“I’d forfeit those two goals to take home the cup”

A CASE of what might had been for Dromtariffe as their hopes of Munster glory came to a halt following a heartbreak defeat to Beaufort by a just a single point.

Of course, team captain Seamus O’Sullivan was naturally disappointed for players and supporters but immensely proud of the team’s efforts.

“Having played so well, we feel gutted, had chances to pull off it but we failed to take some of the opportunities that fell our way. In fairness, the same could be said of Beaufort in a contest there for the taking before we lost out in a low scoring extra time,” he said.

At key stages, the Dromtariffe leader had operated at midfield or full forward, his impact as target man phenomenal against Boherbue in the Duhallow Final and the same applied in county assignment on facing Iveleary and Kilmacabea. Indeed O’Sullivan didn’t leave Dromariffe down in this Munster Final, his two goals during the opening half made a telling impact and central to the Cork champions coming so close to pulling off a provincial title.

“Previously, I probably never got two goals in a season, a brilliant feeling to score twice, the work performed by the outfield players but I would had forfeited the goals just to take home the Cup. We put in a massive performance, everybody is so proud of the effort, to be crowned county champions was a delight but taking nothing away from that title, we’re disappointed on not adding a Munster triumph,” said O’Sullivan.

Operating in his 19th season in Junior ranks, O’Sullivan added Dromtariffe didn’t fear a highly rated Beaufort outfit.

“In many of our games, Dromtariffe weren’t given much of a chance, it applied to the Boherbue, Iveleary, Kilmacabea and Beaufort games. But we were prepared to battle all the way, Dromtariffe possess a young and powerful side, full of fighting spirit, they never give up and the side is capable of adding bigger prizes in the future,” he said.

With the team captain holding optimism of bearing further fruit down the line, O’Sullivan wants to begin his 20th season in adult football at intermediate ranks.

“Maybe, given my injuries and based in Lissarda, away from training, the team management may grant me time off for a few months. At this stage, in terms of football, its all about next season and playing intermediate football, I want to be part of the lineup,” enthused O’Sullivan.

“Dromtariffe and myself included have waited a long time on the wings for this opportunity. Football is strong in Duhallow, just look at the Junior success alone, Kanturk, Rockchapel, Millstreet, Knocknagree and now Dromtariffe, have tasted Co. Junior glory from the current decade, we are looking ahead to rising our profile,” he concluded.