Classy Dromtariffe savour historic Duhallow hurling title

Dromtariffe 2-17 Newmarket 0-16

A SLICK moving Dromtariffe completed a remarkable rise to the summit in Duhallow hurling after capturing their first E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Dealers Junior A Hurling Championship title at the expense of Newmarket before a huge attendance at Freemount last Sunday.

Appearing in their initial decider, Dromtariffe waited 133 years to enjoy a day of immense hurling joy, their voracious appetite for silverware clearly evident where the dream became a reality. When it mattered, Dromtariffe weren’t found wanting, showing massive resolve to come out on top thanks to a productive opening half from a young side that brought a delightful brand of hurling to this game, showing excellent touch and an ability to pick off scores.

Newmarket could had little complaints as their overall performance levels were well down on what most neutrals had come to expect of a fancied side that impressed to take a league title last month and enjoyed a seven point win over Dromtariffe earlier in the campaign. However a well organised and gutsy Dromtariffe peppered the proceedings with tasty hurling, and aside from the opening 20 minutes or so, the new champions had the answers to whatever questions they were asked.

From a fast and furious opening, the sides were content to trade early points matched by Ryan O’Keeffe and Donal Hannon at the opposite end

Soon Dromtariffe signalled their intent, a defence splitting moves saw Evan Murphy and Daniel O’Keeffe involved to allow full forward Conor Cremin blast to the net for a goal out of the top drawer. In fairness, Newmarket offered flashes of potential, their best chance of a goal flashed wide of the post before points to Barry O’Connor, Donal Hannon and Ryan O’Keeffe helped force parity for the third occasion.

Still, Dromtariffe looked a side with much to offer, much of it down to the significant workrate of Shane McSweeney, Billy O’Gorman and Conor O’Callaghan in defence with man of the match Kevin Cremin and Mark O’Connor dominating midfield. And with a slick moving attack creating inroads that included minors Jerry O’Sullivan and Tomás Howard as did Conor and Kevin Cremin to fire over neat points.

Though Newmarket answered with points to O’Connor and Hannon, Dromtariffe held sway, their cause boosted after hesitancy within the Newmarkret rearguard allowed Conor Cremin place O’Keeffe to net for a commanding 2-10 to 0-9 grip at the break.

And Dromtariffe took a tight hold of the proceedings on the restart, Evan Murphy and Tomás Howard adding points. Trailing by nine, Newmarket dug their heels in for a spell through the encouraging play of John Ryan, Kevin O’Sullivan and substitute Cathal Browne with points to Hannon and Barry O’Connor eating into the deficit.

The scoring rate dried up, wides at either end impinging on the contest before Mark O’Connor and Seán Howard broke the stalemate in favour of Dromtariffe. Indeed Dromtariffe’s insatiable appetite for work created a sense of ferocity that saw Newmarket fail to get great time on the ball.

For the best part, Newmarket relied on Hannon to register scores from placed balls and the Dromtariffe defence dealt capably with a goal attempt from a close in free.

Dromtariffe epitomised how good, they were, capable of mounting zippy counter attacks for O’Sullivan to point delightfully from out on the wing. All through the second half, Dromtariffe had a bit on hand and finished on a high note, unbridled scenes of celebrations greeted team captain Seán Howard holding aloft the magnificent John Joe Brosnan Cup.

*Well done to both teams on their contribution to a memorable occasion, Dromtariffe adding a new name on the roll of honour. Disappointment for Newmarket, their wait to add to their 14th title last won in 1979 waits another year.

Congratulations to the host club Freemount, staging their first final since 1990, the best of arrangements acknowledged by teams, divisional board and match patrons.

DROMTARIFFE: D Cremin; S McSweeney, M O’Gorman, D O’Connor; B O’Gorman, C O’Callaghan 0-1, E Mernagh; K Cremin 0-2, M O’Connor 0-3; T Howard 0-2, S Howard 0-4 (3f), E Murphy 0-1; J O’Sullivan 0-2, C Cremin 1-2, D O’Keeffe 1-0. Sub. J Murphy for E Mernagh (25).

NEWMARKET: D Kearney; D Fitzpatrick, A Ryan, P Allen; J Guiney, J Ryan, A Browne 0-1; D Hannon 0-9 (8f, 1 ‘65’), K O’Sullivan; C Crowley, T O’Keeffe, P Browne; R O’Keeffe 0-2, S Stokes, B O’Connor 0-4. Subs: T Ryan for S Stokes (ht), C Browne for T O’Keeffe (40), C O’Keeffe for P Browne (52), D O’Keeffe for C Crowley (57).

REFEREE: D Carroll (Kanturk)

TALKING POINT

Fairytale stuff, enroute to their first title, Dromtariffe rode out from a number of storms, requiring extra time to overcome Castlemagner, defeated by Newmarket and pulling off a dramatic last gasp win over holders Banteer. Appropriately, Dromtariffe reserved their best display for the showpiece decider, a complete performanance delivered thanks to hard work, belief and quality play.

TOP SCORE

Dromtariffe owed much to a competent team performance, centre back, both midfielders and all six starting forwards getting on the scoresheet. In the opening half, full forward Conor Cremin worked the oracle, at the end of a great move involving Evan Murphy and Daniel O’Keeffe to wheel away from defenders to deliver a peach of a goal.

NEXT UP

Both finalists go forward into the county championship though key football games come first. Newmarket face St. Michaels in a County Premier IFC before encountering City champions Nemo Rangers in hurling. For Dromtariffe, it may be Charleville in the JAFC prior to a clash against West Cork runnersup Ballinascarthy in hurling.