by John Horgan
Evening Echo
Wednesday, 11th September 2002

Another county final on Sunday, a marriage in five weeks' time - more defining days in the life of Blackrock's ace forward Alan Browne.

Next Sunday he will be seeking his third county medal with the famed fishing village club and he is desperately hoping to put an indifferent year behind him with another scintillating final display.

Last year he put 3-8 on the board against Imokilly in a truly sublime display and although that's a tall order to repeat against such a formidable full-back as Brendan Mulcahy, he is fired up for this showdown between the two best teams in the county.

"It hasn't been a great year thus far and I have had a few injury problems to contend with. Things didn't go great with Cork either but winning next Sunday would make up for a lot of that disappointment," said Browne.

"It's fair to say that Blackrock haven't fired on all cylinders yet but being in a final without doing so can't be all that bad. Again our backs have been the mainstay of the team and our midfield has done very well too."

"Adrian Coughlan has been in outstanding form for us, but all of us will have to up our game next Sunday."

Browne is likely to start on the edge of the square, opposed by the teak-tough Mulcahy.

"I have marked him before and you don't get anything soft off him. All this Newtown team are very fit and there's a good looking blend of youth and experience in their side," he said. "We played them in a league match in Church Road a few months ago and it was like a championship clash. They don't allow you any time on the ball and we'll all have to be clued in from the word go on Sunday."

"We all know how difficult it is to retain the title. But there's a fierce determination down here now to do it," he added. "I don't think anybody can argue that the two best teams are contesting the final and the one big match that everybody wants could just happen on Sunday."

"If it does it will be a great game with us coming out on top. These are definetly hectic times for me with the wedding in a few weeks. Another county medal would be a great way to get the show on the road."