Will Dromtariffe be smiling after their final with Beaufort?
WE’VE seen so many Kerry sides make the voyage in this competition in the last decade and-a-half, but it’s hard not to feel this has been the most convincing path worn by any side to get here like Beaufort have.
A combined winning margin of 43 points in their two matches in Munster thus far is a striking statistic, but it will count for little if Dromtariffe do manage to replicate their fellow Duhallow side in Cork in Knocknagree in keeping the title close to the county bounds.
The Mid Kerry side have looked so assured in Munster since Laune Rangers loosened their grip on the district title with a semi-final defeat, but it always felt like Beaufort had a eye on this event when it came closer to the time.
So many of those we expect to perform for them have done so, Liam Carey, Mike and Nathan Breen, Fergal Hallissey, Ciaran Kennedy, Jeremiah O’Sullivan and Ger Hartnett have been their mainstays amongst others.
They have shown so many other options though that they can be very confident about their chances should they reach the level they did against Ballylooby / Castlegrace in Tipperary and Michael Cusacks of Clare on their own turf in getting here.
Sunday will be the first time they have played county champions in this campaign however, Dromtariffe pulled off a late comeback to beat a more fancied Kilmacabea in the Cork Final and they do have the benefit of having played their two opponents in the competition thus far, Kildimo / Pallaskenry of Limerick and Mount Sion of Waterford in the Carraigoon complex a la Knocknagree last year.
It should count for a few points for them in terms of familiarity with the venue, but Beaufort manager Éanna O’Malley is not concerned about the venue being a factor, citing Kilcummin’s win over a team close to Mallow in Fermoy last Sunday as an example to take confidence from.
Regardless of the venue, the Cork side need to do something awfully special to stop Beaufort should the Mid Kerry side manage to hit top gear. As much as their own desires within the club to join the pantheon of Kerry success, a more Mid Kerry achievement is in the offing for them if they win.
Victory would ensure that the district is the first within the county where all clubs have won a provincial title – senior success for Laune Rangers in 1995 and 1996, Intermediate success for Milltown/Castlemaine in 2011, Junior successes for Keel in 2013 and Glenbeigh / Glencar in 2016 and Cromane’s Novice win in 2007.
The Munster Junior Club title visiting Mid Kerry for the third time in six years appears a strong possibility in advance.