Two Dublin sides edged out in Celtic Challenge ties

Thu, 9th May 2019

CELTIC CHALLENGE

Dublin's two Celtic Challenge teams were in action on Wednesday night with both losing narrowly on difficult away missions.

Dublin Plunkett were edged out by Offaly, 2-12 to 2-10, in O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

The Dubs made a bright start with Eoin Wilde opening the scoring before Offaly clipped the next three scores.

Daniel Peel, who finished as Dublin Plunkett's top scorer with 1-5, closed the gap to one point after ten minutes.

Dublin Plunkett found their most productive passage over the following five minutes when recording two goal when Daniel Peel and Robert Burnett both rattled the Offaly net.

Just before the break Offaly breached the Plunkett defence for goal to leave the Dubs one point to the good at the half-time break, 2-3 to 1-5.

Plunkett extended their lead thanks to a Michael Mahon point on the restart.

The Dubs could have moved further in front as this well-contested game approached its conclusion to failed to turn possession into scores.

However, Dublin led 2-10 to 1-11 Eoin Wilde, Tomas Hegarty and Daniel Peel all on target.

Then in the final minutes an Offaly free from 50 metres out found its route all the way to the Dublin net.

Before the finish Offaly sealed victory with a late, late free.

Dublin's Sean O'Brien was chosen as Dublin's Best and Fairest by the match referee.

Dublin Clarke lost to Wexford (2-15 to 1-12) in the Wicklow Centre of Excellence, Ballinakill with Ger Ryan being named Dublin's Best and Fairest by the match referee.

The Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge is an U17 tournament for non-leaving certificate students who are not in their county's minor panel.

The Plunkett panel is comprised of the Dublin under-16 development squad excluding lads who have made the match-day 24 for minors in Leinster MHC.

Dublin Clarke are U17 only hurlers who are either not on the minor panel or are on the minor panel but not included in the Leinster MHC match-day selection of 24 players.

Next Wednesday (May 15) Dublin Clarke meet Laois in Porlaoise (7.30) while Dublin Plunkett have a bye.

On Wednesday, May 22 the two Dublin sides clash in Parnell Park (7.30).

The final group games are on Wednesday, June 5 when Dublin Plunkett encounter Laois in Abbottstown (8.0) while at the same time Dublin Clarke play Offaly.

DUBLIN PLUNKETT (v Offaly): Adam Lanagan, Darragh Geraghty, Shane Spring, Sean O’Brien, Calum Morris, Alex Gavin, Jack Crennan, Rhys McDonnell, Connell McGlynn, Tomas Hegarty (0-1), Daniel Peel (1-5), Eoin Wilde (0-2), Michael Mahon (0-1), Padraig McNally, Robert Burnett (1-0), Adam O’Connor, Michael Young, Jack O’Shea, Niall Fitzgibbon, Sean Purcell, Neil Clerkin (0-1), Ben Stears.