TALLOW GAA

- Tallow halt Abbeyside gallop-

SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Tallow 3-09 Abbeyside 1-15
If we were to believe the media commentators in the lead up, it wasn’t worth Tallow’s while turning up for this senior hurling championship game in Cappoquin last Saturday evening. The script was written.

Abbeyside were en route to a county title and Tallow would be just cannon fodder on the way.

“A score a man at least” (or so we were told) was the predicted winning margin in some quarters across the bridge from Dungarvan. Abbeyside may yet be crowned champions (for the first time) sometime in October but there is a lot of hurling to be done yet. Early in the first half an Abbeyside mentor issued an instruction from the line to one of his players.

“Relax” was the dismissive retort. Relax, however, is something you do when the final whistle goes! It was a telling exchange. There were occasions of weakness throughout the game when I wavered and was tempted to buy into the preordained script of Tallow’s demise. Our players showed no such lack of resolve or mettle.

“Ta an sprid ar ais agaibh” arsa Seamus O Muiri liom treis an cluiche. Nior mheas me riamh go raibh se chaillte againn ach tuigim cad a bhi i gceist aige. It didn’t augur well when we scanned the field from our vantage point on the bank to see Tommy Ryan in tracksuit.

The Tallow talisman, we knew, was struggling with a hamstring injury. He wasn’t starting and a few other players were impaired through injury or illness going into the game. We needed to get off to a good start. We did that in the first minute when a line ball from Paul O’Brien sailed in and was flicked to the net by Stuart Barry. Game on!

Abbeyside threw everything in on the Tallow defence after that. Our backs were nothing short of heroic over the first 20 minutes (indeed for the whole game) and at times they must have thought there was a glass wall across the pitch. All 6 as well as Barry in goals were steadfast but our central players, Fada and Ringo, were giants among men.

Dave ‘Fada’ O’Brien was the best club fullback in the county last year. He’s in the same gear this year and trying to soften this fella up is as productive as poking a fire with an ice cream cone. He was never given a real opportunity free of injury and in the right position to prove himself at county level. That is Waterford’s loss. Tallow backs couldn’t hold the line forever.

The Abbeyside onslaught was unrelenting and they scored 1-7 before Paul O’Brien pointed from a free to break the sequence. As a side plot, both Abbeyside and Tallow centre backs were giving an exhibition of hurling. We always look for the “county men” to shine and these two didn’t disappoint.

Richie Foley is fulfilling his potential and developing into the commanding class hurler we hoped and believed he could become. He was a tour de force at least until Paul O’Brien arrived on his patch. If this was a boxing contest Tallow would be yielding serious pounds and inches to their opponents. When you’re focused and can hurl it counts for little.

‘Ringo’ Kearney is a prime example. When he’s at his best this lad is supreme. He held the line for Tallow time after time. Paul Kearney goaled, to keep us in touch. Abbeyside pointed 2 frees and Paul O’Brien floated one for Tallow. We were 4 behind at half-time. 2-2 to 1-9. Two points over a half is a worry. Abbeyside pointed a free to stretch the lead to 5.

Thomas Ryan was introduced at half-time but was clearly in trouble with his injury. Nevertheless he still contributed 3 points from placed balls during his short time on the field. Abbeyside were still putting on the pressure but were never able to pull more than a few points clear.

Tallow refused to be shrugged off and we were hurling better up front with Paul Kearney coming into his own and young Evan Sheehan making an impact when he was introduced.

I thought Paul O’Brien had a twin on the field. He popped up everywhere driving Tallow forward and pointing on four occasions to keep us in contention We rode our luck a bit too it has to be said as Abbeyside squandered several chances to put the game beyond doubt. They couldn’t be happy with this.

Tallow persisted and Paul O’Brien crowned a magnificent performance with the equalising goal a minute before full-time. Indeed Tallow could have snatched victory as Aidan Kearney was in clear possession in a scoring position when the long whistle sounded.

We will settle for the draw on this occasion and a valuable point which may be crucial in the final shake up when the championship resumes sometime at this side of Christmas.

We have 2 games remaining in the group stage against Passage and Stradbally but for now the lads will be taking a short well-earned break. Tallow: Barry Power, Shane ‘G’ McCarthy, Dave O’Brien (capt), Ken Kearney, Mark O’Brien, Aidan Kearney, William Henley, James Murray, Kieran Geary, Paul Kearney (1-0), Shane F McCarthy, Paul O’Brien (1-6), Luke McCarthy, Stuart Barry (1-0), Billy Sheehan, Thomas Ryan (0-3), JP Grey, Thomas McGrath, Eoin Condon, Noel McCarthy, Kevin Curley, Keith Hallahan, Tom Feeney, James Hampton, Wm McDonnell and Bob McCarthy.

