Banner hero Tubridy to seek out heroes of ’92 for guidance
After kicking the winning score in Saturday’s Munster SFC semi-final against Limerick to put his county in the final for the first time since 2000, he found himself on unsure footing for the first time that evening. Not only was he about to prepare for his first Munster final, it was only his second victory in championship football.
Amid a throng of cheering supporters, he embraced a club colleague who had experienced Clare footballs greatest day.
Francis McInerney captained the Clare team that beat Kerry in 1992 and was joined on the panel by fellow Doonbeg men Gerry Killeen, Kieran O’Mahoney, Padraig Conway and Pat Blake.
“It’s unbelievable. I met Francis there a few seconds ago and he was delighted,” he said.
“I suppose I’ll have to get a few words off the boys to see what a Munster final is like and how to prepare for it. It’s great to get there and great for the county and football in the county. I can’t wait now. We’ve four weeks to get ready for it.”
They were fortunate though — and he knows it. One shot in the second half, their first score in 10 minutes, was a fluke. Picking the ball up between the endline and 13m line beside the sideline he pointed what would be a crucial score.
“I was crossing to Gary but the wind caught it and brought it over the bar. I did it two weeks ago in training as well and the boys started laughing at me. I was crossing it and it went over the bar.”
But there was also a resolve which has been missing from Clare football on far too many occasions. After blowing a 10-point lead and facing a humiliating loss, he kicked the final two scores.
“When they went a point up I’d say a lot of teams would have dropped their heads but the boys fought. The last few minutes were unbelievable. We battled away right ‘til the end and got the result and we’re in a Munster final now.
“This year was just massive. I think when Micheál Cahill [trainer] came in, he brought in a positive feel to Clare football.
“The trainings we finished out to the end. When you were starting a sprint on the line you would start on it, not an inch ahead of it everyone level. I think that was proven there today. We battled out to the end and got the win.”
And what was going through his head when before he kicked the winning score?
“The Limerick boys were closing down quick so I had to get it away quick. Yer man got a hand to it alright but it just crept over the bar thank God.”
