Michael Quinlivan reflects on how Clonmel Commercials almost ‘threw it away’

Tipperary star Michael Quinlivan admits Clonmel Commercials did “everything in their power” to throw away the chance of claiming county senior football glory on Sunday.

At full-time, Commercials were celebrating a one-point victory over rivals Moyle Rovers but they had to come from six down to achieve it.

Commercials were rocked by a two-goal blast from Diarmuid Foley in the space of three first-half minutes, and also the concession of a bizarre second half goal when Liam Boland’s long-range free bounced over Paul Nolan’s head and into the net. But Commercials remained calm to claim a first title since 2012 and now turn their attention to provincial matters.

Commercials have been drawn against Limerick champions Newcastle West, and the winners will face Clare kingpins St Joseph’s Milltown in the last four of the provincial series.

Quinlivan, a 2011 All-Ireland minor medallist, said: “I think we tried everything in our power to throw it away, but we showed smashing character to come back and win it.

“It was a strange game in that we never got going in the first half, we probably set up a bit wrong. In the second half, we went back to what we were used to, and that worked a bit better. In the last 20 minutes, the subs who came on made a difference, (goalscorer) Padraig Looram was unbelievable, Seamus Kennedy went to midfield and Ian Fahey back out there made a difference. When we went back to what we were used to, we kicked on from there.”

Local bragging rights to Commercials, then, but Quinlivan won’t be rubbing it in too much. “The first game I can remember between the clubs was the 1999 final, when my Dad (Martin) was manager,” he says.

“The rivalry that exists at the moment is probably not the same as it was back then. I live with four lads from Moyle Rovers and it’s a bit of a strange one in that sense.”