“What Clonmel went on to achieve makes it hurt a bit more” | Iain Corbett hoping to avenge 2015 Munster Club loss to Commercials

It is a repeat of their meeting seven years ago where the Limerick side let a four point lead slip late on in Clonmel.

Limerick champions Newcastle West play Clonmel Commercials in the AIB Munster Club Senior Football Championship semi-final at FBD Semple Stadium this Sunday at 1pm.

This game is a replay of their 2015 classic where Clonmel came back from a four point deficit with five minutes remaining to earn a hard fought two point win in additional time in the provincial quarter final.

That game featured a few Newcastle West players that will be playing this Sunday and they will be looking to rectify that infamous result.

When asked about the painful memories of that game seven years ago and if the players felt there was unfinished business between the teams, Newcastle West captain Iain Corbett referenced the regret he felt after that game and that campaign.

“They’re the same, they have eight or nine players who played that day and I suppose it brings up a bit of regret, it’s probably one we left behind us that day. Maybe it was a lack of experience as it was our first game in the Munster club.

“We should have held out but unfortunately we didn’t and I suppose what Clonmel went on to achieve makes it hurt a bit more.”

Football at club level has changed drastically in the last seven years since the two sides last met, with clubs looking at the games with a different mentality as play styles and fitness programmes have evolved with the times.

When asked about if the game had gotten more professional in the last decade Limerick captain Corbett referred to the impact of the county panels and the knowledge that gets passed down to club level.

“Ya it has I suppose and styles of football have changed in 2015 we were coming out of that defensive era set by Donegal and we were influenced by that.

“Football has gone a bit more expansive, footballs always developing. Strength and Conditioning comes from the county scene and it makes its way into the club and the top club sides are physically built like the inter county teams.”

Seven years on and with plenty of lessons learned in the meantime, Corbett and co are clearly hoping to right the wrongs of 2015 and book a spot in the Munster Final.

Newcastle West take on Clonmel Commercials in the Munster Senior Club Football Championship semi-final this Sunday at 1pm in Semple Stadium, Thurles.