Club Notes: 30th July 2020

Not the most auspicious of starts to the 2020 senior hurling championship for Tallow, it has to be said. A glance at the score line would reveal that. Ballygunner came to town with a burgeoning reputation and driving ambition. They were on a mission and they did not disappoint. They saw off the Tallow challenge at their ease without ever coming under any period of sustained pressure.

There was an eerie stillness in the cavernous stand at Fraher Field prior to throw in, with scarcely 100 spectators in attendance due to government restrictions on crowds. Fraher Field was resplendent, as most grounds are at the moment, and a pre match shower served only to grease the surface and speed up the pace of the ball.

The teams were evenly matched over the first quarter with the Gunners leading by 4 points to 3 after 15 minutes, Tallow scores coming from Darah Buckley, Bob and that great club warrior Fada now deployed in a new role.. He has given the club some service. We know it!. That’s as good as it got for us! The county champions, who looked a little ring rusty at the outset, were just easing themselves into the game. Tallow added one further point, from Darah again in the first half. Ballygunner were finding their feet and reeled off a succession of points, most coming from the elusive Dessie Hutchinson and Pauric Mahony from dead balls. Overall we conceded a share of frees but it’s difficult to avoid that if you’re under constant pressure They led by 7 at the break and looked to be comfortably in control.

They killed the game off as a contest in the opening 8 minutes of the second half adding a goal and 2 points to their mounting tally. With 38 minutes on the clock the Gunners led by 1-13 to 5. Tallow had further points from Darah Buckley, Thomas Ryan, Fada ,Jordan and Ryan Grey but the pressure from the city side was unrelenting. It was one way traffic almost for the last quarter as Ballygunner piled on the scores and cruised to a comprehensive victory. The play to a system which they have refined over the years. Their support play, slick interchanges and movement are hard to counteract when they are in full flow.

The vast majority of our lads gave it all and can’t be faulted for effort. Ours is a team in transition and this was a steep learning curve for them. They don’t come much tougher than Ballygunner who would rank in the top 5 teams in the country.

Not much time for recriminations however as we prepare for our 2nd round clash with Passage on Sunday 2nd August at 6pm Fraher Field. We dust ourselves down and return to the fray, bruised but unbowed.

Tallow: Shaun O Sullivan, Eoin McGrath, Jake Beecher, Ken Kearney, Robbie Geary, Mark O Brien, Jordan Henley (0-1), Kieran Geary, Darragh Mulcahy, Paul O Brien, Bob McCarthy (0-1), Ian Beecher, Darah Buckley (0-3F), David O Brien (0-2), Thomas Ryan (0-1), Ryan Grey (0-1). Dean Beecher, Jake Neville, Mikey Tobin, Robbie Beecher, Rob O Sullivan, Eoin Condon , Brian McCarthy, Mark Stewart, Donnchadh Mulcahy, Kevin Henley, Noel Condon, Shane Feeney.

A number of our players are on the injured list at the moment. We wish a speedy recovery to: Kieran Geary, Ben Aherne, Robbie Beecher and Mikey Tobin.

Junior Hurling: Our junior hurlers are back in action against Lismore on Sunday next at 12.00pm in Lismore. How they fixed it for the same day as a our senior side surely deserves some explanation?

Membership Everyone who will pay membership before 1st of August will be entered into a membership draw. Prizes to be confirmed.

Membership is as follows:

Player €50

Player + Partner €55.

Non Player €30

Non Player + Partner €35.

Membership can be handed to Billie Jean Sheehan. It is also noted that with crowd restrictions now going to our games that members will be catered for before non members so this gives everyone the ideal chance to pay their membership and at least have some chance of getting tickets.

Nemeton etc.. For years now TG4 have been the savior for the gaels who want GAA games. Live match on TG4 on Friday. I watched two Waterford intermediate games on YouTube on Saturday with a senior Tipperary fixture available as well. With most senior games available through the new subscription package filmed by the Ring company of a fiver per game it gives everyone unable to go a chance to see them if they have Internet. Now this is a great initiative and I feel the County board should offer the games to clubs to buy after.

Páirc Éamon De Paor:

U11 Cois Bhríde v Cappoquin 6.30pm Wednesday.

U15 Cois Bhríde V St Olivers 10.30am Sunday.

Tallow GAA Lotto Supported by Kearney's Restaurant.

27/7/2010 Jackpot €12,600 No Winner Numbers: 3,4,8,16

Consolation Prizes: David Sheehan, Bernie Kearney, Christina McCarthy, John Lyons

Promoter: Tom Doyle

Next Draw : 4/8/2020 Clubhouse 9pm Jackpot : €13,200