Junior newcomers Oliver Plunketts overcome John Mitchels

DKIT SPORT JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

GROUP 1

Oliver Plunketts 1-9 John Mitchels 1-5

Jamie Byrne’s championship debut could not have gone any better in the Oliver Plunketts win over John Mitchels at DEFY Páirc Mhuire in Ardee last Sunday afternoon. The youngsters first half goal proved to be the difference in this edgy encounter.

The first half opened cautiously with both sides playing it safe. The Plunketts opened the scoring with two points before Mitchels responded with a point from Trevor Matthews.

John Gallagher then introduced himself to the game before a well-constructed Plunketts goal from Byrne put the Drogheda men three points to the good. Mitchels composed themselves and Gallagher and John Bingham exchanged points to leave the half time score 0-4 to 1-3 in the Mell sides favour.

The second half opened with the Plunketts holding out and Jimmy Murray’s side wasting their period of dominance. A well taken goal from John Gallagher then followed which evened the game up at 1-4 a piece with 20 minutes remaining, but instead of pushing on the Drogheda men took over.

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Dean Carolan in particular took the initiative with a commanding brace and Emmet Kelleher will be delighted with substitute Killian Nolan’s cameo.

Thanks to those two, Plunketts were in control heading into injury time. Yet Gary Keogh did have to come to the rescue with a goal line block from a low Jake Gillespie effort.

Plunketts then closed out the game with a late point to finish the tie with a four point lead that should see the winners and last year's demoted side into the knockout stages.

OLIVER PLUNKETTS: Luke Haggans; Cillian Matthews, Gary Keogh, Cillian Smith; Baz Reynolds, Dean Carolan (0-2), Jamie Byrne (1-0); Robbie Brodigan, Shaun Smith; David Lambe, Cian Matthews, Conor Haggans, Stephen Keeley; Seán Callaghan, Kristian Nolan (0-5, 0-4 frees). SUBS: Niall Murtagh for Lambe (44), Killian Nolan (0-2) for Haggans (50), Adam Smith for Callaghan (56), Ricky Bateson for Keogh (62), Luke Carley for Keeley (62).

JOHN MITCHELS: David Anderson; James Sands, Andrew Bingham, Emmett Farrell; Mikey Nulty, John Bingham (0-1), Aaron Kane; Trevor Matthews (0-1), Aaron Keely; Cathal Corrigan, John Gallagher (1-3); Shane Crosson; Stephen Campbell, James Clarke Jake Gillespie. SUBS: Robbie Coyle for James Clarke (26), Carl Courtney for Aaron Keely (27), Jamie Durnin for Cathal Corrigan (42), Alan Mackin for Shane Crosson (50), Leigh Ross for Aaron Kane (64). 

Referee: Ultan McElroy (Kilkerley Emmets)