AFL DIV. 1 MATCH REPORT: ST. OLIVER PLUNKETTS ER V BALLYMUN KICKHAMS
ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT’S/EOGHAN RUADH 2-13
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS 0-11
By Daire Walsh
Tomas Corrigan and Sean Bugler hit goals in each half at Martin Savage Park on Thursday night to give St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh a comprehensive victory over 12-man Ballymun Kickhams in Division One of the Adult Football League.
The dynamic inside attackers amassed a combined tally of 2-7 for the hosts who, after developing an early lead, remained in front for the duration of the contest. Thanks to strong performances from dependable figures like Ted Furman and Alan Hubbard, Ballymun trailed by just two points on 38 minutes.
Plunkett’s maintained their composure, however, and a 1-2 scoring blitz (including a magnificent Bugler three-pointer) effectively propelled Paul Curran’s charges towards a deserved triumph. Alan George, James Burke and Davy Byrne were all dismissed from the Ballymun side in the second half, while opposition half-forward James O’Donoghue also received his marching orders for a second yellow-card offence.
At the beginning of the night, it was only the superior score difference of 11th place Ballymun that separated the two sides in the top-tier table. A victory for either team would help to move them into the upper echelons of Division One, and it was Plunkett’s who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.
Following Leigh Herron’s deadlock-breaking score inside 60 seconds, Corrigan and Bugler were on hand to kick-start their respective accounts. Playing against a slight breeze, Plunkett’s dropped James Brogan back into defence to play a sweeper role – which proved to be an effective ploy.
They were making hay at the opposite end as well, and subsequently increased their cushion to six points in the seventh-minute. After he was picked out close to goal, Fermanagh’s Corrigan coolly slotted beyond the reach of netminder Padraig Brennan.
Another Bugler point bolstered the Plunkett’s challenge, before ‘Mun eventually got the ball rolling with a routine Furman free on 12 minutes. Although their Navan Road counterparts largely remained in control, there was a sense that the visitors were beginning to work their way into the reckoning.
When a Plunkett’s kick-out broke into his path, Hubbard split the uprights in clinical fashion. Yet, with Corrigan raising a white flag either side of a Gareth ‘Nesty’ Smith brace, they fell further into arrears.
Smith’s second on 20 minutes was the final Plunkett’s score of the half, though, and this was followed by ‘Mun’s first purple patch of the tie. A fisted point on the run by Colm Hulton was a much-desired tonic for the 2012 county champions, as was Furman’s second of the opening period.
Fiach Andrews then found the range on the half-hour mark – at the end of an outstanding solo run – to reduce their deficit to five points (1-7 to 0-5) in time for the break. Though Plunkett’s were still very much in command, Ballymun carried momentum into the third-quarter.
Adding to their impressive first half contributions, Hubbard, Furman (free) and Hulton cut the gap to two with unanswered points on the resumption.
However, this acted as Plunkett’s cue to reinforce their superiority. Quick-fire Niall Walsh and Corrigan singles ended a near 20-minute scoring drought and – off the resulting attack – Bugler drove through the heart of the ‘Mun rearguard to claim a superb goal.
Already left with a mountain to climb as a result of this surge, ‘Mun then lost defenders George and Burke to red cards in the 43rd and 46th minutes respectively. The resilient Pairc Ciceam men did respond with a pointed Furman free – which preceded O’Donoghue’s early exit from the action.
Even though this disrupted the tempo of the play, the Plunkett’s full-forward line of Smith, Bugler and Corrigan continued to cause problems for Ballymun. Corrigan and Bugler points arrived either side of a third free courtesy of Smith – who captained Plunkett’s on the night.
Furman and wing-forward Leon Young kept the flag flying for ‘Mun after Byrne was issued with a second yellow, but it was substitute Ian Kelly who had the final say for Plunkett’s with a pointed free deep into second-half stoppage-time.
This victory – their fifth of the campaign – lifts Plunkett’s into eighth ahead of their visit to Silver Park next Wednesday (August 1) for a clash with Kilmacud Crokes. Ballymun will aim to bounce back from this defeat when they face basement side Castleknock at home on the same evening.
Scorers – St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh: Tomas Corrigan 1-4, Sean Bugler 1-3, Gareth Smith 0-3 (3f), Niall Walsh, Leigh Herron, Ian Kelly 0-1 each. Ballymun Kickhams: Ted Furman 0-5 (4f), Alan Hubbard, Colm Hulton 0-2 each, Fiach Andrews, Leon Young 0-1 each.
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT’S/EOGHAN RUADH: Padraig Brennan; Kieran McLoughlin, Rory O’Connor, Michael McManus; Darragh Brogan, Neil Daly, Adam Keating; Niall Walsh, Stephen Cliffford; James O’Donoghue, Leigh Herron, James Brogan; Gareth Smith, Sean Bugler, Tomas Corrigan. Subs: David Kelly for McManus (37), Shane Darcy for Clifford (49), Gerard McCormack for Herron (54), Ian Kelly for O’Connor, Iranel Popa for Bugler (both 58).
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS: Sean Currie; James Burke, Alan George, Eoin Dolan; Karl Keeley, Darragh Conlon, Alan Hubbard; Davy Byrne, James Talbot; Fiach Andrews, Cathal O’Tighe, Leon Young; Liam O’Donovan, Ted Furman, Colm Hulton. Subs: Dillon Keating for O’Donovan, Brian Ashton for O’Tighe (both 39), Cameron McCormack for Andrews (57).
Referee: Chris Mooney (St Patrick’s, Palmerstown).