Barryroe at full-strength for big Moyle clash

FACING into their first-ever Munster Club final, Barryroe are boosted by the news that they will be at full strength for Sunday’s JHC decider against Moyle Rovers in Fermoy.

It’s a difficult task for the Cork champions as their Tipperary counterparts are an excellent team with a number of quality players.

Among them is Declan Browne, who would have made a senior inter-county player if he focused on it.

He opted for the big ball instead but kept his hand in at hurling with the club.

Barryroe are only too aware of Browne’s prowess as a hurler and club secretary Paddy Murphy said he (Browne) must be contained if his side are to have any chance.

“It’s been an exhausting season for us but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Once you are winning it doesn’t matter. You get carried along with the success”, said Paddy.

“Unlike Moyle Rovers, who are predominantly a senior football club, we promote both codes equally. In fact we came very close to winning the West Cork JFC, only going out at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Bandon.

“It has certainly helped not to be chasing championship titles on two fronts, and while we would have gladly taken the football title, losing out to Bandon allowed us to concentrate all our energies on hurling.”

Barryroe set out on their travels by beating Newcestown’s second string in the West Cork final. “It was a poor final”, said Murphy, “and you couldn’t see us going too far in the county.

“However, we seemed to get better with every match. Erin’s Own and Kinsale fell along the way and it was Rathluirc in the county final. We were the underdog going into that game, but we played extremely well and got the verdict.

“Having lost the 1994 final to Carrigtwohill there was a fierce determination among the lads not to lose a second time. After winning your own county final everything else was going to be a bonus, but our mentors were keen to see how far we could go.

“Meelick (Clare) offered little opposition in the first round of the Munster championship, but it took a massive effort to see off Ballysaggart (Waterford) in the semi-final. That performance showed we have the capability to win on Sunday, even though Moyle Rovers will probably start favourites on the strength of the big scores they have chalked up to date.

“Other years we had players away in America and others out injured but thankfully everybody has been available and that’s helped us enormously.

“It may be late in the year and people are busy preparing for the festivities, but we’ll take a big following with us to Fermoy on Sunday. This is the biggest thing to hit the club in years. We have people coming home from abroad for Christmas but a week earlier in order to take in the game.

“A victory would make the ideal Christmas present”.