EVEN the most casual sports fan can see there’s only one show in Dungarvan tonight.
The Waterford senior’s dramatic late show in last Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-final has ensured that hurling fever has gripped the county and there are signs that it will soon become festooned in blue and white again.
The county’s U21 side go in search of provincial glory in the Munster U21HC final in the Fraher Field at 7.30pm, aiming to join the Waterford senior and minors at the All-Ireland semi-final stage.
But it’s a massive night for Clare hurling as well. 2009 has been a season of abject failure for the county and they badly need the shot in the arm that victory tonight would provide. The memories of last year’s controversial loss to Tipperary, which sparked scenes of outrage in Ennis, have yet to diminish and the Clare hurling faithful still have a strong sense of grievance about that loss.
This unique pairing has prompted a remarkable surge of interest amongst supporters with the match marked as an all-ticket affair since last week. There have been grumblings in both counties that the game should have been played in a neutral venue like Semple Stadium with conservative estimates that this match could have drawn a crowd approaching 20,000. As it is they have to settle for the Fraher Field which can hold a 6,750 capacity and come throw-in there won’t be any empty viewing point available.
It may be a midweek match and requires a six-hour round trip from some Clare hurling strongholds, but a large Banner contingent have made the journey south-west. Since mid-afternoon the colours of both counties have been visible around the town centre and parking spots adjacent to the ground were all snapped up by 5pm.
There’s a feverish sense of anticipation about this match and the hope is that the sides can deliver. Clare struck 4-22 against Limerick in their semi-final tie, while Waterford fired 3-21 in their semi-final clash with Tipperary.
If there’s any repeat of that and the clouds above the Fraher Field don’t release their contents, then nobody will be complaining.
WATERFORD: A Power; J Maher, S Fives, N Connors; P Mahony, S Daniels, D O’Sullivan; S Walsh, K Duggan; T Connors, P Murray, M Shanahan; B O’Sullivan, S Casey, T Ryan.
CLARE: D Tuohy; J Gunning, E Glynn, C O’Doherty; D O’Donovan, C Duggan, E Barrett; N O’Connell, L Markham; J Conlon, S Collins, C O’Donovan; D Honan, C Morey, C Ryan.
