The day of the big final is fast approaching. Lismore, who have had their share of success in this competition over the last few decades, are up against another illustrious hurling club in the form of  Ballygunner.

There will be no shortage of inter-county stars on display. Dan Shanahan and his younger brother Maurice (who

Maurice Shanahan with the ball for Lismore

is in flying form this weather, by all accounts) should be playing for Lismore, while for those who miss watching Paul O’Flynn drive the likes of Cork and Kilkenny mad by racking up the points for Waterford, it will be an opportunity to see how he fares out with Ballygunner, who beat a much-fancied Mount Sion team on their way to the final.

As a marker of the 50th anniversary of the last Waterford senior All-Ireland win, there is to be a special reception for survivors or representatives. The 1959 final took place exactly 50 years and 1 week ago from the date of this final. Let’s hope that the current team make another small step and claim the cup in 2010.

“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.