MLR boss O'Brien anticipates another cracking Carlow SHC final

Mount Leinster Rangers manager Paul O’Brien expects tomorrow’s Carlow senior hurling championship final against St Mullin’s at Netwatch Cullen Park (3.30pm) to be another cracker.

It’s set to be the sixth county final meeting in eight years between the sides, with St Mullin’s aiming for back-to-back titles having won last year’s Willie O'Connor Cup decider on a 2-25 to 3-16 scoreline.

Speaking to GAA.ie in the build up to the decider, O’Brien says he anticipates another high quality encounter between the two rivals.

“There's a serious history and familiarity between the two teams, but you still don't know what's going to happen or who is going to come with what,” the former Dublin U20 manager said.

“It very much does take on a life of its own. Having been involved in a few Carlow finals it's actually very hard to know what's to come. It's very much about what's inside people and what they get out of themselves on the day.

“There can be a lot of second guessing about what an opponent is going to do because they're all so familiar with each other. For 20 plus of them they're spending more time nearly hurling together in the Carlow set-up than they are with their clubs over the course of the year.

“So, they have a huge insight into each other and you're thinking what does he know about me, what does he not know about me, that sort of scenario is very much prevalent.

“It's good because it taps into the psychological aspect of the game.

“Both teams have the ability to play to a very high level so the key thing for both them and us will be to hurl to that potential on the big day. The calibre of player is there but you need to perform.”