McNamara pleased to maintain winning run

By Michael Dundon

Tipperary minor football manager John McNamara had plenty to be pleased about as his charges chalked up a third victory in the Munster Championship to top the group in phase one of the competition with their four-point victory over Clare.

The Premier went into the game in the fortunate position as with two wins on the board they were assured of a knock-out spot even if scoring difference came into play. Tipp were on four points, with Limerick and Clare on two points. In the event, Limerick defeated Waterford last week to finish on four points and claim the second spot in the group.

However, Tipp wanted to maintain their winning sequence and the Clonmel Commercials clubman reaction was very upbeat with the outcome saying he was “Very pleased – three wins on the trot – very happy with that.”

He added: “That is a fantastic Clare team, and they shouldn’t really be gone from the championship. It was a titanic battle, but we got through it.

“This was our third game in three weeks, and it began to tell on us, but our boys fought like dogs for this result and even when they had nothing left in the tank they kept going. Luckily, Clare were not able to take advantage of this.”

Tipperary and Limerick, who came second in the group, go through to the final on May 18th with both also progressing to a Munster semi-final, along with Kerry and Cork, a decision welcomed by the manager.

“It is great that the two teams go through,” McNamara added.

“This gives both a chance to do due justice to the memory of the late Darrel Darcy (after whom the trophy is dedicated), and we are looking forward to that challenge,” he said.

Preparations for the semi-final are underway this week with a review of the performance over Clare and a check to see that all the players came through unscathed from a searching test of their championship credentials.

“We’ll address all these things in the coming week, and we will come back stronger from this win tonight,” the Tipp manager added.

Tipperary football is at a low ebb at present and the performance of this team is a source of great encouragement, but the biggest tests lie ahead. The work that the management team and players have been doing is paying dividends and there is a growing optimism among followers that this bunch of young lads can kick-start a revival.