CAPPOQUIN PITCH

It was resplendent. Fair play to ’em.

JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

The junior hurlers have a vital second round championship game against An Rinn on Friday night in Ardmore. The winners here will be in a comfortable position to qualify for the semi-finals. 7.30 throw in.

UNDER 21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Tallow play Dungarvan in the first round of the U21 (A) hurling championship on Friday, 3rd July (in Cappoquin I would imagine). No second bites here. This is knockout.

TALLOW GAA LOTTO – SUPPORTED BY KEARNEYS RESTURAUNT 5/5/09.

Jackpot: €16,500. Numbers drawn: 2, 12, 16 and 20. No jackpot winner. Consolation prize winners: Tracy Barrry, James Murray, Margaret Leahy and Hernando de Souza. Promoter: Loretta Kearney. 11/5/09 Jackpot: €16,700.

WEBSITE

Website is launched. Check it out on: www.tallow.waterford.gaa.ie . We welcome constructive feedback.

AMERICAN IDOL

Kieran Murphy wondered why a club legend like himself did not even merit a line welcoming home on last week’s notes. My humble apologies! He will have returned to Boston along with Eoin Barry by the time this sees print but we send both our best wishes.

I watched Saturday’s game in Cappoquin in their company and the ‘junior’ legend has lost none of his wit.

The club notes will be posted on line each week so the lads can log on to stay in touch with club events. I’m sure Eoin will enjoy the website link on our club tour to the US which he helped organise.

‘Spud’ will no doubt replay many times the short video clip of the 1988 U21 Western final win over Lismore in which he starred. This is also on the website.

COUNTY WEBSITE

I presume that it is our county secretary who is responsible for the new county website. It is top class, with immediate updates and a great help to clubs.

Take a simple thing like looking for a junior hurling challenge game for Tallow last week. I was able to log on and at a glance identify clubs who were not involved in championship and might be available for a practice game.

I spotted that Clonea Power were free and game on. That could have taken a dozen phone calls. Over the last 10 years I have been critical of GAA authorities in Waterford for lack of vision and planning.

In a short space of time Timmy O’Keeffe has made a real difference in a practical way with certainty, in so far as he can, of fixtures and initiatives like the new website. You just get the feeling that he knows what needs to be put right.

SPONSOR

Tallow Area Credit Union.

LISMORE GOLF CLUB

- Championships entry sheets posted in clubhouse -

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

The entry sheets for the club singles, mixed and foursomes championships are now posted in the clubhouse, with the final date for entries Sunday, 17th May. Mr Maurice Cahillane’s Captain’s Prize Following on from the great success of Mr Declan Glavin’s vice captain’s prize attention now turns to our second major of 2009 Mr Maurice Cahillane’s captain’s prize on the 29th – 31st May.

Timesheet will be posted in the clubhouse from Friday next. Entries close on Thursday, 28th May at 9.00.

RULES QUESTIONS

Q1: If your ball is in a bunker and you accidentally drop your club into the bunker before taking your shot is their (a) two shot penalty (b) one shot penalty (c) no penalty.

Q2: While taking a penalty drop player A cleans the ball and then takes his drop is their (a) two shot penalty (b) one shot penalty (c) no penalty.

Q3: Which of the following may not be on a completed score card (a) name (b) handicap (c) date (d) correct scores (e) two signatures.

RESULTS

Tuesday 5th Bacon 1st Paddy O’Leary (9) Jim Cashman (16) Billy Arrigan (22) 46 Pts Friday 8th – Saturday 9th May St Vincent de Paul Classic 1st Ger Ahern (3) Anne Bennett (19) Stephen Bennett (17); 2nd Paddy O’Leary (9) Ted O’Leary (10) Paul Kenneally (14); gross Ger Ahern (3) James Bennett (12) Marty Power (16)

SUNDAY 10TH - 18TH HOLE
Stableford 1st Seamie Daly (16) 40 pts L9; 2nd Liam Feeney (16) 40 pts; CSS Sunday 37 pts

FIXTURES

Tuesday, 12th May Bacon. Thursday, 14th May Open Qualifier 18 Hole Stableford.
Saturday, 16th – Sunday, 17th Albert Corcoran Memorial Trophy 18 Hole Stroke (GOY)

Due to the St Vincent de Paul Classic on Friday and Saturday as well as a ladies open on Sunday afternoon this week’s competition was contested by the champions and elite Sunday morning players.

