Ennis leads determined Delvin to victory
Delvin 1-25, St Oliver Plunketts 0-23
(After extra-time)
Delvin’s young hurling sensation Dean Ennis was the star of the show as the Valley Men won the Westmeath Senior ‘B’ hurling title following an extra-time thriller at Lakepoint Park on Tuesday night.
Ennis scored 0-15 as Delvin eventually saw off St Oliver Plunketts in a memorable replay to exorcise the ghosts of three previous defeats in Senior ‘B’ deciders.
A first half goal from heroic full-forward Patrick Clune ensured Delvin were strongly in contention at the break, the sides level, 1-9 to 0-12. Free-taking was crucial, Ennis and his St Oliver Plunketts counterpart David Gavin making the most of the opportunities that came their way.
The second half was equally tight, both teams scoring 0-8 apiece as it ended 1-17 to 0-20; both sides had late opportunities, but She Ormsby and Patrick Clune were off target meaning extra-time was required to determine the destination of the Mickey Power Cup.
Delvin simply found a new lease of life when extra-time began and Westmeath hurler Darragh Clinton emerged as the pivotal figure, notching three classy scores from play and setting up wing-back Ross Gaffney for another. The winners led by 1-22 to 0-21 at the end of the first period and fatigue appeared to impact more on the Mullingar men, who got just three points from frees via outstanding goalkeeper Conor Bracken in extra-time.
Aside from his impressive long-range free-taking, Bracken also produced a fine save to deny Killian Murphy a goal in the first period of extra-time, keeping Dermot Curley’s charges in the game.
However, a rejuvenated Delvin side, roared on by hundreds of supporters, were not to be denied and when centre back Adam Ennis got injured, they quickly adjusted, moving the versatile Josh Coll back to curb any threat. Dean Ennis got all of their scores in the second period (0-3, including one from play) and Aaron Fenlon’s fine fielding in his own square - when Plunketts played a high ball inside in search of a goal - showed their tremendous spirit.
Manager Seamus Ennis was delighted with Delvin’s victory and paid tribute to the level of resolve they showed, while he would naturally have been proud of his sons, Dean and Adam. Remarkably, Dean, a prodigious talent, has recovered from a kidney transplant to resume his promising hurling career.
“It’s a proud night for the club,” he beamed.
“A good free-taker is crucial at Senior ‘B’ level, and a strong half-back line. You can build on those. David Gavin was unerring, and Dean was very good on the free for us also. You need to have ice in your veins for those scoring chances, especially coming down the home stretch when it’s tight,” he remarked.
He paid tribute to goal scorer Patrick Clune.
“Patrick Clune is the most unsung hero we have; I think they should build a statue to him in Delvin! He’s your go-to man. He talks very plain and simple in the dressing room, but when he talks, everybody shuts up. He’s all heart. If you had 15 players like him, you’d win Senior ‘A’".
Ennis felt the momentum gained at the start of extra-time proved crucial.
"We never got a lead in the final; we were always clawing back at them. Tonight we got a break or two that went our way and from one to four points up, to six points up. And we were hoping Mickey Dan (referee) wouldn’t add on a lot of time!” he remarked.
The manager hailed the contributions of Alan Cox - a player Ennis feels would be on the county side if he were available - and Darragh Clinton who showed his class in extra-time. He said Delvin would enjoy their moment of glory after three defeats in previous finals.
“We don’t have too many days in the sun, but as the old saying goes, even the sun shines on a dog’s backside some day!” quipped Ennis.
Delvin will celebrate a great victory, but must regroup for a Leinster Intermediate clash with Naomh Bríd of Carlow on Saturday next at 1.30pm (at a Westmeath venue yet to be confirmed).
“I don’t milk cows, but there won’t be too many lads going to work tomorrow! We will enjoy this and refocus for Saturday. Adam will be in doubt for that; his ankle is fairly badly torn. But we have a panel of 32 and players will step up,” added a delighted Seamus Ennis.
Scorers - Delvin: D Ennis 0-15 (12 frees), D Clinton 0-5, P Clune 1-0, A Cox and R Gaffney 0-2 each, J Coll 0-1.
St Oliver Plunketts: D Gavin 0-9 (9 frees), C Bracken 0-7 (7 frees), S Ormsby 0-3, M Cunningham 0-2, C O’Leary and D Maguire 0-1 each.
Delvin: Stephen Reilly; Adam McCormack, Sean Hoctor, Jack Forde; Alan Cox, Adam Ennis, Ross Gaffney; Josh Coll, Aaron Fenlon; Enda Newman, Killian Murphy, Dean Ennis; Ciaran Fenlon, Patrick Clune, Darragh Clinton. Subs: Eoin Carolan for Newman (inj., 60+3), Patrick Farrington for A Ennis (inj., 13 e-time), Luke Coll for Carlon (17 e-time).
St Oliver Plunketts: Conor Bracken; John Fry, Zach Aherne, Dylan Carey; Liam Carey, Aaron Craig, Brian Reidy; Nathan Cornally, Shane Ormsby; Matthew Cunningham, Colm O’Leary, Donnacha Maguire; Thomas Meehan, David Gavin, Cathal Craig. Subs: Tomas Turks for Reidy (50), Ross Corroon for Maguire (56), Andrew Cunningham for O’Leary (inj., 59), Greg Gavin for C Craig (inj., 8 e-time), Daire Cleary for Cornally (16 e-time).
Ref: Mickey ‘Dan’ Murtagh (Clonkill).