Club Notes: 16th July 2017

Post date: Jul 17, 2017 5:41:16 PM

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Sargent Cup Semi-final.

Tallow 2-12 Ballygunner 2-23

It’s been a while since we played competitive senior hurling in Cappoquin and it was appropriate that the Sargent Cup semi final was hosted at the Cornerstone venue. The Cappoquin club must be complimented on the grounds and playing surface which were top class.

Ballygunner were naturally clear favourites going into this game, and their eventual winning margin justified this, but Tallow contested well throughout and and the management wouldn’t have been too unhappy with this performance. The loss of talisman Ryan Grey through injury didn’t help our cause but Jordan Henley assumed the role in the second half and contributed 1-5. Ballygunner in full flow are a handful for any team in the country, with their running game, slick interchanges and support play difficult to counteract. Admittedly they have a huge reserve of player resources to call on, at least in comparison to any team in the far west, but they are maximising their potential and setting the standard in this county and maybe beyond.

Decent performance all round from our lads but plenty to work on. Fada was unyielding as ever at full back and young Robbie Geary has adapted well to senior hurling. Shane Feeney has plenty of ability and is progressing with every game. Ryan and Jordan are well within their comfort zone at this level and although still very young are emerging as leaders. . They are well capable. Darragh Mulcahy has a great attitude, energy to burn and will never quit. With more experience he, along with Darragh Buckley and Ian Beecher, will be key members of this squad. Mol an oige mar a deirtear! Quick mention too for Noel Condon! Great club player who lined out for the juniors Friday night and the seniors Saturday evening! Cathal Geary is another young lad with potential and coped well on his first introduction to senior hurling.

We have no definite date for our next championship match which will be determined by the outcome of Sunday’s game against Wexford. We wish Thomas and the team well.

Tallow: S O Sullivan, J Tobin, D O Brien, R Beecher, J Beecher, J Henley (1-5, 1f), R Geary, M O Brien(0-1), D Mulcahy, I Beecher, R Grey (0-6,1 65), S Feeney (0-1), E Sheehan, E Condon, D Buckley, M Tobin, C Geary, B Henley, D Beecher, N Condon.

Tickets:

The club will only receive over half the stand tickets requested, due to limited stand capacity at Pairc Ui Chaoimh so please show understanding as our runai Lindsay has the unenviable task of organising ticket distribution within the club.

Junior Hurling:

Ballyduff 2-20 Tallow 2-12

As the score line might suggest, Ballyduff were comfortable enough winners in the end having built up a big first half lead. Tallow battled back gallantly in the second half , outscoring their opponents, but they had left themselves too much of a hill to climb. It was a good competitive encounter featuring some tough ground hurling and overhead pulling, a rarity in the modern game.

Another feature of the game was that both sides fielded a father and son combination. Tommy and Adam Feeney lined out for Ballyduff while the evergreen Brian Henley and son Billy contributed a combined total of 1-8 to Tallow’s final tally.

We return to Tourin again next Friday to play Lismore in our final game of the championship qualifiers.

Tallow: W Curley, T McSweeney, J Tobin, S Curley, M Tobin, K Fraser, E Hickey (0-1), N Condon(0-1), K Henley, B Henley (0-4f), Brian Henley (1-4), D Tobin, A Curley, S Barry, B Buckley, J Power (1-0), D Beecher, C McCarthy (0-2), D Mangan.

Comhbhron:

Tallow GAA Club extends deepest sympathy to the Hartigan family, Tallow and Cork, on the sad passing of Michael Sean Hartigan. Ar dheis lamh De go raibh se.

Just Filling In:

Our PRO Kate is on a break so I’m just filling in. Maybe it’s just as well I’m not penning these notes on a regular basis as I probably would have this keyboard chewed up with anger and frustration at the treatment of clubs. The last game played in the senior hurling championship was on the 23rd April – over 13 weeks ago. Clubs, smaller ones in particular are stretched to the limit and at their wits end trying to keep limited panels together and in training with no end game in sight, while neighbouring counties seem to manage the balance between club and county much better. Lads are drifting, many gone abroad, and it’s frustrating for players and selectors alike. They are on constant standby and the lack of some semblance of fixture certainty leaves them and their families unable to plan any event. The usual lip service is paid from the top down about the primacy of the club unit in our association. The reality on the ground doesn’t change however. This is not a new phenomenon! Far from it! I recall writing about this malaise some 15 years ago. It will inevitably lead to a decline in clubs and the game of hurling will suffer. I could go on ad nauseam, and did so for years, but I’m wasting my time. Maybe the blame lies with the clubs? We need to stand up and take back control of our own destiny. Nobody is going to do it for us!

Comhbhron:

On behalf of Tallow GAA club we extend deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Abie Aherne. A teacher for many years at Tallow National School, Mrs Aherne was very popular and much beloved by all who benefitted from her gentle guidance and tuition. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.