Bubbles O’Dwyer’s ‘powerful’ speech rallies Tipperary’s 14 men

John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer put the disappointment of his 13th-minute red card aside to deliver a “powerful” half-time speech which inspired 14-man Tipperary to hold out against Limerick, Michael Breen has revealed.

Tipperary midfielder Breen had handed the home outfit a dream start with two goals inside the opening nine minutes, but the Premier County were rocked back on their heels when O’Dwyer was dismissed on a straight red card for striking Limerick corner-back Richie English.

O’Dwyer, who buried his head in his hands in the Tipperary dugout for several minutes following his dismissal, was praised by Breen for the manner in which he parked his own frustration to address the Tipperary team at the break.