Battle-hardened veterans keeping eyes on the prize

ANYONE for a bit of romance? Tomorrow in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Garryspillane take on Kilmallock in the county senior hurling final.

Full-forward for Garryspillane, seeking his first medal in his 20th senior season for the Bouncers, Frankie Carroll; at the opposite end, full-forward for Kilmallock, also in his 20th senior season and surrounded by a gaggle of youngsters, Mike Houlihan. The difference is that with wins in 1992 and 1994 Mike is chasing his third medal.

In fairness, it should be pointed out that when Frankie started with Garryspillane, winning senior titles was a fairly distant ambition.