Banteer survive extra-time test from Dromtariffe in JAHL
Banteer 4-16 Dromtariffe 1-24
BANTEER required extra time to dispel a strong Dromtariffe challenge in a marvellous Twohigs SuperValu Duhallow JAHL semi-final played at a balmy Kanturk.
From start to finish, a compelling affair surfaced, the real winners were the supporters on witnessing a contest of swaying fortunes. Inside the closing 10 minutes of the regulated hour, fortunes favoured Dromtarife but a telling and resourceful response paved the way for Banteer to force the contest into extra time.
And with the momentum behind them, Banteer pushed on to edge the possession stakes in the opening period of extra time where a five point tally did much to sway the outcome.
Dromtariffe came flying out of the starting blocks, their game boosted by the influence of Kevin Cremin and the O’Gorman brothers in defence along with Conor O’Callaghan and Seán Howard helped assume a clear 0-7 to 0-1 grip.
Riding out of the storm, Banteer took the game to their opponents, highlighted on Brian O’Keeffe touching home a Tadgh Sexton delivery to net. Dromtariffe answered and Howard points helped claim a 0-13 to 1-8 advantage at the break.
Banteer received a massive start to the second half, a stunning David Murphy goal altered the scoreboard.Again Dromtariffe wrenched back the initiative, the Howard brothers and Jack Murphy splitting the uprights to gain a five point lead.
However Banteer pressed the urgency button, Martin Kearney, Tim O’Callaghan and Kevin Tarrant brought order to their game in defence with Murphy and Luke Philpott always in the thick of the action.
Still Banteer required something special to re-ignite their challenge, substitute Paudie Lyons being cut adrift on the concession of goals yet they battled through some thorny patches and composed themselves to finish on the ascendency.
Newmarket had started brightly, points to Donal Hannon, Paddy Browne and Stephen Stokes helped forge a 0-6 to 0-2 grip. Kilbrin came out of their shell once Eoin Sheahan set up Niall Field for a cracking goal. Now Kilbrin exerted an influence, benefiting from the solid play of Mickie Buckley, Thomas O’Reilly and Brendan O’Mahony in the half back line as Sheahan got in behind the Newmarket rearguard to goal and secure a 2-5 to 0-8 interval advantage.
As a thunder shower descended on the proceedings, a nip and tuck affair continued into the second half before Newmarket points provided it with a goal as did Murphy from distance to nudge Banteer ahead. Deep into injury time, Dromtariffe required a Seán Howard point to take the tussle into extra time (4-11 to 0-23).
It didn’t take Banteer too long to spell out their intent, confirmed on points to Murphy, Philpott and Denis Roche to jump four ahead. To their credit, Dromtariffe never threw in the towel, Evan Murphy netted to come within reach only for Banteer to hold out by the minimum of margins to book a place in the decider against Newmarket. to Hannon and Darren O’Keeffe pared back the margin to the minimum at the three quarter stage. The excitement grew with a quick exchange of goals, Newmarket nosing ahead, Ryan O’Keeffe’s effort blocked only for substitute Niall Collins to get a deft touch from the rebound for a brief lead.
Kilbrin’s response was immediate, good work by Toss Mullane placed Sheahan for his second green flag. However, Newmarket’s spirit was always willing, driven on by Paudie Allen and Jamie Hayes in defence, Kevin O’Sullivan and Hannon worked tirelessly at midfield with Ryan O’Keeffe and Browne full of enterprise upfront.
Indeed as the game aged, Newmarket performed with considerable more urgency and industry, best illustrated on reeling off five points without reply from
C Tarrant; C Coughlan, M Kearney 0-1f, T O’Callaghan; D Kearney, K Tarrant 0-1, J Sexton; D Murphy 2-3, B Withers; T Sexton 0-1, E O’Flynn, L Philpott 0-8 (7f); D Roche 0-2, B O’Keeffe 1-0, C O’Keeffe. Subs: P Lyons 1-0 for C O’Keeffe, K Barry for T Sexton.
DROMTARIFFE: D Cremin; J Buckley, M O’Gorman, K Cremin; S McSweeney, B O’Gorman, C Cremin 0-2 (1f); Conor O’Callaghan 0-1, S Howard 0-10 (8f); E Mernagh, D O’Keeffe, E Murphy 1-4; T Howard 0-6 (1f), Con O’Callaghan, J O’Sullivan. Subs: M O’Brien for E Mernagh, J Murphy 0-1 for C O’Callaghan, S Cremin for J O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan for D Cremin, D Dennehy for S Howard.
REFEREE: D Hickey (Millstreet) five different players on the run in. Kilbrin tried everything they knew on attempting to manufacture an equalising goal but the Newmarket defence were discipline personified and put their bodies on the line in the face of mounting late pressure to ensure a passage into the decider and a meeting with Banteer.
NEWMARKRET: D Kearney; D Fitzpatrick, A Ryan, P Allen; J Guiney, G Forde, J Hayes; D Hannon 0-5 (4f), K O’Sullivan 0-1; P Browne 0-4, A Carroll, C Crowley 0-1; R O’Keeffe 0-3, S Stokes 0-2, D O’Keeffe 0-1. Subs: N Collins 1-0 for D O’Keeffe, T O’Keeffe 0-1 for Carroll, J Ryan 0-1 for Crowley.
KILBRIN: P O’Callaghan; W Corkery, C Carroll, C Buttimer; M Buckley, T O’Reilly, B O’Mahony; David O’Sullivan, D Daly; N Field 1-1, D Sheahan 0-1, E O’Riordan; Daniel O’Sullivan 0-2f, E Sheahan 2-3 (01f), W Heffernan 0-1. Subs. T Mullane for O’Riordan, T Nash for Daly.
REFEREE: E Walsh (Freemount)