Ballydesmond capable of surviving replay test

Ballydesmond v Dromtariffe

THE drawn encounter didn’t disappoint and it ensures a bumper crowd will return where the reaction to the dramatic stalemate encounter will be interesting. Ballydesmond required a late Donncha O’Connor point in the 68th minute to salvage a replay with their Duhallow neighbours.

Minutes earlier Ballydesmond looked well positioned on leading by five points but in a sensational finale, Dromtariffe came close to pulling off the great escape on bagging two quickfire goals to forge ahead. However, in the last play, O’Connor saved the day with his 10th point, one felt, a draw was the least Ballydesmond deserved having dominated large tracks of this contest.

It’s fair to day that Ballydesmond have been massively competitive since the outset of the campaign, faltering in extra-time to Kinsale after extra time. They bounced back, requiring extra-time to get past Kildorerry before bettering Glanmire.

At times against Dromtariffe, a more experienced Ballydesmond held a higher work-rate, the positive play of Conor Linehan, Jerry Healy, Donal O’Connor and Niall Fleming got their teeth into the contest with their main talisman on song.

As reigning County JAFC kingpins, Dromtariffe have embraced intermediate ranks with ease on accounting for both Millstreet and Glenville in the earlier rounds. However, their credentials were examined by Ballydesmond only to produce a trademark late rally.

Central to their comeback was the contribution of long serving full forward Seamus O’Sullivan, involved in their three goals and might well had added a fourth only to be denied by the crossbar. Still there is room for improvement, allowing Ballydesmond dictate for the best part of the hour will hardly suffice here.

Dromtariffe’s cause is not helped on a serious injury picked by Jack Murphy while Daniel O’Keeffe loses out to suspension. On the credit side, a number of substitutes added impetus to Dromtariffe’s cause particularly Shane Collins and Darren O’Connor.

Without a number of key players, casualties lost in the epic draw may hinder Dromtariffe’s cause here. Still such experience from a high profile contest will stand to Dromtariffe yet from a contest brimming with potential, Ballydesmond possess the balance to shade the outcome.

Ballydesmond