Meaney strikes again as Salle pass Tallow test
Tallow's Eoin McGrath is tackled by De La Salle's Reuben Halloran and Colm Morris.
It will be hard for De La Salle to leave super sub Eddie Meaney in the stand again for Sunday’s quarter final against Ballygunner.
An injury time goal from the man in the red helmet sealed a pillar to post win against Tallow under the Friday night lights. A late cameo of 1-1 means that Meaney has now scored 3-2 from play in three appearances off the bench. He has only played 45 minutes in total.
The 2023 county finalists never looked like losing but Tallow made it uncomfortable for them. When Mark Stewart flicked home a Tommy Ryan sideline on 37 minutes, there was only five points between them. In an open contest, Tallow created five goal chances. Salle defender Daniel Lalor missed out through injury and his absence was felt. Stephen Murphy unsettled the full back line and scored three points from play. He could have raised two green flags. Tommy Ryan was more influential than the previous two games. From midfield, he carried ball, drew fouls and converted six frees. By far and away Tallow’s best performance of the championship. The Bridesiders now enter a relegation battle for the third year in a row.
Reuben Halloran hit ten points for the winners (eight dead balls) while Jack Twomey and Cormac Dawson and Jack Fagan all fired four apiece from play. Twomey’s solo runs tormented Tallow all night. He weaved in and out of defenders and smacked the ball off the ground as he did so. The number ten was brought down for five scoreable frees. There was no other way of stopping him. Dawson has been a find on the other wing. Strong in the air and in the tackle. Eleven wides (eight in the second half) will frustrate Ian Flynn and his selectors.
Seven Halloran points and three apiece from Dawson and Twomey gave wind assisted Salle a 17-10 half time advantage. Tallow won the toss but went against the elements. The Gracedieu side threatened to steamroll their opponents as Eddie Barrett grabbed the sliotar off the throw in and Dawson pointed with just eight seconds on the clock. Dawson, Twomey and Halloran made it four nil after three minutes.
A catch and a point from Ian Beecher got Tallow going. On thirteen minutes, Shaun O’Sullivan dived full length to deny Twomey a goal. Halloran hit over the 65 that followed (0-9 to 0-3). At the other end, Ryan found Daragh Buckley in space but a tackle from Adam Farrell killed the move and Buckley was blown for steps. Salle’s patient passing game saw them move seven clear.
Tallow still looked threatening however as Stephen Murphy blazed over the bar from close range. A head in hands moment. Murphy and Ryan reduced the deficit to five but Halloran and Thomas Douglas left Salle seven ahead at the break. Douglas only managed one point off limited supply inside.
The De La Salle management team came back out of the dressing room a couple of minutes before the players. Clearly unhappy with that first half display. Two early wides didn’t improve their mood.
The temperature increased as Tommy Ryan and Conor Keane traded shoulders in front of the dugouts. On 37 minutes, Mark Stewart got a hurley to a Ryan line cut and the Tallow fans erupted (0-19 to 1-11). That was as close as they came.
Twomey ran down the stand sideline and nailed the score of the night. The perfect response. Brian Cunningham and Halloran followed up to wipe out the Tallow major. Ryan then tore through the Salle defence and offloaded to Murphy who blasted left and wide with the goal at his mercy. Another let off for the leaders.
Halloran missed two frees before Eddie Meaney came down from the stand and soloed through for his third goal in as many games. He will surely start the next day.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Twomey takes it just ahead of Cormac Dawson.
TURNING POINT: Twomey’s superb score right after the Tallow goal.
TALKING POINT: Eddie Meaney’s impact. He was described as the David Fairclough of hurling during his minor days with Waterford.
WHAT’S NEXT? Salle face Ballygunner in the quarters while Tallow tackle Lismore in the relegation play-offs.
Reuben Halloran 0-10 (7fs, 1 65), Eddie Meaney 1-1, Jack Fagan, Jack Twomey, Cormac Dawson 0-4 each, Brian Cunningham 0-2, Thomas Douglas, Colm Morris, Conor Keane 0-1 each.
Tommy Ryan 0-6 (6fs), Mark Stewart 1-1, Stephen Murphy 0-3, Ian Beecher 0-2, Darah Buckley 0-1.
Shaun O’Brien; Ryan Duke, Adam Farrell, Conor Keane; Mikey Costigan, Jake Dillon, Lorcan Dwyer; Eddie Barrett, Colm Morris; Cormac Dawson, Reuben Halloran, Jack Twomey; Brian Cunningham, Jack Fagan, Thomas Douglas. Kevin Moran for Douglas (43), Eddie Meaney for Morris (50).
Shaun O’Sullivan; Ben Aherne, Robbie Geary, Cian Geary; Mikey Tobin, Jordan Henley, Eoin McGrath; Shane Martin, Mark Stewart; Callum McCarthy, Ian Beecher, Darragh Spillane; Darah Buckley, Tommy Ryan, Stephen Murphy. Bob McCarthy for McGrath (33), Evan Sheehan for Spillane (49), Conor Henley for Robbie Geary (Blood, 53-55).
Killian O’Sullivan.
