Waterford legend Walsh confident of a Ballyduff victory

WATERFORD legend Mossie Walsh is confident his beloved Ballyduff Upper can defeat Ballygunner and end a 20-year famine and land the county senior hurling title on Sunday.

Former All-Star Walsh shone at midfield alongside brother Richie and Michael in their last senior success in 1987 and all three were members of the team that won the title for the first time five years earlier.

Though admitting that Ballygunner “have to be the raging hot favourites”, Walsh warns: “Favourites don’t always oblige.

“They (Ballgunner) may be regarded as a team in transition but there is such an intensity of hurling within the club that nothing can hold them back. The huge number of young players also coming through their ranks is the guarantee that they are going to remain a very successful hurling club.

When the sides met in the earlier group stage of the championship Ballyduff enjoyed an emphatic seven point victory. However, Walsh downplays the significance of that result.

He said: “The final will be a very different game. Even the intensity of the exchanges will be on a much different and higher plateau, and what happened when they met earlier in the season will count for nothing.”

However he is adamant that Ballyduff will not fear the favourites

“There’s no good reason for them to do so. I’m certain their attitude will be first class.” It cannot be any other way with experienced men like Maurice Geary (manager), Paudie Prendergast, and Mossie Casey involved. They will do everything to ensure the players cope successfully with the situation.”

Walsh pinpoints All-Star Stephen Molumphy, his brother Michael and the experienced Tom Feeney to be central to their charge for honours and has no worries about playing Ballygunner in Walsh Park.

“We know all about winning at Walsh Park, having triumphed there in one of our two county final victories.

“In my heart of hearts I believe they can do it, but it will require a mighty effort for every one of the sixty minutes. The Gunners can be a class act and after seeing off Mount Sion’s challenge they’ll not expect to falter now.

“A one point Ballyduff win will do very nicely from where I’ll be positioned.”