‘Shocked’ Tubridy thought award was a practical joke

CLARE’S David Tubridy has admitted he was so shocked at being named Vodafone Footballer of the Month that he thought it was a wind up from one of his pals.

The 22-year old yesterday emerged as a rare Division 4 recipient of the monthly gong following the Banner County’s excellent form throughout March that yielded wins over Longford, Carlow, London and Leitrim.

Doonbeg man Tubridy was central to the run, kicking all but two points of their 1-13 tally against Carlow in Round 4, a performance that earned him comparisons with Kerry legend Maurice Fitzgerald.

Yet even after all that it came as something of a surprise to the modest forward that a Division 4 player was selected ahead of all those who performed well in the three divisions above him.

“I thought it was a joke, that one of the boys was pulling my leg,” admitted Tubridy. “I was shocked when the lady from Vodafone rang me, and surprised.

“It’s great recognition for the lower divisions. You’d naturally think it would be someone from Division 1 or 2 that would get it.

“But then you seen last year that (Ciaran) McDonald, the full-back from Tipperary, got it, so they’re obviously looking at everyone which is great to see.”

It may be a cliché but personal plaudits really do pale in comparison to the prize that is on offer to the Clare team if they can win their last league game this weekend – promotion.

The Banner are currently joint top of Division 4 with Waterford, whom they face in Dungarvan, so a win for either team would guarantee Division 3 football next year.

Clare would already be home and hosed but for a one-point defeat to Limerick in the penultimate round last weekend. Another loss doesn’t bear thinking about for Tubridy.

“It’s a big game, our whole year comes down to this game really,” he continued.

“As our manager Michael McDermott said at the start of the year; we have two phases. Phase one is the league and concentrating on getting out of Division 4 and phase two is the Championship.”

Whether it’s league or Championship there’s just no getting away from Waterford however.

The sides meet on Sunday, and possibly again in the Division 4 final and then for a potential third time in the quarter-finals of the Munster Championship.

“Yeah, all inside a month or so,” winced Tubridy. “You would probably prefer to meet them earlier in the league. Playing them now you’re fairly showing your hand before the Championship but what can you do?

“You can’t go easy either because every team wants to get out of Division 4 at the same time. Look at Tipperary and Antrim, they’ve gone up and done well, Limerick and Antrim were in the provincial finals last year so it’s a competitive league. It’s hard to get out of it but hopefully we can.”

Meanwhile, Cork’s Pat Horgan was named Vodafone Hurler of the Month for March on the back of two wins and a draw in the month for the Rebels who have since qualified for the final.