Round Tower Senior Hurlers Championship campaign finished at the penultimate stage in what proved in the end a resounding win for St Oliver Plunketts. The men from Navan Road highlighted the class of a side that has consistently competed at senior hurling level with an impressive performance that saw them record at 13 point victory at Parnell Park.
It looked ominous within the opening six minutes for Towers. Plunkett’s raced into a seven point lead – 2-2 v 0-1. A flick pass by Eoin Walsh enabled Paidi Stapleton strike the opening score within the minute. But the goals were serious setbacks; the first was a long-range strike that deceived Towers keeper Fergal McDonagh and the second saw Plunkett’s Stuart Mullen break behind Towers rearguard and strike low across McDonagh;s left. A kick pass by Podge McKeever to Brian Gregg on the left wing led to Towers second score. Gary Quinlivan was then tripped carrying from the half-back line and Stapleton converted the free from long-range to leave two goals between the sides – 2-3 v 2-3. Plunketts edged seven clear before Towers brought themselves right back into it with two goals within the space of a minute. Quinlivan drove from half-backs into full forward line and Brian McLaughlin broke onto it to finish low to keepers right. Towers fans had only taken their seats when McLaughlin was again in behind the rearguard and again struck low to give keeper no chance. It had been a frenetic opening quarter and there was little relenting. Stapleton capitalised on a poor Plunketts clearance to raise the white flag again and Towers then created another goal opportunity. Eoin Moran picked on left touchline and cut inside with goal in sight before a high challenge grounded him. Stapleton tapped the free to level matters – 2-5 v 2-5.
McDonagh had to be sharp to bat away a Mullen drive and he pointed the subsequent 65. Eoin Walsh carried to earn a free that Stapleton pointed before Mullen again struck a free. He pointed another two to edge Plunketts three clear before Moran struck an excellent score of his left from under the stand. Disappointingly for Towers a short puck-out was worked into the full forward line for another Plunketts goal to edge them five clear; 3-9 v 2-7. Stapleton picked another poor clearance to narrow the deficit and Gregg almost had a goal when released by Eric Finn but the Plunketts keeper did well to smother. The lead was stretched to five with another Mullen free and McLaughlin almost registered a hat-trick when he flicked past keeper but it failed to cross line. Plunketts registered another two scores before the half-time whistle to stretch the margin to seven; 3-12 v 2-8.
Eoin Ryan was sprung from the bench to move in full forward for the second period and the benefits were instantly reaped. Finn drew defenders with a run at pace through the middle and the ball broke to Ryan who pulled first time to finish low beyond the keeper. Finn’s next run saw him hauled down and Stapleton pointed to reduce the margin to three: 3-12 v 3-9. Sadly for Towers they could not kick on and they were reduced to 14 when Moran received a second yellow. Plunketts struck some excellent scores as Towers struggled to create openings. With 12 minutes remaining nine points separated the sides; 3-18 v 3-9. Towers sought to work a goal and Finn and Ryan were stymied by a crowded full back line before Jack Whelan picked the clearance and pointed. Stapleton struck another free to narrow the margin to seven but there were just minutes remaining. Plunketts struck three points and a goal in the closing stages to see the game out as comprehensive winners: 4-22 v 3-12.
Round Tower: Fergal McDonagh, Shane Byrne, Craig Curtis, Niall Byrne, Conan O’Broin, Eoin Walsh, Gary Quinlivan, Eoghan Young, Padraic McKeever, Jack Whelan, Paudie Stapleton, Eric Finn, Brian McLaughlin, Eoin Moran, Brian Gregg. Subs: Adam Clarke, Cillian Nolan, Eoin Ryan, Aaron Wynne, Adam Doyle, James Clarke, Cathal McGrath, Cianan Ryan, Matthew McLoughlin.
