Late Lynam free ensures a share of the spoils in lively derby clash

St Oliver Plunkett's 3-12, Cullion 1-18

A wonderful local derby ended all square when the hurlers of St Oliver Plunkett’s and Cullion clashed at Clonkill GAA grounds on Sunday, in the Westmeath Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship.

A depleted Cullion outfit got 19 scores but still couldn't finish ahead of a gritty St Oliver Plunkett’s side, who led by five points after 47 minutes. In that context, the saints will obviously be the more disappointed as they ought to have pushed on against a Cullion side that was without the influence of the outstanding Jack Galvin for the second half.

Galvin picked up an ankle injury and was forced to retire at the break, but only after he lit up the match with some superb shooting in the opening half: his 0-6 haul included three sublime scores from sideline balls.

At half-time it was Cullion who were leading by just a point, 0-14 to 3-4, but St Oliver Plunkett’s had the advantage of a lively breeze for the second half and that was a factor.

Plunkett’s got the ideal start when corner forward Thomas Meehan goaled after 20 seconds, but an excellent Kevin Regan point followed immediately for the Cullion men. Then Galvin struck over the first of his sideline cuts and Cullion became the dominant side: the one caveat was their unconvincing defence.

Regan (free) and Shane Broughan notched Cullion points in response to Paddy Lynam’s converted free, leaving it all square, but a 10th minute goal from Meehan (after Shane Ormsby’s pass) left it 2-1 to 0-4. It all came from Aaron Craig’s long delivery and the Cullion defence was breached rather easily.

Cullion then enjoyed a prolific period, scoring six unanswered points to lead by 0-10 to 2-1 after 17 minutes. Galvin was instrumental. His accuracy was superb and his monstrous point from his own half back line was among the highlights. Regan and Shane O’Connor were on target, too.

But then the Cullion defence creaked again: a high ball inside led to a Donal Liddy flick to the net, bringing St Oliver Plunkett’s level.

Cullion got three of the next four scores, showing character. Included were a couple of superb sideline cuts from Galvin and another quality strike from midfield. Lynam (free and play) got a couple of crucial points to keep Plunkett’s in touch while Regan and David Gavin traded late frees to bring a very entertaining first half to a close.

ADVANTAGE

Before the break, the industrious Galvin got injured and that was a factor as St Oliver Plunkett’s dominated the third quarter. They got the four opening scores per Lynam (three frees and a ‘65’) and the lead was three points (3-8 to 0-14); a point from Broughan kept Cullion in contention, though.

After Ciaran Curley had a point ruled out for a foul in the build-up, Lynam (free) and Curley both notched scores for the saints to put them in control. They led by 3-11 to 0-15 when ‘keeper Conor Lynch struck over a long-range free, keeping his composure impressively.

The game looked over, but Cullion hadn’t read the script. Galvin was pucking every ball, metaphorically, as he urged on his colleagues from the sidelines and Brian O’Reilly and Regan (two frees) got three crucial scores.

Plunkett’s had a goal chance when Shane Ormsby got through, but his effort lacked power and Conor Kelly saved. Ormsby could have taken a point.

Cullion regained the lead in the 58th minute when Regan found the net, following O’Reilly’s delivery. Advantage was being played and Regan certainly made it count as Cullion forged ahead, 1-18 to 3-11.

As the rain came down, a pulsating encounter ended level when Lynam stepped up and converted a free in the final minute of normal time. Cullion almost snatched victory at the death, but Regan’s effort was wide.

Cullion, despite their fine scoring return, are still chasing a first win in this championship, while St Oliver Plunkett’s are well in contention with a win and a draw after their two rounds.

Scorers: St Oliver Plunkett’s: P Lynam 0-9 (7f; 1 ‘65’), T Meehan 2-0, D Liddy 1-0, C Lynch (f), D Gavin (f) and C Curley 0-1 each. Cullion: K Regan 1-7 (0-5f), J Galvin 0-6 (3 sideline balls), S Broughan 0-3, S O’Connor and B O’Reilly 0-1 each.

St Oliver Plunkett’s: Conor Lynch; John Fry, Brian Reidy, Darragh Geraghty; Liam Carey, Aaron Craig, Zach Aherne; Ross Corroon, Donal Liddy; Paddy Lynam, David Gavin, Colm O’Leary; Ciaran Curley, Conor Bracken, Thomas Meehan. Subs: Shane Ormsby for O’Leary (12), Nathan Cornally for Bracken (44).

Cullion: Conor Kelly; Liam Shaw, Brendan King, Pearse Shaw; Jimmy Kelly, Conor Shaw, Shane O’Connor; Jack Galvin, Pearse Corroon; Marc Watters, James Clarke, Brian O’Reilly; Andy Connaughton, Kevin Regan, Shane Broughan. Subs: Dan Connaughton for Galvin (inj., h-t), Damien Golden for O’Connor (inj., h-t), Eoin Fox for A Connaughton (51), Donal Mulvihill for D Connaughton (57).

Ref: Derek Heffernan (Killucan).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of The Match

Paddy Lynam (St Oliver Plunkett’s): The busy wing forward gets the nod and his contribution of nine points was crucial on the day. He held his composure for that late equalising point. Even though he went off injured at half-time, Jack Galvin was quite outstanding for Cullion in the first half and some of his striking was sheer class. Kevin Regan chipped in with 1-7 in a fine display, too.

Score of the match

Jack Galvin had just produced one piece of brilliance to score a sideline cut from the pavilion side of the ground before he repeated the feat from the far side of the Clonkill pitch in the 20th minute with an even more impressive execution of the skill. (For good measure, he did it a third time five minutes later).

Key moments

Ciaran Curley thought he had scored a point for St Oliver Plunkett’s to put them two clear after 41 minutes, but the officials consulted before the score was cancelled and the corner forward was booked for an incident in the build-up.

St Oliver Plunkett’s had another decent chance when Shane Ormsby was clean through in the 54th minute and, on reflection, he should have settled for a point, but his shot was saved by Conor Kelly.

Match officials

Derek Heffernan generally got his key decisions spot on and played a good advantage for Kevin Regan’s goal in the 58th minute.

Next up

St Oliver Plunkett’s are playing Ringtown while Cullion meet Delvin in what is a must win tie.