A flawless intermediate hurling championship campaign culminated in a return to the senior ranks for St. Oliver Plunkett's. Here, we review their success. The inevitable became a reality at Cusack Park on October 21 last when St. Oliver Plunkett's regained senior status with a deserved 0-12 to 1-6 win over Ringtown in the intermediate hurling championship final. For Plunkett's, the victory finally laid to rest the memories of their shock defeat to St. Brigid's in the previous year's final. There is little doubt that the fear of failure played strongly on the players' minds all through last season and perhaps that is why they won the intermediate championship in such impressive style. Having tasted intermediate success on three occasions since 1994, Plunkett's will now hope to establish themselves as a senior club. The club's record at underage level over the past decade has been second to none but one suspects that their supporters will not feel content until the Examiner Cup finally makes its way to Robinstown. Just as in 1998 when Plunkett's defeated Delvin in the intermediate final, Ray Smyth was at the helm. Along with his co-selectors Davy Gavin, Tommy McManus and Brendan Lyons, Smyth guided the team to eight consecutive wins, the final included. The Mullingar outfit opened their championship campaign with a 1-7 to 1-4 victory over Southern Gaels at Moate on May 25. A week later, they defeated Lough Lene Gaels on a 2-7 to 1-8 scoreline. Crookedwood were next to fall, with Plunkett's emerging as 2-8 to 0-7 winners. In what would later prove to be a dress rehearsal for the final, Plunkett's recorded a comfortable 1-13 to 1-4 victory over Ringtown in their next outing. Their final two games of the league phase resulted in facile wins over Turin (0-20 to 0-4) and Delvin (5-13 to 0-10). In the semi-final at Cusack Park on October 7, Plunkett's renewed acquaintances with Crookedwood. The scoreline was almost identical to their earlier meeting, with the Mullingar men coming out on top by 1-13 to 1-6. The first half was a low-scoring affair with Plunkett's taking a 0-5 to 0-2 lead into the interval. By the end of the third quarter, however, the county town side had effectively ended the game as a contest. John Corcoran raised a green flag within minutes of the restart and this, combined with points from Greg Gavin (two), John Smyth (two) and Govinda Geoghegan, had Plunkett's 1-10 to 0-2 to the good with less than 15 minutes left to play. Tommy Cassidy pulled back a goal for Crookedwood but a couple of late points from James Coyle and Noel Gavin ensured Plunkett's of another comprehensive victory. Not for the first time, Plunkett's went into the final as favourites. Given that they were a Division One side, had won seven straight championship matches without too much bother and Ringtown had been among their victims, the favourites' tag was justified. But, after their defeat to St. Brigid's in 2000, Plunkett's realised that they could afford to take nothing for granted. Ringtown opened the scoring through Noel Boyce but Plunkett's responded with three unanswered points per Greg Gavin, John Corcoran and John Smyth to hit the front. Everything seemed to be going according to plan for the favourites at this stage but they were then rocked back on their heels when Colm Murphy scored the game's only goal for Ringtown. Greg Gavin quickly restored parity before a Noel Boyce free nudged Ringtown back in front. Dermot Curley levelled again but a Martin Burke point ensured Ringtown of a 1-3 to 0-5 lead at the break. It must be noted that during that opening half, Plunkett's created two guilt edged goalscoring chances but were denied each time by Ringtown goalkeeper Pat Burke and corner back Gerard Goldrick respectively. When Boyce slotted over a '65' and Colm Murphy followed up with a point to put Ringtown three clear early in the second half, it appeared that St. Oliver Plunkett's were in deep trouble. But their nerves were steadied when points from John Smyth and James Coyle (two) brought them back onto level terms. Ringtown substitute Tommy Cunningham restored his side's lead but from then until the finish, the Whitehall men were held scoreless as the Plunkett's defence tightened up considerably. A point each from Coyle and Smyth gave Plunkett's the lead again. Eddie Casey and Govinda Geoghegan followed up with further scores to give the county town side a three-point cushion, 0-12 to 1-6, with time almost up. Ringtown tried desperately to salvage an equalizing goal in the closing stages but the Plunkett's defence held firm and victory was theirs. When it's taken into account that Plunkett's could afford the luxury of 16 wides and still win, their superiority cannot be questioned. Their performance in the final wasn't overly impressive but it's unlikely that they were unduly worried about this. Afterwards, Plunkett's captain Eddie Casey had the honour of collecting the intermediate championship cup for the second time in four years. The Mullingar outfit survived just a season in the senior ranks following the '98 success. They'll be hoping to make the senior grade their permanent home this time around. The St. Oliver Plunkett's team which triumphed in the intermediate