Paddy Sheelan Cup in Roche at 8pm on Monday 12th April, Roche Emmets v Oliver Plunketts.
Referee: Gerry Malone
Roche 2-10 (HT 0-2) Oliver Plunketts 1-8 (HT 1-6)
There were perfect weather and ground conditions for this Sheelan Cup back fixture played on a Monday evening in Pairc de Roiste. This match had an unforeseen reversal of fortunes in the final 20 minutes which no one could have predicted from the course the match had taken in the previous 40 minutes. The Plunketts scored first and the teams exchanged two points each before the Plunketts pulled away with 1-4 without reply from Roche. Roy Taaffe accumulating 1-2 and Brian Fitzpatrick got 2 points with John Moroney and Sean Brassil, from midfield, adding a point each. They were all over the Roche defense but had six wides which was later to be a factor in the match result. Taaffe was flying and had his luck in, as a fierce Plunkett’s drive came off the angle of the goals and straight into his arms for him to dispatch to the net past the stranded Sean O’Hare. Gerry Murphy pointed and Philip Quinn converted a ‘45’ for Roche. But with four wides, and trailing 1-6 to 0-2 at half time with Barry O’Hare and Kevin Callaghan missing from the previous victory it appeared the end of their unbeaten run here. Half time score 1-6 to 0-2 in favour of the Plunketts.
Ten minutes into the second half with the Plunketts adding a further 2 bad wides there was no sign of the cavalry appearing over the horizon for Roche. At this stage Roche were awarded a 20 metre free straight in front of the goals and what seemed an easy chance to get a point on the board, Dan O’Connell took charge of the ball and cracked it to the net. What a lift to the team and home supporters! And from that moment Roche took over, scoring a further 1-8. Sub Martin Craven added a point, then another from O’Connell and another from a tight angle from Craven. The kick out was well caught by Darren McConnon and he released it to O’Connell who slipped it over the bar from 30 metres, all square! Then G. Murphy crashed the ball to the Plunketts net after good work by Craven to leave the score 2-6 to 1-6.
The Plunketts rushed on three subs. Amazingly the Plunketts only added 2 further points to their tally plus 2 wides. But with Roche adding further fresh legs, Barry McConnon (sub), Craven, Murphy and Enda Murphy were too hard to handle for the visitors defence. The Roche midfield and half back line were drilling ball after ball to their forwards. Nothing was going right for the Plunketts while smart kick outs from O’Hare were finding their men with ease. Craven fisted a high centre over the bar then a long shot from the wing went over the bar followed by Darren McConnon ending a four man passing sequence with a point. To end the scoring spree that man O’Connell pointed again leaving the final score Roche 2-10 Plunketts 1-8.
Roche scorers: Dan O’Connell 1-3, Martin Craven 4pts, Gerry Murphy 1-1, Philip Quinn and Darren McConnon 1 each.
Roche: SEAN O’HARE, SEAN KIRK, DERMOT CRAVEN, NIALL TREANOR, HARRY O’CONNELL, BRIAN McGUINNESS, DUANE CALLAN, MARTIN CARROLL, DARREN McCONNON, PHILIP QUINN, DAN O’CONNELL, PAUDIE CALLAGHAN, ROBBIE O’HANLON, GERRY MURPHY, ENDA MURPHY. Subs MARTIN CRAVEN FOR McGUINNESS, BARRY McCONNON FOR QUINN.
Plunketts scorers: Roy Taaffe 1-4, Brian Fitzpatrick 2pts, Sean Brassel and John Moroney 1 each.
Plunketts: KEITH MARTIN, ALAN MATHEW, TREAVOR BRENACH, SEAN CAMPBELL, FRANCIS DUFFY, BRIAN O’NEILL, NIALL CLINTON, STEPHAN KELLY, SEAN BRASSEL, SEAN CALLAGHAN, FRANCIS TAAFFE, BRIAN FITZPATRICK, SEAN MORONEY, ROY TAAFFE, DEAN CAROLAN.
