Davy Fitzgerald and Podge Collins were panellists on on Up For The Match on Saturday night ahead of the All-Ireland final.
One of the big talking points on the show was of course the 2013 All-Ireland final which Clare won in a replay. Former Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash was also on the panel to look back on one of the most famous and memorable All-Ireland finals there ever was.
Corner back Domhnall O’Donovan famously saved Clare the first day with a stunning late equaliser after Patrick Horgan had put Cork ahead in injury time. Clare went onto win the replay thanks to a sensational performance from teenage debutante Shane O’Donnell who scored 3-3.
But after the drawn game, Podge Collins spoke of the ‘lull’ in the Clare dressing room due to the anti-climactic sense that comes with a draw.
The replay was another three weeks away and Davy Fitzgerald and his management team decided there and then that to team should have a night out in Dublin after their banquet to let loose and enjoy themselves.
It ended up in the famous Harcourt St nightclub Copper Face Jacks with Fitzgerald explaining on RTÉ how Clare players were returning to the hotel at all hours of the night.
“I did (let them go to Coppers) which I’d say they were probably shocked at themselves, to tell you the truth,” Fitzgerald said wearing his Clare colours on Up For The Match.
“My initial worry was ‘how would we perform on the big day?’
“But they handled themselves incredible.
“The thing afterwards then was to have the banquet and to go out, and let them off. And they certainly did that, they enjoyed themselves. There were different taxis pulling up (at our hotel) at different times. But I think they needed that. I think that trust had to be there,” he explained.
“I think over the next few weeks, we didn’t even train too hard over the next few weeks because I felt we were in a good place that day. They delivered. When they go to enjoy themselves, they certainly enjoy themselves too!
Podge Collins was one of Clare’s star players, earning a nomination for Hurler of the Year in 2013 and he explained how Fitzgerald’s call helped Clare’s young team relax and re-set ahead of the replay.
“It was great fun, getting out with all the lads,” said Collins.
“I suppose we led for most of the game and then it’s taken away from you with that magic point from Patrick Horgan.
“You’re thinking that’s it, you lost your chance and you’ve to go again next year. But thankfully we got another chance.
“But there was a serious lull in the dressing room after the game.
“So the management just said we needed to have a night together and it helped us, it picked us up big time. Then the next morning around breakfast, there’s stories and craic and the banter starts all over again and you get going again, re-focus the need and look forward to the next day.”
A managerial masterstroke if ever there was one!
