by Noel Horgan
The Corkman
Thursday, 12th September 2002

Taking semi-final form as a yardstick, Newtownshandrum are entitled to fancy their chances in next Sunday's permanent tsb county senior hurling final, according to Blackrock club secretary Roger Ryan.

"Of the four teams on view in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Sunday week, Newtown were by far the most impressive, and their demolition-job on Avondhu is bound to have worked wonders for their confidence."

And, unless we can step up considerably on our display in shading the issue against Sars, I would be very apprehensive about our prospects of retaining the title."

Ryan says he has the height of respect for Newtown, and he is in no doubt that they will be giving it everything they have in a bid to repeat their championship success of 2000.

"But we would dearly love to put two titles back-to-back, and coach Timmy Murphy, his co-selectors and the players have left no stone unturned in an effort to achieve this."

"For whatever reason, the team hasn't been going as well as we would like, but we have got to the final while playing poorly, and it's just a case of hoping the lads will produce a big game on Sunday."

"The bookies have made us favourites, and we have been on the road long enough at this stage not to take any notice of that. But, in all honesty, I can't understand the logic behind it, other than the fact that we are reigning county champions."

"Going on our recent displays, I certainly don't see how we could be rated above Newtown at the moment."

Ryan concedes that the Blackrock defence, which he says has stood the team in great stead over the past few seasons, has been rock-solid again this year. And he is satisfied also with the way that Adrian Coughlan and Paul Tierney have been performing at midfield.

"But I would have to say that our forwards have been playing merely in fits and starts, and if they don't click on Sunday, we could be in trouble. Make no mistake about it, Newtown are a very strong team, and the O'Connor twins have proved long before this year that they are two outstanding forwards."

"Pat Mulcahy is an excellent centre-back, but the player that I hold in particularly high regard is their centre-forward, Mike Morrissey. He doesn't always get the credit he deserves for the amount of work he does in terms of breaking up defences, and if he is allowed to make his presence felt on Sunday, there is every chance that the forwards around him will prosper."

"As far as we are concerned, Newown are going to be a very hard nut to crack, and we don't consider ourselves as strong favourites by any means," he concluded.