Dromtariffe advance to semi-finals

Indeed Rathpeacon might well had been much closer only for the splendid reflexes of Dromtariffe custodian Dermot Cremin on producing a series of heroic saves. Though Dromtariffe opened the scoring from a Seán Howard point, Rathpeacon held their own and enjoyed their only lead on points to Kevin Furey and Cormac O’Keeffe. However, Dromtariffe regained control from the ninth minute on netting the contest’s lone goal, a long ball from Jack Murphy was collected by Seán Cremin to set in place Seán O’Callaghan to blast home.

Now Dromtariffe grabbed a hold of the proceedings, driven on by the tireless grafting of Michael O’Brien, Mickie O’Gorman and Jack Murphy, willingly supported by Howard and Daniel O’Keeffe.

That allowed the Dromtariffe scoring machine to click into operation, seven consecutive points chalked down by Howard, O’Keeffe, Mark and Darren O’Connor. Rathpeacon required a badly needed boost and points to Furey and Brendan Ahern narrowed the arrears 1-9 to 0-4 at the break. On the restart, the sides swapped points to Aidan O’Brien and Howard.

However, Rathpeacon turned up the heat on the improving play generated by Seán Ahern, Brendan Hallissey and Brendan Ahern with points to Furey, O’Brien and O’Keeffe eat further into the deficit.

And Rathpeacon might well had been much closer only for the smart intervention of Cremin between the Dromtariffe posts.

At times, Dromtariffe looked flatfooted only for Howard to break a barren 14 minutes without a score on a point from play. Though Furey replied with a point, Rathpeacon incurred a setback on reduced to 14 players.

Howard chipped in with a Dromtariffe pointed free but the game was in the melting pot after Rathpeacon full-forward Richie O’Riordan found the net to leave three points between the sides.

That set the scene for a gripping finale only for Aaron Daly to post the insurance point to allow Dromtariffe’s place in the penultimate hurdle against Bantry Blues, Randal Óg or Whitechuch.