Clonmel Commercials run to the last four of the All-Ireland Club SFC has helped Ian Fahey cope with the loss of his number one fan.

Two months prior to Commercials' memorable Munster final victory over Nemo Rangers, his mother Caroline passed away at St James' Hospital following a battle with cancer.

Ian had considered stepping away from football to help come to terms with his grief but, on the eve of their semi-final showdown with Ballyboden St Enda's, he revealed to The Examiner: "For a while I was thinking of taking a year out but the best thing that happened me was to go back.

"It takes your mind off things, especially with the club, being with the lads the whole time.

"They'd cheer you. I have my ups and downs but I take each day as it comes. She was at every match, she was the biggest supporter I had."

Ian's club-mates provided a guard of honour at Caroline's funeral and he is forever indebted to them for the support they gave him and his family at that sad time.

"To be fair, Michael Quinlivan was brilliant, he was there any time I wanted anything. I could pick up the phone any time I needed to. He just said take my time coming back."

Keep up to date will all the action this weekend on our Match Trackers. On Saturday and Sunday you can follow the All-Ireland club SFC semi-finals and the Allianz HL.

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