Delaney disappointed to miss Deise showdown

FAI chief executive and Waterford native John Delaney is double-booked this weekend and will miss Sunday's GAA Hurling All-Ireland senior final, the Deise's first in 45 years.

The reason he will miss the game is that the Group 8 World Cup qualifier involving the Republic of Ireland and Georgia has been fixed for Saturday evening at the Bruchweg Stadium in Mainz, Germany.

Delaney tries to get to as many Waterford GAA games as possible but his busy schedule as FAI supremo can hinder his chances of supporting his county sides.

"I'm going to miss the All-Ireland unfortunately, but I'll try and catch it on TV." Delaney said.

"I'll be in southern Germany heading on to Montenegro afterwards."

Delaney is thrilled to see his native county reach the decider, especially for some of the 'elder statesmen' on Davy Fitzgerald's panel.

"I was delighted for players like Ken McGrath and Tony Browne even Paul Flynn, who is a good friend of mine.

"Dan Shanahan and players like John Mullane also. I was talking to Eoin Kelly recently and he is a very good player.

"They deserve the opportunity to play in an All-Ireland final and I'm delighted that players of that ability have a crack at the final...they're great amateur players."

Delaney is well acquainted with Flynn from his soccer days at Waterford United.

"Paul played in goals for Waterford United at one stage. He came on for the last few minutes in the recent semi-final and I was delighted to see that."

And the enthusiasm felt by all in Waterford this week, as the All-Ireland final is set to grip the nation, is not lost on Delaney up in the 'big smoke' of Dublin.

"They haven't won an All-Ireland since 1959 and of course there's 1963 when they were last beaten by Kilkenny as it turns out.

"It's a fascinating final because Kilkenny are going for a three in-a-row which is a big thing for Kilkenny hurling obviously.

"Of course Waterford not having won it for so long as well, just adds to the captivating nature of the game."