Cork legend Ger plotting downfall of Rebel aces
Saturday November 28 2009
GER Cunningham will put aside his Rebel County loyalties as he plots the downfall of Cork champions Newtownshandrum in the AIB Munster Club senior hurling final at Semple Stadium tomorrow.
Cunningham, a legendary figure in his native county and rated as one of the finest goalkeepers ever to play hurling, hasn't put a foot wrong yet in his stewardship of Waterford champions Ballygunner.
And now the fickle finger of fate has decreed that Cunningham's task this weekend is to shatter the hopes of members of the Cork hurling 'family'.
This is the 48-year-old Cunningham's first venture into management outside the boundaries of his home turf -- and it's working a treat for both parties. That's why Newtownshandrum will get respect from Cunningham, but nothing else.
The former 'keeper has no room for sentiment as he puts his focus on bringing Ballygunner their first Munster title since 2001.
Indeed, that is the only time Ballygunner have triumphed at senior provincial level in four previous appearances in the Munster final.
The pairing this year adds to the intrigue of the fixture, as Newtownshandrum beat Ballygunner by a point (0-16 to 1-12) when they last met in the Munster final in 2005.
At that time, Cunningham was a goalkeeping coach and selector on the Cork senior hurling team which won the All-Ireland in '05 -- and Newtownshandrum's Ben and Jerry O'Connor were on that side.
"The last thing on my mind was that Ballygunner would end up playing the Cork champions in the Munster final. It wasn't something that was expected, but now we have to cope with that.
"In my time being involved with Cork, I would have worked with lads like Ben and Jerry O'Connor and I'd know about half their team, apart from having watched them in the Cork championship.
"They have been a very successful club and their players would be well known to us, but we're just looking forward to the final. Newtown have been very impressive coming through the Cork championship and they are the form team," said Cunningham.
The year is finishing on a high note for the former Cork All Star, and it's fair to say that progress has exceeded expectations.
"When we started out it wasn't a demand that we were going to try and win a county title in year one," explained the former Rebel goalkeeper.
Future
"There was also a focus on building for the future from the U-13s and 14s through the U-21s because there's a lot of talent coming through at Ballygunner. It takes time to get your ideas across, but it was a help that we have had a long campaign in the Waterford championship.
"We had to play 10 matches between the group stages and the knock-out phase, so that gave us time to get to know the players and the style they played, and so on.
"It's great that we have the experience of guys like Paul Flynn in the team and there's some good young players there too," said Cunningham.
The youngest player on the team is 17-year-old Pauric Mahony. He and brother Philip were on the Decies side which won the county's first Munster minor hurling title in 16 years.
"Pauric is eligible for minor next year again, but he has a good physique and he's a fine young player," said Cunningham.
The stage is set for a titanic struggle between these teams in Thurles tomorrow.
Newtownshandrum have the advantage of having played two Munster matches, defeating Adare (Limerick) and Thurles Sarsfields of Tipperary.
They have a 100pc record in Munster finals, winning twice on their two appearances in 2003, and 2005.
Ballygunner have beaten Cratloe of Clare in the semi-final, and despite Munster final appearances in 1996, 1999, 2001, and '05, they have only won once -- in 2001.
- Liam Kelly
Irish Independent
