Late points lift Tallow as 10 wides cost Reds

Tallow 1-13 Ballyduff Upper 0-15

An experienced back line defended in uncompromising fashion throughout, with the full-back trio of Mark and David O’Brien alongside Ken Kearney putting their markers under persistent pressure. Up front, Robert O’Sullivan, Thomas Ryan and Evan Sheehan all shone.

They shot to the front on the stroke of half-time when Evan Sheehan whipped a blistering first-time pull past John Twomey. The Bridesiders never relinquished control thereafter.

Ballyduff had bossed the opening quarter to move four points clear (0-5 to 0-1). Tallow recovered through the free-taking of Robert O’Sullivan and tasty points courtesy of Kieran Geary and Thomas Ryan. Sheehan’s strike put them one to the good by the interval (1-5 to 0-7).

The teams were tied with five minutes remaining as full-forward Mikey Kearney hit nine points. Ten wides proved expensive for the Reds, however.

Tallow struck for home when Ryan angled a shot between the posts from the sideline and O’Sullivan nailed a difficult free.

Scorers for Tallow: R O’Sullivan 0-5 (4f, 1 65); E Sheehan 1-1; T Ryan 0-3 (1 sl); S Feeney 0-2; K Geary, B McCarthy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballyduff Upper: Mikey Kearney 0-9 (5f, 2 65); S Kearney, S Hannon, S Molumphy, B Hannon, K Casey, A Casey 0-1 each.

TALLOW: S O’Sullivan; M O’Brien, D O’Brien, K Kearney; R Beecher, K Geary, J Murray; S Feeney, P O’Brien; R O’Sullivan, M Curley, J Beecher; T Ryan, B McCarthy, E Sheehan.

Sub: S McCarthy for J Beecher (49).

BALLYDUFF UPPER: J Twomey; T Molumphy, T Feeney, J Hannon; G Feeney, S Kearney, C Leamy; S Hannon, Michael Kearney; S Molumphy, B Kearney, A Casey; B Hannon, Mikey Kearney, K Casey.

Referee: P Foley.