O’Keeffe’s scoring spree key for gutsy Dromtariffe
Dromtariffe 2-16 Mount Sion 0-10
DROMTARIFFE’S superior attacking power proved decisive to overcome a stubborn Mount Sion in the AIB Munster JAFC semi final at Mallow on Saturday last.
By doing so, the Cork champions negotiated another fence safely from a performance sufficient for this occasion. A five star showing from Daniel O’Keeffe emerged the crucial difference between the sides, his predatory instincts offered a lesson in finishing to claim a 2-9 tally.
Far from a one man showing, there was no disputing the merits of Dromtariffe’s triumph, recovering from an indifferent spell either side of the interval, they worked calmly and precisely to exude class to book a provincial final date against Beaufort.
Backed by the strong breeze, Dromtariffe without injured team captain Seamus O’Sullivan controlled possession from the start, O’Keeffe thumped over a pair of points from play. And though Mount Sion opened their account from a Stephen Roche flag, Dromtariffe drove forward in waves, O’Keeffe added his third point.
Indeed Dromtariffe carved out the openings with increasing ease, Denis O’Donoughue took a return pass from Gearóid Murphy to present O’Keeffe with the simplest of tasks to net. A follow up point by Evan Murphy stretched Dromtariffe’s position 1-4 to 0-1 by the 10th min.
Even though the Cork champions were clearly superior for most of the afternoon, Dromtariffe still managed to give themselves some nervous moments. Indeed the Waterford side recovered from an uncertain spell, their improvement became increasing apparent. That was attributed by the influence of former Hurler of the Year Austin Gleeson and Seán Glynn at midfield.
Points from Gleeson and Martin O’Neill offered the Déise men encouragement but they passed up on a glorious goaling opportunity that would had put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Dromtariffe’s play had become sloppy, unable to put together the earlier sweeping moves though on the call of half-time, substitute Darren O’Connor had a goal disallowed.
Trooping off, Mount Sion were well in the hunt to trail 1-6 to 0-4. And for a time on the restart, the battle for supremacy was largely inconclusive, Dromtariffe points from Shane Collins and Evan Murphy sandwiched likewise efforts by O’Neill and Gleeson at the opposite end.
The gritty Waterford hopefuls stayed with the task, a marvellous pointed free from an acute angle by O’Neill had the margin down to four, just maybe the chance of an upset was on the cards.
Dromtariffe’s game had clearly lost some of its earlier gloss, being asked questions about their resolve as team captain Seamus O’Sullivan warmed up on the sideline.
Not for the first time in the campaign, Dromtariffe refused to panic
as they proceeded to deliver the answers. The influence of Conor Cremin, Eanna Mernagh and Seán Howard became pronounced as did Conor O’Callaghan and Adam Buckley.
Elsewhere, O’Keeffe, supported by Evan Murphy did much to energise the Dromtariffe attacking game with points. And gaps in the Mount Sion rearguard was confirmed in the 45th minute, a long delivery from wing-back Brian O’Keeffe picked out his namesake Daniel, a precision finish for a goal pushed Dromtariffe into a commanding position.
The pendulum had swung Dromtariffe’s way, Darren O’Connor and O’Keeffe nailed further points. Now Mount Sion were noticeably lethargic, the excursions of the previous weekend telling where extra time was required to deny Shamrocks in the Waterford decider.
Corner-forward Ian Galgey did post a pair of points for the Monastery yet Dromtariffe varied their game intelligently, cute and economical in possession, holding the ball up well, breaking forward in crisp passing moves that worked the ball into scoring positions for O’Callaghan, O’Keeffe and Murphy to tack on points. At the last whistle, an all round acceptance that the better team prevailed, Dromtariffe good enough to secure a passage to a Munster Final.
DROMTARIFFE: D Mann; C O’Mahony, C Cremin, S Howard, B O’Keeffe, J Murphy, T Howard, A Buckley, C O’Callaghan 0-1, E Murphy 0-4, D O’Donoghue, M O’Connor, G Murphy, S Collins 0-1, D O’Keeffe 2-9 (0-3f) Subs: D O’Connor 0-1 for D O’Donoughue (20 bc), E Mernagh for C O’Mahony (ht), K O’Sullivan for G Murphy (ht), M Lynes for M O’Connor (55), J Buckley for T Howard (59), C O’Callaghan for B O’Keeffe (60)
MOUNT SION: N Mackey; C Kennedy, P Penkert, C Savage; B Ryan, M Gaffney, D Power; A Gleeson, S Glynn; I O’Regan, M O’Neill, S Roche; R Roche, S Ryan, I Galgey Subs: S Elliot for C Savage (ht), G Carroll for S Ryan (47), L Thornton for B Ryan (48 bc), M Power for C Kennedy (54)
REFEREE: B Griffin (Kerry)