Huge motivation for Clonmel Commercials and JK Brackens in Tipperary senior football final

The rewards for winning this Sunday’s FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship final at FBD Semple Stadium (throw-in 3.30) are great.

Success for unbackable favourites Clonmel Commercials would not only see them retain their crown, but would put them level with Fethard as the club with the most senior titles, 21, in Tipperary.

Meanwhile, Templemore may have won the championship in 1925 and 1936, with further successes for the 10th Battalion Templemore in 1943 and 1945, but since their official formation in 1992, when the former GAA clubs of Templemore Éire Óg, Clonmore and Killea were merged, JK Brackens have yet to lift the O’Dwyer Cup.

Sunday’s winning team will also earn a shot at the Limerick champions - Newcastle West, Adare, Fr Casey’s or Monaleen - at a Tipperary venue in the quarter-final of the AIB Munster Club Championship on the weekend of November 11/12, with the winners advancing to a semi-final meeting with the Kerry champions - Dingle or Rathmore - a fortnight later, and again with home advantage.

The stakes are high, therefore, heading into Sunday, in what is a repeat of the 2019 decider. Commercials had it all their own way when the clubs met four years ago, romping to a facile 3-19 to 0-7 win.

There’s no doubt that Brackens have improved as a football force since then. But whether the gap has closed sufficiently for them to trouble the Clonmel team on Sunday is questionable.

Commercials have dominated the championship in recent years to the extent that they are searching for their fourth title in five seasons.

If it hadn’t been for a single-point defeat by Loughmore/Castleiney two years ago, when John McGrath struck a late winning goal, they would be going for a five in a row that was only once previously achieved, by Grangemockler/Ballyneale, way back in the mists of time between 1903 and 1907.

If you add the county titles won in 2017, 2015 and 2012 into the equation, their pedigree as the team and the club to beat is beyond question.

This season manager Tommy Morrissey and his backroom team have strengthened their already significant forces by bringing in Oisín McConville, the six-time All-Ireland club football winner with Crossmaglen and current Wicklow senior football manager, to act as an advisor.

Despite clocking up a total of 101 points in four games this season, Commercials had to use all their craft and know-how to fend off the challenge of Kilsheelan/Kilcash in their opening Group 1 game in August.

Two goals from Micheál Freaney and another from Jamie Roche had Kilsheelan in the driving seat at half-time, when they led by 3-2 to 0-6.

However, Commercials responded well to the challenge and goals from Cian Smith, Seamus Kennedy and Sean Kennedy saw them home by the narrowest of margins on a 3-7 to 3-6 scoreline.

The Clonmel team were tested again in the semi-final against arch-rivals and close neighbours Moyle Rovers. They were in front all the way and were ahead by seven points with 17 minutes of normal time and another four of additional time remaining.

However, they then hit something of a wall, scoring just one more point before the final whistle, although they had enough in reserve to eventually get the verdict by 0-14 to 0-11.

Commercials are strong all over the pitch, from goalkeeper Michael O’Reilly to forwards Seanie O’Connor and Peter McGarry.

Their strength isn’t confined to the starting fifteen either, with plenty of resources on the bench to come in and finish the job.

When you add players such as former All-Star Michael Quinlivan, county senior hurler and captain Seamus Kennedy, Kevin Fahey, Padraic Looram; the Peters brothers, Jamie and Ross; and the Kennedy brothers, Colman, Conal and Jack into the mix, it’s easy to see why they’re such a formidable outfit.

The wide open prairies of Semple Stadium will also suit their expansive style of play.

Templemore team beat Upperchurch in the last four

JK Brackens will be going all out to show that they won’t be at the Thurles venue just to make up the numbers. They’ll hope that their closely-fought semi-final against last year’s finalists Upperchurch/Drombane will stand to them.

Brackens, who squeezed home in that game by a single point, 1-14 to 1-13, are appearing in only their second final.

Top scorer Jack Kennedy, who kicked seven points (four from frees) and Lyndon Fairbrother drove their challenge against Upperchurch.

Jordan Moloney also made a favourable impression as did Steven Cahill, Neil Quinlan and the Cadells, Paddy and Conor.

They’ve already upset the applecart against one south team this season, when three second half goals from Cathal Scully (two) and Shane Doyle helped them defeat Moyle Rovers by 3-8 to 0-12.

JK brackens’ defeat of Moyle Rovers raised eyebrows

It was also notable that the win was achieved without the services of the injured trio Paddy Cadell, Eanna McBride and Lyndon Fairbrother in their starting line-up, although the latter two were brought on in the second half.

The Templemore team won’t lack motivation and they’re more than capable of putting it up to their more illustrious opponents.

However, it’s likely that a historic breakthrough will elude them on this occasion.