IAFC: Four goals as Dromtarriffe upset Mitchelstown to reach knockout stage

Dromtarriffe 4-12 Mitchelstown 0-15 

There was a major shock in the McCarthy Insurances IAFC at Ballyclough, with Dromtarriffe taking down a fancied Mitchelstown, though both clubs move on with quarter-finals later this month. 

Mitchelstown had the aid of the slight breeze in the first half and Cathail O'Mahony had two early points. 

The Duhallow side replied through Daniel O'Keeffe and Evan Murphy and then edged ahead. 

Mitchelstown raised an orange flag through O'Mahony after good play by Shane Beston as they led 0-7 to 0-4. 

By the 22nd minute, it was level at 0-7 each before O'Mahony and Michael O'Callaghan exchanged points and Evan Murphy clipped a score in added time to push Dromtarriffe up 0-9 to 0-8 at the interval.

The Duhallow side snatched the first of their four goals in the 31st minute through Andrew Healy. They took control in midfield and their aerial catching was very impressive. 

Sean Walsh pointed but Mitchelstown had a number of wides. 

Daniel O'Keeffe plundered the second goal in the 38th minute after good play by Sean Howard as Sean Walsh replied with another point. 

At the end of the third quarter, Brian O'Keeffe worked well for Daniel O'Keeffe, who was fouled. Evan Murphy's free found its way to the net and it was now 3-9 to 0-11. 

Murphy raised the fourth green flag with eight minutes remaining and the upset was on. 

Town tried very hard, adding points from O'Mahony (with two frees) and Walsh. 

In the 65th minute, Murphy sealed the win with a two-pointer. 

Mitchelstown now meet Buttevant while Dromtarriffe will face Boherbue in the quarter-finals. 

Best for the winners were Brandon Murphy, Conor O'Callaghan, Adam Buckley, Evan Murphy, Michael O'Callaghan and Daniel O'Keeffe. For Mitchelstown Sean Walsh, Cathail O'Mahony, Fionn Herlihy. Shane Beston and Cathal Walsh stood out.

Scorers for Dromtarriffe: E Murphy 2-4 (1-0 f, 1 2pt), A Healy 1-3, D O'Keeffe 1-2, B O'Keeffe, M O'Callaghan, C O'Callaghan (f) 0-1 each.

Mitchelstown: C O'Mahony 0-7 (0-2 f, 1 2pt) S Walsh 0-5 (1 2pt) C Keane Hyland, S Beston, C Walsh 0-1 each.

DROMTARRIFFE: M O'Keeffe; B Murphy, S Howard, M O'Brien; T Howard, M Dennehy, C O'Callaghan; A Downey, J Kelleher; M O'Callaghan, A Healy, D O'Keeffe; E Murphy, D O'Connor, D Ward. 

Subs: B O'Keeffe for C O'Callaghan (inj), C O'Callaghan for B O'Keeffe, B O'Keeffe for M O'Brien, M O'Connor for D O'Connor, C Byrnes for C O'Callaghan.

MITCHELSTOWN: L Hanna; L Finn, F Herlihy, E Geary; K Roche, R Murphy, L Keane; S Walsh, C Keane-Hyland; S Kenneally, Conor Walsh, J O'Sullivan; A O'Brien, C O'Mahony, S Beston. 

Subs: Cathal Walsh for J O'Sullivan (inj), C McNamara for L Finn, D Reidy-Price for Conor Walsh, J Cott for S Kenneally.

Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown).