Previous disappointments prompted Dromtariffe’s elevation to Junior A rank

BITTER disappointment from recent years provided Dromtariffe with a motivation that wasn’t going to be denied during the closing weeks to the 2016 playing season.

Very much a hurling side on a definite mission, Dromtariffe wrote themselves into their proud history books on completing a rare hurling double for the first time, Inter-divisional County Junior B champions and Duhallow U-21 hurling kingpins.

Reviewing stock of a growing status, Dromtariffe have taken the leap to jump into Junior A ranks for 2017. In recent years, Dromtariffe gained meaningful experience and game time in the Duhallow Junior A league, worthy preparation ahead of County Junior JBHC campaigns.

However, Dromtariffe are now fully fledged in A ranks and their involvement in the A championship 2017 is likely to bring eight teams into the title race. For Dromtariffe steeped in gaelic games history, that’s a big leap and with a young side emerging, they are well equipped to create an impression during the coming seasons.

The past three years have been somewhat of a roller coaster, regular journeys to Pairc Uí Rinn, only to come up short in some epic battles. 2014 in the all county County JBHC, Dromtariffe enjoyed a productive run to overcome Iveleary twice in addition to wins over Killavulen and Rathpeacon. That placed Dromtariffe in the decider against Ballyclough over two games.

From a drawn encounter, Dromtariffe more than held their own to force a replay where Ballyclough’s experience kicked in the second game to land the spoil. That outing stood to Dromtariffe ahead of the 2015 campaign, only for injuries to halt progress before reaching the 2015 inter divisional decider, again incurring disappointment, defeated by a more experienced St. Finbarrs.

At times injuries again attempted to lessen Dromtarriffe’s cause during 2016, defeated in a semi final by eventual champions Whitechurch in the all county competition.

Back to domestic affairs, Dromtariffe retained their divisional title by virtue of a hard fought triumph over Kilbrin. With the advent of a second county championship, confined to divisional winners, Dromtariffe grasped the opportunity to better Cloughdubh in a semi-final with league silverware l collected after a comfortable win over Whites Cross.

Next on the agenda, a championship final, again, drama abounded, Dromtariffe forfeiting a four point cushion in injury time that allowed Sarsfields force a replay. Back to the grindstone, Dromtariffe returned to their fifth outing at the venue in three seasons.

Indeed, two losses and two draws had tested the perseverance of Dromtariffe only for their patience to be rewarded on this occasion in a replay. Crucially on this occasion, Dromtariffe’s hunger and bite was maintained for the full hour on this occasion that helped secure a first time county championship title in adult hurling.

Team manager John Howard said Dromtariffe were determined not to play second fiddle again.

“It’s been a battle for the past three years, unlucky on a few occasions but thankfully, we came out here on top against Sars to deliver a complete team performance from goalkeeper down to corner forward.”

Dromtariffe holds a proud record in gaelic games that dates back to the club’s founding in 1885 with a litany of football honours. A productive return from underage hurling is now paying dividends yet its been a long road for teams and management in more recent years.

“Some great people have been involved particularly the previous management team of John Daly, Pat O’Callaghan and John Hartnett, they laid the platform for the current side to return to Dromtariffe with hurling silverware.”

The winning trail continued, just after landing an elusive county trophy, Dromtariffe added to their collection, entering the roll of honour for the first time on collecting their first Duhallow U-21 Hurling Championship title by virtue of a fully deserved victory over defending champions Robert Emmets.

On doing so, within the space of six days, Dromtariffe hurling earned a boost on breaking new ground with two championship titles.

And the bulk of the Junior B sides back-boned this U-21 side to savour another breakthrough, the club’s first appearance in a decider landed the outright spoils. Indeed victory was richly deserved, on playing the tastier hurling and their greater ability won the key battles.

There was no questioning Emmets commitment to the cause, appearing in their fifth consecutive decider, the Newmarket and Lismire amalgamation were forced to yield to the more attractive verve in Dromtariffe’s play.

Two eye-catching titles lifted for the first time in the club history, the big question is can Dromtariffe further elevate their game to the level required to create an impression in Junior A ranks.

“We’ve a young side and it may take a few years to create the next breakthrough but we possess the talent and its about building up the experience to complete the next challenge,” said manager Howard.

Dromtarriiffe GAA and Dromtarriffe Ladies Football will host their annual social on Saturday, February 4 at the Heights Hotel, Killarney.