Tulla can win Munster and stake All-Ireland claim, says McNamara
An interested spectator at Sunday’s provincial semi-final victory against Ballyduff Upper in Ennis, McNamara was hugely impressed by the intensity with which the Clare champions played.
“If the Munster final comes down to a dogfight I would have to fancy Tulla to come out on top”, said Mike. “They were physically strong and well motivated against the Waterford champions on Sunday, and if they play with the same intensity in the final I would fancy them to win.
“Tulla’s win was a massive team effort. They don’t have too many stars, but what they lack in that area is more than made up for by their sheer will to win. It was a great team performance which carried them through.
“They played to their strengths; had great movement all over the field and had that one necessary ingredient all teams need to succeed, a slice of good fortune.”
Asked about the consequence of Tulla winning the Munster title, the Clare manager said it would be a massive boost for everyone.
“The success of the county back in the nineties had a domino effect on the clubs. I would see a Tulla victory as having a similar effect on the county team now. We need every bit of luck that is going. I would estimate that we’ll have at least 10 new faces involved with us for the new season.
“Clare needs an injection of impetus for next season, and our county champions winning the Munster club title would do nicely.
“It’s important that the selectors are out and about running their eye over players involved in club championship games. We cannot afford to let anyone with inter-county potential slip through the net.”
Star forward Eanna Torpey is set to be in contention for a starting place in the provincial decider against Loughmore-Castleiney, on Sunday week at the Gaelic Grounds, after having the plaster removed from his hand last Thursday.
“Eanna certainly won’t be lacking in fitness, as he has been able to do the running all along,” said McInerney.
The Tipp champions will still be without five top players for the provincial decider on December 2.
Tommy Ormond, Tommy Long, Diarmuid Brennan, Paul Brennan and Martin Gleeson are all absent with a mixture of breaks and dislocations and coach Eamonn Sweeney confirmed: “They’re all out for the Tulla match.”
Sweeney reckons that if Loughmore-Castleiney do manage to overcome Tulla, at least two players would be ready for an All-Ireland semi-final clash with Galway and Connacht champions Portumna in February.
He added: “There would be a serious chance for some of them to be involved in the All-Ireland series. Diarmuid Brennan is coming along, but he will need time and there’s no point in rushing the young lad into it. Paul Brennan is in the US, but he has a broken thumb, so we will have to wait and see.”
Nemo Rangers will be without two players who helped them to win the Cork county championship for Sunday’s Munster Club semi-final against Ballylanders in Kilmallock. David Niblock has returned to the States, while Sean O’Brien has taken a break to travel to Australia.
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