Dromtariffe beat Banteer to close in on first title
Dromtariffe 2-16 Banteer 0-13
SUPERIOR pace and a clinical edge to their game allowed Dromtariffe better Banteer in impressive fashion in the Twohigs SuperValu Duhallow Junior A Hurling League semi-final at Castlemagner on Friday evening.
On doing so, Dromtariffe edged a bit closer towards their first title, the victors fluency, rhythm and confidence broke the resolve of their neighbours. While a depleted Banteer made a determined effort, a sluggish performance surfaced from a side without the services of key players.
That contrasted to Dromtariffe ‘s speed and first touch hurling that put Banteer on the backfoot as the game developed. The outcome confirms Dromtariffe’s rate of progress, a young side prospering really well after winning two county Junior B titles last season.
Crucially Dromtariffe held key performers in central departments, in attack Sean Howard and Jack Murphy were again in rich scoring form. And Banteer might well had been closer only for a breathtaking performance by Dromtariffe custodian Dermot Cremin on a series of stunning saves.
Not too much between the sides early on, Banteer points to James McAulliffe, David Murphy and Tadgh Sexton helped shade matters. Steadily Dromtariffe came more into the picture and their confidence grew after the Banteer defence was caught napping, Howard saw the opening to net from a 30-metre free.
Full of energy and exuberance, Dromariffe were superbly marshalled in defence by the play of Kevin Cremin, Daniel O’Keeffe thrived at midfield with Howard, Evan and Jack Murphy buzzing upfront. A sporting contest was interrupted on a minor alteration that saw a player from each side Billy O’Gorman and Jamie Sexton incur red cards.
And Banteer might well had made more of a morale booster on the stroke of the interval, from a penalty, Tadgh Sexton blasted over the crossbar to trim the arrears 1-9 to 0-8 at the break. From the restart, Dromtariffe made all the running , retaining their impetus on points to Mark O’Connor, Jack Murphy and O’Keeffe.
And Dromtariffe were in the driving seat at the three quarter stage, a Howard delivery into the danger zone saw Murphy brilliantly fetch from the close attentions of three Banteer defenders to net.
Banteer attempted a rally, driven on by Martin Kearney, Colm Coughlan and Sexton, they sought out scores.
However the heroics of Dromtariffe ‘keeper Cremin drew gasps on brilliantly denying Banteer in a series of fantastic saves.
DROMTARIFFE: D Cremin; D Dennehy, M O’Brien, J Buckley; M O’Gorman, K Cremin, B O’Gorman; D O’Connor, D O’Keeffe 0-1; G O’Sullivan, J Murphy 1-2, E Murphy 0-1; M O’Connor 0-2, S Howard 1-10 (1-6f), C Cremin. Subs: A Daly for O’Sullivan, S McSweeney for Dennehy, D Desmond for C Cremin, D O’Donoughue for Buckley.
BANTEER: K Roche; K Sexton, R O’Connor, J Twohig; C O’Keeffe, M Kearney, C Murphy; D Kearney 0-1, C Coughlan; J Sexton, D Murphy 0-3, J McAulliffe 0-1; B Murphy, B O’Keeffe, T Sexton 0-8 (7f). Subs: T O’Callaghan for O’Connor, S Mannix for B Murphy.
REFEREE: J Kenneally (Kanturk