‘Im not nervous’ – Colin Fennelly on the task awaiting Ballyhale Shamrocks in the AIB GAA Club Championship final

Five years.

'Definitely because you're always thinking the team is getting older. It's a long time and Henry is in his last few years and Michael Fennelly there as well is struggling with injuries the whole time. It's a big thing getting to an All-Ireland final. The first job is to get out of the county and we've been struggling to do that the last couple of years.'

'We'd good banter over Christmas but we don't even look at because we don't know the answer ourselves or just in case it's bad news. It's the last thing you want to see but whatever he chooses, he chooses. It's nothing to do with us. It's to do with his family and stuff.'

Somewhat bizarrely it is two Tipperary men that have reignited the spirit within Ballyhale this season. Colm Bonnar and Andy Maloney  have been widely praised by the players for their input and fresh approach which Took Ballyhale to their first county title since 2012 in November. Bonnar was also part of the WIT set up that lost last week's Fitzgibbon cup replay. What's the secret behind the double-act from the Premier County.

'You wouldn't notice too much that they are Tipperary men, they don’t bring it up too often. We have a bit of banter every so often. The way they take to the game is brilliant. Andy Moloney has a lot of experience between colleges and club, county, the whole lot. Their commitment and enthusiasm is fantastic and you can see that when you see things like that. It gives you a bit of a boost as well. 'I didn't know either of them before they started and TJ said they are absolutely brilliant and we need to have them in the club. TJ was probably the driving force there, and he got his reward being captain!'

Ballyhale are in the final stages of their preparation for Tuesday's All -Ireland final with Kilmallock of Limerick.

The Munster champions disposed of Portaferry to qualify for a first ever club finale last month as ballyhale beat Gort. Limerick along with Galway are one of the few counties that seem to really get under the skin of Kilkenny sides at club and inter-county level.

'The Limerick lads are a tough, physical team. They always have been and going back to the All-Ireland semi-final it was a tough game but there wasn't one bad pull throughout the game and you look forward to a good game of hurling.

'You'd actually be looking forward to it. You wouldn't be too nervous because there are two good teams and whatever team plays better that day will win. You have to accept that.'