Goals from Ormsby and Craig propel Plunkett’s to victory

St Oliver Plunkett's 3-17, Brownstown 0-14

Mullingar side St Oliver Plunkett’s overcame the challenge of 13-man Brownstown to book their place in this year’s Westmeath Senior B hurling final, at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.

Ciaran McKenna’s side remain the only unbeaten side in the three hurling championships this year and they will now meet either Crookedwood or Ringtown in the final in four weeks time.

Brownstown, meanwhile, will play Delvin in a relegation play-off to see which team drops down to the Intermediate Championship next year.

While Brownstown lost this game to Plunkett’s they were fortunate that Delvin also lost their game in the last minute against Ringtown, meaning that Declan Mullen’s Brownstown have avoided the drop for the moment and could yet survive at Senior B level.

Brownstown were actually leading by three points heading into the final five minutes of the first half, but they conceded a goal and then had Emmet Cunneen sent off. Plunkett’s piled on the scores to go in leading at half-time by 2-7 to 0-10.

However, ten minutes into the second half, with Plunkett’s having extended their lead to six points, Brownstown had a second player sent off when Conor Rice received a straight red card, leaving the Clonmellon side with just 13 players for the remaining 20 minutes of the game.

A far superior Plunkett’s side found the extra room and space to create chances and convert scores, running out easy winners in the end.

The sides were level at 0-3 each after ten minutes when Plunkett’s scored their first goal - Shane Ormbsy breaking through and finishing low to the net. Brownstown responded positively and scored six unanswered points in the fifteen minutes that followed as Robert Dugdale and Conor Rice scored a point each, while Niall Leonard and Jamie Fitzsimons (frees) scored two each.

However, in the final seven minutes of the first half Plunkett’s got back on top. Cathal Craig scored a point after a great team move involving Lynch, Zach Aherne and Brian Reidy. Then a long delivery by Aaron Craig found an unmarked Shane Ormsby and Ormsby soloed through before blasting home his second goal.

Jamie Fitzsimons did reply with a free for Brownstown but Paddy Lynam, Sean Kelly and David Gavin (free) added points for a rampant Plunkett’s, while Brownstown were reduced to 14 players when Emmet Cunneen was sent off for a red card offence in first half injury time. Ciaran McKenna’s Plunkett’s side led by 2-7 to 0-10 at the break.

Trailing by three, things got even more difficult for Brownstown on the restart. Paddy Lynam and Jamie Fitzsimons traded frees before Plunkett’s scored their third goal when Ciaran Curley and Colm O’Leary combined to release Cathal Craig who fired into the far corner of the net.

To add to Brownstown’s woes they were reduced to 13 players on 40 minutes when referee Barry Nea sent off Conor Rice following an off-the-ball incident.

With two extra players and a six-point lead, St Oliver Plunkett’s took complete control and outscored their opponents by 0-9 to 0-1 in the 20 minutes that followed. Sean Kelly, Shane Ormsby, Liam Carey, Paddy Lynam and subs Stephen McManus and Conor Bracken all scored a point each from play, while goalkeeper Conor Lynch converted a long range free, and Ciaran Curley chipped in with two points.

In reply Jamie Fitzsimons scored Brownstown’s only point in a thirty minute spell. Late on Fitzsimons and Neil Leonard added consolation points, but at the final whistle St Oliver Plunkett’s were celebrating a place in the Senior B final. And when news came through that Delvin had suffered a last minute defeat to Ringtown, Brownstown were relieved to find out that they have another chance to avoid relegation when they play Delvin in the relegation play-off.

Scorers - St Oliver Plunkett’s: Shane Ormsby 2-1, Paddy Lynam 0-5 (0-1 from a free), Cathal Craig 1-1, David Gavin 0-2 (0-1 from a free), Sean Kelly 0-2, Ciaran Curley 0-2, Stephen McManus 0-1, Liam Carey 0-1, Conor Lynch 0-1 from a free, Conor Bracken 0-1.

Brownstown: Jamie Fitzsimons 0-7 (0-5 from frees), Niall Leonard 0-4, Conor Rice 0-2, Robert Dugdale 0-1.

St Oliver Plunkett’s: Conor Lynch; Zach Aherne, Stephen Conway, Brian Reidy; Liam Carey, Aaron Craig, John Fry; Cathal Craig, Sean Kelly; Paddy Lynam, David Gavin, Shane Ormsby; Greg Gavin, Ciaran Curley, Colm O’Leary. Subs used: Stephen McManus for Stephen Conway (43), Matthew Cunningham for Greg Gavin (45), Conor Bracken for David Gavin (47), Thomas Meehan for Colm O’Leary (51), Darragh Geraghty for Ciaran Curley (53).

Brownstown: Darren Dugdale; Tom Flynn, Conor Shaw, Kenny Higgins; Shaun Smith, Philip Gilsenan, Conor Rice; Robert Dugdale, Oisin Kiernan; Jack Gavin, Emmet Cunneen, Paddy Reilly; Niall Leonard, Danny Henry, Jamie Fitzsimons. Subs used: Tiernan Purcell for Danny Henry (half time), Stephen O’Farrell for Jack Gavin (half time), Rory Carolan for Paddy Reilly (injured, 43 minutes).

Referee: Barry Nea (Clonkill).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of the Match

David Gavin (St Oliver Plunkett’s): David Gavin had a powerful game for Plunkett’s at centre half back.