Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Old friends are best as Clifford and Canavan light up rivalry
NORTHERN EXPOSURE: David Clifford of Kerry celebrates after the game in Pomeroy, Tyrone. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
The Kerry-Tyrone rivalry continues to fascinate. It has evolved over the years, certainly for me. Where once upon a time it could have been described as toxic now it is a friendship filled with respect, off the field at least. In the past when I arrived in Omagh as a player or as a manager we would have been on a war footing. For a week.
It was always a hostile atmosphere. A tough place to go, but a great place to win, if you could manage it. When I returned in recent years as an analyst for this paper or for RTÉ I couldn’t believe the change in dynamic. I have been treated with incredible generosity and everyone is so genuine. I have now fostered great friendships up here, something I couldn’t have imagined even a couple of years ago. On Saturday I made the long trip north with Tina and the kids. As well as taking in the match, Peter Canavan had invited us up to be part of a panel-style chat show the night before the game, at his place, Canavan's in Garvahy.
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