Some lads just have it all.
John O’Dwyer is one of the slickest hurlers in the country, with his rolex wrists giving him the ability to slot a sliotar over the bar from almost any place on the hurling pitch, and he does it with minimal fuss, too.
He’s not just a small ball specialist, though, and he proved that in Sunday’s Tipperary senior football final against Clonmel Commercials in Semple Stadium.
Killenuale, also a successful hurling club, having won the South Tipperary hurling Championship twice in the last five years, were knocked out early from the hurling this year, and that gave them ample opportunity to focus on the big ball.
That they did, and the dual club, backed by former Premier county hurling stars Declan Fanning, Kieran Bergin and current panel members Joe and John O’Dwyer put up a brave fight against the county’s football kingpins.
Indeed, Bubbles got the men from the south off to a flier, scoring a terrific opening point, displaying speed of movement, of thought, and a sweet left peg to knock it over the bar.
Killenuale, who went into the encounter as underdogs, reeled off four unanswered points in the opening stages of the game, with Kieran Bergin landing a peach, and Tipperary hurling coach Declan Fanning dictating proceedings.
The Commercials, inspired by star forward Michael Quinlivan, fought back however. and the sides were neck and neck as it went down to the wire.
Bubbles stepped up to land another beautifully worked score to level matters in the second half, but Clonmel soon kicked on to win on a flattering scoreline of 2-9 to 0-8.
You can watch the highlights here, with O’Dwyer’s two wonder-scores at:
- 00:23
- 03:50
Check out the highlights of the @TipperaryGAA SFC Final @CommercialsGAA v @KillenauleGaa @TippfootballGAA https://t.co/JDUo5KDxVD
— The Diagonal Ball (@TheDiagonalBall) October 16, 2017
Be careful Michael Ryan because Liam Kearns will be watching closely.
