Hurling decider ends in stalemate

Dromtariffe 1-18 Kilbrin 2-15

DROMTARIFFE staged their version of the great escape to live to fight another day after a 58th minute equalising goal from Seán Howard salvaged a draw with Kilbrin in a dramatic conclusion to the Twohigs Supervalu Duhallow Junior A Hurling League Final at Lismire on Friday evening.

It was no more that Dromtariffe deserved, if only for the refusal of a side chasing a first time title when all seemed lost on trailing by eight points midway through the second half. From a spirited revival, Dromtariffe chipped away at the deficit culminating on Howard holding his nerve to blast home a twenty metre free.

Fortunes fluctuated over the hour and in the circumstances, a draw emerged just about the correct outcome.

From a competitive encounter laced by many spells of constructive hurling, an experienced Kilbrin were pitted against a Dromtariffe combination seeking a first time title.

The battle for supremacy was largely inconclusive in the opening quarter, Kilbrin off to a decent start on points to Stephen O’Reilly, Eoin Sheahan, Paudie O’Callaghan and Garett Linehan. Following a nervous start, Dromtariffe began to create an impression, Howard and Stephen Ahern nailing points to cut the leeway 0-6 to 0-5.

As the contest developed, Kilbrin appeared that bit sharper when it came to foraging for possession owing much to the dominance of Daniel Sheahan, William Egan, Neil Field and O’Reilly. And Kilbrin received a boost on 17 minutes, Eoin Sheahan’s effort blocked only for Paudie O’Callaghan to tap home the rebound.

Now Kilbrin were on a roll, points from O’Reilly, Daniel and David O’Sullivan stretched their hand on the proceedings. To their credit, Dromtariffe responded, Howard and Jack Murphy pointed to trail 1-11 to 0-9 at the break.

And the restart brought a spirited response from Dromtariffe with points to Stephen Ahern and Howard. However, the pendulum swung back to Kilbrin, a great move initiated by Egan saw Eoin Sheahan lay off to Field to net with follow up points from O’Callaghan and substitute William Heffernan helped forge a 2-14 to 0-12 advantage mid-way through the second half.

It left Dromtariffe facing a huge challenge which they embraced enthusiastically and with no little efficiency. Indeed Dromtariffe never lost faith in their own ability as Mikey O’Gorman, Kevin Cremin, Jack Murphy and Daniel O’Keeffe thundered into the fray.

Scoring wise, Howard led the way with points from play and frees with Mark O’Connor and O’Keeffe also on the mark to cut the leeway to two.

Kilbrin appeared to weather the storm after O’Reilly clipped over their only score in the closing quarter.

However Dromtariffe weren’t found wanting and grabbed a reprieve on winning a close in free, Howard had only one destination for the sliothar, though partly blocked, the ball’s momentum crossed the white line for parity.

Time remained for a winner with Kilbrin pressing strongly on the run in, Eoin Sheahan sought a goal only to be denied brilliantly by Dromtariffe ‘keeper Dermot Cremin.

Some further sloppy finished confirmed an edgy effect to Kilbrin’s game during the last quarter as two balanced sides settled for another outing.

DROMTARIFFE: D Cremin; D Dennehy, M O’Brien, P Duggan; M O’Gorman, K Cremin, S McSweeney; S Howard 1-12(1-10f), D O’Connor; E Murphy 0-1, J Murphy 0-1, D O’Keeffe 0-1; M O’Connor 0-1, C Cremin, S Ahern 0-2 Subs: A Daly for D O’Connor(inj), G O’Sullivan for C Cremin

KILBRIN: E O’Riordan: T Mullane, D Sheahan, W Corkery; G Linehan 0-1, W Egan, C Carroll; Daniel O’Sullivan 0-1, N Field 1-0; D Daly, E Sheahan 0-1, S O’Reilly 0-7(0-3f); David O’Sullivan 0-1, P O’Callaghan 1-2, N O’Callaghan 0-1 Subs: W Heffenan 0-1 for David O’Sullivan, M Buckley for Field (inj)

REFEREE: S Stokes(Tullylease)