Castleknock edge out Plunkett’s in superb contest

CASTLEKNOCK 2-18 ST OLIVER PLUNKETT’S/EOGHAN RUADH 2-15 (After extra-time)

What a game! Castleknock and Plunkett’s served up a top quality contest that had all in attendance gripped until the final whistle in this absorbing Dublin SFC second round duel in Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

Plunkett’s looked to be in pole position when Niall Walsh’s goal, following good work by Alan Brogan, five minutes into the second half gave his side a six-point lead, 1-8 to 0-5.

However, inspired by Ciarán Kilkenny Castleknock refused to buckle and were soon right back in a contest that contained a hard edge throughout.

A superbly fetched ball at centrefield by Rob Shaw set in motion a superb move that culminated with Kilkenny crashing the ball to the Plunkett’s net in the 40^th minute.

Three minutes later Lar Norton’s side were level when Kilkenny was fouled in the square for a penalty which the highly influential Seamus O’Carroll despatched.

Limerick native O’Carroll finished with a tally of 1-10 (1-0 penalty, 0-8f) but was involved throughout while his deadball accuracy in extra-time proved crucial.

In the opening half of normal time Plunkett’s held a slight upperhand and points from Alan Brogan, Gareth Smith and Bernard Brogan had their side 0-7 to 0-4 ahead at the interval.

However, Castleknock had twice been denied by the crossbar when goal attempts from both Colin Lynch and O'Carroll crashed off the woodwork.

The drama was far from over heading into the last ten minutes of normal time as Alan Brogan capitalised on a poor Castleknock kickout to put his side four clear, 2-11 to 2-7, in the 53^rd minute.

But again Castleknock kept coming back with the athleticism of the likes of Graham Hannigan, Tom Shiels, Tom Quinn, Shane Boland and Kilkenny pinning Plunkett’s back.

Three O’Carroll frees and another from play brought the sides level by the end of normal time.

Castleknock led 2-14 to 2-13 at half-time in extra-time and in the second period it was the sublime deadball accuracy of O’Carroll that separated the sides as Castleknock move into the last eight.

See the DubsTV match highlights from the game below:

SCORERS– Castleknock: S O’Carroll 1-10 (1-0 pen, 0-8f), C Kilkenny 1-2, T Shields 0-2, G Hannigan, M Griffin, C Lynch, E O’Brien 0-1 each. St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER: G Smith 0-6 (0-4f), A Brogan, N Walsh 1-2 each, B Brogan 0-3 (0-2f), J Brogan 0-2.

CASTLEKNOCK: M Connolly; E O’Brien, T Quinn, C Neville; R Mullins, G Hannigan, T Shields; S Boland, C Kilkenny; R Shaw, B Galvin, M Griffin; C Lynch, S O’Carroll, J Sherry. Subs: P Burke for Neville (21), P Sherry for Lynch (56), D Carlos for Galvin (61), K Kindlon for Mullins (71), Neville for Shaw (75).

ST OLIVER PLUNKETT’S/EOGHAN RUADH: S Hawkins; R O’Connor, S Lyons, E Clarke; J Brogan, D Lally, D Kelly; R McConnell, C Dunleavy; D Brogan, P Galvin, N Walsh; A Brogan, B Brogan, G Smith. Subs: S O’Connor for D Brogan (41), P Brogan for Kelly (42), C Walsh for Dunleavy (53), J O’Donoghue for R O’Connor (56), L Herron for N Walsh (61), Kelly for S O’Connor (61), Dunleavy for P Brogan (61), S Bugler for Galvin (64), N Walsh for Smith (73), P Brogan for J Brogan (74, black card).

REF: John Higgins (Na Fianna).