'90s rivalry has cooled but Sheedy still knows what's up for grabs on Clare-Tipp fault line
Noel Sheehy's hurling career spanned the escalation of the Clare-Tipp rivalry. Now, he lives on its major fault line.
The tenacious defender's 12 years of senior service began and ended with defeats to the Banner. In between, it yielded a pair of All-Irelands and All-Stars, plus five Munster Championships.
The Silvermines stalwart has since relocated across the river to Killaloe and will be tuning in on Saturday from his wife's native Lahinch.
'It's funny because here in Ballina-Killaloe, it's almost like they're a twin,' says Sheehy. 'For soccer, they're Derg United. Outside of the GAA, it's almost one community. But you're either Ballina or Smith O'Briens.
'In the '90s, the rivalry was pretty hot. I remember in '97, we'd the back-door championship. They'd a physical door on the bridge on the Clare side just to remind the Tipp lads you got in the back door.
'I'd say the slagging was too much because the door went floating down the Shannon after a few days.
'It's not quite that intense at the moment,' Sheehy adds with a chuckle.
The round-robin has been a curious time for the Clare-Tipp rivalry. Home advantage has not yet been brought to bear.
The Banner have won on all three of their visits to Thurles in 2018, '22, and '24. Tipp have emerged from Ennis victorious in 2019 and '23.
The latter win was their last victory in the Munster championship (four draws, five losses since then).
Sheehy was among five Premier debutants back in 1986, the last time Clare enjoyed a championship win over Tipp at Cusack Park.
On the same day that Diego Maradona punched the ball into the English net, Tipp were pickpocketed by a stirring Clare comeback.
In those days, nine-point leads were usually watertight. Instead, Tipp's inexperience and Clare's bench caught up with them.
'I remember after the game,' says Sheehy. 'We'd won at underage all up along, and suddenly you're out of a championship. It didn't sit well. It seemed at odds with the journey we'd been on underage.
'Maybe it was an awakening, in a way, that we were in with the big boys now.
'I think it set the seeds for what was to come the following year. We knew we were better than this. All the talent was there.
'That spurred you on. No more than it spurred Clare on a few years afterwards in a Munster final that was a catalyst for Clare.'
Sheehy sees similarities between their well of underage talent at that time and Tipp's recent minor successes. These rivals will meet again on Wednesday in a Munster U20 final.
'They've made huge strides. Saturday is a big test for them. And I think they'll relish it,' says Sheehy.
'But Clare are All-Ireland champions. You need to be very mindful of that. The way they played against Cork, that was reflected in their play in the second half.
'To get a result on Saturday would be massive for Tipperary. But they know what's in front of them.
'You're going into the lion's den here, more so even than going to Cork. Because we were going more in hope. Going into Ennis, everything is on the line.
'For either team, it's a watershed game. You've got to get a result of some form here. If somebody loses Saturday, it's curtains really.
'I know there's another game to go and anything can happen, but from a morale point of view, trying to lift guys for a final game where you need results to go with you… I'm not saying they won't, but this is the game. It'll be a cracker.'
Following Sheehy's retirement in 1997, it took a while for the next Silvermines senior star to arrive. That man, Jason Forde, is now lining out for his 13th year in blue and gold.
Scorer of 0-15 against Cork, Forde's influence will be especially vital in Darragh McCarthy's absence.
'I played with his dad and his uncles, but Jason is class, and has been since underage,' says Sheehy.
'It's lovely to see a guy from a small club doing so well, and to have that skill level is just phenomenal. He's a beautiful striker of the ball.
'It's a big game for him and a lot of pressure. But he's used to that. Water off a duck's back.'
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