MUNSTER CLUB HURLING FINAL: Two All-Star awards have given Mount Sion reason to celebrate, but Jim Greene wants them to bring a Munster title to the party, writes Keith Duggan.
Yesterday afternoon, Jim Greene was debating the potential effect of last night's Vodafone hurling All-Star awards on Mount Sion's preparation for tomorrow's Munster club hurling final.
"It's either the wrong time of year for the hurling final or the wrong time of year for the awards," he laughed. His predicament was this.
The hurler in him, the man who had trained nominees club Eoin Kelly and Ken McGrath desperately wanted to see them win an award. It would be great for the players, for the club and for Waterford hurling.
But the manager in him, the tactician preparing for yet another tough assignment against Sixmilebridge, worried about the effect that either winning a place on the All-Star team or getting passed over would have on his proteges.
"You'd wonder if missing out would leave them down or if winning it might be a distraction for them. But we already spoke about this and about how the lads would approach Friday night. The bottom line is that it is a great thing for Waterford that we have lads up there contending for places.
"And it's a marvellous night, I remember being there in my own time and it is a great honour. So naturally I've been praying that we might get one or two."
As it transpired, Greene's prayers were answered, with the prolific McGrath and the dashing young Kelly taking All-Star honours. It leaves the Waterford champions with a warm feeling as they approach the latest match of an incredibly tough run to date.
"That's right, every match had been a struggle, each as tough as the county final. The way it was for us, we expect in our hearts to win the county championship every year. But this time we had the reigning Munster champions, Ballygunnar facing us and there was absolutely no way we could think beyond that. It was a great game, high scoring and exciting, and each time since then it has been tough."
Against Adare, McGrath's haul of 0-9 for Mount Sion - a slight decrease on his 0-11 total in the county final - helped them through.
Then, in a replay against Mullinahone of Tipperary, Kelly scored his second goal late in the game to secure a narrow win.
"I hadn't been happy with the way we were playing that day and I got a bit upset in the dressing-room at half time. But Mullinahone are a great team and were missing two key men that day. I'm not sure we could have dealt with them half as capably if we were missing the equivalent.
"But they really got on with it and I was deeply worried by the closing stages. And it was a wonderful goal from Eoin, it was worthy of winning a game. I think Mullinahone were content enough for this year to have won the county championship and that probably eased their disappointment when they lost to us. It was a game we were definitely happy to scrape through."
And now come Sixmilebridge.
"I think what it comes down to for all teams is to execute and play to your own potential. I know several of the Sixmilebridge players well, obviously. But, for instance, I hadn't been to the Limerick or Tipperary finals to see our prospective opponents because ultimately it comes down to what your own team does. It will be the same tomorrow and I'm certain it will be as close and nerve-wracking as the rest of our games to date."
Speaking to his potential All-Stars earlier in the week, Greene made a pact that on Sunday they should all aim to have something to celebrate.
"It would be perfect if we could enjoy being Munster champions and also celebrate the achievements of our players would Waterford all on the one night." Well, one half of the table has been laid for an almighty party. Tomorrow comes the more pressing business on the pitch.
