Dromtariffe signal Duhallow JAHC intent after huge win over Kilbrin to advance to the next round

Dromtariffe 3-23

Kilbrin 1-14 

Under pressure Dromtariffe produced their most rounded performance of the season todate to overcome Kilbrin in the E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Dealer Duhallow JAHC at Newmarket. 

Having been pipped by Meelin in the previous round, Dromtariffe needed to win by five points to maintain an interest.

On this occasion, Dromtariffe allayed any fears, they demolished the challenge of previously unbeaten Kilbrin in ruthless fashion. 

All through the hour, Dromtariffe hurled furiously and brought precision play to their game that yielded excellent scores.

The sides traded the opening four points, a clearly determined Dromtariffe operating at pace that meant business shot 10 consecutive points with the Howard brothers and Brandon Murphy leading the charge. 

For a spell, Kilbrin got to grips with the challenge, Conor Harrington, Eoin Sheahan and Fionn O’Connor pointing to trim the arrears 0-11 to 0-7.

And Kilbrin might well have been closer, Niall Field forced a brilliant save from Dromtariffe ‘keeper Gavin O’Keeffe, Maoiliosa O’Brien pounced on the rebound only to fire wide of the target. 

With Kilbrin allowing Dromtariffe free men in defence from restarts, they paid a price, a delivery from Kevin Cremin saw Tomás Howard break the ball into the path of Evan Murphy to net for a commanding 1-13 to 0-8 advantage at half time.

Kilbrin restarted with encouraging points from O’Connor and Eoin Sheahan yet Dromtariffe remained in pole position, Stephen Coyne, Conor O’Callaghan and Brandon Murphy rose white flags before Evan Murphy placed Tomás Howard for a second goal.

Dromtariffe maintained their supremacy with five of the next six points, a struggling Kilbrin failed to get any fluency into their game, they did unhinge a tenacious Dromtariffe rearguard with a goal from Rory King. 

Predictably that sparked a Dromtariffe response, Andrew Healy’s effort was blocked by Kilbrin netminder William Heffernan only for substitute Darren O’Connor to net from close range.

Over the full contest. Dromtariffe offered intensity whereas a disappointing Kilbrin failed to reach the level paraded by their opponents.

Victory secures Dromtariffe a passage to a semi final against Freemount, the latter defeated Millstreet 2-20 to 3-16. 

Meelin overcame Banteer 4-21 to 0-10, progressing to the second semi final against holders Newmarket.

Scorers for Dromtariffe: S Howard 0-9 (7f), T Howard 1-6, E Murphy 1-2, D O’Connor 1-0, B Murphy 0-3, S Coyne, C O’Callaghan, M O’Connor 0-1 each.

Kilbrin: F O’Connor 0-8 (6f), E Sheahan 0-3, R King 1-0, C Harrinton 0-2. 

DROMTARIFFE: G O’Keeffe; M Sheehan, M O’Gorman, J Kelleher; C Byrnes, M O’Brien, K Cremin; S Howard, C O’Callaghan; B Murphy, S Coyne, E Murphy; A Healy, T Howard, M O’Connor. 

Subs: D O’Keeffe, D O’Connor, M O’Callaghan, D O’Riordan.

KILBRIN: W Heffernan; T Mullane, B O’Mahony, R Heffernan; R O’Leary, T O’Brien, S O’Riordan; J Harrington, Maoilmhuire O’Brien; F O’Connor, R King, N Field; C Harrington, E Sheahan, Maoiliosa O’Brien. 

Sub: D Daly.

Referee: David Cronin (Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas).