Dromtarriffe’s hurling odyssey draws to a close

Ballinascarthy 2-13 Dromtariffe 1-14

DROMTARIFFE’S memorable hurling odyssey 2018 came to an end following a narrow two point defeat to Ballinscarthy in a thrilling County JAHC Round 1 at Ovens last Sunday.

Though Dromtariffe gave as good as they got, Ballinascarthy possessed that bit more of a cutting edge when the contest was delicately balanced. At the full-time whistle, tired Dromtariffe heads were down but after a roller coaster campaign, they had every right to hold them high following a historic breakthrough to land divisional honours for the first time.

Hopes for a run in the county failed to bear fruition on this occasion, Dromtariffe gave it their best shot and with a degree of luck, they could had taken the game to extra time.

In essence, a heavy schedule dented Dromtariffe’s prospects, not too easy combining football and hurling duties, forced into combat just four days after overcoming Charleville in the football equivalent.

Ballinascarthy had reason to be delighted to jump this hurdle, defeated in back to back West Cork finals by Clonakilty and Kilbree, they reinvented themselves here to grab the spoils.

And Ballinascarthy emerged very much the fresher side, everytime Dromtariffe got close, the Carbery combination responded to reassert their dominance.

A promising start for Dromtariffe, backed by the breeze, team captain Seán Howard led the way on a pair of points from play in the opening two attacks. Subsequently, the tempo dropped, both sides lamented poor shooting before Ballinscarthy sounded a warning of their potential, the effective Ben Murray placed Brian O’Donovan for a cracking goal on eight minutes.

In fairness, the Dromtariffe response was calm and effective, Jack Murphy and namesake Evan angled over points with Mark O’Connor and Seán Howard also raising white flags.

Still, the game swung back and forth, Ballinascarthy encouraged by the play of Chris Ryan, Murray, David McCarthy and O’Donovan remained very much in touch as McCarthy and Jeremy Ryan posted points.

It remained stride for stride coming up to the break, Dromtariffe points from O’Connor and Howard matched by Ciaran O’Neill and O’Donovan for stalemate for the fourth occasion at the interval 1-6 to 0-9.

And a gripping contest remained up for grabs on the turnover, the status quo prevailing for a spell, Tomás Howard and Murray delivering points. With both sets of supporters finding their voice, a further exchange from Seán Howard and Ryan left the issue wide open.

The contest called for something special , Ballinascarthy embarked on a game turning phase. Grabbing the reins of control, full forward Seán Ryan touched home a delivery from Jeremy Ryan with follow up points from Daniel Nyhan and O’Donovan put a clear five point margin between the sides on forging ahead 2-10 to 0-11.

Now Dromtariffe were facing a real examination and they came up with the answers through an improvement spearheaded by Conor O’Callaghan, Kevin Cremin, O’Connor and the Howard brothers. And Dromtariffe were back in business from a goal netted by Evan Murphy with Seán Howard adding a point to leave the minimum between the sides.

The Ballinascarthy response was immediate, Ryan pointed a pair of frees for what looked a safe position. Again, Dromtariffe reacted positively, the game in the melting pot following converted frees by Howard and O’Callaghan.

Hard though as a brave Dromtariffe attempted to save the day, the Ballinascarthy response proved doggedly defiant with the outstanding Murray popping over the insurance point.

Late on, Dromtariffe were thrown into deep frustration as their last ditch attempts to grab a possible winning goal were repelled by a defiant Ballinascarthy rearguard.

After delivering creditable performances in West Cork deciders only to come up short, Ballinscarthy had turned the corner with a delighted win. No doubt, those watching from Newmarket will be planning to address the merits of difficult opponents when the sides clash in a quarter-final.

BALLINASCARTHY: D Hennessy; J C O’Flynn, C Ryan, David O’Brien; Daniel O’Brien, L Murray, C O’Neill 0-1; J Ryan 0-6f, C Nyhan; C Cullinane, D Nyhan 0-1, B Murray 0-2; D McCarthy 0-2, S Ryan 1-0, B O’Donovan 1-2 Subs:

C Crowley for J C O’Flynn(inj), M Kirby for Daniel O’Brien

DROMTARIFFE: D Cremin; S McSweeney, M O’Gorman, D O’Connor; B O’Gorman, C O’Callaghan 0-1f, J Murphy 0-1; K Cremin, M O’Connor 0-2; T Howard 0-1, S Howard 0-8(0-5f, 0-1’65), E Murphy 1-1; J O’Sullivan, C Cremin, D O’Keeffe Subs: S Aherne for D O’Keeffe, M O’Brien for B O’Gorman

REFEREE: J Murphy (Castletownroche)