championship final was: Ian Egerton; Ollie McNamee, Sean O'Leary; David Murray; Dermot Curley (0-1), Noel Gavin, Connaire Flanagan; JJ Flanagan, Greg Gavin (0-2); John Smyth (0-3), Eddie Casey (0-1), James Coyle (0-3); John Corcoran (0-1), Govinda Geoghegan (0-1), Kevin Baker. Subs: James Heffernan, Ciaran McCormack, Damien Kiernan, Tony Gavin, Mal McDonnell, Clive Kenny, Anthony Clinton, Paul Daly, John Plunkett, John Daly, Steve McManus, Paul Brady, Brian Brady, Oisin Clinton, Ciaran McKenna. Three in-a-row for under 12s St. Oliver Plunkett's captured the under 12 'premier' hurling championship for the third year in succession when they defeated Castlepollard by 1-7 to 2-2 in an entertaining final at McCabe Park, Turin on October 13 last. A replay victory over Clonkill in the semi-final served as excellent preparation for the decider. Plunkett's trailed by two points at one stage in the first half but recovered well and were full value for their two points triumph. The reigning champions made a great start to the final with Lorcan Smyth scoring a point and Ross Geoghegan following up with a goal. David Higgins immediately responded with a goal for Castlepollard before Paul Sharry (Plunkett's) and Chris Harton exchanged points. 'Pollard took the lead for the first time when Higgins scored his second goal. Lorcan Smyth sent over a free to reduce the deficit to the minimum before Phidius Murtagh restored Castlepollard's two points advantage. But two unanswered points from Smyth had Plunkett's on level terms at half-time. The interval scoreline was St. Oliver Plunkett's 1-5, Castlepollard 2-2. The second half proved to be a low-scoring affair with both sets of defences generally on top. The Mullingar side created the better chances with 'Pollard goalkeeper Stephen Bardon coming to his side's rescue on a number of occasions. The only points of the half came from Lorcan Smyth and Ross Geoghegan, with 'Pollard failing to add to their tally. The blue and golds rallied late on but Plunkett's held firm for a deserved victory. Afterwards, Michael McHugh, chairman of the Minor Board, presented the under 12 shield to Plunkett's inspirational captain Lorcan Smyth. The St. Oliver Plunkett's team which retained the under 12 'premier' hurling championship title was: Daniel Hughes; Alan Murtagh, Shane Nugent, Denis Corroon; Alan McNamee, Barry Donoghue, Alan Finch; Paul Sharry (0-1), Lorcan Smyth (0-5); Rory Hughes, Ross Geoghegan (1-1), Derek Ruane; Shane Boggs, Conor Lynam, Kevin Conroy. Subs used: Richard Kavanagh, Christopher Keena and Gavin Maher. Under 21 glory at last for Plunkett's At the fifth time of asking, St. Oliver Plunkett's finally got their hands on the under 21 hurling championship crown following a 0-14 to 1-6 victory over Lough Lene Gaels at Cusack Park last November. This particular Plunkett's team had won all before them from under 12 upwards, including an All-Ireland Feile title in the mid-1990s. The team was backboned by players from last year's all-conquering intermediate side and it came as no surprise to anyone to see them capture their first under 21 title. Under the management of Ray Smyth, Davy Gavin, John FitzSimons and John Curley, Plunkett's always had the look of winners. Seamus Carroll scored an early goal for the Gaels but the Mullingar side quickly regrouped and with Greg Gavin, James Coyle and John Smyth all finding the target, they had forged into a 0-8 to 1-2 lead at the break. Plunkett's continued to hold the upperhand following the resumption with points from Greg and Tony Gavin putting them six clear, 0-11 to 1-2. Daniel Carty gave Lough Lene Gaels hope when he slotted over frees in the 12th and 14th minutes but Plunkett's soon regained the initiative with scores from Greg and Tony Gavin. The former completed the scoring in the closing stages to ensure that the under 21 crown would be returning to Robinstown for the first time. The St. Oliver Plunkett's team was: Ian Egerton; Ollie McNamee, Sean O'Leary, David Murray; Conaire Flanagan, Dermot Curley, Oisin Clinton; Anthony Clinton, Greg Gavin (0-6); Damien Kiernan, John Smyth (0-1), James Coyle (0-2); Kevin Baker (0-1), Ciaran McKenna, Tony Gavin (0-4). Subs used: Brian Brady, James Heffernan and Clive Kenny. Minor title retained St. Oliver Plunkett's retained the minor hurling 'premier' championship title with a deserved 1-11 to 1-6 victory over Derravaragh Gaels in an entertaining final at Cusack Park on September 16 last. The Mullingar side laid the foundations for their success in the first half when they scored 0-7 in reply to Derravaragh Gaels' 1-1, despite having played against a strong breeze. The challengers, however, never gave up and it was only in the dying minutes that Plunkett's sealed the win thanks to a goal from Cian O'Leary. Nine teams started out in last year's minor championship with St. Oliver Plunkett's, Castletown-Geoghegan, Derravaragh Gaels and Brownstown/Delvin progressing to the semi-finals. In the first semi-final, Plunkett's defeated Castletown by 0-10 to 0-6 while Derravaragh Gaels got the better of Brownstown/Delvin (3-9 to 2-8) in the other penultimate round match. Played as a curtain-raised to the senior final, the minor decider was an excellent contest with