IAFC: Aghabullogue too strong in the end for Dromtarriffe to book a place in the final
Aghabullogue's Paul Ring sets up an attack during the IAFC semi-final match against Dromtarriffe. Picture: David Creedon
AGHABULLOGUE have advanced to the Bon Secours Hospital IAFC decider for the second consecutive year after defeating Dromtarriffe in the semi-final at Mallow on Friday night.
The Muskerry side were disappointed with how they played in last year’s final against Kilshannig and will hope that hurt and experience will stand to them in the coming weeks. Aghabullogue will take on either Mitchelstown or Adrigole in the showdown.
Disappointment for Dromtarriffe, but they have made progress this season and will be hoping to kick on again in 2024.
Aghabullogue’s powerful final 23 minutes was enough to see them over the line in this one. It was nip and tuck for 37 minutes, the sides were level at that stage, 1-7 to 0-10, but Aghabullogue scored 1-5 to seal a place in the final. It was a very good team performance and they certainly showed no signs of tiredness despite their exploits in the hurling over the past few weeks. They are also in the IAHC final.
Dromtarriffe, with the aid of the wind, made a lively start with a point after just 12 seconds, Aidan Downey setting up Darren O’Connor. The Muskerry side’s response was a quick one with Matthew Bradley converting a close-range free a minute later.
In what was an enthralling start with supporters still streaming in, Brian O’Keeffe nudged the Duhallow side in front with a brilliant long-range point, 0-2 to 0-1 after four minutes.
Frees from Evan O’Sullivan and Bradley gave Aghabullogue a slender advantage before it got better for the team in green and white after eleven minutes when influential wing-forward John Corkery was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded. Evan O’Sullivan expertly stepped up to dispatch the ball to the back of the net, sending the Dromtarriffe goalkeeper Dan Mann the wrong way, 1-3 to 0-2.
Dromtarriffe’s response was outstanding, landing three points on the bounce to leave just a point between the teams, 1-3 to 0-5 after 15 minutes. The large crowd were certainly getting value for money.
The team in red and white drew level when Brandon Murphy bisected the posts, 0-6 to 1-3 after 20 minutes, their sixth different scorer at this juncture. Dromtarriffe’s dominance since they conceded the goal continued as a pair of O’Callaghan points, one from a free, gave the Duhallow outfit a 0-8 to 1-3 advantage with six minutes to the break.
Daniel O’Keeffe’s white flag pushed Dromtarriffe three points clear before Aghabullogue registered their first score in 15 minutes when Evan O’Sullivan clipped over a free, 0-9 to 1-4 after 27 minutes. That was followed by another Evan O’Sullivan free as Dromtarriffe led by a point at the break, 0-9 to 1-5.
On the resumption, with Aghabullogue now assisted by the wind, drew parity from an Aaron O’Sullivan 45, which O’Callaghan replied with a free at the other end. Aghabullogue’s first score from play arrived after 37 minutes through a Corkery point as the sides were deadlocked once more, 0-10 to 1-7.
The next score wasn’t for another seven minutes when Corkery nudged the Muskerry side ahead, 1-8 to 0-10 after 44 minutes. Evan O’Sullivan converted a close-range free as Aghabullogue pushed two points clear. The team in green and white put a goal between the sides when Adam Murphy raised a white flag which was followed by an Evan O’Sullivan effort, 1-11 to 0-10 after 55 minutes.
Aghabullogue put the game to bed after 59 minutes when Cialan O’Sullivan billowed the back of the net, an excellent finish right into the top corner. Sub Brian Dineen and Corkery playing key roles in the build-up.
Aghabullogue had the last say with a Bradley point from a sideline as they will head into the decider full of confidence hoping to put past final heartbreak behind them.
E O’Sullivan 1-5 (0-4 f, 1-0 pen), C O’Sullivan 1-0, M Bradley 0-3 (0-2 f, 0-1 sideline), J Corkery 0-2, A O’Sullivan (45), A Murphy 0-1 each.
C O’Callaghan 0-4 (0-2 f, 0-1 45), D O’Keeffe 0-2, B Murphy, S Howard, B O’Keeffe, D O’Connor 0-1 each.
I O’Sullivan; B O’Sullivan, S Tarrant, C Smyth; A Murphy, P Ring (captain), T Long; R Dennehy, C Gillespie; J Corkery, M Bradley, P O’Sullivan; A O’Sullivan, E O’Sullivan, C O’Sullivan.
B Dineen for P O’Sullivan (40), B Casey for S Tarrant (46), D Thompson for C Gillespie (49), C O’Connell for J Corkery, O O’Connell for C O’Sullivan (both 60).
D Mann; M Dennehy, D Dennehy, R Daly; B Murphy, J Murphy, S Howard; A Buckley (captain), B O’Keeffe; A Downey, C O’Callaghan, M Healy; D O’Keeffe, E Murphy, D O’Connor.
T Howard for D Dennehy (38), M O’Brien for A Downey (48), M O’Connor for D O’Connor (52), J Kelleher for M Dennehy (55).
Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).
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