O’Brien goal helps Dromtariffe retain title

to the cause yet they had to yield to the more attractive verve in Dromtariffe’s game boosted by an opportunist goal struck from a long range free by full back Michael O’Brien.

The reigning holders controlled the early exchanges with Conor Cremin, Daniel O’Keeffe and Jack Murphy in fine shooting form to allow Dromtariffe jump 0-5 to 0-1 ahead. It proved a nerve testing time for Meelin and in fairness, they delivered from the improving play of Shane Butler, T J Twomey, Liam O’Sullivan and Curtin.

And Meelin were right back in the hunt, a long delivery from Twomey saw full forward Conor Keppel latch onto the breaking ball to net. Again Dromtariffe picked up the pace, Cremin obliging from both play and frees.

Meelin hung in, Curtin and Liam O’Sullivan pointed to reduce the leeway 0-11 to 1-6 at the break. Again, Dromtariffe managed a promising restart and a forceful blast gathered points for Michael O’Brien, Noel O’Riordan and Cremin.

Back came Meelin to unleash a counter offensive with points to Joseph O’Sullivan and Curtin threw the game wide open. However Dromtariffe wriggled their way out of trouble, grateful to the assured play of Jack Buckley, Mikie O’Gorman and Murphy in defence with Cremin a force going forward.

And Dromtariffe grabbed a vital breakthrough, O’Brien’s long range free threaded a path to the Meelin net. Credit Meelin for not preparing to bow out too tamely and Dromtariffe applauded custodian Dermot Cremin on stopping a certain goal bound rasper.

Indeed, Dromtariffe showed commendable zeal and determination with substitute Seán Howard and Cremin adding points. Try as Meelin might, they could not break down a brilliant Dromtariffe rearguard, holding firm to complete back to back titles.