*David Tubridy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
EXPERIENCED CLARE forward, David Tubridy says Éire Óg’s senior footballers are “a step ahead” of the chasing pack.
Ahead of Sunday’s Clare SFC final, Tubridy pinpointed the form of the Ennis side managed by Paul Madden as an impressive trait they have improved on from last year.
He told The Clare Echo, “Éire Óg are entitled to be favourites, they have been best team in the last two years and they don’t seem to be slowing down this year. You have to make them favourites. Ennistymon have been getting the results and have had that bit of luck on their side. Anything can happen on the day”.
Both sides are aided by strong managements, the Doonbeg native believed. Madden is chasing his second Clare SFC title as manager with a set-up that includes former Limerick forward, Seanie Buckley and championship winning captain Peter Cosgrove. Mark Shanahan’s Ennistymon management includes Munster SFC winner Brendan Rouine and ex Clare midfielder Ger Quinlan.
“Paul Madden will have them grounded and will have them ready as they chase a second successive title. Ennistymon have had a lot of success at underage, they have been playing division 1 football since they were under 10, there are a lot of players there with a lot of success. That will stand to them and it did in the last few games. They have found a way to win and Ger Quinlan and Beano and co have done a lot of work,” Tubridy said.
With both Gavin Cooney and Mark McInerney, the top two scorers in this year’s championship, David highlighted how big an asset the danger men are. “Éire Óg are a step ahead of everybody in Clare at the moment. They have a lot of danger men up front, Gavin Cooney and Mark McInerney have been putting up big scores”.
Verdict: Éire Óg