free-flowing hurling being the order of the day. A combination of Ringtown and Castlepollard, Derravaragh Gaels were first to make an impression on the scoresheet when Aaron Corrigan pointed in the opening minute. James Coyle and Anthony Clinton responded with points before Luke O'Neill scored a goal for Derravaragh Gaels. The gauntlet had been thrown down to the champions but how they responded! Plunkett's had restored parity by the 17th minute following points from James Coyle and Conaire Flanagan. In the 25th minute, Coyle gave the Robinstown-outfit the lead. Coyle and Cian O'Leary added further scores to leave Plunkett's 0-7 to 1-1 ahead at the interval. Derravaragh Gaels started the second half in determined fashion with points from Martin Egan and Padraig Fanning reducing the deficit to the minimum. The half was 16 minutes old when James Coyle finally opened Plunkett's second half account. Donal O'Donoghue and Anthony Clinton followed up with points and with 10 minutes remaining, the champions were four points to the good. The Gaels refused to accept defeat, however, and in an exciting finish, they cut the deficit to two points with scores from Corrigan and Fanning. But the impressive Coyle immediately restored Plunkett's three-point advantage. The result remained in doubt until two minutes from the end when Cian O'Leary rifled a loose ball to the net after Eoin O'Meara's earlier effort had been saved. Kurt Kaupert managed a late point for the amalgamation side but it made no difference to the outcome. Plunkett's had many outstanding performers, including Clive Kenny, Paul Hickey, Conaire Flanagan, Anthony Clinton and James Coyle. Afterwards, full back and captain Kenny was a fitting recipient of the minor championship cup. The successful St. Oliver Plunkett's minor team was: Peter Collins; Niall Smyth, Clive Kenny, Eugene Burke; Sean Maguire, Paul Hickey, Shane Dignan; Conaire Flanagan (0-1), Anthony Clinton (0-2); David Miller, James Coyle (0-6), Donal O'Donoghue (0-1); Robert Wallace, Conor Doran, Cian O'Leary (1-1). Subs used: Michael Curley, Darragh Ryan, Eoin O'Meara and Conor Twomey. Plunkett's romp to Feile success St. Oliver Plunkett's romped to a 5-9 to 1-0 victory over Clonkill in the Feile na nGael final at Cusack Park last May. A dominant first half display, in which they scored 4-5 without reply, laid the foundations for Plunkett's success. Clonkill could simply do nothing about their dominance with players such as Ciaran Curley, Alan Stenson and Conor Hughes causing them no end of problems. Stenson scored 1-2 during the first half while Conor Hughes also found the net to give the Mullingar side a massive 17 points advantage at half-time. The charges of Michael Coyle and Seamus O'Brien continued to hold the upperhand in the second half and not even a late goal from Adam Price could save Clonkill from a crushing defeat. Afterwards, Plunkett's captain Vincent Duignan received the silverware from Minor Board chairman Michael McHugh. The St. Oliver Plunkett's team was: Kieran Gavin; Ross Geoghegan, Wesley Rooney, Lorcan Smyth; Conor McEntee, Robbie McCarthy, Darren Lynch; Ciaran Curley (1-2), Vincent Duignan; Paul Sharry, Conor Hughes (1-2), Pierce Madden; Alan Stenson (2-4), Patrick Loughrey (0-1), Stephen Conway (1-0). Subs: Michael McKnight, Alan Creevy, Martin Doherty, Shane Busher, Daniel Hughes, Ger Conway, Stephen Burke, Barry Donoghue, Oisin Glennon, Chris Vella. Leech hat-trick inspires under 16 win St. Oliver Plunkett's captured the under 16 'A' hurling championship title by virtue of a 3-9 to 1-6 victory over Clonkill at Loughegar last November. A hat-trick of goals from corner forward Damien Leech inspired the Mullingar side to victory. Leech scored his first goal just before half-time and put the game beyond Clonkill's reach with two more in the second half. Plunkett's made the better start with Cian O'Leary and Michael Curley notching early points. They led by 0-5 to 0-2 after 20 minutes but then came Leech's opening goal. Clonkill had a chance to reply almost immediately but they failed to convert a penalty. Peter Collins and Stephen Nulty exchanged points to leave the half-time score reading 1-6 to 0-3 in favour of Plunkett's. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Leech had scored his second goal to put the Mullingar side firmly in the driving seat. When Leech completed his hat-trick six minutes later, Plunkett's were 3-7 to 0-4 in front and the game was effectively over as a contest. Paul Kelleghan eventually found the net for Clonkill but Plunkett's finished the stronger, with late points from Collins and O'Leary sealed an impressive win. Afterwards, Plunkett's captain Cian O'Leary received the under 16 'A' hurling shield from Hurling Board chairman MJ Corrigan. The St.Oliver Plunkett's team was: Stephen Conway; Robbie McCarthy, Marcus Twomey, Ciaran Curley; Wesley Rooney, Sean Maguire (0-3), Paddy O'Donnell; Michael Curley (0-1), Peter Collins (0-3); Keith Noonan, Cian O'Leary (0-2), Enda Monaghan; Joe Farrelly, Darragh Ryan, Damien Leech (3-0). Subs: Lorcan Smyth, Paul Sharry, David McCormack, Darren Leech, Vincent Duignan, Joseph Healy, Ciaran O'Meara. Tweet

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