Dromtariffe’s fairytale rise to prominence delights O’Mahoney
DROMTARIFFE possess new heroes, young men whose names will be revered for many years to come. That comes after scripting a new chapter in a rapid rise to hurling prominence that is possibly without parallel in the long history of the Duhallow JAHC.
Just two seasons ago, they had completed a three in a row in the Duhallow JBHC and added an inter-divisional County Junior B title. That placed Dromtariffe in A level and the expectations were of a sustained spell to find their feet.
However the door quickly opened again, this time Dromtariffe, fielding a side that’s one of the youngest teams in the county are winning new friends after claiming John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup for the first time.
Tender aged on the field but plenty experience on the sideline, Dromtariffe coach Thomas O’Mahoney, a great servant to Meelin hurling over the years and a brilliant career culminated on introduced as a late substitute when Meelin captured the 2011 All-Ireland JAHC title from Kilkenny side John Lockes in Croke Park.
“We’re absolutely delighted, we came in here as complete underdogs, they had a few tough weeks in football, no doubt, it stood to them for we were really up for this game. Last season, we reached the league final, making headway, I was more relaxed for this game rather than the semi final against the holders Banteer, the outcome placed us in a final, a game that could go either way.”
With the club appearing in a Duhallow JAHC Final for the first time, the way Dromtariffe went about their business was a source of delight for their huge band of supporters.
“We really hit the ground running, Newmarket might had been the hot favourites, we had conceded to them earlier in the campaign but we were determined to give it everything. At half time, we were well positioned, kept everything nice and calm in the dressing room..
A pivotal highlight for O’Mahoney after spending 23 years lining out in the junior hurling ranks for Meelin culminated on playing in a never to be forgotton day in Croke Park back in 2011 yet last Sunday crowned his most memorable outing as part of a team management.
“I had a long career playing with Meelin and Duhallow, I came into Dromtariffe when they were Junior B ranked and to win an A championship in just two seasons is absolutely fantastic. To win against Newmarket was brilliant, their coach Eddie (Murphy) is hugely respected, I know him well from his days with Meelin in the past, his hurling career is phenomenal but at least, I’ve one over him,” he said.
With a heavy schedule, Dromtariffe are figuring in both County JAFC and JAFC campaigns, adding to the intrigue is a number of players also involved in the JAFC with Boherbue are part of the Dromtariffe hurling set up.
“To get to a Duhallow JAHC final means at least one game in the county, we’re down to play Ballinascarthy in Round 1, that’s something that we’re looking forward to, everything from here on is a bonus, we will take it one game at a time,” said O’Mahoney. MAIN MAN
Kevin Cremin liking for the big day again manifested itself, twelve days earlier, he was key to Boherbue retaining the JAFC at the expense of Dromtariffe. Cremin swopped jerseys for the hurling decider, his energy and industry took him all over the Freemount ground to provide a shining example to his Dromtariffe hurling colleagues.
KEY MOMENT
With the game nip and tuck, goals were always going to be important, credit Newmarket on responding to the concession of the first green flag to square up the game. Crucially for Dromtariffe, they succeeded again on breaking down the opposing rearguard, hesitancy in the Newmarket defence allowed Conor Cremin feed Daniel O’Keeffe to net for a clear seven point advantage at the break.