DLS will heed wake-up call

DE LA SALLE boss Michael Ryan says his charges’ close shave against Cork’s Sarsfields is an invaluable wake-up call for Sunday’s Munster Club senior hurling final clash against Thurles Sarsfields at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Waterford champions had to go to extra-time to see off the challenge of the Glanmire outfit in the provincial semi-final and still had the minimum to spare — 0-22 to 2-15 — at the end.

“The semi-final against Sarsfields obviously couldn’t have been closer,” said Ryan.

“It was just the wake-up call we needed for the Munster final, as we weren’t seriously tested in our last three games in the Waterfordchampionship. In the final againstBallygunner, we had eight points to spare, we beat Passage by 15 points in the semi-final, and we won by 21 points against Tallow in thequarter-final.

“Three lads (whom he did not wish to name) carried injuries into the Waterford final, and their training had been very restricted in the build-up to the Sarsfields match,” he added.

“But they’re now operating at full tilt again, and that’s a big help for us for Sunday.”

Déise legend Mullane came in for some stick for not displaying his customary high level of shooting accuracy in the semi-final.

“Admittedly, John Mullane missed one of the three goal chances that we had,” said Ryan.

“But he scored two points from open play, and fouls committed on him led to three or four other points from frees. So he made a big contribution to the win.

“As well, we didn’t take John off the frees in the second half. Every free we got in the last 20 minutes was outside the 60 metres line, and that is why Brian Phelan, as he always does, took those long-range frees.”

Many observers are viewing Sunday’s showdown as a shoot-out between Mullane and hurler of the year Lar Corbett, but Ryan says that’s not the case.

“An awful lot will hinge on how all the other five forwards — on both teams — play,” insisted the Fourmilewater man, who led Mullinahone to the South Tipperary title last year.

On the opposition, Ryan says: “To go to Kilmallock and get a result there, as Thurles Sarsfields did, was a tremendous feat. As well, everyone on the Sarsfields team has played for Tipperary at some level. So we know that it’s going to be very difficult for us to come away with a win on Sunday.”

Picture: John Mullane