Creedon key to Premier progress

Peter Creedon must stay involved with the Tipperary senior footballers if the team is to progress over the next few years.

That’s the view of long-serving goalkeeper Paul Fitzgerald, who is enjoying a new lease of life under the tutelage of the county’s former minor and U21 boss.

Cork native Creedon has worked wonders with the Premier County in a short space of time – transforming a team devoid of confidence into one left disappointed by a six-point defeat to Kerry in the Munster quarter-final five weeks ago.

John Evans departed as team boss following a heavy defeat to Sligo in March before an interim management team headed up by Tommy Twomey masterminded an impressive home stalemate against Longford.

And Creedon’s first game in charge resulted in a 0-11 to 0-8 victory over tonight’s opponents Offaly – a result that condemned the Faithful County to Division 4 football next season.

Since then, Creedon has stamped his mark all over the Tipp set-up and recent challenge results have provided huge encouragement ahead of the All-Ireland qualifiers.

Limerick were defeated before Tipp travelled to Mahon last Sunday morning for a workout against Cork – and gave a good account of themselves.

“We went full-strength for 45 minutes we were 0-12 each at that time,” Fethard netminder Fitzgerald revealed.

“Both teams emptied their benches then – they had players like Graham Canty and Noel O’Leary to come on. We conceded some sloppy goals and lost by 5-17 to 1-18, something along those lines. Again, we defended well, broke even around the middle and were positive enough going forward.”

The bookmakers have installed Tipp as favourites to progress to round 2 of the qualifiers at Offaly’s expense.

But Fitzgerald, employed by Clonmel-based Robert A Merry & Co. liqueurs, warned: “The expectation is there now and that’s a dangerous thing. People nearly expect us to win and we need to handle that. It is a winnable game and a good draw but Offaly are thinking the same thing.

“We felt that we achieved something against Kerry but we were disappointed that we didn’t get closer. It was a year that we might have been able to catch them but training since then has been good, fresh and lively.”

Fitzgerald credits Creedon with the new buzz of optimism sweeping through the senior squad and with recent minor and U21 success boosting football in the county, the future looks bright.

Fitzgerald smiled: “He [Creedon] is kind of getting a buzz out of it as well. He was out of intercounty for a few years since the U21 job and I think he’s enjoying it. He trusts the guys around him and they trust him – they bounce off each other well. And for progression two or three years down the line and to build a team capable of winning a Munster [senior] title, it’s vital that he is involved.” Creedon was appointed as interim team manager until the end of the 2012 season and will review his situation then. But the indications are that the principal at St Ailbe’s in Tipperary town will accept the role on a more long-term basis.