BK Plunkett’s step forward to overcome Emmet’s in extra time of Duhallow U21A Football Championship

BK Plunkett’s 3-11

Robert Emmet’s 2-11 (aet) 

BK Plunkett’s edged home in extra time to halt Robert Emmet’s gallop in a gripping Duhallow U21A Football Championship Qualifier quarter-final at Banteer.

Two ultra competitive sides jousted for supremacy over a marvellous 80 minutes before the Boherbue and Knocknagree combination grounded out a deserved victory. 

Key figures surfaced on both sides, none more so than county 20 panelists Michael McSweeney and Hugh O’Connor.

McSweeney became a dominant force at midfield, his 1-4 contribution included a pair of points in extra time. 

County colleague O’Connor registered 1-7 as target man for Emmets, O’Connor ever so close to taking the contest to a penalty shoot out, a blaster from a 20 metre free cannoned off Plunkett's crossbar.

A rousing contest surfaced from the off, Pete Goggin placed David Duane for a lead Plunkett's goal. 

However the Newmarket and Lismire pairing livened up matters, O’Connor at the end of a Rory Sheahan delivery to net before Jack Sheahan added a second green flag.

With no quarter asked or given, Plunkett’s picked up the pace, Darragh Moynihan, the provider for McSweeney to finish off superbly before McSweeney was the instigator of a sweeping move for Dan Sheehan to net a third goal for Plunkett’s enjoy a 3-5 to 2-5 advantage at the interval.

On the resumption, the goal fest dried up, though the initiative appeared to lay with Emmet’s, Rory Sheahan, O’Connor and Michael Lane shooting four consecutive points. 

Plunkett’s refused to yield and absorbed pressure for Dan Sheehan and McSweeney to point and regain a narrow grip.

A run of missed chances denied Emmets only for centre back Jack O'Connor to dispatch the equalizing point at 3-7 to 2-10. 

Into extra time, Emmet’s lone score fell to Hugh O’Connor only for McSweeney and Darragh Moynihan to point at the opposite end.

The contest continued to ebb and flow yet Plunkett’s held the better staying power, McSweeney and Michael Murphy posting crunch points to confirm a semi final meeting against Duarigle Gaels.

Scorers for B K Plunkett’s: M McSweeney 1-4 (0-1f), D Sheehan 1-2 (0-1f), D Duane 1-0, D Moynihan 0-2 (0-1f), M Murphy 0-2, S Og Sheehan 0-1.

Robert Emmet’s: H O’Connor 1-7 (0-6f), J Sheahan 1-0, R Sheahan 0-2, J O’Connor, M Lane 0-1 each.

BK PLUNKETTS: Donal Murphy; N O’Connor, C O’Connor, B Guiney; Diarmuid Murphy, D Mahoney, M Murphy; C Hartnett, M McSweeney; S Óg Sheehan, D Moynihan, T O’Connor; R O’Connor, D Sheehan, D Duane. 

Subs: D Tompkins for B Guiney, E Moynihan for M Murphy, P Aherne for R O’Connor, M Murphy for S Óg Sheehan.

ROBERT EMMET’S: A McCarthy; K Daly, R Lynn, S Bourke; C Sheahan, J O’Connor, E Goggin; M Lane, D O’Keeffe; J Sheahan, R Sheahan, E Hourigan; P Goggin, H O’Connor, B O’Keeffe. 

Subs: C Lynch for P Goggin, P Duggan for K Daly.

Referee: D Casey (Scartaglen).