Both Lismore and Ballygunner have book ed their places in the senior hurling final, which will take place in a few weeks’ time.

Lismore got past neighbours Ballyduff, who themselves got past near neighbours Tallow in the quarter final.  That, by all accounts, was a close match.  I’m glad to say that my own brother (and son of former Waterford All-Irleland goalkeeper Ned Power) managed to keep a clean sheet on the day, but victory was not to be theirs, so we’ll have to wait for next year.

Although Tallow have been competing at senior level since, they have not won a senior county title since 1985.  It’s extraordinary fact but that last victory was the second part of a unique 2-in-a-row.  Since then, no trophy at senior level.  Was it a case of the best talent to come along in a generation simply growing up or did the momentum that had been building up over the previous 25 years peter out?  Sport is strange and cruel.  Some days, nothing happens, other days, everything goes right.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.