O’Keeffe points earn Emmets late reprieve
Dromtariffe 1-11 Robert Emmets 1-11
RYAN O’Keeffe answered the call for Robert Emmets with a sweetly struck late pointed free to earn a hard earned draw with Dromtariffe in the Central Stores, Kanturk Duhallow U-21 C FC Final at a rainlashed Glantane.
Despite the wind and inclement weather, a splendid contest developed, the outcome leaned either direction at various stages. Certainly, Dromtariffe looked sharper, none more so than operating into the teeth of the elements upon the resumption only to kick four points and enjoy a clear grip.
In fairness, the Emmets response was pretty positive and gradually set about reining in on Dromtariffe. On three occasions during the closing quarter, the sides were deadlocked, that indicated the tight nature of the proceedings for a draw to emerge an equitable outcome.
Emmets had opened with a purpose, their cause boosted from a well taken Jack Murphy goal followed by a Cathal Browne point. That presented Dromtariffe with a test of their composure, their response calm and effective with Aidan Downey and Evan Murphy pointing.
Indeed Dromtariffe were making it happen, at the back, Ray Daly, Brandon Murphy and Tomás Howard stamped their authority with Conor O’Callaghan and Darragh O’Leary getting through solid work.
The Emmets rearguard were caught napping, a foul saw Mark Lynes view a chance of an opening, blasting the ball to the net. Dromtariffe’s workload looked that bit sharper, Murphy stepping up from wing back for a point and a 1-4 to 1-3 advantage at the break.
Though the Newmarket based Emmets resumed with the elements, Dromtariffe pushed on with four points in quick succession from O’Callaghan, O’Leary and Downey. Facing a daunting challenge, Emmets improved, helped by the encouraging play of Josh O’Keeffe, Michael and Cathal Browne while Aidan Browne and Ryan O’Keeffe came more into the picture.
Points from O’Keeffe and Padraig O’Sullivan ate into the deficit before Dromtariffe answered in a free flowing move for Brandon Murphy to split the uprights. That score illustrated Dromtariffe sharpness on the occasion, Emmets appeared to be close to a goal only for Dromtariffe full back Brian O’Keeffe to foil Cian Crowley with a brilliant block, the ball swept upfield at a lightning pace for Murphy to oblige.
Emmets replied with a pair from O’Keeffe to set up a gripping finish. Dromtariffe regained the lead, Evan Murphy, the provider for O’Callaghan only for Emmets to respond to Crowley following good work by David Cottrell.
Amidst the excitement, both sides squandered a number of chances only to swap late points from O’Callaghan and O’Keeffe to ensure a stalemate and an eagerly awaited replay on this Friday night. DROMTARIFFE: M Dennehy; R Daly, B O’Keeffe, G O’Keeffe; B Murphy 0-2, T Howard, O Harty; C O’Callaghan 0-3 (1f), K O’Sullivan; M Lynes 1-0, E Murphy 0-1, M Sheehan; J O’Connell, A Downey 0-3, D O’Leary 0-2. Sub: J Leader for J O’Connell.
EMMETS: B Newman; A O’Callaghan, J O’Keeffe, S Murphy; M Browne 0-1, C Browne 0-1, J Kenneally; A Browne 0-1, C Crowley 0-1; P O’Sullivan 0-1, P Browne, D Cottrell; J Murphy 1-0, R O’Keeffe 0-6 (4f), D Reidy.
REFEREE: D Hickey (Millstreet)