Dromtariffe eye ultimate Junior honour
Dromtariffe v Kilmacabea
A NOVEL final tinged with romance on the first time meeting between the pair. Contrasting backgrounds too, Kilmacabea appearing in a first time decider while its close on 60 years since Dromtariffe last set foot in search of one of the most prestigious prizes in Cork football.
Maybe not the pair that many would had forecasted at the start of the summer but Dromtariffe and Kilmacabea enjoyed victories enroute to justify their presence in this county final.
With Boherbue and Kilmacabea talked up and Iveleary looking resurgent, Dromtariffe were flying under the radar. That mattered little to a proud club, its football history and tradition evident from the latter years of the 19th century.
Of course, Dromtariffe lead the roll of honour in Duhallow, it dates to 2005 since their last divisional triumph. Not the best of innings over the past decade or so, hopes risen following a County U-21football triumph last season.
A positive run in this season’s Duhallow JAFC saw Dromtariffe come up short to Boherbue, forfeiting a five point advantage during the latter stages forced a replay, Dromtariffe pipped by a point in the second game.
Defeated but unbowed, Dromtariffe recovered to claim a historic JAHC title at divisional level before availing of two teams coming out of each division to compete in the county football. Indeed Dromtariffe got back on track to end the interests of Charleville, St. Michaels and Iveleary.
A big upset, the outcome against Iveleary though no question surrounding a well deserved win. Team captain Seamus O’Sullivan brings a wealth of experience, well assisted by the Howard brothers, Jack Murphy, Conor O’Callaghan, Evan Murphy and Daniel O’Keeffe.
Kilmacabea are sure to be a tough nut to crack, having claimed a fantastic West Cork JAFC title last season for the first time in the club history, they followed it up to complete back to back honours at the expense of Tadgh MacCarthaigh(replay).
Into the county, a standout quarter final clash against Boherbue saw victory secured in a replay before a late flourish saw off Delanys in the semi final. Team wise, big Daniel O’Donovan has returned this season to put in the work and lead by example with Niall Hayes, Richie O’Sullivan, Ian Jennings and the skilful Damien Gore form a solid side.
Kilmacabea are a balanced side, doing what’s expected to justify the favourites tag going into this decider. That said , Dromtariffe have channelled the hurt of losing a divisional final by a single point into a triumphant run.
Indeed, Dromtariffe may not have been given the credit, their gallant efforts that surfaced against Boherbue deserved better. Remember last season, the Duhallow runners up landed county silverware, history is capable of repeating itself, the trophy may well be bound again for Duhallow having been taken by Kanturk, Rockchapel, Millstreet and Knocknagree already this decade.
Verdict: Dromtariffe