'We want to be that calibre too': New Barrs generation chasing place among club legends

Steven Sherlock feels the value of football's new rules were shown in clash against Clonmel Commercials.

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025 - 06:48

Stephen Barry

Whatever about a summer’s day down the Páirc, Steven Sherlock feels the true value of Gaelic football’s new rules was shown during a winter slugfest in Clonmel.

St Finbarr’s came through a heavyweight contest against Commercials by 1-17 to 2-11, with captain Sherlock kicking nine points.

His trio of two-pointers kept the Barrs ticking over until a late four-point burst swung the verdict.

“Last year, this game would've been 0-7 to 0-6, and a goal might've won the game,” he said.

“At the end of the day, this was still a very high-scoring game. If you look at it, that probably beat a lot of the scores that were played last year, even despite the conditions. The new rules on that kind of day prove pivotal.”

It’s only been three weeks since they defeated Nemo Rangers in the Cork decider, but the Barrs have had to readjust quickly to the change in ground.

“We had two good weeks of training and we got to grips with the conditions,” said Sherlock.

“There's been an awful lot of rainfall since the county final, so (the break) has helped us. It's been a good two weeks.

“The conditions actually played into the spectacle, to be totally honest. A player might slip and there's someone straight in on goal.

“You're playing fantastic teams, county champion teams, so there's no room for error. If you made an error, you were punished and it was as simple as that. Or else you might not get the ball back for a period of time.

“Despite it being very hard to play in, it was also very enjoyable to play in because it's all part and parcel of Munster Championship.

“It was just a great occasion. It's very exciting. Munster is where you want to be.”

The Barrs boast a unique tradition of provincial and national success with nine Munster titles and five All-Irelands split almost evenly between football and hurling. Still, that history isn’t often invoked in team talks.

“We don't look too much into that tradition stuff. We're just concentrating on our own team at the moment and making our own bit of history,” said Sherlock.

“Over the last number of years, we've won three counties and Munster. They're very hard to come by. It's once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

“It's very good to have tradition in the club and it's great to see legends out there all the time. But we want to be in that calibre as well and we want to prove to ourselves that we're good enough to do this as well.

“It's great, but I suppose it's more so just concentrating on ourselves.”

In that regard, the influx of youth has helped to build depth and elevate the standard of training in a club where attentions are often divided between both codes as well as county representation.

“Especially with a dual club, when you get that burst of players coming through, they can really help you on hurling weeks and football weeks and when lads are away with inter-county,” said Sherlock.

“They've gotten better and it's created more depth for us as well. We're going in the right direction now. We are where we want to be, so we're just delighted.”

Sherlock felt they got past Clonmel Commercials in customary Barrs style, coming good down the stretch after trailing as late as the 58th minute.

“It was fairly dramatic alright. We've been doing it that way our whole careers. You saw it against Nemo with the last kick of the game.”

The returning Cork panellist paid tribute to Commercials for their “unbelievable character” to capture a county title while grieving Philly Ryan’s sudden passing, saying: “The whole country has nothing but respect for them.”

The next stop for the Barrs is a Munster semi-final on Sunday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (3.30pm throw-in).

“We're not thinking any further than Éire Óg Ennis at the moment. We know that's going to be an absolute dogfight as well,” said Sherlock.

“We'll get the bodies right, recover, and it'll be all systems go for the weekend.”