on Sunday hoping to create history.

For Ballygunner it will be a fifth final in six years and their eighth in the last decade. They were victorious in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2001. Yet De La Salle chairman Seamas Quirke is not concerned by such statistics.

“The Gunners will be want to avoid a fourth successive defeat and that makes them even more dangerous,” Quirke said. “However our resolve to win our first title will be just as great.”

The day will have added significance for Quirke as his son James chases his first senior medal. The UCC computer science student, who celebrates his 19th birthday this month, has had a sensational campaign hitting 1-7 in their semi-final win over Mount Sion.

Sunday aside, these are exciting, and poignant, times for De La Salle. The club has acquired 15 acres at Gracedeu and €2 million is being spent to develop two playing pitches, a juvenile pitch, astroturf facilities and dressing rooms and a clubhouse.

“The need is greater than it has ever been for us to provide bigger and more expansive playing facilities for our increasing membership,” Quirke said. “Our new development will encompass everything the club could ever want. It is the future of the club.”

For decades De La Salle has lived in the shadows of Mount Sion, Ballygunner, and the great Erin’s Own. But now after years of hard work at underage level, the club is emerging from those shadows.

“This year we won the U16 championship double, we are also in the minor hurling county final, and many of our best youngsters of recent years are now coming through at senior level,” Quirke explained.

The chairman believes they are now standing on the threshold of an exciting new era for the club and is confident they will be a force in Waterford hurling. Starting Sunday, perhaps.