Evening Echo, Friday October 10, 2003

Newtownshandrum cannot be relying on a few players to do the job if they are to regain the permanent tsb Cork Co SHC next Sunday says coach Ger Cunningham. That was the over riding message to emanate from Newtown last night as the final preparations were put in place for the showdown with Blackrock.

"We cannot be relying on the big names to do it for us. When you are playing a team of the calibre of Blackrock everybody must perform," Cunningham said. "Our big names are counterbalanced by their big players and unless our lesser known players produce on the day that could be the difference. "We have been working a lot on that, getting it into those boys' heads that they must take responsibility. They must go out and win the game.

"If they do that it makes room for our bigger boys to perform. Maybe some of our lesser known lads tend to sit back and let the others take the limelight and the responsibility. "I am trying to drive it home to them that they are Newtown hurling as well as much as Pat Mulcahy, Ben and Gerry O'Connor." Cunningham, in his first year at the helm in this hurling mad home, believes last year's defeat to the same opposition will be a huge motivational factor on Sunday.

"The lads were very disappointed last year, they knew that they didn't perform and that they have a point to prove this time. "So hopefully, on the big stage, they will go out and do it. "This is an incredible club. I have been with a few bigger clubs than Newtown but the enthusiasm here is something I have never experienced this before. "The whole place is involved, the workrate at the club is phenomenal. I don't think there's any club like this, definitely in Munster anyway."

Now to the burning question, will Newtown turn it around and regain the title to deny Blackrock that coveted three in-a-row? "People expected bigger things last year with a big name like Tom Ryan involved but all credit to Blackrock and I think they are even better this year. "But I think we can and we will win on Sunday: "Nobody expects us to do it but I totally believe in this group of players and - I think they have a huge future ahead of them. "Once they make the breakthrough again I think that they can be up there for four or five years. "Maybe they were a bit too young the last time but I think they are really ready now."