Second half goals see Oliver Plunketts secure Kevin Mullen Shield

Kevin Mullen Shield Final

OLIVER PLUNKETTS 3-8 SEAN MCDERMOTTS 1-9

Oliver Plunketts young guns turned in a strong second half display to get their hands on the Kevin Mullen Shield at Darver last Friday night.

The Drogheda side, who started with 10 players under the age of 20, proved that the future is bright at the Mell club, but they had to do it the hard way as Sean McDermotts looked to be in a strong position at the break.

The Mountrush men turned in a strong first half display and were seven points to the good when the short whistle sounded. However, they were unable to replicate those efforts after the restart as a goal from Stephen Keeley, Niall Murtagh and Kristian Nolan saw the Plunketts over the line.

The first half belonged to the Seans and to Marty Duffy in particular, as he bagged 1-2 to put his side in command. Stefan Halpenny, Danny Commins and Peter Tuite all chipped in with points as their side led by 1-6 to 0-2 at the break, with Nolan accounting for both Plunketts points.

The second half saw the Drogheda men up the tempo and team captain Stephen Keeley led by example with a goal that gave his side real hope. Murtagh weighed in with a second to give his side the advantage.

The Seans struggled to find the same rhythm in front of the posts but scores from Duffy, Halpenny and Kevin McMahon kept them in touch entering the closing stages. However, it was the Plunketts who found the extra gear in the end as Nolan added their third goal to seal the issue.

OLIVER PLUNKETTS: Steven Beirth; Evan Byrne, Adam Brodigan, Cillian Smith; Jamie Byrne, Gary Keogh, James Lambe; Robbie Brodigan (0-1), Shaun Smith (0-1); Luke Carley, Stephen Keeley (1-0), Adam Lambe; Killian Nolan, Adam Smith, Kristian Nolan (1-2). Subs: D McTeggart for A Brodigan, Niall Murtagh (1-0) for A Lambe, Conor Haggans for L Carley, David Lambe for K Nolan, Sean Callaghan (0-1) for A Smith, Cian Brady (0-3) for Killian Nolan.

SEAN MCDERMOTTS: Brendan McGahon; Conor Walsh, David McArdle, Nathan Commins; Danny Commins (0-2), Sean Martin, Ian Corbally; Emmet Duffy, Declan Carroll; Danny Reilly, Kevin McMahon (0-1), Dean Brennan; Peter Tuite (0-2), Marty Duffy (1-2), Stefan Halpenny (0-2). Subs: Lorcan Ludden for D Reilly, Conor Farrell for M Duffy.