Waterford senior football: Shanahan at the double as Lismore reach semis

Lismore 2-12, Tallow l-8

While Lismore were buoyed by their two county stars, in stark contrast, Tallow seemed to freeze on the big stage and despite the best efforts of James Murray to drive them on from midfield the team’s overall display simply wasn’t good enough.

The game had an explosive start with Tallow centre back David O’Brien yellow-carded inside 10 seconds for a challenge on Bennett. Things settled thereafter however, but the obvious tension didn’t help in terms of the quality of the hurling and overall the game was a disappointment for the big attendance.

Tallow, assisted by a strong wind, made most of the early running and led twice inside the opening nine minutes before Shanahan struck for his first goal a minute later.

His teenage brother James began the build-up before passing to Bennett. He deftly passed to Shanahan, who finished superbly.

The Tallow forwards were finding it tough against a Lismore defence superbly marshalled in the central positions by Shane Kearney and James O’Connor and William Cunningham at wing back. The losers’ lone point from first half play came on 16 minutes from Shane McCarthy, but they were in still deeper trouble 10 minutes later when Shanahan blasted home his second goal.

This time David Howard provided the vital flick and keeper Barry Power had no chance.

Tallow’s best goal chance fell in the closing minute of the half but Paul O’Brien’s drive clattered off the crossbar before being swept to safety.

Leading 2-4 to 0-6 at the interval and the elements supporting them on the turnover, Lismore were firmly in control.

Many fans were heading for the exits when Tallow grabbed their goal a minute from the end through Sean Slattery. But it mattered little to Lismore, who now face a semi final with Ballygunner on September 25.

Scorers for Lismore; D. Shanahan(2-2); D. Bennett(0-8, 0-4 frees, 0- 1 “65’); P. Prendergast, A. Ormonde(0-1) each. Tallow; P. Kearney(0-5, frees); B. Henley(1-0); J. Murray(0-2, frees); S. McCarthy (0-1).

LISMORE: B. Landers; Michael O’Sullivan. S. Kearney. Mark O’Sullivan; P. Howard, J. O’Connor. W. Cunningham; M. Walsh. D. O’Gorman; P. Prendergast, D.Bennett. J. Shanahan; J. Heneghan. D. Shanahan. D. Howard; Subs; A. Ormonde for Heneghan; M. Prendergast for P. Howard.

TALLOW: B. Power; W. McDonnell. M. O’Brien. S. Barry; P. Murray. D. O’Brien. A. Kearney; M. Geary. J. Murray; P. O’Brien. S. McCarthy. W. Murphy; P. Kearney. B. Henley. C. Geary; Sub; S. Slattery for Geary.

Referee: Pat Moore, Abbeyside.