Dromtariffe puts the silverware on show for annual GAA bash
A NEW generation of footballers and hurlers from Dromtariffe GAA Club came of age last season and their feats were acknowledged at a celebratory dinner dance hosted at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney last weekend.
Dromtariffe GAA filed away 2018 as an historic year of achievements, regaining hold of the County Junior A Football Championship and adding a new name on the roll of honour in the Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship – writing its way into the history books in the process.
County chairperson Tracey Kennedy was on hand to salute the run of success for a proud club that came ever so close to adding a Munster Junior football title, only to falter by the minimum to eventual All-Ireland champions Beaufort.
“This is indeed a very special occasion. My sincere congratulations to Dromtariffe GAA and all involved in bringing great glory to the club. Losing the Munster final was disappointing, but looking back on the full season, Dromtariffe had memorable days and all concerned, management or players, must be congratulated”, she said.
With players and supporters decked out in club ties, the familiar red and white of Dromtariffe added colour to a memorable hosting, with a sparkle of silver emanating from the top table.
Besides Ms Kennedy, the attendance also included Duhallow treasurer Dan Dennehy and former Cork stars Colm O’Neill and Lorcán McLoughlin.
A positive run in the Duhallow Junior A Football Championship saw Dromtariffe come up short to Boherbue, only to get back on track in the county series to end the interests of Charleville, St Michael’s and Uibh Laoire.
There was high drama in a decider which was a credit to the honesty and determined efforts of both Dromtariffe and their opponents from Kilmacabea, based in West Cork.
Team captain Seamus O’Sullivan led the way as did super sub Darren O’Connor, netting two goals during the closing quarter before defender Jack Murphy landed the match-winning point.
Team manager James McAulliffe expressed delight at the success and spoke of a rollercampaign.
“The players made a concerted effort for the county championship; they wouldn’t yield to any other team for the rest of the campaign. Our team are worthy champions; those 33 players are the most respected bunch that you would come across having gone through 120 training sessions”, he said.
For good measure, Dromtariffe’s hurlers completed a remarkable rise to the summit in Duhallow by capturing their first Junior A Hurling Championship title at the expense of Newmarket before a huge attendance at Freemount. Appearing in their first decider, Dromtariffe waited 133 years to sample a day of such intense joy, and their voracious appetite for silverware was clearly evident that day.
When it mattered, Dromtariffe weren’t found wanting; a productive opening half brought a delightful brand of hurling to their game.
Just two seasons previously, Dromtariffe won the interdivisional County Junior B title. Adjusting to A ranks quickly, they fielded one of the youngest teams in the county to claim the prestigious John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup with a side captained by Seán Howard.
The future off and on the field is bright for Dromtariffe: players contributed to a clean sweep of regional and county minor hurling titles won by Keale Gaels, with their under 21 hurlers dominant at divisional level in recent years.
The progressive club is embarking on a five-year development plan, and thanks was extended by club chairman Seán Feeley to patrons who supported the club lotto, golf classic and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
Amongst the series of individual awards, Kevin Cremin collected Hurling Player of the Year, with Conor O’Callaghan accepting the football award.
Plenty to celebrate for all associated with Dromtariffe, and a great atmosphere continued until well into the small hours with dancing to The Kelts and a disco.