TIPPERARY STAR SEAMUS Kennedy insists that Clonmel Commercials are good enough “to mix it with anyone” and is relishing the prospect of an AIB Munster senior club football final showdown with competition specialists Nemo Rangers.
Kennedy, a 2011 All-Ireland minor medallist, has been superb for Commercials en route to county glory and in the club’s last two outings in the provincial campaign.
Commercials have come through battles against Limerick’s Newcastle West and Clare representatives St Joseph’s Miltown-Malbay to book their place in a first Munster final since 1994.
No Tipperary team has ever won the Munster senior football title and on Sunday week, Commercials will become the first team from the county since Fethard in 2001 to contest the provincial showpiece.
And Kennedy is quietly confident of springing a surprise against Cork giants Nemo, who he accepts will start as “raging hot favourites.”
Kennedy said: “On our day, we can mix it with anyone. If you look through 1-15 on that team, I think we can go to toe to toe with anyone. I know Nemo will be raging hot favourites but you know what? Bring them on.”
Despite playing against the breeze on home soil against St Joseph’s, Commercials had the hard work done by half-time, leading by 0-8 to 0-1.
And Kennedy revealed that a fast start was part of the plan.
“We were very disappointed ourselves the last day with how we started, even in the county final. I don’t think since the Loughmore game did we start on it ourselves.
“That was a big thing, we knew they were a similar type team to the likes of Loughmore and if we didn’t start well, in those conditions, we didn’t want to face another dogfight.
“In fairness, from the start, we were really on it. That was really great to see because if we want to really progress in this competition, it’s Nemo the next day, we have to put together a big, big game.”
Kennedy was born in June 1993 and a little over a year old when Commercials last competed in a Munster final.
And he acknowledged: “Too long for a town the size of Clonmel and the tradition it has.
“We probably should be doing a lot better and as a group we were disappointed since 2012 (previous county title win) that we didn’t kick on.
“But it’s great to be winning these big games in Clonmel, there’s nothing better.
“We’re flying the flag for Tipp now and please God we can bring a first Munster club title back to Tipperary.”
