Hughes goal provides the platform as St Oliver Plunkett’s claim U20 crown

St Oliver Plunkett's 1-9, Na Piarsaigh 0-11

In what was a proud day for the St Oliver Plunkett’s hurling club, Mullingar, the U20 hurlers produced a gritty display to fend off Na Piarsaigh and win the coveted title for the first time, at a wintry Joristown Park, Raharney on Sunday, December 22.

In front of a big Mullingar following, the talented St Oliver Plunkett’s side showed tremendous character to hold firm against a resurgent Na Piarsaigh in the second half. Having led by eight points immediately after the half-time break, the Mullingar side failed to register a score for 32 minutes as they battled for every ball as if their levels depended on it. In the end, a terrific defensive effort got its reward on what was a tough day for hurling, played on a soft sod with a strong wind sweeping down the field.

Na Piarsaigh, the reigning champions at this level, having won the old U19 championship last year, played with the elements in the second half and they seemed to be whittling away nicely at the sizeable St Oliver Plunkett’s lead of 1-8 to 0-4 at half-time. When the talented Nathan Cornally slotted over a free after the restart, it looked like an ideal start for the Mullingar men, but they needed big interventions from players like Ben McNamee, Conor Kelly, Liam Carey, Seán Hayes, Shane Ormsby and ’keeper Padraig Casey as the second half unfolded.

Donnacha Maguire was almost in for his side’s second goal in added time but somehow Na Piarsaigh scrambled the ball away as Cathal Óg Fagan’s last ditch defending rescued the situation. And when David and Ryan Williams combined at the other end in the dying seconds, the St Oliver Plunkett’s defence stood tall to protect their two-point cushion.

David Williams was outstanding for the combination side, but not even his class could stop St Oliver Plunkett’s from taking the spoils. In doing so they wrote their own piece of history as the first team from the club to win an U20 premier hurling title and it is a major fillip for hurling in Mullingar. It's some 20 years since the proud club won a title at U21 level.

It was an attritional contest, both sides giving it their all, and ultimately a goal from full forward Darragh Hughes in the 10th minute proved decisive on a day when both sides managed 10 scores apiece. Hughes pounced to belt the sliotar home when Cornally’s free landed in the danger area.

Victory is reward for a colossal effort on the part of St Oliver Plunkett’s to reinvigorate hurling in the capital town and it was wonderful to see such a terrific level of support for the club.

It started well for St Oliver Plunkett’s as they played with the strong breeze behind them and points from Shane Ormsby, Nathan Cornally (free) and Daire Cleary were the perfect response to David Williams’ opener. The latter inspired Na Piarsaigh to victory at U19 level last year with 12 points, and he was always a major threat in this final.

A key moment arrived in the 10th minute as Cornally sent a free into the danger area and when the ball broke loose, Darragh Hughes pounced to strike home a low shot, eliciting a rapturous response from Mullingar supporters. The charges of Dermot Curley and David Cornally sensed they had one hand on the trophy even at that early stage.

When Darragh Hughes was fouled in the 12th minute, Cornally converted the free and a point from Rory O’Brien had the saints well in control. They led by eight points, 1-6 to 0-1, when Thomas Meehan fired over at the end of the first quarter and it certainly provided a solid platform.

Williams hit back for Na Piarsaigh with a pointed free and he had another chance from a more difficult angle, which he sent narrowly wide. After 22 minutes, Cornally struck over another Plunkett’s point; Williams again responded for the Lough Lene Gaels/Turin outfit to keep it interesting. He added another point from a placed ball to further reduce the leeway, but a Cornally free in the 28th minute ensured the Mullingar men of a decent lead at the break, even allowing for the breeze.

St Oliver Plunkett’s began the second half on a positive note also when Cornally shot a fine point from a 50-metre free into the teeth of the breeze. Na Piarsaigh showed early intent, too, with a point from Ryan Williams and when centre back Darragh Smith shot an inspirational score from 60 metres out on the sideline, they began to believe a comeback was possible.

David Williams’ free at the end of the third quarter left five points separating the teams, 1-9 to 0-7, and the recovery mission was gathering momentum when the same player struck over another point from more than 65 metres. Liam Carey came agonisingly close to adding to the St Oliver Plunkett’s lead when his long-range free drifted wide and, as tensions rose, referee Caymon Flynn showed a red card to a Na Piarsaigh mentor.

Williams slotted over another free in the 58th minute to leave just three points between the teams and when Conor Heffernan was fouled, Williams again showed impressive accuracy to make it a two-point game. Ben McNamee forced a crucial turnover when Ryan Williams and Heffernan threatened, while Seán Hayes won a crucial ball in midfield.

That kind of grit and determination that were now shining through as Na Piarsaigh applied strong pressure.

In added time, Donnacha Maguire almost forced home a second Plunkett’s goal, but Fagan cleared the danger and Na Piarsaigh were growing in confidence.

David and Ryan Williams combined in one final throw of the dice, but again the Plunkett’s defence held firm and moments later the final whistle must have music to the ears of the Mullingar supporters.

Ecstatic scenes followed as the St Oliver Plunkett’s club celebrated what they hope will be the most significant breakthrough in many decades.

The challenge now is to translate that into senior hurling and they certainly looked well placed to do so.

Afterwards, Westmeath County Committee chairman Frank Mescall presented the U20 cup to Conor Kelly, captain of the successful St Oliver Plunkett’s side.

Scorers – St Oliver Plunkett’s: N Cornally 0-5 (frees), D Hughes 1-0, D Cleary, R O’Brien, T Meehan and S Ormsby 0-1 each.

Na Piarsaigh: D Williams 0-8 (7f), R Williams and D Smith 0-1 each.

St Oliver Plunkett’s: Padraig Casey; Ben McNamee, Conor Kelly, John Fry; Seán Hayes, Liam Carey, Dylan Carey; Shane Ormsby, Nathan Cornally; Rory O’Brien, Thomas Meehan, Donnacha Maguire; Daire Cleary, Darragh Hughes, Michael Weir. Subs: Shane Mulderry for Cleary (54), Eoin Meehan for O’Brien (inj., 58).

Na Piarsaigh: Kylan Heffernan; Cathal Óg Fagan, Alex Mills, Kevin Hogan; Declan McGrath, Darragh Smith, Oisín L’Estrange; Craig Neville, Alex Little; Ryan Williams, David Williams, Ciaran Kiernan; Conor Heffernan, Daniel Buckley Callum Burns. Sub: Cian Reilly for Kiernan (42).

Referee: Caymon Flynn (St Brigid’s).