Duhallow Junior A Hurling final: Holders Newmarket ready for Dromtariffe in eagerly awaited showdown
Pictured ahead of the E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Dealer Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship Final are Mikey Browne, captain Newmarket; Connie Tarrant and Michael O'Brien, joint captain Dromtariffe. Picture John Tarrant
A box-office clash brings together reigning champions Newmarket and arch=rivals Dromtariffe in an eagerly awaited E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Dealer Duhallow JAHC Final at Banteer on Saturday.
Over the past decade, a tremendous healthy rivalry has developed between the sides and another hotly competitive encounter is in prospect. Their initial clash dates to 2018, a slick Dromtariffe wrote a new name on the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup. Twelve months on, Newmarket recalled former glory days, overcoming Kilbrin in a lively final to land the crown for the first time since 1979.
For the following three seasons, Dromtariffe confirmed their status as the outstanding side within the division by overcoming Kilbrin, Millstreet and Banteer to complete a three-in-a-row of divisional titles.
However, a rare fourth consecutive outright bid came unstuck in 2023. Newmarket rose magnificently to the challenge to halt Dromtariffe’s gallop.
In fairness, Dromtariffe bounced back from that disappointment to regain the title in 2024, only to be relieved again of the silverware last season, an 11-point margin reflected Newmarket’s clear superiority.
Apart from one bump on the road, no surprises from the current campaign, both Dromtariffe and Newmarket were viewed as the leading fancies, the pair justifying their progress to the decider.
From the group phase to this championship, Dromtariffe overcame Banteer but incurred a narrow defeat to Meelin.
Teamwise, goalkeeper Gavin O’Keeffe has adapted well to new surroundings, with Michael O’Brien, Jamie Kelleher and former Cork player Conor O’Callaghan bringing stability to defence while the work-rate of Kevin Cremin and Seán Howard in the centre can always be relied on.
And in attack, Dromtariffe possesses plenty of movement and energy through Brandon Murphy, Evan Murphy, Andrew Healy and Tomás Howard is a proven match-winner.
For their part, Newmarket held the easier Preliminary group, confirmed on resounding wins over both Millstreet and Freemount. And no problem for Newmarket in a semi-final, despite the unavailability of key players, they carried too much firepower for a disappointing Meelin.
Fronting the holders are goalkeeper Ben Newman backed by solid defence featuring Aidan Browne, Mikey Browne and Josh O’Keeffe.
In the centre, Cork hurler Hugh O’Connor, Michael Cottrell and Donal Hannon are capable of a productive day’s work.
Newmarket hope that attackers Cathal Browne, Darren O’Keeffe and Ryan O’Keeffe oblige, though injured Rory Lynn is a loss.
Given the record of both Newmarket and Dromtariffe, there is no doubting the pedigree of both sides, it might take a second day to resolve the destination of the title.
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