Clonmel on mission

THIRTEEN is proving unlucky for Clonmel Commercials. They have been stuck on that number since 1994 when they last won the Tipperary SFC title.

In the intervening eight years they have had three chances to move off that number, but failed - to Moyle Rovers in the 1995, 1996 and 1999 finals, the latter by a point after two replays.

On Sunday they hope it will be a case of fourth time lucky when they take on Aherlow in this year’s final in Thurles (12.45 pm) as a curtain-raiser to the replay of the county SHC decider.

It would be fair to say Clonmel are on a mission of atonement on Sunday. Twelve months ago they failed to defeat Aherlow in the semi-final and having been itching for a rematch ever since.

Aherlow have never won the title, despite contesting three finals in the last five years, losing two of them to Fethard who failed to defeat Nemo Rangers in last year’s Munster final.

The introduction of the backdoor system has certainly benefited Aherlow. They were beaten in the first round last May, but bounced back to defeat Moyle Rovers and Fethard to reach Sunday’s final.

Impressive credentials indeed, and according to club secretary Tom Leonard, Aherlow are intent on making it a hat-trick of wins over the more fancied clubs.

“Last Saturday we drew with Fethard in the semi-final and had to go out against the following morning for the replay which we won by five points,” said Tom.

“You could say our dander is up now.

“We’ll be in there on Sunday giving it our very best shot.

“We won’t be found wanting, that’s for sure.

“Our team is built around four families: Leonard (five), O’Shea (four), Moroney (four) and Peters (three) which makes us a very closely-knit outfit and difficult to beat.”