‘Pollard relief at foiling Plunkett’s comeback

Castlepollard 2-21, St Oliver Plunkett's 4-12

By Paul Hughes

A flurry of late scores ensured that Castlepollard survived a potential upset at the hands of a game St Oliver Plunkett’s side in TEG Cusack Park last Saturday night, avoiding a defeat that would have left the spectre of relegation looming large over the north Westmeath club.

‘Pollard led comfortably at half-time (1-10 to 1-4) and shortly after a 41st-minute goal from Eoin English, were nine clear and looked set to pull away. But the Mullingar men had other ideas, firing three second-half goals to leave them just a point adrift of ‘Pollard deep into stoppage time. However, late scores from Brian Gilchrist – his fifth from play in a classy individual display – and sub Darragh Tierney ensured that the men in blue and gold breathed a sigh of relief.

Many had written off Ciaran McKenna’s St Oliver Plunkett’s charges before the throw-in but they did club and town proud with a battling performance. Castlepollard, however, didn’t panic despite the peril facing them, and in John McCarthy, Gilchrist and Darragh McCormack, had the firepower to get themselves over the line.

Castlepollard, emerging with a starting XV very different to that listed on the programme, led by three after as many minutes thanks to the sticks of Gilchrist (2) and McCarthy (a free). In that time, Plunkett’s missed the target three times, and a dearth of accuracy plagued them in the first half, which they finished with ten wides. Had some of those gone over the bar, the result could have been very different.

After seven minutes, Matthew Cunningham opened the Mullingar side’s account with a terrific long-range score, and this settled them somewhat. Darragh McCormack (Castlepollard) and Nathan Cornally (Plunkett’s) traded scores, before Plunkett’s got their first breakthrough of the game.

It came after ‘Pollard netminder Jimmy Greville blocked a point attempt, and when Colm O’Leary picked up the rebound, he was floored by the onrushing ‘keeper. Referee Barry Nea awarded a penalty, which Greville’s opposite number, Conor Lynch, smashed to the roof of the net, putting Plunkett’s in front. Greville injured himself during this passage of play, and would be replaced later in the game.

A minute later, John McCarthy converted a free for ‘Pollard to restore parity, and by 20 minutes they led 0-7 to 1-2 thanks to another McCarthy free and a wonderful long-range effort from Darragh McCormack, who was starting to get into this stride.

Amid a brief downpour, David Gavin divided the posts for Plunkett’s, but three minutes later ‘Pollard found the net thanks to a spectacular individual goal from McCormack. The full forward scythed through the Plunkett’s defence with a tremendous run before showing great skill to toss up the sliotar and fly-swat it to the net.

McCarthy tacked on another free to extend that lead to five, and although dominant at this stage, ‘Pollard introduced Alex McCormack and Allan Devine from the bench. A further brace of frees from McCarthy cancelled out a second point from Gavin, and at the break ‘Pollard led by six.

Both sides played some attractive hurling in the opening ten minutes of the second half, at the end of which ‘Pollard led by five (1-14 to 1-9). McCarthy (‘Pollard) and Conor Lynch (Plunkett’s – a free from inside his own half) opened the scoring, before two points from Paddy Lynam, either side of an Allan Devine score, left five between the sides.

On 37 minutes, ‘Pollard almost crafted a goal when Conor Gaffney teed up Devine for a shot, but it was well saved by Conor Lynch in the Plunkett’s goal. Brian Gilchrist seized on the rebound and pointed for ‘Pollard.

Moments later, John McCarthy racked up another point from play, and the north Westmeath men led by seven, but Plunkett’s were hungry and soon reduced that lead to five again thanks to Paddy Lynam and Matthew Cunningham, with the latter now operating further forward. One felt that a Plunkett’s goal would have really shaken things up at this stage.

However, when a goal arrived on 41 minutes, it went ‘Pollard’s way. McCarthy went for another score but his puck rebounded off the upright, and Eoin English was first to the rebound before driving the sliotar to the net.

McCarthy then notched up his third consecutive point from play.

Although nine adrift after this demoralising sequence, Plunkett’s dug deep during the next 15 minutes to fashion an unlikely comeback. On 45 minutes, Paddy Lynam converted a free before Ciaran Curley netted from close range to reduce the arrears to five again.

Back came Castlepollard again, and after McCarthy shot over another free, the men in blue and gold had a couple of chances to put the game to bed. Darragh McCormack threatened the Plunkett’s goal with a determined run, and moments later, pulled off an outrageous overhead pass to set McCarthy en route to goal, but his finish was tame.

While ‘Pollard missed these chances, at the other end, Plunkett’s made their shots count. Ciaran Curley found the net for a second time on 53 minutes with a low drive, before Conor Lynch’s long ball picked out Shane Ormsby, who pointed to leave Plunkett’s just two points behind.

In the fading light, the momentum then swung in ‘Pollard’s favour again when John McCarthy converted yet another free, while Brian Gilchrist finished off a solo run with a fine point. Castlepollard led by four again, and Plunkett’s just couldn’t close the gap. However, the Mullingar men had another chance on 58 minutes when they were awarded a second penalty after a foul on Matthew Cunningham. Conor Lynch drove it low and hard, and although ‘Pollard’s sub goalkeeper Seán Dermody got his hurl to it, it proved too powerful to keep out. Plunkett’s now trailed by just a point.

The minimum separated the sides deep into stoppage time (2-19 to 4-12), with McCarthy (‘Pollard) and Lynch (Plunkett’s) trading frees. Castlepollard were lucky not to have had Paul Dermody sent off after a clash with Plunkett’s Seán Kelly, and McCarthy went wide from a free, making for a nervy end to the game for ‘Pollard.

However, they closed out the game and sealed the win with two late scores. Sub Darragh Tierney won the ball well on the terrace side and shot over, before Brian Gilchrist made sure with another superb point from play in the fifth minute of added time.

Scorers - Castlepollard: J McCarthy 0-11 (8f), D McCormack 1-3, B Gilchrist 0-5, E English 1-0, A Devine and D Tierney 0-1 each.

St Oliver Plunkett’s: C Lynch 2-2 (2-0 pen, 0-2f), C Curley 2-0, P Lynam 0-4 (2f), D Gavin and M Cunningham 0-2 each, N Cornally and S Ormsby 0-1 each.

Castlepollard - Jimmy Greville; Seán Lancaster, Darragh O’Reilly, Oisín Gaffney; Paul Dermody, Conor Gaffney, Ben Murphy; Derek Murray, Colm Dermody; Joe Rabbitt, John McCarthy, Luke Roddy; Brian Gilchrist, Darragh McCormack, Eoin English. Subs used: Alex McCormack for Murray (24), Allan Devine for Roddy (30), Seán Dermody for Greville (inj., 47), Darragh Tierney for English (60+3).

St Oliver Plunkett’s - Conor Lynch; Zach Aherne, Aaron Craig, John Fry; Greg Gavin, Liam Carey, Matthew Cunningham; Paddy Lynam, Cathal Craig; Shane Ormsby, David Gavin, Colm O’Leary; Nathan Cornally, Ciaran Curley, Thomas Meehan. Subs used: Seán Kelly for Meehan (h-t), Ross Corroon for O’Leary (47), Stephen McManus for Carey (52).

Ref - Barry Nea (Turin).