It proved to be a good weekend for the men from the village with Ballyduff’s Seamie Daly (16) taking first place with 40 Pts with an excellent 22 points on the back nine. Second place went to Ballyduff’s Liam Feeney (16) with 40 pts following up on his great showing in the vice captain’s prize.

LISMORE LADIES GOLF NOTES

Results of Open Day three ball better ball, sponsored by Meadow Fresh Tallow.
1st Brid Henry (17), Anne Bennett (19), Bernie Burke (26) with 81 pts; 2nd Amanda Power (20), Connie Dowd (22), Olive Whelan (18) with 80 pts; 3rd Mary Terry (17), Carol Riordan (21), Ann O’Shea (30), East Cork with 77pts. Conditions were beautiful for this competition and though scores were hard to come by it was great to see the course nearly back to its former glory.

Thanks to our sponsors Meadow Fresh for their support. This Wednesday it’s our usual 18 hole stableford competition and don’t forget Mon nights for the ‘Desperate Housewives’ at 6.30 for any lady interested in starting or any of our current ladies who are available to play.

Finally good luck to our teams who are playing in the Miele competition this Friday.

FERMOY HANDBALL CLUB

- World handball champions win county senior 40 x 20 doubles title -

Colm Jordan and Alan O’Dwyer, Fermoy had a great win over Mallow’s Stephen Palmer and Tadgh Carroll. While the Mallow pair won the first game 21-15. The Fermoy lads took the second game 21-11 and in the final game Fermoy pair won the final game 21-13. This game was played in Liscarroll on Wednesday last. Colm also secured the senior singles title over Pat Morris, St Finbars.

The world handball championships will be held in Portland Oregon, USA in October. We are hoping to send at least 4 players from Fermoy. We are fundraising at present and on Thursday, May 21 we have a street collection in Fermoy, your support in the past was marvellous and we need your support again as the World championships are every 3 years. Colm Jordan still holds the world title until October and Alan O’Dwyer won in 2003.

A total of 285 years were the ages of 4 players that contested the county over 65 ruby masters final played in Fermoy. Liscarroll players Pat O’Brien 67 and Tim Healy 69 v Fermoy M Jordan 65 and Jim Kennedy almost 84. A great final was held with Liscarroll winning the first and Fermoy winning the second. It was all down to the final game and Fermoy had a lead of 14-8. But the Liscarroll pair came back to take the title winning the third 21-18.

The game lasted about 2 hours. Arthur McDonagh, Fermoy, the first juvenile to win the All-Ireland title since Colm Jordan 14 years is still playing well. He will now be playing in the 60 x 30 court and he will do well in this game, as he has a natural style. Kurt Bowes who also did well this year winning the Munster U13 doubles title with a boy from Ballydesmond, A Kerins.

There is a great future for this boy and we have also great boys and girls coming up. We have coaching every Saturday morning from 11am – 1pm. This coaching is in its third year and any new members are welcome.

The club passed a vote of sympathy to the O’Brien family on the tragic death of Ciara, to her parents Tom and Anne, brothers and sister and to all the relatives and friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam dilis.

Also a vote of sympathy was passed to the Quirke and Hassett family on the sudden death of Timmy. Our sympathy is extended to all the family and friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Any person that would like to help out with our collection, please contact M Jordan 087-6661409.

FERMOY CYCLING CLUB

- Strong performances in Dungarvan -

A strong Fermoy team took to the start line in Dungarvan last Sunday, with David Chambers taking an emphatic win in the U16 race - one of the toughest races so far this year.

Simon Fox fought well to take second with Ian Redmond and Patrick John McCarthy 5th and 6th respectively. Michael Hennessy rode hard in the S1/S2 race taking fourth position and heads off to the Ras this Sunday in fine form.

In the U12 race Sean O’Neill and Ryan Morrison took 5th and 6th after managing to avoid the early crash which saw Conor Healy’s race ending in spectacular style, we are glad to hear that Conor has fully recovered from his injuries.

Paul Doyle, John Murphy, Brian Baker and Donal Murphy rode well in the combined event giving the spectators a very exciting race.

Stephen Barrett and Michael Hennessy head off to compete in the FBD Ras commencing on the 17th and we wish them every success in this event, it is a great honour for the club to have two fine riders competing at the highest level.

The Hennessy Cycles Summer League continues on Tuesday evenings from Castlehyde 7.30pm and the numbers are growing by the week. Training for the underage on Sunday mornings 10am park gates is now complemented with training on Friday evenings at 6.30pm, also from the park gates with the club’s senior riders.

New members are always welcome and anyone interested in joining should visit the club’s website for details at www.fermoycyclingclub.com.

