Long serving Dromtariffe captain relishing county final appearance
TEAM captain Seamus O’Sullivan is central to Dromtariffe’s subtle return to football prominence this autumn.
The veteran midfielder lends invaluable assistance to a young team. His customary guile, vision and work-rate are all important to Dromtariffe’s path to Saturday night’s county final.
“All through the season a lot of hard work has gone into the current season. It’s been tough and competitive, some disappointment but delight too on reaching a county final,” he said.
During a long career, O’Sullivan has lent unselfish service to club, division and county. His achievements include one Munster U-21 FC and three All Ireland JFC medals.
“Apart from helping Dromtariffe win a Duhallow JFC title in 2005, there has been many a frustrating day. This is my 19th season playing Junior A Football championship, it would be nice to mark my 20th year in adult football at intermediate level,” he quips.
“That’s easier said than done for Saturday night’s opponents, Kilmacabea, are a huge obstacle. However, Dromtariffe hold a strong history, the present side attempting to add to the diverse achievements of the past where the club won county titles and represented Cork in an All Ireland Final,” said O’Sullivan.
The skipper modestly plays down his own contribution to his side’s successful march, and he’s thrilled that Dromtariffe have preserved their best performances of the season for the county, particularly for their semi-final victory over favourites Iveleary.
“We’ve terrific talent coming on board; outside of myself, everybody is under 30 years - young and skilful players. That talent is carrying us all season,” he said.
Dual involvement saw Dromtariffe feature in a hectic programme within Duhallow, and their versatility was evident in their reaching two divisional finals. No such joy first time out, Dromtariffe were pipped by football holders Boherbue after a replay but they fared much better in hurling and fashioned out a historic triumph.
“I wasn’t involved in the hurling, but the team were rewarded for a tremendous display of skill and teamwork. Both hurling and football teams then featured in the county, the games coming thick and fast,” said O’Sullivan.
“To incur a narrow loss to Boherbue was disappointing. Those two games were within our grasp but we were heartened by our performance ahead of the county. The turn around of fixtures stood to us, with our young side relishing the opportunity to play and savour wins over Charleville, St. Michaels and Iveleary,” he said.
Some may say Dromtariffe are surprise finalists, now with one game to play at county level, O’Sullivan’s and his colleagues are on the brink of regaining the accolades following previous wins in the 1930s. The team standing in their way are Kilmacabea, and the Dromtariffe captain is expecting a tough battle.
“Everybody is looking forward to the big game. It’s a huge occasion to play in a county final. Kilmacabea have completed back to back titles in West Cork, their Carbery opponents are always strong and we will be up against it. Any side you play at this level is a step up, but we only take one game at a time and, fingers crossed, we can pull it off,” he said.