CELTIC CHALLENGE GROUP C ROUND 4
DUBLIN PLUNKETT 0-23 LAOIS 3-12
A brilliant second half from Dublin Plunkett saw them claim victory in this well-contested Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge (U17) Group C hurling contest at O'Toole Park on Wednesday night.
The Dubs trailed by eight points at the half-time interval but with wind assistance dominated the second half to run out deserving two-point victors over the O'Moore County.
It was a very uplifting way to conclude the group phase for Dublin Plunkett after they had lost their three earlier games in the tournament.
However, at the break Dublin Plunkett faced an uphill task but embraced the job with a great attitude to reel off seven points in-a-row on the restart.
Dublin Plunkett got a real grip on proceedings around the middle sector and the second period was mostly one-way traffic as they cut into the half-time deficit.
The interplay between the Dublin Plunkett forwards improved and the first four scores of the second half all came from unselfish play and options running off the shoulder of the player in possession.
Seán Cooney got Dublin up and running following the change of ends after a good lay-off from Michael Mahon.
Points followed from the influential Daniel Peel, the pacey Eoin Wilde, and Peel again following a clever quick-release from Rhys McDonald to make it 3-9 to 0-14 after 39 minutes.
A Daniel Peel free from 30 metres following a foul on Eoin Wilde followed by a Rhys McDonald point, that came in off the upright, cut the gap to just two points.
Dublin Plunkett kept their momentum going with a Daniel Peel free following another foul on Eoin Wilde to bring their side to within one point, 3-9 to 0-17, just inside the last ten minutes.
Points from Laois duo Jack Foyle, from long range, and a Cillian Dunne free either side of a close range Daniel Peel free still had the O'Moore County in front, 3-11 to 0-18, with five minutes remaining.
But Dublin Plunkett outscored their opponents 0-5 to 0-1 in the concluding stages to secure victory.
Full-forward Gordon Rodgers pointed off his left after Daniel Peel's original goal effort was brilliant saved by Laois goalkeeper Ben Campion.
Josh O'Brien-Holmes momentarily edged Laois in front with a point in the 57th minute but Dublin Plunkett struck the last four scores to seal the deal.
Daniel Peel accounted for three of the points, two frees, with Eoin Wilde getting the other from wide on the right.
Dublin Plunkett showed great work-rate in the second half with Robert Burnett, who was selected for the Best and Fairest award by referee Brian O'Leary, and Pdraig McNally making life uncomfortable for Wexford's full-back line.
In the opening half Dublin Plunkett commenced with purpose with the impressive Rhys McDonald to the fore.
The Ballyboden St Enda's midfielder struck four stylish points between the eighth and 14th minute for Dublin Plunkett to lead 0-6 to 0-2 after 14 minutes despite facing into the wind.
However, Laois got a run on Dublin Plunkett into the second quarter and struck for goal on three occasions.
The Dublin full-back line of Seán O'Brien, Paddy Doyle and Sam Carthy had stood strong in the early part of the half but goals from Jim O'Connor (17th minute), Jack Foyle (22nd minute) and Ryan Costigan, following a long delivery from Philip Tynan, in the 23rd minute steered the visitors to their eight-point half-time advantage.
SCORERS - Dublin Plunkett: D Peel 0-9 (0-6f), R McDonald 0-5, E Wilde 0-4, G Rodgers 0-2, J Crennan, S Cooney, C Morrissey 0-1 each. Laois: C Dunne 0-6 (0-5f), J Foyle 1-1, J O'Connor, R Costigan 1-0 each, D Bowe 0-2 (0-1f), P Tynan, J Corby, J O'Brien-Holmes 0-1 each.
DUBLIN PLUNKETT (panel): A Langan, S O'Brien, P Doyle, S Carthy, B Stears, J O'Shea, T Hegarty, J Crennan, R McDonald, D Peel, S Cooney, E Wilde, M Mahon, G Rodgers, C Morrissey, A O'Connor, J Greene, S Cummins, P McNally, L O'Loughlin, R Burnett.
LAOIS (panel): B Campion, L Conway, M O'Brien, J Phelan, P Tynan, A Bowes, J Corby, D Bowe, D McSpadden, T Fennelly, J O'Brien-Holmes, R Costigan, J O'Connor, C Dunne, S Quinn, C Doheny, A Maron, S Birane, D Moore, J Foyle, N Coss, R Edwards, P Hassett.
REF: B O'Leary (Wexford).
CELTIC CHALLENGE GROUP C: Results To Date
Round 1: Wexford 0-20 Dublin Plunkett 2-12; Laois 3-18 Offaly 2-15
Round 2: Offaly 2-11 Dublin Plunkett 2-10; Wexford 2-15 Dublin Clarke 1-12
Round 3: Dublin Clake 1-20 Laois 1-11; Wexford 4-20 Offaly 2-6
Round 4: Dublin Clarke 6-18 Dublin Plunkett 1-16; Wexford 5-21 Laois 2-15
Round 5: Dublin Plunkett 0-23 Laois 3-12
CELTIC CHALLENGE GROUP C: Fixtures Remaining (Round 5)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5
Abbotstown: Dublin Clarke v Offaly, 8.0
CELTIC CHALLENGE GROUP C: Table
P W D L PTS
Wexford 4 4 0 0 8
Dublin Clarke 3 2 0 1 4
Dublin Plunkett 4 1 0 3 2
Laois 4 1 0 3 2
Offaly 3 1 0 2 2