Plunkett’s claim PTSB Dublin SHC 2 title after impressive win over Craobh Chiaráin

ST OLIVER PLUNKETT’S/ER 1-15

CRAOBH CHIARÁIN 0-6

St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh claimed the PTSB Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship title when getting the better of Craobh Chiaráin by twelve points at a blustery O’Toole Park on Saturday afternoon. 

While the primary ambition of promotion to SHC1 was achieved two weeks previously, both teams were intent on finishing their encouraging seasons on a high and it was Plunkett’s who dominated from the outset on their way to an ultimately facile win. 

The winners played with the elements in the first-half and seven Ger Ryan points saw them open up a deserved 0-10 to 0-14 interval lead. 

In contrast, Craobh failed to fully avail of the gale force at their backs and their challenge wilted with every dispiriting wide while Ryan effectively settled the issue with the only goal early in the final quarter.  

It was Ryan, fittingly, that opened the scoring through a 2nd minute ‘65’ and his side settled the quicker, opening up a three-point lead in as many minutes through scores from play by Cillian Hayes and Ryan. 

Craobh opened their own account thanks to Conor Newton in the 4th minute and they were competing well initially with Eoin Forbes impressing behind his half-back line. 

He proved powerless to prevent Ryan from adding two further frees while a Cian O’Connor point from play left five points between the teams by the end of the first quarter. 

The normally reliable Cian Derwin was struggling with placed balls for Chiaráin’s, struggling with grip issues in the incessant rain but they gained a foothold in the game through a brace of Billy Ryan points. 

Ger Ryan added two points by way of riposte and while O’Connor clipped over his second point approaching the break, Stephen Kelly replied for Craobh to leave them trailing by just six points at the interval.    

Scores proved harder to find after the break with Ger Ryan (free) and Carl Sammon exchanging points before Craobh were handed a lifeline in the 42nd minute when awarded a penalty after a clumsy push in the back. 

Unfortunately, Derwin’s low shot lacked pace and was comfortably repelled by Dean Farrell in the Plunkett’s goal and with that, the belief running through Plunkett’s increased an added notch. 

Another Ger Ryan free saw Plunkett’s move closer to the finish line and the prolific wing-forward was in the right place at the right time to avail of some Craobh hesitancy at the back and fire home gleefully into the empty net. 

From that juncture, it was just a case of playing out time as Irinel Popa and Hayes combined effectively at midfield while three further points from Ger Ryan put the contest to bed by the final whistle.    

Scorers – St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER: G Ryan 1-12 (0-8f, 0-2 ’65); C O’Connor 0-2, C Hayes 0-1. Craobh Chiaráin: B Ryan 0-2 (1f); S Kelly, C Newton, C Sammon, R Mahon (’65) 0-1 apiece.  

St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER: D Farrell; T Cullen, J O’Shea, E Byrne; C Scully, C O’Flynn, C Tyrrell; I Popa, C Hayes, G Ryan, C O’Connor, B McSweeney; C Boland, N Clerkin, D McSweeney. Subs: NONE. 

Craobh Chiaráin: K McGouran; S Keeley, M Hayes, C Fagan; M Forbes, G Kelly, S McHugh; S Kelly, C Derwin; E Forbes, R Mahon, C Sammon; J Murray, C Newton, B Ryan. Subs: J Kelly for Sammon (39), C Clarke for S Kelly (47), D Kelly for Murray (51). 

Referee: Mark Ryan (St Patrick’s Palmerstown).