Two point win in first league game
Tallow 2-13 Fourmilewater 0-17
Tallow played our first league game of the year last Friday evening. We started the first half brightly with the aid of a strong wind and clever use of possession. We had a high wide count understandably with it being our first outing of the year. We led at half time ten points to three.
In the second half Fourmile took over a bit and converted a lot of placed balls. Stephen Murphy on his debut crashed the ball to the net from close range. With ten minutes to go and the match in the balance, Tommy Ryan received the ball on the forty-five yard line to the left of the goal, he proceeded to take off at break-neck speed before unleashing a pile driver to the roof of the net. We held out to win by two points.
JUNIOR HURLING LEAGUE St Mollerans 0-13 Tallow 3-17
With the taste of bittersweet defeat lingering in the air Tallow junior hurlers ventured back to the arena of our one point county final defeat in Carrigbeg. Dinny's men had only the availability of fifteen souls this time out as our sub bench was barren. It mattered little as the men out on the field acquitted themselves well. We had a four point advantage at half-time, leading by ten points to six. Evan scored two goals in the second half with Paul O'Brien scoring one, with the Chapel Street man contributing a handsome two goals and six points to his personal tally. It was good to see that the contribution of some of the younger players in their skillset on the field was endorsed by their training attendance over the last month or so.
Team: Shane Cronin, Will Cunningham, Bob McCarthy, Jack McDonnell, Kevin O'Brien, Ken Kearney, Cian O'Brien, Jake Neville, Kevin Henley, Tommy Daly, Mark O'Brien, Darragh Spillane, Evan Sheehan, Richie Ryan and Paul O'Brien.
TICKETS
Waterford play Cork in the first round of the round-robin Munster championship on 21st April, a fixture that filled Thurles in the 2000s and brought 60,000 to Croke Park. Nowadays Waterford support has fallen off a cliff. Less than four thousand turned up at both Kilkenny and Wexford home games. What has happened? Well a few things.
Obviously the team has declined and is not a powerhouse anymore. We are probably on form the weakest in Munster. The team play not a pleasing brand of hurling and this too is a factor. Another major issue is the cost. League game, €20 entrance fee in the muck and rain. Munster finals cost was €30 two years ago. The round has jumped to that now meaning a tenner increase. Could the Munster Council focus on filling the grounds rather than maximizing revenue by talking advantage of those who would go no matter what? The GAA need to look at the bigger picture. If people aren't going to games and by this weekend’s attendances (falling again) they need to look after the supporters. Reduce ticket prices with four games in four or five weeks it's a costly situation. Allow fans to purchase tickets on the day. Have family ticket options. Let people pay with cash. It is possible that if the balance sheets aren't adding up only then will they address it.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership: Some various options on offer this year. Cost €130. This will include yearly oneline lotto ticket (€100) and an adult membership (€30). €240 Three lines lotto subscription for one year (€5 per week). €100 One line lotto subscription for the year (€2 per week). €30 Adult single membership. 40 Adult couple membership. €20 OAP/Student membership. €30 OAP/Student Couple. Payment of any of the above can be given to Billy-Jean Sheehan or if done online transferred to our bank account using the IBAN number IE05AIBK93418623266220.
Notaí CLG Tulach and Iarainn sponsored by Goalpost Ireland.