D Day in the Déise

Last May twelve teams set out in search to see which will win the right to have their name engraved on the Waterford News and Star Cup.

This Sunday, barring the need the need of a replay, we will know what name does go on the trophy, as De La Salle and Dungarvan do battle at Fraher Field.

Prior to the championship commencing, Dungarvan along with Roanmore and Dunhill were regarded as rank outsiders. Some bookies were reported to be offering odds as much as 100/1.

So if Dungarvan do win on Sunday and if you were to see some people walking around with a broad smile on their face, there is every chance that they have either visited one of the bookie shops in or around the town or they are on their way to do so.

This is Dungarvan’s first final appearance since 1951 in a county final and you have to go back another ten years for their last championship success.

Contrast that to De La Salle. They won their first final in 2008 and added to it in 2010. On both occasions Munster titles were also added to their roll of honour.

In March 2009 they contested the All-Ireland Club final at Croke Park on Saint Patrick’s Day where they had to settle for second best against Galway champions Portumna and after winning the 2010 finals, they were beaten in the All-Ireland semi final after extra time against Galway champions Clarenbridge.

Both sides in this years County Final are built around successful underage teams.

In the late 90’s and right throughout this present Millennium De La Salle have been winning underage titles. They have been making people sit up and take notice of some of the exiting underage teams that they have put together.

Success was achieved in all age groups up through the years and it was only a matter of time before that it manifested its way into the clubs senior team which currently includes a number of players from these different successful underage teams.

Dungarvan too have brought through some excellent underage players.

In the early years of the last decade the Dungarvan delegates at a western board na nÓg meeting shocked many by asking if they could play division two under 12 hurling for a year or two in a bid to reshape the way the club were going.

After much toing and froing it was agreed to accept the request and the Old Boro Club have not looked back.

Both sides this year have proven to be very consistent.

Lismore beat Dungarvan in Round One of the league section of the championship and apart from a draw against Abbeyside in round three of the league section of the competition it was wins all the way.

De La Salle has had a similar route to Sunday’s final.

The only blip in their run to Sunday’s final was a five point defeat to Fourmilewater in the second round of the league section of the competition.

Since the knockout stages of the championship kicked in, it’s hard to work out which team has done best.

Dungarvan as expected had a win over Tallow in the quarter finals and in the semi finals they beat a fancied Fourmilewater side.

De La Salle in their quarter final clash with Lismore struggled. Lismore were without four players that were key to them in recent years and whether De La Salle under estimated the challenge of Lismore on the day, or if Lismore upped their game more than most would give then credit for, it’s hard to know.

Against Mount Sion in the semi finals the 2008 and 2010 champions again struggled. Although Mount Sion had beaten a fancied Ballygunner side in the quarter finals, it was expected that De La Salle would have too much for them, but it was only in the closing stages of the game that they were able to pull away and add the scores that secured their passage to Sunday’s final.

Heading into this weekend’s final there is something telling me that we have not seen the best of De La Salle yet this year.

There can be no doubting the potential there is to be found throughout their team, but Dungarvan should not be ruled out of contention even if they are the underdog.

This is a young Dungarvan side.

The likely starting line up has an average age of just over 20 years, with Jamie Nagle the Daddy of the team at the age of 26.

There is some out there that firmly believe that you have to loose a final to win one. De La Salle lost the 2005 final and came back a better team as a result.  

De La Salle are a seasoned outfit. Like Dungarvan they have some very good young players, but they also have players like Bryan Phelan and John Mullane who are experienced leaders and know what it takes to be a winner.

For me De La Salle are going to win on Sunday. I don’t think we have seen them at their best yet this year. Maybe Sunday might be the day when we do or get near to their best.

My only hope is that they don’t win by a margin that could kill off the confidence built up in the Dungarvan team in recent years.

A big crowd is expected in Fraher Field on Sunday. Patrons no doubt will be encouraged by the County Board officials to get into the ground early as the stand will fill fast.

Those that do get to the ground early on Sunday should be served up an entertaining curtain raiser.

Butlerstown and Geraldines clash in this year’s junior final with the game having a 2pm throw in.

Last year Butlerstown were in the final as well and three games were needed before Ballinameela won the game.

Geraldines are somewhat a surprise package in this year’s final. Many in the west expected Ballysaggart to be their but the Aglish based outfit are now their on merit.

They have been involved in a number of close games this year and have a winning aggregate of about three points in their seven games played to date.

Butlerstown have been scoring goals for fun this year. In seven games they have hit a very impressive 26 goals up to this weekend and have a winning aggregate margin of about seventeen points.

This to me suggests one this, a Butlerstown win, but there is no such thing as a four gone conclusion in a two horse race.