Dromtariffe retain Duhallow JAHL title with victory over Banteer

Dromtariffe 1-23

Banteer 1-18 

DROMTARIFFE shook off a determined challenge from Banteer to deservedly emerge best in the Twohigs Supervalu Duhallow JAHL Final at Kanturk.

Having been deadlocked on six occasions in the opening 18 minutes, Dromtariffe enjoyed the more productive spells of stickwork and a run of well taken scores helped Dromtariffe retain their title.

Though Banteer made an all out effort to erase an eight point interval deficit , they could not raise the consistency levels to trouble the holders from collecting their third outright title.

Little separated the sides for a greater portion of the opening half, Dromtariffe points from Evan Murphy and Tomás Howard cancelled out by the Philpott brothers, Brian and Luke. 

Dromtariffe withdrew corner forward Michael Sheehan to operate as an additional defender to curb the attacking of Banteer’s inside line.

The sides were content to trade points, Banteer defender Muiris Reidy stepping up to point for a narrow lead. 

But once Dromtariffe answered for Conor O’Callaghan to tie up matters for the sixth time, the holders proceeded to dominate through the guidance of man of the match O’Callaghan, well supported by Jack Murphy, Michael O’Brien, Evan Murphy and Andrew Healy.

A probing delivery from Evan Murphy allowed Howard to net. 

Follow up points from Healy and Howard allowed Dromtariffe forge ahead 1-13 to 0-8 at the interval.

On the restart, Banteer roared back into contention, points from Ruarí O’Connell, Stephen Kelleher, Luke Philpott and Kevin Barry offered encouragement. 

However Dromtariffe kept their heads to wrestle back the initiative, O’Callaghan, Evan Murphy and Mark O’Connor adding points.

Though Banteer answered on replies per Philpott, O'Connell and Alan Coughlan, Dromtariffe pressed forward, white flags raised by the O’Callaghan brothers. 

Again Banteer rallied, rewarded on a scrambled goal by Kevin Tarrant.

However, Dromtariffe never looked rattled, O’Callaghan added a point to seal victory and allow team captain O’Brien accept the silverware, much to the delight of his team mates and their supporters.

Scorers for Dromtariffe: T Howard 1-4 (3f), C O’Callaghan 0-5, A Healy 0-4, E Murphy 0-4 (1f), M O’Callaghan 0-3, F McKee, J Murphy, M O’Connor 0-1 each.

Banteer: L Philpott 0-6 (3f, 1’65), B Philpott 0-3, K Tarrant 1-0, D Wilson 0-2, R O’Connell 0-2, E O’Brien, K Barry, M Reidy, S Kelleher, A Coughlan 0-1 each.

DROMTARIFFE: G O’Keeffe; K Cremin, M O’Gorman, J Murphy; M O’Connor. M O’Brien, C Carver; C O’Callaghan, D O’Connor; M O’Callaghan, F McKee, E Murphy; M Sheehan, T Howard, A Healy. 

Subs: C Morley for T Howard, D O’Leary for D O’Connor.

BANTEER: R Kiely; M Reidy, J McAulliffe, D O’Donoghue; R O’Connell, R O’Connor, A Coughlan; E O’Brien, D Wilson; R Kiely, S Kelleher, A Kearney; B Philpott, L Philpott, K Tarrant. 

Subs: C Coughlan for D Wilson, K Barry for A Kearney.

Referee: David Cronin (Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas).