Gunners ready for Newtown challenge

A FORMIDABLE challenge, yet far from an insurmountable one - that’s the Ballygunner belief as the Waterford champions prepare for Sunday week’s glamour Munster club hurling final against Newtownshandrum.

The Gunners may have surprised some people by reaching the decider, given they had several players new to the provincial championship scene. However, they’ve improved since winning their own county final against De La Salle, and an impressive first round display against Garryspillane was followed by an even more convincing one in the defeat of Clarecastle last Sunday.

Their most prolific scoring ace, Paul Flynn, acknowledges that improvement but is insistent that even more will be required if they are to lower the colours of the Cork champions.

“Newtownshandrum were All-Ireland champions two years ago, they seem to be playing as good now as they ever have, and we will go into the final as big outsiders,” said Flynn.

Flynn said they also have the “terrible twins’ in their ranks - a clear reference to the brilliance of Ben and Jerry O’Connor.

“They are both fabulous players, and if we can’t minimise their input to some extent at least, we will be really up against it,” he said.

“We have definitely come on a lot since the county final, and the young players in particular have shown tremendous character,” said Flynn. “We are all looking forward to the final, it should be a great game.”

One of the heroes of last Sunday’s victory, centre forward Paul Foley, also believes that a classic final is in prospect and is not ruling out a repeat of Ballygunner’s victory over Blackrock in the 2001 decider.

“We greatly respect Newtownshandrum - who wouldn’t when you see the players they have,” says Foley. “From day one they were the favourites to win in Munster and nothing will have changed since last Sunday.”

One of Newtown’s most enthusiastic admirers is the Gunners manager John Fitzpatrick. He rates them a “fabulous” side but is equally adamant that even they are not unbeatable.