Dromtariffe book Under 21 final berth

Dromtariffe 3-20 Kanturk 1-8

A DOMINANT Dromtariffe emerged comfortable winners over Kanturk in the delayed Duhallow Under 21HC semi-final played at inclement Dromtariffe last Saturday.

Victory was deserved for the defending champions, given their industry and a greater work ethic enabled Dromtariffe dominate the possession stakes to secure a place in the decider against Robert Emmets.

Owing to Kanturk’s involvement in the Munster and All Ireland IHC series that brought ultimate glory, it resulted on a deferring of this semi-final. Fielding three of the starting side that operated in the All Ireland Final against Ballyragget, a week earlier in Croke Park, the unavailability of a number of players hampered Kanturk yet they could have few quibbles with the outcome as Dromtariffe produced the better hurling in difficult conditions.

After the sides swapped early points, Dromtariffe wrestled the initiative with points from the Howard brothers and Mark O’Connor. Though Kanturk answered with pointed frees from Liam O’Keeffe, Dromtariffe remained far more focused and held the upperhand in most sectors.

Going forward, the flow of the ball was heading towards the Kanturk defence and it saw goals in quick succession for Mark O’Connor and substitute Gerry O’Sullivan. In fairness, Kanturk weren’t found wanting and a goal from O’Keeffe reduced the leeway 2-10 to 1-6 at the break.

Conditions worsened on the restart yet again Dromtariffe sprinted from the starting blocks with Jack Buckley, Shane McSweeney and Conor O’Callaghan strong and resolute at the back, Seán Howard assisted by Michael Healy dominated midfield in addition to the energetic probing of Tomás Howard and O’Connor in attack saw the holders remain on top.

Their cause was boosted on a third goal netted by O’Sullivan to widen the gap. Kanturk attempted to answer, points from Darren Browne and Ronan O’Brien helped revive the fortunes of the challengers briefly.

Still Dromtariffe held the ability to run up scores in clusters and that helped keep any sustained Kanturk challenge at bay as the contest moved towards the inevitable conclusion.

Scorers

DROMTARIFFE: T Howard 0-9, G O’Sullivan 2-1, S Howard 0-6(0-3f, 0-1’65), M O’Connor 1-2, C O’Callaghan, S Ahern 0-1 each

L O’Keeffe 1-6(0-5f), D Browne(f), R O’Brien 0-1 each

DROMTARIFFE: G O’Keeffe; P Duggan, C Cremin, J Buckley; S McSweeney, Conor O’Callaghan, E Mernagh; M Healy, S Howard; T Howard, J Murphy, S Ahern; E Murphy, Con O’Callaghan, M O’Connor Subs: G O’Sullivan for E Murphy(inj), D Desmond for Con O’Callaghan, C J O’Sullivan for e Mernagh, M Sheehan for M Healy

KANTURK: B Kenneally; J Fullerton, P O’Keeffe, E Guiney; C Mullane, D Browne, C Boyce; P Walsh, D O’Connell; C O’Donoughue, R O’Brien, C Moylan; J Murphy, L O’Keeffe, D O’Donoughue Subs: L Geaney for C Moylan, C Murphy for J Murphy

REFEREE: D Hickey (Millstreet)