All Ireland pedigree over a century ago for Cork contenders

DROMTARIFFE’S tradition runs deep, the proud Duhallow club have contributed so much to the Gaelic games story and 125 years on from their last involvement on the provincial and All Ireland circuit, the 2018 line up can take heart from a 1893 team that reached an All Ireland Final. Their return to prominence is an uplifting tale dotted with colour and controversy from the founding of the GAA.

During those early years, the inter-county championships were open to all affiliated clubs, who would initially compete in county based competitions. The winners of each county championship proceeded to represent their county in the All-Ireland championships.

These county championships between local clubs and national competition between competing counties provided the framework for the GAA’s long term development.

From 1893, Dromtariffe bettered Castlemartyr after extra time to be crowned Cork champions. That secured a ticket into the Munster championship, three times, they were fixed to play Laune Rangers, twice in Millstreet and also in Mallow but Rangers failed to show.

Indeed, Dromtariffe progressed to the All Ireland Final without having to play a game, coming up against Young Irelands of Wexford. Not for the first time controversy arose, sixteen minutes from full-time, a Dromtariffe player was attacked by the crowd.

To diffuse the situation, the referee ordered off a player from both sides, Dromtariffe refused to accept the decision, the team walked off and Young Irelands were awarded the game.

One thing is certain on Sunday next, both Dromtariffe and Beaufort will show up in Mallow to determine the Munster Junior champions. Dromtariffe is a rural based club in Duhallow, its catchment area includes Derinagree, Dromagh, Kilcorney and Rathcoole.

With a home base at Rathcoole, Dromtariffe is surrounded by the larger towns and villages of Kanturk, Newmarket, Boherbue, Millstreet and Banteer; Kerry patrons travelling to Mallow along the N72 enter Dromtariffe heartland at Clonbanin Cross.

Looking back on their fortunes during the current season, the graph in Dromtariffe’s football and hurling fortunes spiraled dramatically upwards.

A competitive Duhallow JAFC saw outsiders Dromtariffe come close to dethroning hot favourites Boherbue where it took a replay for the latter to win by a single points.

Still a county championship awaited Dromtariffe but in between, there was a historic hurling journey, Dromtariffe, boosted by a number of Boherbue footballers won their first Duhallow JAHC title.

From a hectic schedule, Dromtariffe breathed life back into their football campaign and brought a halt to the gallop of Charleville, St Michaels and an experienced Iveleary outfit in the county series. And in a dramatic county final, Dromtariffe shredded the outsiders tag when a barnstorming finish helped secure a narrow win over Kilmacabea.

Pretty straight forward in the Munster campaign, Dromtariffe without reaching top gear produced dominant displays to better Kildimo-Pallaskenry (Limerick) and Mount Sion (Waterford).

No shortage of accomplished and proven performers aboard Dromtariffe, team captain Seamus O’Sullivan holds four All Ireland medals (3 Junior, 1 Under 21) while Conor O’Callaghan is an All Ireland Under 17 hurling medalist and Evan Murphy is a former Cork minor football panellist.

Dromtariffe’s fortunes have been quite a story this year in Cork, the mantle of outsiders won’t bother the men in red and white in the slightest when they trot onto the Mallow playing surface on Sunday.