Tipp set to unleash Bubble trouble

To know where Bubbles came from, best talk to Festy.

Pat Kerwick earned his nickname from his father who, on hearing a character by the name of Festy Kerwick on Tipp FM, christened him thus. The origin of his younger Killenaule club-mate John O’Dwyer’s moniker also came from a father.

“He was bubbly as a young fella,” laughs Kerwick before adding, “in shape. He was a bit chubby.”

Killenaule is fond of its pet names. There’s “Mouse” O’Dwyer. “Bosco” O’Dwyer. “The Glamour” Walsh. Even Donie O’Connell is dubbed “The Bull”.

They’ve a penchant for producing forwards too. From Tom Ryan to O’Connell to Paul Shelley to Kerwick, O’Dwyer follows a line of Killenaule men that have worn the blue and gold with distinction in attack.

Although, Kerwick will tell you the latest addition is a unique character. From the day he played alongside him as a 17-year-old in the 2008 South final, he knew he was going to make it.

On a day when Kerwick also chipped in with four points, O’Dwyer helped himself to 1-7, the goal coming from play.

“For a young fella to show that leadership, it stood out. He put a marker down that day,” Kerwick said.

“Bubbles is not the kind of fella who gets nervous coming into the game. He knows he’s good. I’d be watching him now and thinking back to that game and how he began to make his mark.

“When I say he knows he’s good, he’s not cocky about it. He goes out and gets the job done. Throw the ball to him and it’s point, goal, point. Bang, bang, bang.”

Kerwick, after a brilliant 2009 season with Tipperary, missed out on most of Tipp’s All-Ireland winning campaign the following year, with hamstring and groin problems before leaving the panel in early 2012.

Fondly remembered for his rendition of The Galtee Mountain Boy on the Hogan Stand podium after beating Kilkenny four years ago, he continues to gig and plugs a night he’s doing in Kiely’s in Tipperary town on August 31. A Tipperary win on Sunday and he might be inspired to pen an All-Ireland final song for the team.

As good as O’Dwyer is, Kerwick is glad, in a way, too much wasn’t put on his shoulders too soon. His 3-20, all from play, in just six Championship games is the stuff of great promise being delivered but Eamon O’Shea, he says, had been minding him.

“When I was finishing, Bubbles was starting to come on the scene and I saw him progressing the whole time. I think Tipperary got the timing right with him. He’s really flying it now.”

Although, Kerwick says O’Dwyer was put out by not making his full Championship debut against Limerick last year. “He came on that day and in the space of 10 minutes had 1-3 to his name [finishing Tipp’s top scorer]. Knowing him as I do, he would have been disappointed that he didn’t start that day. But once again, he laid down a marker and has been there in the team ever since.”

O’Dwyer is regarded as having the best set of wrists in the county.

“He’s a great stickman,” remarks Kerwick. “When he’s on the ball, he’s really on the ball. There’s no second touch needed, it’s a first touch into the hand and he’s gone. A lot of lads have been mentioning it this year. It just shows you the way he’s hurling.”

When before the Tipperary half-forward line was the first trio to be criticised for defeats, Kerwick notices there’s only compliments being paid to O’Dwyer operating in tandem with Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher.

“He’s working very well with Bonner Maher, who’s a pure workhorse. Anything that Bonner doesn’t get, Bubbles will. There had been a problem for the half-forward line in recent years but it looks much better now.

“As I said, Bonner is the workman and Bubbles gets the breaks off him. The relationship between the pair is going great. Bubbles always had the talent and he’s been consistent throughout the year.”