‘It’s a dream come true’
IN-FORM Daniel O’Keeffe led the way in the scoring stakes, his 2-9 helped Dromtariffe prevail to reach a Munster JAFC Final.
Though the scoreline suggests a comprehensive win, Mount Sion competed admirably all through and at times, they presented Dromtariffe with a searching test of their mettle yet they lacked the overall balance required on days like this with a provincial decider as a prize.
At key stages in both halves, Dromtariffe needed something to ignite their charge and they got it in the shape of O’Keeffe striking with a vengeance on finishing off slick raids with terrific goals.
“When required, we played good football, from 1 to 15, everybody contributed, the good and quick ball paid off for us into the full forward line. We got space to move, the goals surfaced from teamwork, great passing and running off the ball, that ensured, I was in the right position to finish off the attacks,” said a modest O’Keeffe.
The talisman pointed out that Dromtariffe had shown composure in the face of intense pressure on a number occasions already this season, not least when requiring late scores during the business end of the county campaign.
“When Mount Sion got to within four points on playing with the breeze in the early stages of the second half, I was confident Dromtariffe would pull through, we never panicked and again finished strongly,” he said.
Dromtariffe 2018 have put forward the passion and pride associated with great club teams from a past generation or two and the latest win elevates the Duhallow side into a Munster showpiece.
“A great result, its all about winning and advancing to the next stage; its been a long year, Dromtariffe haven’t enjoyed such success between the hurling and football over the years, this team is building from a number of Rebel Óg Minor and Duhallow and county Under 21 Football titles, this is a young Dromtariffe side, there is no fear in us,” said O’Keeffe.
However, O’Keeffe and his colleagues are under no illusion as to the task confronting them in the Munster Final on facing a highly regarded Beaufort. Not only did O’Keeffe learn his trade with Dromtariffe, it’s enhanced on being associated with Tralee IT and being in the midst of Kerry players.
“Beaufort are an excellent team, I went to college with one of two of them, there are going to be the best opponents that we’re going to face in 2018. Over the past few years, I got an insight into Kerry football, they take it serious, that’s the reason of their success at club and county level,” he said.
“It’s a dream come true to be looking ahead to a Munster Final, if you asked me earlier in the year, I would had been happy to being involved in a Duhallow Final, every step has been fantastic, now, we can only try our best and hopefully add a Munster title,” said O’Keeffe.