Newmarket quell Dromtariffe challenge to regain Duhallow JAHC title

Newmarket celebrate victory in the E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Dealer Duhallow JAHC Final. Picture John Tarrant

Duhallow JAHC final: Newmarket 3-28, Dromtarriffe 1-23

REVENGE was sweet for Newmarket on overcoming arch rivals and reigning holders Dromtariffe to regain the Duhallow JAHC Final at a packed Kilbrin on Sunday.

Having disappointed against the same opposition last season, Newmarket returned with fresh vigour to exhibit a greater hunger than their opponents. On this occasion, Newmarket made no mistake, hurling at their best with sheer precision and execution with two goals netted in the opening half key to the outcome.

Team coach Donagh Duane, part of a Kanturk management team to win the All-Ireland Club IHC title in 2018 saluted a job well done, totally satisfied on mission accomplished for Newmarket at the end of a hectic game.

“Last season, they had let themselves down to relent the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup to a much better Dromtariffe. From last November, we have worked and trained exceptionally well, we could not have asked more of the squad”.

“On this occasion, they were itching for a perfect performance, operating against the stiff breeze in the first half, we felt the need for a goal or two, by scoring a pair gave us a foothold, Dromtariffe never gave up but we possessed the hunger to ensure a memorable outing”, said Duane.

Full on in a rip roaring first half that tallied 30 scores, goals from Barry O’Connor and Donal Hannon gave Newmarket the perfect platform. In between Dromtariffe remained in the hunt, the Howard brothers and Evan Murphy pointing for their side to trail 2-12 to 0-16 at half time.

The fireworks continued on the restart, a third Newmarket goal from Cian Crowley cancelled out by Dromtariffe’s Brandon Murphy. However Newmarket, driven on by Aidan Browne, man of the match Hugh O’Connor, Hannon, Rory Lynn and Ryan O’Keeffe offered the greater energy and determination.

Though Dromtariffe answered with points in a bid to revive their challenge, Newmarket enjoyed a better cutting edge, Hannon closed out with three points to confirm their 17th outright title.

Scorers for Newmarket: D Hannon (1-8, 6f), H O’Connor (0-6, 1f), C Crowley (1-2), B O’Connor (1-1), R O’Keeffe (0-4), R Lynn (0-3), A Browne, C O’Keeffe, M Browne, C Browne (0-1 each).

Scorers for Dromtariffe: T Howard (0-6, 1f), S Howard (0-5, 4f, 1’65), B Murphy (1-2), C O’Callaghan (0-3), E Murphy (0-3), A Healy (0-2), D Dennehy, S Coyne (0-1 each).

NEWMARKET: B Newman; P Allen, A Browne, J O’Connor; A Ryan M Browne, J O’Keeffe; H O’Connor, D O’Keeffe; C O’Keeffe, D Hannon, C Crowley; R Lynn, B O’Connor, R O’Keeffe. 

Subs: K O’Sullivan for D O’Keeffe (48), C Browne for R O’Keeffe (51).

DROMTARIFFE: D Cremin; D Dennehy, M O’Brien, R Daly; J Kelleher, C O’Callaghan, J Murphy; S Howard, K Cremin; G O’Keeffe, T Howard, E Murphy; B Murphy, M O’Callaghan, A Healy. 

Subs: S Coyne for M O’Callaghan (ht), M O’Gorman for J Keleher (ht), M O’Connor for G O’Keeffe (35), D Murphy for D Dennehy (52), S O’Riordan for A Healy (59).

Referee: Simon Stokes (Tullylease).