Historic year brings Déise in from cold

THE winning of both the Munster county and club championships in an “unforgettable year’’ for Waterford hurling, has finally brought the Decies in from the cold, West Waterford Board chairman Paddy Walsh told delegates at last night’s annual convention in Dungarvan.

Recalling the famous June 30 Munster final victory over defending champions Tipperary in what he described as an "epic'' decider, Mr Walsh said the hurling produced by Waterford that day will long live in the memory, bringing to an end one of the most extended hurling famines in the history of the game.

"Disappointingly, the team didn't go on to garner All-Ireland glory, but the first important breakthrough was achieved, and we face into 2003 much more in confidence than in hope a major reversal of years past," he said.