This article is from page 87 of the 2007-11-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 87 JPG
JIM McInerney gathered his selec- tors around him outside the dressing at half-time. With Michael Browne and Raymond Stewart he chewed the fat of the first half. Pat O’Connor, who’s acted as a consultant to the team over the past few months threw in his tuppence worth too.
‘“T was worried,” admits Jim, “be- cause we were only three points ahead and we should have been a lot more ahead. We were trying to fig- ure out why we only had six points scored with all the play and posses- sion we had. We should have at least nine or ten points scored at half-time, but these things happen in games. We didn’t let it get to us and we went out and performed in the second half.
“We dominated the end of this game. Ballyduff Upper brought
their full-forward to midfield and he played a very good game there. It took us a while to get to grips with him, but Declan Murphy destroyed Stephen Molumphy and then we switched him over on Brian Kearney and he cancelled him out. We were in trouble until that switch, but then we TaD UI oxe ms aCe)ee Com OMA SCoMONONK ORM
It’s why supporters rushed to con- eratulate McInerney after the game. As manager he has led Tulla to the promised land in Clare and within 60 minutes of the provincial title. The stuff of dreams, he readily admits.
“Everyone knows that the Munster Club is a great competition to play in. Lads from Tulla don’t get many opportunities to play in a Munster final. This is our first and now that we have that chance, we’re going to go all out for it. We are giving this a serious lash.
“IT would have always felt that we were good enough to win a county title, but to get this team to reach that goal was a huge task. However, when you get on a winning streak anything can happen. You just keep on rolling and we’re still rolling, So roll on two weeks time in the Munster final.”
You can tell McInerney is relish- ing the prospect, because his side have nothing to lose and everything emcee Bute
“It’s a game of hurling — there’s no established club left in the final. Loughmore-Castleiney are like our- selves. We have as good a chance as them, we have a strong, fit team and we ll give it a rattle.”
Same as it has been all year.