Fr O’Neill’s hurlers chasing a Munster crown to cap off a special year

FR O’NEILL’S will carry the Cork flag in this Sunday’s Munster Club Intermediate Hurling final against Waterford champions Ballysaggart at the Fraher Field in Dungarvan, 1.30pm.

It will be a second provincial final appearance for the Ladysbridge/Ballymacoda combination, 14 years after being crowned junior champions.

The only links to that team are Eoin Conway and Podge Butler who remain influential figures in the current side.

O’Neill’s will again look to Millerick brothers, Ger, Joe, and Mike, star forwards Deccie Dalton, and Billy Dunne, Mark O’Keeffe, Kevin O’Sullivan, and the rest to set in motion what could be another red-letter occasion for the club.

O’Neill’s have had a wonderful 12 months, winning the Premier U21 title in 2018 and the PIHC title a few weeks ago.

Club PRO Seamus Joyce told The Echo that there is a great sense of anticipation in the club in advance of the big game.

“There is, it’s great to be looking forward to a Munster final,” said Joyce.

“It’s been a great year for us since we won the U21 title before Christmas and it would cap off a great period for the club if we can win.

“We have a great bunch of guys going out to represent the club and to represent Cork. They are hugely dedicated and they work very well together. Off the field they are great friends too.”

Joyce believes that the challenge that Ballysaggart will provide will be tough.

“It’s bound to be, any team that gets into a Munster final has to be a good one. They have a few inter-county players in the Bennett brothers and we know that we’ll have to be at our best on Sunday.

“But the players believe in themselves and winning the Cork U21 and Premier intermediate titles has given them that extra bit of confidence.

“Everybody down here is looking forward to the big game, we have great support and, hopefully, on Sunday night we’ll have more silverware to bring back.”