TWO FERMOY CYCLISTS IN THE FBD 8-DAY RAS

On this Sunday, two Fermoy cyclists will start out on the 8 –Day FBD Ras, which over the following 8 days will cover a testing route around Ireland, with the finish in Skerries, Co Dublin on Sunday week.

Stephen Barrett, a young cyclist who has made a big impact this season has been selected to ride with the Ireland team and his team commitments will ensure that his first Ras is likely to be a tough one. Stephen, however, is in top form and looking forward to the challenge.

Michael Hennessy will also be riding in the Ras and this year he will be a guest rider with the Comeragh Cycling Club, Waterford team. Michael has ridden the Ras on a number of occasions and he hopes that his experience will allow him to make an impact over the 8 days.

All their colleagues in the Fermoy Club wish both cyclists all the best in this event, which will have a strong International field of cyclists in action.

The nearest stage end to Fermoy will be on Monday May 18 when the cyclists will arrive in Cobh after the tough journey from Wexford.

KILWORTH TENNIS CLUB

- Tournament Time -

The first tournament of the new season begins on Monday next, May 18th. As usual the tournament format is team singles. There are eight teams in this year’s competition with six members per team.

Kilworth Sports Complex are the very kind sponsors of this tournament.

Play beings on Monday night and the first teams on court are team A v team B. Order of play on Monday night is 7pm: Mary Whelan v Siobhan Buttimer, Kieran Quinn v Michael Walsh.

At 7.45pm Caitriona Hanrahan v Magaret Heskin, Claire O’Flynn v Kathleen Cowhig. Last matches at 8.30pm are Helena O’Brien v Ailish Murphy, John Hickey v Michael Daniels.

On Tuesday team F takes on team H and the following matches take place: 7pm: Mary Scanlan v Elizabeth Cronin; John D’Arcy v John Walshe. 7.45pm: Grainne Pyne v Mag Frawley; Rebecca Clarke v Anne Marie Quane. 8.30pm Breda Kennedy v Ann Feehan; Ray Kelly v Liam Magnier.

Play continues on Wednesday 20th with team C taking on team D. There are two matches at 7pm. Nuala Rice v Marie Fenton; John Casey v Emmett Coffey. At 7.45pm Mary Blackburn v Urusla Gubbins; Mary Quigley Clancy v Kathleen Grumbridge. At 8.30pm Majella Blackburn v Liz O’Brien; Tom Flynn v Richard Cronin.

Details of matches are on www.kilworthtennis.com. All captains are advised to contact their team members prior to matches to ensure matches run on time. Members and prospective members are advised their annual subscription is now due for the coming year.

Family membership is €180, individual adult €115, fulltime student €45, juvenile (13-16) €25 and U13 €15. Further details on the web page and notice board in the club.

KILWORTH SQUASH CLUB

- Team A win the spring league -

LADDER

The ladder competition sees Dave Ronayne and Trevor Slattery hanging onto the top two spots despite serious challenges in the last two weeks.

An injury to Colman Sweeney has slowed his progress, Sean O’Brien, Richie O’Brien and Will Twomey are having a right go at each other and new comers Dylan Carroll and Declan Freeman will hope to climb the ladder in the few weeks left.

The ladies ladder is now almost ready to start, players are encouraged to challenge the player one or two places above them.

Please let Trevor or Conor know if you are interested in playing.

Spring League Team A and G fought out the final of this competition last Friday night. Two of the games had to be played on Thursday due to prior commitments and team A won both games through Paul Neligan and Caitriona Guinane.

On Friday Trish Coughlan wrapped up the win for team A in a competitive game v Lis London. Wins for Dylan Carroll for team G and Dave Ronayne were also recorded. There was a very good attendance on the night and when everyone retired to Jimmy’s for light refreshments later on the crowd got even bigger.

A great night was had as we presented the winners and runners-up with their prizes and we were also treated to an appearance from the winning team of the Munster Men’s division 4 team.

Thanks to Jim Nash who presented the cup on the night and great thanks to all at Jimmy’s for the hospitality, which was top class as ever. Thanks also to Lee Sports Ireland for the prizes.

The finalists were: Team A: Dave Ronayne, John Sheehan, Paul Neligan, Trish Coughlan and Caitriona Guinane. Team G: Brian Carey, Dylan Carroll, David Duggan, Lis London and Hazel Bradley.

The coaching sessions will run for another 2/3 weeks before taking a break for the summer New Members Anyone interested in getting involved please call Trevor (0869477210) / Conor (0868239754) or e-mail trevor@slatterytravel.ie / Conor.Cooney@arup.com .