Dromtariffe hang on against Millstreet to reach Duhallow Hurling Cup final

Dromtariffe 2-19 Millstreet 2-17

DROMTARIFFE pulled out all the stops to better Millstreet in an exciting Duhallow Sawmills Duhallow Cup Hurling semi-final at Banteer.

The victors progress wasn’t always smooth but when required, Dromtariffe raised the tempo to register timely scores to secure the win to a game that doubled up as a league fixture. Millstreet’s plucky work ethic remained in the game right up to the last play when their efforts for a match winning goal failed to gain a dividend.

With the sides deadlocked on seven occasions during the opening half, it made for a nip and tuck affair with marksmen at either Brandon Murphy and Tomás Sheehan accurate from placed balls. After Patrick Dineen nudged Millstreet ahead, Dromtariffe answered with a Gavin O’Keeffe goal.

Millstreet responded through the grafting play of Paul Sheehan, Luke O’Donoughue and Dineen. And Millstreet availed of a productive spell for Kevin Crowley to net for a 1-12 to 1-10 advantage at the interval.

For a spell, Dromtariffe’s game took flight on the restart, their grip boosted by the play of Jamie Kelleher, Kevin Cremin, Conor O’Callaghan and Andrew Healy. A goal from Keenan Murphy confirmed a greater purpose to Dromtariffe’s play with Stephen Coyne, Brandon Murphy, Ray Daly and Healy adding points to jump 2-15 to 1-12 ahead.

Millstreet roared back into contention, Dineen at the end of a Sheehan free to goal and follow up points forced parity with 10 minutes remaining. Again the tide turned to Dromtariffe’s direction from lead points by Brandon Murphy, Daniel O’Keeffe and Coyne.

However Millstreet were no quitters, Sheehan pointed and laying siege on the Dromtariffe defence during the closing stages in search of scores, but with their backs against the wall, Dromtariffe coped well with the incessant pressure. DROMTARIFFE: D Hartnett; D Dennehy, J Kelleher, J Buckley; R Daly 0-1, K Cremin, K Murphy 1-1; C O’Callaghan, A Healy 0-2; B Murphy 0-7, D O’Keeffe 0-4, S Coyne 0-2; D O’Connor 0-1, D Crowley 0-1, G O’Keeffe 1-0. Subs: C O’Callaghan.

MILLSTREET: B Fitzgerald; J Hickey, P Sheehan, C Casey; N Flahive 0-1, L O’Donoughue, C McCaul; M O’Connor, T Sheehan 0-10; K Crowley 1-1. P Dineen 1-1, C O’Leary 0-1, S Lyons, H Keane 0-2, D Kelleher 0-1. Subs: T Healy, M McCarthy.

REFEREE: J Hartnett (Boherbue)