GAA Notes October 3rd 2011

Post date: Oct 03, 2011 8:4:36 PM

Sponsored by Tallow Area Credit Union

Tallow GAA Lotto -supported by Kearney's Restaurant

3/10/11 Numbers Drawn 12,14,17,18 No Winner

Consolation Prizes John Allen, Sean and Josh Mangan, Shane Cromartie, Mickey Curley

Promoter John Hennessy

Next Draw 10/10/11 in Kenirys Bar Jackpot €16400

Senior Hurling County Semi Final

Tallow 0-13 Ballyduff 0-10

For the first time since 1985 we will take our place at the top table of Waterford senior hurling on Sunday week after a hard-fought and tenacious win over Ballyduff last Sunday. We are entering into scarcely credible territory as this year keeps getting better. We are now into two county finals junior and senior and it is a tribute to the people who have put in such great work over the last ten years that the club is in this proud position.

The game itself was a tough scrappy affair played in very difficult conditions and it was a tribute to both teams that the play was hard but fair. The first half was very tense and close as rarely did either team establish more than a one point lead at any stage. While we found openings mostly from play, Ballyduff kept the scoreboard ticking over with pointed frees and some excellent scores from play. Evan Sheehan continued his recent good form with two first half points and some sublime touches while Aaron Pratt capped his usual superb workrate with a great point midway through the half. We were finding openings through the middle of the Ballyduff defence as both our midfielders Paul O Brien and Kieran Geary broke through to register points. We also had two half-chances for goals as both Kevin Curley and Thomas Ryan were unlucky not to apply the finishing touches to good moves. Halftime saw the sides level at eight points apiece.

The second half continued in the same vein as space was at a premium and scores were hard to come by. Ballyduff edged ahead early in the second half only to be pulled back by a Paul O Brien point. Ballduff were showing their experience by gaining a foothold around the middle but they were matched by the huge workrate of Paul O Brien and they found our defence in top form with our fullback line of Fada, Aidan and Ken leaving nothing through and not surrenduring an inch. Ballyduff did edge ahead again midway through the second half and at this stage the team that managed to eke out a two point lead was likely to kick on and win. Ballyduff did have a chance with ten minutes remaining but Adrian Power's long range free just drifted wide and minutes later Aaron Pratt showed great determination to somehow get a shot away to level the match. Our tails were up now and points from substitute Tommy Daly, Evan Sheehan and Paul O Brien put daylight between the teams before Thomas Ryan's late free made sure of the victory and sparked celebrations at the final whistle. From there it was, to quote Eddie Moroney, 'a big night in the glen'.

Team S O Sullivan, K Kearney, D O Brien, A Kearney, J Murray, M O Brien, W Henley, K Geary, P O Brien, E Sheehan, E Condon, A Pratt, K Curley, S Mc Carthy, T Ryan. Sub T Daly for S Mc Carthy.

We now settle into what should be a hugely enjoyable few weeks of excitement and anticipation for the town and the club. I'm pretty sure the generation that enjoyed multiple county final appearances never thought that it would take 26 years to get back to the ultimate day in Waterford senior hurling. Indeed just five weeks ago our mind was on possible relegation and to even make the knockout stages at that stage was seen by others as the height of our ambitions. Now we face Ballygunner again who gave us a hurling lesson five weeks ago and are easily one of the most successful club teams in the country over the last twenty years. It's worth remembering too that all this action and excitement will be watched over and argued upon for the next two weeks by a chorus in heaven of former club members, stalwarts and friends and we think of them as we prepare for the county final.

Club Wear

Hats flags and headbands are available in Walsh's Drapery and all shops so make sure and add a bit of colour to the town in the run-up to the final.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Willie and Bernie Murphy celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this week

Junior Hurling

We play Mount Sion this Saturday 8th October at 3 30pm in Walsh Park in the county junior hurling (senior attached) final. This is the beginning of a great few weeks for our club and your support would be appreciated.