Bates and Goldrick lead St Vincent's to fine victory

St Vincent's 4-6, St Oliver Plunkett's 0-6

Three first half goals inspired St Vincent’s to victory over St Oliver Plunkett's in the Westmeath Féile na nGael Hurling Division 2 final, at sunny Clonkill GAA grounds on Sunday.

A terrific performance from the combination of Crookedwood and Ringtown proved too good for a brave St Oliver Plunkett’s side - the Mullingar club lacking the same scoring threat as their opponents on a gloriously sunny afternoon.

St Vincent’s got off to a flying start when Jackson Davis booted the ball to the net after a minute and a point from Zak Bates in the fourth minute gave them a four-point cushion. St Oliver Plunkett's showed character as Ryan McNamee’s free clipped the inside of the upright and went over to get them off the mark in the eighth minute, but they soon conceded a second goal: Eoghan Goldrick got the first of his hat-trick when his clean strike found the net with ten minutes on the clock. That made it 2-1 to 0-1.

St Vincent’s pressed on and Zak Bates set up Goldrick for another major to put them nine points ahead. It was major task for the Mullingar side at this stage but they never lacked effort and Daragh Daly pulled a point back in the 13th minute. Donnacha Flood added a St Vincent’s point to keep them firmly on course for victory and his midfield partner Zak Bates produced a fine solo run before firing over.

Before the break, a high shot by Donnacha Flood was belted clear by the St Oliver Plunkett’s net minder Shay Leavy. St Vincent’s still enjoyed a 3-3 to 0-2 lead at half-time, however.

OPPORTUNITY

The second half was still very much in its infancy when Eoghan Goldrick sent a low drive to the net. St Oliver Plunkett’s attempted to work a goal chance from a free but it ended with Sean Hickey firing a shot wide. With advantage being played, Zak Bates shot a point for St Vincent’s to extend their lead.

St Oliver Plunkett’s needed a goal and they sensed an opportunity when Ryan McNamee stood over a free, but his shot was tipped over the crossbar. In response, Zak Bates shot a point for the combination side. A fine point by Ryan McNamee cut the deficit six minutes from the end, after referee Ken Gunning banished a St Vincent’s mentor from the sideline, showing him a yellow card.

Daragh Daly almost latched on to a diagonal ball as St Oliver Plunkett’s kept pressure on the St Vincent’s defence, but the ball went wide. However, Harry Tilson’s shot was over the crossbar as they continued to rally.

Ryan McNamee shot over a free at this stage for the Mullingar side, but in the last minute it was St Vincent’s who had the final say: Zak Bates shot for goal but his effort was turned over the crossbar by Shay Leavy. Afterwards, Barry Kelly, coiste na nÓg chairman, presented the trophy to joint captains Cian Kennedy and Shane O’Mara as St Vincent’s celebrated.

Scorers - St Vincent's: E Goldrick 3-0, Z Bates 0-5, J Davis 1-0, D Flood 0-1.

St Oliver Plunkett’s: R McNamee 0-4 (3f), H Tilson and D Daly 0-1 each.

St Vincent's: Ian Orme, Eoghan Goldrick, Cathal Flanagan, Ben Thornton, Tony Brennan, Shane O’Mara, Ciaran Casserly, Donnacha Flood, Zak Bates, Cian Kennedy, Josh Mullaniff, Jackson Davis, Ciaran Orme, Rhys Brady, Jack Moran, Dillon Byrne, Eoin McKenna, Sean Craig, Ray Daly, Charlie Brennan, PJ Flanagan, Eoghan Daly.

St Oliver Plunkett’s: Shay Leavy, Adam Bawle, Luke Cobanin, Eoin Conway, Hugo Corroon, Oisín Gavin, James Heffernan, Fionn Kelly, Ryan McNamee, Rian Sheerin, Harry Tilson, Tom Weir, MJ Burke, Daragh Daly, Jonah Hassett, Fionn Ledwith, Manus Kelly, Theo Kelly, Billy Lambden, Conor Matthews, Leon Morgan, Joshua O’Brien, Harry Sugrue, Cian Traynor, Oisín Murray, Jack Daly, Sean Hickey.

Referee - Ken Gunning (St Brigid’s).