Tallow will contest the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final in two weeks’ time after second-half goals from Tommy Ryan and Darah Buckley helped them to a 2-24 to 3-14 victory over Ballysaggart at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field.

Despite green flags from Shane and Stephen Bennett, Tallow found the scores when it mattered most. Forwards Ryan, Buckley and Stephen Murphy all caused problems inside, while Ian Beecher and Robbie Geary impressed in the middle third.

Ryan, who netted Tallow’s first goal, said the team showed real improvement from last week’s clash with Clashmore.

“I suppose you’re always looking for improvements and I know again after today there’ll be a lot of things we probably won’t be happy with,” he said. “But against the breeze we kept pecking away and we got a couple of goals at crucial times. I think we reacted well to the goals they got as well.”

His own strike came at a pivotal moment.

“There were just bodies everywhere,” Ryan recalled. “I had a feeling when it came to me that the goalie might be blindsided, so I just tried to play through the bodies and luckily it went in.”

Victory sets up a county final showdown with Ballygunner and the chance for Tallow to regain their senior status.

“It’s huge really,” Ryan said. “We were senior for so long and we were so disappointed going down last year. We’re 60 minutes away but we’re playing a team that beat us by four points the last time, so it’s going to be a huge challenge. New game, new opportunity, and may the best team win.”

For Ryan personally, the chance to contest another county decider is something he treasures after nearly two decades in the Tallow colours.

“I don’t know, I’m playing 17 years with Tallow and I’ve only played in two county finals. It felt like the last one was years and years ago. Just to get back there again is great. We’ll prepare as best we can.”

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