Manager Benji Whelan claims The Nire won't be lacking in motivation when they take on Austin Stacks in Sunday's Munster club SFC final.

There are nine survivors from The Nire team that lost the 2006 provincial decider to Dr Crokes and Whelan tells the Irish Examiner they are desperate to make amends.

"There is a real feeling that they let that one slip," the Kilmacthomas man said.

"Part of the problem going into that game was that it was an achievement in itself to get there in the minds of the players.

"We have been eager to dampen that down and ensure that the players are focused on the ultimate goal which is to be the number one club in Munster. I think we have it within our remit to do that job.

"It will be very difficult but certainly it is one of the motivating factors that there is unfinished business in that department."

Whelan expects the entire Waterford football fraternity to get behind the Ballymacarbry men this weekend.

"The one thing I would say about Waterford football people is that they are eager for someone to take football by the scruff of the neck and show the rest of the counties in Munster that Waterford can compete. In the back of their minds, club teams typically come out of the county and perform very well in the Munster championship and have a good record," he continued.

"I think it's a little bit frustrating for those people not to see the county team kick on. My dad was at the match, he goes to most of the games, and he is a big GAA man. He was saying on the way home that he was pleasantly surprised that you had Stradbally, Ballinacourty, Rathgormack and lots of people from very strong clubs around coming out to support The Nire.

"They are supporting football and they are supporting Waterford football. Long may it continue and I hope we have a good band of people up in Cork to support us on Sunday."

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