Division 3A Reports: Oliver Plunkett's regain control of promotion stakes
HOLLYWOOD DEVELOPMENTS DIVISION 3A ROUND 9
OLIVER PLUNKETTS 3-8 GLYDE RANGERS 0-13
Two wins in a week saw Oliver Plunketts take back control of the Division 3A table. Having taken care of Na Piarsaigh Blackrock during the week, they then held off the determined challenge of Glyde Rangers, who pushed the leaders all the way.
The Drogheda side finished with 13 men, but Colum Duffy’s first half penalty save was crucial and Kristian Nolan’s late goal with five minutes to go saw the Mell outfit hold off the Tallanstown men at the finish.
Cian Brady’s first half goal had the hosts in a prime position, but Ciarain Sheridan was playing well to indicate a tight finish. Despite the majority of the possession being in Glyde’s favour, Killian Nolan countered, and his brother would seal the tight win late on.
OLIVER PLUNKETTS: Colum Duffy; Cillian Matthews, Davy McTaggert, Gary Keogh; Baz Reynolds 0-1, Dean Carolan, Killian Smith 0-1; Robbie Brodigan, Cian Matthews; Conor Haggans, Cian Brady 1-3, Niall Murtagh; Adam Smith, Kristian Nolan 1-2, Killian Nolan 1-1. SUBS: Jamie Byrne for Robbie Brodigan, Luke Carley for Connor Haggans, Sean Boyle for Adam Smith.
STABANNON PARNELLS 3-15 NA PIARSAIGH BLACKROCK 1-9
A strong first half showing was enough for promotion chasers Stabannon Parnells to get over Na Piarsaigh Blackrock at home in Stabannon. It was the second loss in a week for the Dundalk side.
Derek Crilly’s first half major had the hosts 1-8 to 0-3 up at half time and despite Harry Butterly’s absence it was about to get better for Wayne Kierans’ men
Mark O’Hare came off the bench to score a brace for the Naps, but Robbie Callaghan and Fintan Martin found the net either side of Robert Murphy’s consolation goal for the visitors to see the Parnells run out comfortable winners.
STABANNON PARNELLS: Mark Byrne; Alan Reynolds, Eamonn Callaghan, Paddy Bell; Johnny McGee, Shane McCoy 0-1, David Cluskey; Derek Crilly 1-1, Niall Cluskey 0-1; Tadhg Carroll, Bobby Butterly 0-3, Aonghus Giggins; Robert Callaghan 1-5, Fintan Martin 1-1, Seán Reynolds 0-3. SUBS: Dean Lynch for E Callaghan, Niall Fanning for Niall Cluskey, Eanna McCartney for Bell, Paul Egan for Crilly, Stephen Barry for T Carroll.
NA PIARSAIGH BLACKROCK: Adam Molloy 0-1; Seamus Gonnelly, Ronan McCartney, Fionn Tipping; Stephen McGuinness, Joe Woods, Chris Kellet; James Mahoney, Ciaran Murphy 0-2; Robert Murphy 1-3, James McCartney, Mark Larkin 0-1; Gerard Rice, Tommy Muckian, Darren Muckian. SUBS: Mark O'Hare 0-2, David Boyle, Seamus Reid, Gavin McGee.
NAOMH FIONNBARRA 1-5 WOLFE TONES 4-7
Naomh Fionnbarra suffered another heavy defeat in Division 3A, this time by Wolfe Tones at John Markey Park, Ballygassan on Saturday evening.
In-form Rory Taaffe was instrumental in the win with 2-3 in total. Both goals came in the first half along with Chris Cudden’s first three pointer that paved the way for a convincing lead for the Drogheda men.
Colm Smith scored a major for the Barrs to leave eight points between the sides at the short whistle, but the Barrs trailed an ominous 3-5 to 1-3 at the turn.
With the wind at their backs for the second half, the Togher men were expected to come out fighting. However, the hosts only managed to kick two points in all. Another Cudden goal made the game safe, as the men from the Platin Road ran out easy winners.
WOLFE TONES: Alan Sweeney; Taidgh Rock, Paddy Fanning, Sean McMahon; Sean Flanagan, Alan Fanning, Sam Kelly; Garrett Cooney 0-1, Mark Healy; Dwayne Leavy, Dean Haggins, Liam Gaffney 0-1; Chris cudden 2-1, Rory Taaffe 2-3, Darren Weldon. Subs: Eoghan O'Shea for Dean Haggins, Dean Haggins for Sean McMahon, Graham Fanning for Sam Kelly, Jordan Duffy 0-1 for Darren Weldon.