Tallow's 37 year stay in the Waterford senior hurling ranks is over. A late goal from James Power and twelve Jason Gleeson points secured Clonea's top flight status for 2025 at the Dungarvan GAA Grounds (1-23 to 1-15).
Tallow died with their boots on as captain Ian Beecher struck ten points (three from play). Clonea couldn't relax until Power grabbed a delivery from Ronan Elliffe seven minutes from time and rattled the bottom corner of the net (1-16 to 0-13). Points from Gearoid Power and Stephen Curry extended their lead. A bullet shot from Mark Stewart gave Tallow hope with a minute of normal time left but Power and Gleeson closed it out in injury time for Clonea. Four of Gleeson's dozen came from play while Power finished on 1-2. Gearoid Power, Kieran Power and Adam Murray also helped the boys in green to safety.
Tallow took the field without the suspended Tommy Ryan as well as injured goalkeeper Shaun O'Sullivan and injured attacker Ryan Grey. Clonea joint captain Billy Power left for Dubai last Sunday.
The sides were level four times in a tight and tense first quarter. Tallow sweeper Eoin McGrath frustrated the Clonea attack. Five Jason Gleeson points and two each from Gearoid Power and Francis Roche left the Eastern side 11-8 ahead at the break.
A splendid Ian Beecher point along the sideline followed by a free narrowed the gap to one on the restart. Tallow couldn't draw level however as a Stephen Murphy free dropped short. Gleeson and the hard working Kieran Power handed Clonea a four point advantage for the first time. The brilliant Beecher kept Tallow in the contest until that James Power green flag.
