Tallow show true colours

IT’S an unusual pairing in the south-east tomorrow — Ballygunner are frequent participants in the Waterford senior hurling final, but Tallow, from the west of the county, have surprised the pundits by making it to the big day for the first time since they won the title back in 1985.

Wins over Lismore and Ballyduff Upper have helped them to the decider, but as James Murray says, it’s not that long since they were concerned with relegation rather than silverware.

“It’s been great the last few weeks,” says the Tallow veteran.

“You have people putting up the colours all over Tallow ahead of the final, but it’s only a few weeks since we were wondering if we’d be able to maintain our senior status, never mind getting to the county final.

“We were beaten well by Ballygunner and it went down to the last group game against Roanmore — we needed to win that game to stay up, and they were in the same boat, and thankfully we came through.”

With the show back on the road, Tallow faced up to Lismore in a derby championship game.

Another crunch tie, says Murray, because victory against their traditional bogey team served to show him and his teammates what could be achieved.

“We picked it up for the Lismore game because of the local derby aspect, but we were underdogs for that one. Lismore have had it over us in recent years and it had been a long time since we won a championship game against them — we’d beat them in group games, which didn’t matter as much, but when it came to the knockout stage, they had the upper hand. We didn’t annihilate them, either — Dan (Shanahan) missed a good goal chance late on that would have won the game for them, and he had a goal chance in the first half as well that he didn’t take.

“For all that, we were thrilled with the win, and it was hugely important because it showed the lads what was possible if we drove it on.”

Victory over Ballyduff Upper in the semi-final has put Tallow in against perennial Déise powerhouse Ballygunner in the decider.

It’s not so long ago since the Gunners gave Tallow a hurling lesson, says Murray.

“They were well over us when we played last, seven weeks ago. They overpowered our forwards and they were too good for our backs — we were roundly beaten on the day and we’d have no excuses.

“You’d have to say they’re warm favourites for tomorrow’s game. The last time they played us they were able to take off Shane O’Sullivan after quarter of an hour and they were missing one or two other first-choice players as well.

“When they beat De La Salle in the other semi-final, I took that as a sign of just how good they are, because I’d rate De La Salle very highly. Ballygunner have a few young players but they’re also a very experienced outfit, they have a lot of lads with inter-county experience at all levels they can draw on.”

Murray, who had a long and successful inter-county career with Waterford, is Tallow’s most experienced player; he and the team management are trying to ensure they get a performance tomorrow from the west Waterford side.

“We wouldn’t have the same amount of experience as Ballygunner so we want to make sure we get the lads to perform on the day. It’s a long way from where we were a few weeks ago, when they beat us handily, and they’ll ask us every question possible in tomorrow’s game.

“Still, it’s a once-off match and we’ll be giving it everything.”

*Waterford SHC final: Tallow v Ballygunner, Walsh Park, 3.30pm.