Waterford SHC: Gleeson guides Clonea to 24 point win over Tallow

Clonea had an easy win against Tallow in the Waterford SHC at Fraher Field in Dungarvan. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Waterford SHC Round 1: Clonea 4-22 Tallow 1-7 

Jason Gleeson scored 2-8 (2-3 from play) as Clonea coasted past Tallow by 24 points in a one sided Waterford SHC opener.

Gleeson got 2-7 in this fixture last year but went one point better this time around. Former county panellist Billy Power banged over seven points from midfield while Gearoid Power (1-3) and Francis Roche (1-2) also impressed. Tony Shelly's team outscored their opponents 2-12 to 0-1 in the second half.

The Fraher Field pitch was cut tight and the quick surface led to a lively start. On three minutes, Jason Gleeson snuck in behind three Tallow defenders and batted the sliotar home. The direct ball into the full forward line worked a treat as Gleeson added two points to his tally. 

On ten minutes, Stephen Murphy beat Clonea goalkeeper Paudie Hunt to a high ball and found the net (1-4 to 1-3). Darah Buckley shot four first half points for Tallow but also hit four wides.

Six minutes before the break, a pinpoint crossfield pass from Gleeson found Francis Roche who squeezed the ball into the bottom corner. Five Billy Power points helped them into a 2-10 to 1-6 half time lead.

The first five white flags of the second half belonged to the boys in green. Gleeson sent over three frees while Kieran and Gearoid Power chipped in from play. 1-7 without reply.

On 49 minutes, Gearoid Power reacted quickest when Kieran Power struck the post. Gleeson blasted home his second major four minutes later. Mark Stewart registered Tallow's solitary second half point.

Clonea exited the championship at the quarter finals last year but could go further this time around.

Scorers for Clonea: J Gleeson 2-8 (5fs), B Power 0-7 (3fs, 1 65), G Power 1-3, F Roche 1-2, K Power 0-2.

Scorers for Tallow: D Buckley 0-4 (3fs), S Murphy 1-0, M Stewart 0-2, T Ryan 0-1.

Clonea: P Hunt; W Hahessy, T Walsh, A Murray; R O'Mahony, C Power, M Power; B Power, S Curry; D Hassett, F Roche, K Power; J Gleeson, M Curry, G Power.

Subs: R Elliffe for Hassett (47), G Hahessy for M Power (52), P Mackey for O'Mahoney (54), A Gleeson for K Power (58), D Flynn for Murray (60).

Tallow: S O'Sullivan; C Geary, R Geary, E McGrath; B Aherne, Jordan Henley, M Tobin; S Martin, C McCarthy; M Stewart, I Beecher, D Spillane; D Buckley, S Murphy, T Ryan.

Subs: Jake Henley for Spillane (44), J McDonnell for Tobin (46), C Henley for Martin (54).

Referee: N Barry (Passage)