Duarigle Gaels firepower all too much for Plunkett’s in U21A football championship

Duarigle Gaels 1-17

BK Plunketts 1-10

A dominant closing quarter helped Duarigle Gaels comfortably account for BK Plunkett’s in the Duhallow U21A Football Qualifier semi final played in Banteer.

On a chilly Sunday night, the triumphant Millstreet and Cullen combination rode out a Plunkett’s storm after the interval by offering the greater energy and more potent forward unit. 

The Boherbue and Knocknagree pairing fielded without the hugely influential county U20 player Michael McSweeney who had emerged a colossal in a quarter final victory over Robert Emmet’s but a subsequent injury picked up left Plunkett’s shorthanded.

In fairness Plunkett’s erased a four point deficit to force parity early in the second half only for Duarigle to respond in telling fashion, asserting themselves and enjoying a productive spell with a run of excellent scores.

At the outset, Duarigle Gaels made a statement of intent with Alan O’Leary, Hugh Linehan, Robbie O’Sullivan and Evan O’Sullivan shooting points. The intensity of Plunkett’s game increased through the solid input of Denis Mahoney, Darragh Moynihan and Cormac Hartnett.

Upfront, full forward Dan Sheehan provided craft and creativity with a run of excellent points and denied a goal by a superb save from Gaels netminder Matthew McCarthy. However Duarigle remained nicely positioned to lead 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval.

From the restart, Plunkett’s found a quicker gear, Moynihan and Seán Óg Sheehan on target to tie up matters. 

However, Duarigle reclaimed the momentum, moving up a gear, prompted by the significant play of Edward Ring, John Hickey, Simon Murphy and O’Sullivan.

Indeed the Gaels drove on with powerful play in attack, Linehan, Evan O’Sullivan and O’Leary shooting four points in succession. 

And the victors received a tonic boost, a sideline from Lenihan broke into the path of O’Leary to blast to the net.

That allowed the Gaels to hold a definite grip as Stephen Lyons and O’Sullivan demonstrated coolness to deliver additional points, all calculated and polished in their execution. 

Not even a late Plunkett’s rally highlighted by a consolation goal from Cathal O’Connor could alter the script, Duarigle Gaels progressing to play Croke Rovers in the divisional final. 

Scorers for Duarigle Gaels: A O’Leary 1-4 (0-1f), E O’Sullivan 0-6, H Linehan 0-5 (0-2f), R O’Sullivan, S Lyons 0-1 each.

BK Plunkett’s: D Sheehan 0-4, C O’Connor 1-0, S Óg Sheehan 0-3, D Moynihan 0-3.

DUARIGLE GAELS: M McCarthy; C Casey, T Cronin, C McCaul; E Ring, J Hickey, R O’Sullivan, C Lehane, S Murphy; S O’Riordan, A O’Leary, M Thornton; C Morley, E O’Sullivan, H Linehan. 

Subs. S Lyons for C Morley, A Twomey for S Murphy.

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

Subs. P Aherne for C Feehan, A Kenouche for B Guiney, J Horgan for D Duane.

Referee: D O’Leary (Kiskeam)