Dream start lifted Clonmel Commercials, says proud Charlie McGeever

Charlie McGeever finally got the complete performance he knew his charges were capable of.

Having laboured out of the blocks in their last three championship outings, Clonmel hit the first eight scores of yesterday’s contest to effectively put one foot in the Munster final after 26 minutes of action.

And this despite playing into the teeth of an extremely strong breeze.

“As I said in the opposition dressing room, the worst thing that happened to them was that we played Newcastle West two-weeks ago and we learned a lesson that day that we needed to start a game properly,” explained Clonmel boss McGeever.

“Against the conditions, we got a dream start. Conditions were so difficult and to kick from 21 yards was so difficult. To put on eight points in the first half was a great performance, and to defensively not give anything away was key.

“We were always going to get one of those days at some stage and you can’t underestimate home advantage. It was a big point today.

“I always play against the wind when it is that strong. It helped us to focus on what was a problem two weeks ago. That focus is there straightaway when you are playing against the wind. I thought the opposite thing happened at the start of the second half, that we lost focus for the first six or seven minutes when they came at us and we conceded a point.

“The bottom line is that we played better today than we did the last day.”

Clonmel’s target was a Munster final appearance and that has now been achieved. Can they kick on and trouble Nemo?

“We’re now where we would like to be and the next day will be the test. For this group of players, whose average age is 20 or 21, if you take Fergal [Condon] out of it, they’re very young and they’re going to make mistakes, as again they did, on some occasions. But you can’t put into the tank what’s gone in over the last eight or 10 weeks.

“If we’re beaten by a better opposition the next day, grand, as long as we perform. There’s a level there that they can reach, we’re a certain amount up the ladder. Hopefully it will keep going. It’s good for Tipperary.”