St Oliver Plunkett’s 2-12

Bantry Blues 1-13

TOM LYONS REPORTS

DARRAGH Murphy hit two late scores as St Oliver Plunkett’s got their county confined junior B hurling championship off to a winning start.

With never more than three points between the sides in Dunmanway on Sunday, the issue went right down to the wire.

It took two late points from the Magpies to sway the result in their favour but it was a score in the 30th minute that had a vital bearing on the result.

With the sides level, 1-6 each, Plunkett’s earned a 65 and the impressive Roy O’Driscoll saw his effort, which was falling short, being deflected high in the air and into the net by a defender attempting to bat the sliotar away.

Bantry Blues' Jimmy O'Leary tries to block a shot from St Oliver Plunkett's Aaron Lehane. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Bantry cut the lead to a single point at the break, 2-6 to 1-8. Even though they twice drew level in an exciting second half that saw the rain lashing down, they never managed to get their noses in front.

‘That was a tough one but we expected nothing less from Bantry,’ said a drenched Plunketts’ coach Conor O’Driscoll.

‘They were junior B champions last season but opted to stay in junior B again this year. Darragh McCarthy was a big loss when he went off with a hamstring, he was our dangerman. It’s hard to replace somebody like him.

‘The subs we brought on did make a difference in the end, they contributed well.

‘Darragh Murphy took over the free-taking – a young player, first year on the panel, great attitude and he did very well. It’s a good start to the championship.’

Thankfully, the threatening rain held off during the first half as outstanding Bantry midfielder Tom O’Donnell opened the scoring from a 65. Plunkett’s responded with the first goal from their star forward Darragh McCarthy in the fourth minute. He quickly added a point but back came the Blues in the seventh minute when tall, threatening Bantry full forward Stephen Coughlan grabbed a high ball and finished to the Plunketts’ net.

Bantry Blues' Eoghan Minihane under pressure from St Oliver Plunkett's Darragh McCarthy. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

An O’Donnell free was followed by points from the hard-working Niall O’Driscoll and McCarthy (free). It was Plunkett’s in front by 1-3 to 1-2 at the end of a lively opening quarter.

The skies were darkening as improving Bantry hit three in a row from the veteran Seánie O’Leary, classy Jack Sheedy and Jack McCarthy. In a game of swaying fortunes back came the Ahiohill men with frees from Darragh McCarthy and Darragh Murphy to level the scores for the fourth time. Plunkett’s were dealt a blow when McCarthy had to retire injured.

Coughlan and Niall O’Driscoll swapped points but then came Plunkett’s second goal from Roy O’Driscoll’s deflected 65. Down but far from out, Bantry responded with points from Jack McCarthy and O’Donnell to leave a point between the sides at half time, 2-6 to 1-8.

The skies began to open for the second half as both defences got on top. Veteran Jimmy O’Leary was a colossus at full back for Bantry, well assisted by Patrick Harrington, Darragh McCarthy and Ronan O’Mahony, while Seán White, Mike Crowley, Ciarán Dullea and Seán Crowley kept a tight ship for Plunkett’s.

It was score for score in the third quarter as the sides shared six points – Roy O’Driscoll, Niall O’Driscoll (the last of the six O’Driscoll brothers still playing) and Darragh Murphy (free) for Plunkett’s, and Jack McCarthy, Tom O’Donnell (free) and Jack Sheedy for Bantry.

A Seánie O’Leary point had it all square for the seventh time to begin the last quarter as the rain lashed down and scores became scarce. A point by sub Conor McCarthy had Plunkett’s in front, but back came Bantry with O’Donnell (free) hitting his fifth point. It was all square with five minutes remaining.

Young Darragh Murphy ignored the lashing rain to become the Magpie hero when he pointed a free and converted a 65 to snatch a late win for his side. Delight for Plunkett’s as they go in search of the second county title in three years and disappointment for the Blues, who deserved at least a draw for their efforts.

OUR STARS: The experienced Jimmy O’Leary and Stephen Coughlan stood out for Bantry, with Darragh McCarthy shaping out to be Plunkett’s best player until his injury but there was no separating Roy O’Driscoll (Plunkett’s) and Tom O’Donnell (Bantry) as the two best hurlers on the pitch.

Scorers

St Oliver Plunkett’s: Darragh McCarthy 1-3 (2f); Roy O’Driscoll 1-1; Darragh Murphy 0-4 (3f, 1 65); Niall O’Driscoll 0-3; Conor McCarthy 0-1.

Bantry Blues: Tom O’Donnell 0-5 (3f, 1 65); Stephen Coughlan 1-1; Jack McCarthy 0-3; Jack Sheedy, Seán O’Leary 0-2 each.

St Oliver Plunkett’s: Cormac Lyons; Gary McCarthy, Seán White, Mike Crowley; Brian Walsh, Ciarán Dullea, Seán Crowley; Roy O’Driscoll, Owen McCarthy; Seán Gazdar, Niall O’Driscoll, Fionn Moroney; Darragh Murphy, Aaron Lehane, Darragh McCarthy.

Subs: Mike Collins for D McCarthy (23), Fionn Murphy for O McCarthy (ht), Conor McCarthy for S Gazdar (38), Eoin Kennedy for A Lehane (45), Jamie O’Neill for F Moroney (53).

Bantry Blues: Alan O’Sullivan; Eoin Minihane, Jimmy O’Leary, Killian O’Sullivan; Patrick Harrington, Darragh McCarthy, Christopher Cronin; Ronan O’Mahony, Tom O’Donnell; Billy Sheehan, Seánie O’Leary, Jack McCarthy; Shane O’Neill, Stephen Coughlan, Jack Sheedy.

Subs: Seán Cronin for E Minihane (15), Patrick Russell for K O’Sullivan, Jack Manning for A O’Sullivan (38).

Referee: Anthony O’Regan (Kilbrittain).