Club Notes: 24th May 2021

Post date: May 25, 2021 1:13:59 AM

Notaí CLG Tulach an Iarainn sponsored by Goalpost Ireland.

Western Junior Football: The draw was made and we are pitted with Lismore and Kilgobnet.

This week I spoke with Barry Power about his career. His career in goals had some big highs and lows. He battled out the position with a number of men. The fact that his father was an All Ireland winner in the position meant that comparisons were always going to be there. Barry was his own man . We delve into him taking over the position, loosing it , getting it back. Thinking that was the end of him in 08 only for him to have his best year in 09.

PRO: So Barry you started off your underage career as an outfield player. Was it always your intention to play outfield?

BP: In my early underage years it was, yeah. It was much more fun, plenty of freedom to get on the ball and play.

PRO: We played Ballygunner in an u16 county final and you were an unused sub to my recollection. Was that the last of the outfield experiments?BP: To any serious extent, yes. I played in the forward line for the juniors for a few years in the late 90s and had one run outfield with the seniors a year or two after that. That ended with multiple hamstring strains which put me from slow to very slow. Even Tom Sweeney agreed it was a proper injury!!

PRO: When did you decide to play in goals and was there any pressure considering the career your father had between the posts?BP: Probably from 16-17 onwards as our minor crop was rich and I knew I wouldn’t play regularly outfield. No pressure really, when you’re that age you play for enjoyment and go for everything

PRO: You went to the hurling nursey( at the time) of St. Colman's for your secondary education. Did you tog out for them on any occasion?BP: Played just first and second year, mostly in goals but not regularly. I missed two weeks of school on the spring of second year with a chest infection and when I came back the wing back was in goals- I got the message

PRO: You played in a minor hurling final of 1997. A great occasion it it also broke an eleven year period where the club hadn't won an underage title. Was there much significance in the win?BP: Ah it was hugely significant in that our age group were always talented and good but we didn’t win anything on the way up. Yet we had a confidence about us that year, like all we needed to do was play our game and we’d win. A bit like Armagh in 2002 we won most of our games narrowly but always came through. It also paved the way for the two u21 titles later.

PRO: Two years later the 21 team lost from winning position against Mount Sion. The following year the minor team of three years later and arguably stronger lost to Stradbally in a semi final.. There was a long wait for that game... Two big losses. Do you remember anything about the two games?

BP: Mount Sion game was a sore one because for 45-50 minutes we were good and they were poor but then they blew past us, I think they scored five out of the last six points to win 16-14, something like that. It was an early realization that, at a high level, you can’t assume anything. I think that defeat affected us the following year, there was doubt there that wasn’t there before.

PRO: From your position as goalkeeper and in an era of great intercounty goalies, whom was your favourite?

BP: The first one that made a real impression on me was LayLay Barry, Waterford u21s played a practice match in Tallow field in 91 or 92. He was so brash, so sure of himself, shouted at his backs like he was the best in the world. Further on from him, Fitzhenry was my favourite, a quiet confidence and a real style .

Tallow GAA Lotto Supported by Kearney's Catering.

Play lotto online:

https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=2519#Anchor

24/5/2021 Jackpot €1,800 No Winner Numbers: 3,8,24,25

Consolation Prizes €25: Allison Power (online), Liam Óg O'Brien, Kevin Whelan, Amy and Ronan Cronin

Promoter: Gala

Next Draw 31/5/2021 9pm Jackpot €1,900