Lynch save ensures crucial victory for Plunketts side

St Oliver Plunketts 0-18, Crookedwood 0-16

By Shane King

St Oliver Plunketts survived a spirited late comeback from Crookedwood to claim a hard-earned two-point victory in the second round of the Senior ‘B’ hurling championship in The Downs on Saturday evening.

The Robinstown outfit were the better side for long periods and looked in complete control after building a six-point half-time lead with the aid of a strong breeze. However, Crookedwood finished with a flourish, cutting the deficit to two points and creating a late goal opportunity before Plunketts held firm to secure the win.

Playing with the wind in the opening half, Plunketts gradually imposed themselves, with Aaron Craig outstanding at wing-back and contributing heavily from placed balls, while Patrick Lynam was impressive, contributing 0-5 to the scoreboard. Barry O’Mara was the key player for Crookedwood with crucial scores keeping them in the game.

Crookedwood made the brighter start despite seeing Plunketts dominate early possession. Three wides were registered for the Mullingar side while Noel Yourell opened the scoring ahead of Barry O'Mara combining with Shane McGovern, to finish confidently after good approach play featuring a well struck sideline cut.

Plunketts finally settled through a fine long-range point from David Gavin, who quickly added a converted free to level matters.

Crookedwood responded when Barry O'Mara restored their advantage with a free before adding another point after seeing his initial effort blocked, finishing well at the second attempt following good work by Michael Davitt.

That proved to be Crookedwood's last score for almost 20 minutes as Plunketts took control. David Gavin's free sparked a run of six unanswered points, with Nathan Cornally twice finding the target from play, Aaron Craig converting two frees and Patrick Lynam adding another placed ball.

Shane McGovern eventually halted the run with an excellent point before Barry O'Mara narrowed the gap from a free.

Plunketts finished the half strongly. Aaron Craig added another free, David Gavin struck twice from play and Patrick Lynam converted another free to leave the scoreboard reading 0-12 to 0-6 at the interval. In truth, the margin could have been greater after Plunketts squandered two promising goal opportunities.

The second half opened up into an end-to-end battle. Barry O'Mara opened the scoring before Patrick Lynam responded after an impressive solo run.

O'Mara added another free before Shane McGovern produced one of the scores of the afternoon, sending a superb long-range effort over from inside his own 45’ after the sliotar bounced on the hard surface and over the bar.

Lynam replied for Plunketts, but Crookedwood continued to battle through scores from Lorcan O'Mara and another Barry O'Mara free.

Plunketts responded when Lynam linked effectively with Cathal Craig before David Gavin added another point, restoring a five-point cushion entering the closing 10 minutes.

Crookedwood refused to surrender. Barry O'Mara converted two more frees and they were unfortunate not to raise a green flag when Adam Bate's goal effort was saved, with play eventually called back for a free.

Plunketts appeared to have done enough when substitute Ben McNamee pointed before Aaron Craig landed an excellent long-range free to restore a five-point advantage entering injury time.

Crookedwood mounted one final charge. Noel Yourell's clever flick found Brian McLoughlin, who pointed, before Barry O'Mara was denied a goal by a good save from Conor Lynch. O'Mara converted two late frees to leave just two points between the sides, but time ran out as Plunketts collected the spoils.

Scorers - St Oliver Plunketts: A Craig 0-6 (5f), P Lynam 0-5 (2f), D Gavin 0-4 (1f), N Cornally 0-2, B McNamee 0-1.

Crookedwood: B O’Mara 0-10 (9f) S McGovern 0-3, L O’Mara, B McLoughlin and N Yourell 0-1 each.

St Oliver Plunketts: Conor Lynch; Michael Weir, Zach Aherne, Brian Reidy; Aaron Craig, Liam Carey, John Fry; Donnacha Maguire, Cathal Craig; Patrick Lynam, David Gavin, Nathan Cornally; Brian Farrell, Adam Buckley, Shane Ormsby. Subs: Ben McNamee for Lynam (blood 37-42), McNamee for C Craig (53), Darragh Hughes for Buckley (58), Dylan Carey for A Craig (61).

Crookedwood: Alan O’Mara; Anthony McGivney, Shane McGovern, Michael Davitt; Simon McCarthy, Feichin Óg Brennan, Matthew Ryan; Noel Yourell, Oisín Boyle; Kevin Orme, Sean Brennan, Lorcan O’Mara; Barry O’Mara, Adam Bate, Ian McGovern. Subs: Brian McLoughlin for Boyle (42), Liam de Clár for McGovern (48).

Referee: Jimmy Greville (Castlepollard).