Flanagan ready for Ballyea's time of need as Ballygunner await

There's an Irish phrase that often surfaces in the mind of Ballyea defender Paul Flanagan as he contemplates the highs and the lows of the sporting arena.

'In am an ghathair', meaning 'in the time of need', is one he brings up ahead of Saturday’s Munster Club Hurling final against holders Ballygunner.

It sprung to him when Harry Ruddle fired home that dramatic goal that earned the Waterford side the All-Ireland title against Ballyhale back in February, and he is hoping his side can find a way through their own time of need when they come up against the champions in Thurles.

Last year when they faced Ballygunner in Munster, they conceded 3-20 in an eye-opening 17-point loss.

How do you overcome such a deficit? You find a way.

That’s an attitude sharpened by experiencing plenty of lows to accompanying the highs of county titles in 2016, 2019, 2021 and, of course, 2022, along with a run to the 2017 All-Ireland final where they were soundly beaten by Cuala.

One such low, a story Flanagan takes pleasure in pointing out given how far they have come since, is a wintry night he spent in Stan Lineen’s car.

"There was a time in 2014, we called a players meeting. Ballyea, we are a small club. Ballyea came from the junior ranks, we competed in our first senior final in 2003 against neighbours Clarecastle.

"We were a younger group coming forward and we met together in the Ballyea field in 2014 and I’d say five or six guys showed up," said Flanagan, who was speaking at a AIB GAA provincial club championship media day ahead of this weekend's finals.

"Stan Lineen, who plays midfield for us now, his car at the time was a Toyota Corolla, the purple coloured one. We gathered at the field and we were all able to fit into Stan’s car, it was cold and