Delvin withstand Plunkett’s comeback to claim victory

Delvin 2-23 St Oliver Plunkett's 2-21

Delvin and St Oliver Plunkett's served up a Round 1 thriller in the divisional phase of the Slevin's Coaches Senior (B) Hurling Championship in Kinnegad last Saturday evening.

It was Delvin with the assistance of a useful breeze in the first half, who were very much on the front foot early on. St Oliver Plunkett's – oddly - looked just a shade leaden footed. Delvin played swiftly moving the ball quickly in attacking situations, with purpose and thought. Delvin were merited match leaders by a margin of 14 points at half time in this fixture.

Much to their credit, St Oliver Plunkett's were much improved in the second half, proceeding to notch scores that steadily reduced Delvin's lead.

As it turned out playing time ran out for St Oliver Plunkett's, Delvin the match winners by a margin of two points. Based on the standard of play in this fixture – both Delvin and St Oliver Plunkett's will be major contenders to claim places in the knockout phase of this competition.

Delvin opened the scoring with a Darragh Clinton point, Ronan Kelly then going on to strike over a point to double their lead. Another Delvin point scored by Darragh Clinton left a margin of three points dividing the teams – before the Capital town club notched their opening score with David Gavin firing over a point.

It was Delvin though who continued to add to their early match lead – Dean Ennis, Josh Coll and Darragh Clinton, proceeding to fire over a point each leaving the north Westmeath Maroons 0-06 to 0-01 in front. Delvin further extended their lead with points from Eoin Carolan, Ronan Kelly and Darragh Clinton.

Two further Delvin points – both from Darragh Clinton – increased their lead to ten points before a long range point from Liam Carey doubled his side's tally.

Delvin's inventive and thoughtful corner forward Josh Coll scored his side's first goal, flicking the ball low to the right of the rapidly advancing St Oliver Plunkett's netminder Conor Bracken. The goal was immediately followed by point number 12 for Delvin via Darragh Clinton from a placed ball. Josh Coll then proceeded to strike over point number 13.

St Oliver Plunkett's then enjoyed a positive mini spell of play – scoring three points in succession. Two of those points were scored by Paddy Lynam (one from a '65 award', one from a free), with the odd point notched by substitute Matthew Cunningham. Delvin in turn replied with a quick brace of points, one each from Patrick Poynton and Darragh Clinton.

Having looked at times both indifferent and uncertain of themselves– St Oliver Plunkett's were now looking more self assured as half time approached. A point from Paddy Lynam was then quickly followed by two further overs – one each from the same Paddy Lynam and David Gavin. Delvin though were to close out the scoring for the first half and in very decisive mode – with a point from Eoin Carolan followed by a Josh Coll goal. Half time score: Delvin 2-16, St Oliver Plunkett's 0-08.

St Oliver Plunkett's started the second half brightly with a point each from goalkeeper Conor Bracken (free) and Ross Corroon. Delvin replied with a point from Darragh Clinton (free). Oliver Plunkett's, however, started to play like the team that had won Division 2 of the 2022 ACHL, hitting over four further points in quick succession – two from Paddy Lynam (both frees) and Ciaran Curley.

Plunkett's were now playing with a purpose, which at times was not what it should have been in the first half – Damien Kiernan and Stephen McManus – the latter players seemingly ageless – struck over a point each.

Delvin's Killian Murphy then broke the sequence of St Oliver Plunkett's point scoring firing over a brilliant point at a very critical moment of the second half. Stephen McManus pointed then for St Oliver Plunkett's. Delvin in turn coming back with two points very quickly early in the final quarter of play. Ronan Kelly and Darragh Clinton (free), the Delvin point scorers in question leaving Delvin 2-20 to 0-17 in front.

St Oliver Plunkett's via Ciaran Curley, notched up point number 18. Delvin responded with a Darragh Clinton point. Paddy Lynam (free) pointed for Plunkett's whose first goal came shortly afterwards. Ciaran Curley was the scorer of that goal – firing the ball low to the left corner of the Delvin net with a angled shot. A margin of five points 2-21 to 1-19 now separated the teams.

Darragh Clinton pointed a free for Delvin, while Plunkett's replied with a like score from Matthew Cunningham. With time running out, Delvin's Eoin Carolan pointed. Plunkett's however were unrelenting in their search for scores, winning a penalty when David Gavin was fouled. Plunkett's goalkeeper Conor Bracken strove forward to take that penalty, striking the ball low with aplomb to the right corner of the Delvin net. Ciaran Curley then fired over point number 21 for St Oliver Plunkett's, just before referee Matt Shaw called an end to what was a magnificent game of hurling.

Scorers:

Delvin: Darragh Clinton 0-11 (3 frees), Josh Coll 2-02, Ronan Kelly 0-04, Eoin Carolan 0-03, Dean Ennis 0-01, Patrick Poynton 0-01, Killian Murphy 0-01.

St Oliver Plunkett's: Paddy Lynam 0-07 (four frees – one 65m award), Ciaran Curley 1-05, Conor Bracken 1-01 (goal penalty – point free), Matthew Cunningham 0-02, Stephen McManus 0-02, David Gavin 0-02, Damien Kieran 0-01, Ross Corroon 0-01.

Delvin: Tadgh Kelly; Francis McGrath, Patrick Clune, Brian Herward; Dean Poynton, Adam Ennis, Fintan Cox; Patrick Poynton, Patrick Farrington; Dean Ennis, Killian Murphy, Ronan Kelly; John Coll, Darragh Clinton, Eoin Clinton. Substitute: Adam McCormack for Brian Herward.

St Oliver Plunkett's: Conor Bracken; Darragh Geraghty, Zack Ahearne, David Murray; Liam Carey, Aaron Craig, Tomas Turks; Stephen McManus, Brian Farrell; Paddy Lynam, David Gavin, Darren Carter; Damien Kiernan, Ross Corroon, Ciaran Curley. Substitutes: Matthew Cunningham for David Murray; Colm O'Leary for Darren Carter.

Referee: Matt Shaw (Clonkill)