St Oliver Plunkett’s 1-21

O’Donovan Rossa 0-10

TOM LYONS REPORTS

IN the end, it all worked out for St Oliver Plunkett’s hurlers.

Both teams were still in the running for a qualifying place before this final-round Group 4 game in the Co-Op Superstores Confined Junior B Hurling Championship in breezy Ahamilla on Sunday afternoon.

Both were also waiting for a result from the other game in the group, Bantry Blues v Delanys, to find out their eventual fate.

Rossas’ defeat meant they were out of the running with no win from three games. When word finally came through that Bantry had defeated Delanys (4-18 to 2-9), it meant Plunkett’s, Bantry and Delanys all finished on four points after three games.

Scoring difference was needed to decide the top two qualifiers and it was the two West Cork sides who progressed, with Delanys out.

Plunkett’s had started the day well behind Delanys on scoring difference but their 11-point victory over Rossas ensured their second-place finish in the group.

At half time it looked far from certain that Plunkett’s would do much to help their scoring difference as they led by only five points having played with the strong breeze. They must have received the message at half time that more scores were needed as they took complete control after the break against a Rossa team that was missing nine of their starting 15 through injuries and exams, and just ran out of steam in the second half.

St Oliver Plunkett's Mike Crowley tries to get past Gavin McCarthy of O'Donovan Rossa. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

‘We’re happy with that result, especially with the second-half performance,’ said Plunkett’s manager Conor O’Driscoll, as he waited anxiously for word from the other game.

‘We were under pressure to get scores and the lads responded very well. Our experienced players, like Mike (Keohane) and Conor (McCarthy), took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half.

‘We’re still missing a few players with injuries, our numbers are very tight at the moment and it’s all hands on deck.’

It wasn’t looking too good at half time for the Magpies. Even though they led by 0-10 to 0-5, seven of those points had come from one player, Darragh Murphy, four from play.

The rest of the forwards managed only three between them from Aaron Lehane, Conor McCarthy and corner back Jamie O’Neill. Gary McCarthy was lording affairs at full back, with good support from Brian Walsh and Seán Crowley. At midfield, Ciarán Dullea and Mike Crowley were on top but scores were hard to come against a tough Rossa defence.

Dan Nzunu, Gavin McCarthy, Dinny O’Regan and Cian O’Reilly were giving nothing away at the back for Rossas while Jason Nott and Paddy McCarthy were trying hard at midfield. However, up front, Rossas’ limitations were evident as the forwards failed to raise a single flag in the first half, with midfielder Nott hitting three from frees and one from play. Goalkeeper Alan Foley, soon to celebrate a big birthday, had his usual score from a free.

Expectations that Rossas would mount a serious challenge in the second half were never realised as Plunkett’s took control. Very prominent were the two veterans in attack, Mike Keohane and Conor McCarthy, with Darragh Murphy leading in the scoring stakes. Five points, including three from frees, brought Murphy’s final total to 0-12.

O'Donovan Rossa's Daniel Nzunu defending against St Oliver Plunkett's Ciaran Dullea. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

The only goal of the game came in the 55th minute from midfielder Ciarán Dullea to swell Plunkett’s scoring difference, while Mike Keohane hit three points, the impressive Niall O’Driscoll added two and centre back Brian Walsh also raised a white flag.

Outgunned as they were, Rossas never waved the surrender flag and they did raise five white flags. Nott had three from frees, Paddy McCarthy had one as did Shane Carthy, the only Rossa forward to score over the hour.

Plunkett’s were delighted to hear they had scraped through but the Skibbereen camp will be hoping they have their missing players back in action for the Carbery championship in August.

‘We were just missing too many players today,’ said Rossa manager Aaron Collins, himself a native of Kilbrittain.

‘We’re down about nine of our starting team. It isn’t easy with so many young lads coming through but then disappearing from view, usually to the football. A lot of our older players are out injured or stepping away and it’s a big challenge to us now to bring the juveniles through to the adult team.

‘We’ll try to get all our players back on the field for the Carbery championship and should be better ready for that.’

OUR STAR: Special mention for Magpies’ veterans Mike Keohane and Conor McCarthy, but it was youngster Darragh Murphy who took top spot with his all-round display and a dozen points to boot.

Scorers

St Oliver Plunkett’s: Darragh Murphy 0-12 (6f); Ciarán Dullea 1-0; Mike Keohane 0-3; Niall O’Driscoll 0-2; Brian Walsh, Aaron Lehane, Conor McCarthy, Jamie O’Neill 0-1 each.

O’Donovan Rossa: Jason Nott 0-7 (6f); Paddy McCarthy, Shane Carthy, Alan Foley (1f) 0-1 each.

St Oliver Plunkett’s: Cormac Lyons; Jamie O’Neill, Gary McCarthy, Owen McCarthy; Seán White, Brian Walsh, Seán Crowley; Ciarán Dullea, Mike Crowley; Conor McCarthy, Darragh Murphy, Niall O’Driscoll; Mike Collins, Aaron Lehane, Mike Keohane.

Subs: Eoin McKennedy for A Lehane (41), Eoin Donegan for M Collins (46).

O’Donovan Rossa: Alan Foley, Eoin O’Sullivan, Dan Nzunu, Niall McCarthy; Gavin McCarthy, Dinny O’Regan, Cian O’Reilly; Jason Nott, Paddy McCarthy; Shane Carthy, Pa Crowley, Dan McCarthy; Shaun Hodnett, Shane Donoghue, Gary Walsh.

Subs: Hughie Leonard for S Hodnett (50), Jack McCarthy for C O’Reilly (50), Shaun Hodnett for N McCarthy (58).

Referee: Anthony O’Regan (Kilbrittain).