Raheny and Plunkett’s clash to decide last SFC1 quarter-final spot

Raheny and St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh clash this Wednesday night in Dublin SFC1 Group 4 Round 3 at Parnell Park (7.30).

The game will be screended live on DubsTV

It is the concluding game of the round-robin group phase having been deferred owing to a confirmed Covid-19 case in the Raheny camp.

This game will decide the second spot in the group behind Kilmacud Crokes - with both clubs as well as Castleknock still in the race for second spot.

If Plunkett's were to defeat Raheny then both those clubs and Castleknock would be on two league points so a mini-table of games, excluding matches involving group winners Crokes, would decide second place (and quarter-final spot) on scoring difference.

A win or draw for Raheny would see them book their quarter-final berth. Whoever emerges will face Ballyboden St Enda's in their Dublin SFC1 quarter-final this Sunday in Parnell Park (2.0).

Last time out Plunkett's lost to Kilmacud Crokes, 3-20 to 3-8, in Martin Savage Park in Round 2.

Dara Mullin was central to Crokes victory as a goal from the inside forward and two from Hugh Kenny had his side 3-10 to 1-5 in front at the break.

Seán Bugler, who finished with 1-4 overall, got Plunkett's goal in the opening half.

The accuracy of Paul Mannion and Shane Cunningham kept Crokes on the front foot early in the second period with Seán O'Connor and Cillian Hayes kicked Plunkett's second-half goals.

In Round 1 Castleknock got the better of St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan/Ruadh (2-15 to 1-11) in Somerton Park.

Raheny, who were heavily beaten by Crokes in Round 1 (6-13 to 0-10), bounced back impressively with a 0-16 to 1-10 victory over Castleknock at St Anne's Park in Round 2 with Brian Fenton, Brian Howard and Seán McMahon doing well for the home side and Gavin Ivory kicking eight frees.

Raheny defeated Plunkett's (2-17 to 2-10) last September in SFC1 Group 3 action at Parnell Park.

Brian Fenton was in inspirational form for Raheny, kicking six points from play but their victory wasn't enough to see them into the last-eight as St Jude's and Thomas Davis, on scoring difference, booked the two quarter-final spots.

In last September's clash Raheny’s first goal came in the tenth minute when Gavin Ivory, who tallied 1-3, finished to the net to give his side a 1-3 to 0-1 advantage.

However, two minutes later Gareth Smith converted from the penalty spot after Bernard Brogan had been fouled.

Ten minutes from the break Raheny were awarded a penalty themselves but Plunkett’s keeper Pádraig Brennan foiled Seán Grenham with the rebound crashing off the upright.

By half-time Raheny were 1-9 to 1-4 clear after playing the more expansive football in the opening 30 minutes.

Fourteen minutes into the second half former Dublin minor Rutherson Real grabbed Raheny’s second goal to give them a 2-12 to 1-6 lead but immediately Daragh Brogan cut the deficit with a goal for the Navan Road side.

Points from Seán Bugler, Niall Walsh and Gareth ‘Nesty’ Smith, who tallied 1-7 overall (1-0pen, 0-1f) left just three points in it, despite Bernard Brogan being black-carded in the 43rd minute.

Raheny sub Paddy Reid made a positive impact following his introduction with three points as Raheny ran out deserving winners.