Unfortunate defeat

Tallow 0-12 Fourmilewater 1-18

Our junior team travelled to Fraher Field last Friday, to face Fourmilewater under the floodlights, in the junior western semi-final.

They were the form team coming into it having beaten the western champions of last year in their last group stage game. This was the 3rd time in 4 years we had faced this opponent at this stage of the competition and were without success on each occasion. Unfortunately, the Indian sign continues, and defeat was our lot again.

Tallow started brightly and almost had a goal with our first attack when James Murray broke free and passed to Donnchadh Mulcahy in front of the goal. It looked like Donnchadh was about to give us the perfect start but the fullback made a miraculous recovery and diverted the ball over the bar.

We were leading by 2pts to 1, when the FMW wing forward intercepted a puckout and raced through on goals. William Cunningham and David O’Brien appeared to have snuffed out the danger, but an unfortunate break of the ball fell to former Waterford attacker, Shane Walsh, who crashed to the net. FMW quickly followed with 3 unanswered points to lead 1-4 to 2pts. This was a lead they never surrendered and try as we might we could not bridge the gap.

Donnchadh was again unlucky with a goal bound effort, as his shot at the edge of square seemed to loop up in the air which the fullback again blocked for a point. Donnchadh was causing problems after getting some pristine balls from James Murray into him, but we could not capitalise.

Kevin Henley and Eoin Condon (2 from play and 2 frees) ensured that we were still in with a shout at half-time 1-8 to 0-7.

The second half proved to be beyond us though and Fourmilewater kept the scoreboard ticking over to keep us at arm’s length. They had a monopoly of the ball and ramped up the pace of the game as we couldn’t withstand their runners.

Brian Henley pulled off two important saves to give us hope as Fourmile asserted assaults on our goal. He did well to block one with his back while we scrambled clear another as the ball bobbed just outside the AstroTurf in the square. We just couldn’t make any inroads into Fourmile’s growing lead and withered and died as the chasm between the two teams grew. Two impressive James Murray points and a long-range effort from the non-stop Michael Curley were all we had to show for our endeavours along with two Eoin Condon frees and we lost Evan to a red card at the end.

It’s been a tough year for this group, 4 games in 5 weeks with a small panel tested to the limits but these lads gave their all. Great credit must go to James Murray, Trevor Sheehan and Sean Slattery for keeping the show on the road. The enthusiasm, humour and ingenuity shown by James to rally the troops was a highlight of the year.

It was great to see young William Cunningham continue to grow in stature alongside his slightly more mature compatriots in the backline of Brian Henley and David O’Brien.

The epitome of junior hurling was there for all to see. Two long standing servants of the club still donning the colours and helping a young lad in the process. The rest of the team is splattered with lads who have plenty senior experience and who still have a lot to offer the club. I made it 10 of the starting 15 who have played senior championship in the last number of years.

We just need a few more players who have drifted away from the club for one reason or another to return and to help carry the load.

Team: B Henley, W Cunningham, D O’Brien, E Hickey, N Condon, M Tobin, J Neville, T Daly, M Curley (0-1), K Henley (0-1), E Condon ( 0-6, 4 frees) E Forbes, E Sheehan, D Mulcahy (0-2) J Murray (0-2). Subs: J Chambers, J Power, D Mangan.

DÉISE DRAW

It’s on this Wednesday, could any money owed be handed to one’s promoter please.

JUNIOR TEAM PICTURE

When I think of some of my favourite team pictures, I look at the minor hurling 1980 and 1967 minor football as prime examples. With the team players were a collection of selectors and fans young and old. They had so much to the time capsule. When you look at the below picture to the left you have the youthful figures of young Murray’s, Cunningham, Doyle and McSweeney. We’d hope in the future years to see some of these men put on the blue and gold.

LOTTO

Tallow GAA Lotto - supported by Kearney’s Restaurant

Play lotto online: https://play. clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_ id=2519#Anchor. September 20th jackpot €3,500 no winner Numbers: 8, 18, 25 and 28. Consolation Prizes €25: Marian Slattery (online), Mark Murphy, Mary and Kevin O’Leary. Promoter: Kearneys. Next draw jackpot €3,600.

Notaí CLG Tulach an Iarainn sponsored by Goalpost Ireland.