Late Dromtariffe surge reels in Iveleary in semi-final
Dromtariffe 1-13 Iveleary 1-11
DROMTARIFFE delivered a huge performance to turn over a fancied Iveleary in a hugely competitive County JAFC semi-final before a sizeable attendance in Macroom last Sunday.
From a game of swaying fortunes, the intensity of the occasion never waned, Dromtariffe finishing strongly to exploit stoppage time openings for Daniel O’Keeffe and Evan Murphy shoot all important points to divide the sides.
While Iveleary went into this game with a big reputation and plenty of experience, Dromtariffe were clearly up for the job and when it mattered most, they found the kick to take them home on a triumphant march. At times, Dromtariffe, defeated in the Duhallow final by Boherbue, looked to be coming short yet as the contest advanced, they were just better balanced and held more zip in their when the crunch surfaced.
In fairness to Iveleary, they lacked nothing in effort but didn’t possess the cutting edge of a much sharper Dromtariffe outfit. With the game up for grabs during the latter stages, all the initiative and drive came from Dromtariffe on winning vital possession and converting the opportunities much to the delight of their enthusiastic supporters.
Iveleary started at a pace, rewarded on a 1st minute goal, Cathal Vaughan’s delivery flicked to the net by Barry O’Leary. After the Mid Cork champions proceeded to kick three wides, Dromtariffe opened their account from a Denis O’Donoughue point.
Now Dromtariffe thundered into the game, a terrific move saw O’Keeffe’s effort stopped by Iveleary ‘keeper Joe Creedon only for O’Keeffe to follow up and net. Iveleary regained their shape, Barry Murphy and Daniel O’Riordan held an influence in defence with Seán Lehane and O’Leary creating a workmanlike impact.
Points from Vaughan, Finbarr McSweeney and Seán O’Leary pushed the Inchigeela based side ahead. Still Dromtariffe hung in, O’Keeffe and Shane Collins helped cut the deficit 1-7 to 1-5 at the interval.
And Dromtariffe’s game perked up for the restart, points from O’Keeffe and Adam Buckley helped force parity.
Iveleary appeared to come to terms with the requirements on getting to grips with their opponents for a spell, Vaughan and substitute Conor O’Leary finding the range for a 1-10 to 1-7 advantage at the three quarter mark.
In fairness, Dromtariffe channelled their energies into constructing a revival. Defensively, Conor Cremin, Seán Howard and Jack Murphy were superb with team captain Seamus O’Sullivan, Conor O’Callaghan, Evan Murphy and O’Keeffe always comfortable on the ball.
Remaining in the hunt to a competitive battle, two points apiece to O’Keeffe and O’Callaghan steered the Duhallow side ahead. For a spell, Iveleary lamented poor shooting before Brian Cronin squared up the game.
One could cut the tension in the concluding minutes with the possibility of extra time looming. Dromtariffe threw their bodies where few would venture, their blocking and tackling surperb in defence, their greater fitness was on parade during those heart stopping closing minutes.
In a welter of excitement, Dromtariffe made the decisive push on finding a new gear in additional time for O’Keeffe and Murphy secure the match winning points. Maybe the lucky omen were the Duhallow jerseys worn by Dromtariffe owing to a clash of colours between the two sides. DROMTARIFFE: D Mann; C O’Mahony, C Cremin, S Howard; T Howard, J Murphy, B O’Keeffe; A Buckley 0-1, S O’Sullivan; E Murphy 0-2, D O’Donoughue 0-1, M Healy; C O’Callaghan 0-2, S Collins 0-1, D O’Keeffe 1-6 (0-2f). Subs: M O’Connor for M Healy (ht), D O’Connor for S Collins (43), J Buckley for C O’Mahony (43), K O’Sullivan for D O’Donoughue (53), G Murphy for D O’Connor (60 +4).
IVELEARY: J Creedon; B Murphy, D O’Riordan, D Cotter; C Galvin, K Manning, G O’Riordan; C O’Riordan, S Lehane; F McSweeney Senior 0-1, S O’Leary 0-1, F McSweeney Junior 0-1; B O’Leary 1-1, C Óg Jones 0-1, C Vaughan 0-4 (3f, 1 ‘45’). Subs: B Cronin 0-1 for C Galvin (36), C O’Leary 0-1 for McSweeney Senior (44), L Kearney for D Cotter (bc, 50), J M O’Leary for S Lehane (54), S Galvin for L Kearney (bc, 60).
REFEREE: J Bermingham (Bride Rovers)