Junior Championship Group 1: Plunketts and Westerns play out entertaining draw

DKIT SPORT JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2 GROUP 1

WESTERNS 3-8 OLIVER PLUNKETTS 1-14

In the game's dying moments, Westerns James Maguire raced through with the open goal at his mercy but still plenty of Oliver Plunketts bodies standing in his way of raising a green flag.

The impressive debutant used all his exposure to clip the ball over the bar and secure a share of the spoils in a pulsating draw in Darver. Maguire was simply outstanding, he reeled the Plunketts in with two late points, but his overall performance was memorable.

The Drogheda side were in control with the wind at their backs and they led 0-11 to 1-2 at half time. However, there was a nagging feeling for Emmet Kelleher’s side that the five-point gap would not be enough come the finish and it proved that way.

Killian Crosbie, also in his first season, rasped the net in the opening half for the lifeline and Maguire’s second half display engineered the comeback.

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Plunketts supporters will question the non-selection of first choice goalkeeper Luke Haggans as Finn Duffy pounced on Colum Duffy’s fumbled ball off his chest. That cut the gap to two points shortly after the interval.

Maguire then raced through to give the Reaghstown men the lead for the first time in the game, as the shock was on the cards. Credit to Kelleher, he calmed things down with Cian Matthews’ and Haggans’ introductions.

Still, the game was very much swaying to the Westerns men with the gale and confidence in their sales. Kristian Nolan looked to have done enough for the win with his fifth point, before Maguire capped his performance to show maturity beyond his years to equalise in the tight finish.

OLIVER PLUNKETTS: Colum Duffy: Cillian Matthews, Davy McEnteggart, Ricky Bateson; Cillian Byrne; Cillian Smith, Dean Carolan (1-2), Jamie Byrne (0-1); Robert Brodigan, Shaun Smith; Conor Haggans, Stephen Keeley (0-1’45), Davy Lambe (0-2); Seán Callaghan (0-3), Kristian Nolan (0-5, 0-1 free), Killian Nolan. SUBS: Baz Reynolds for Bateson (37), Cian Matthews for Killian Nolan (42), Luke Haggans for Duffy (49), Luke Carley for Lambe (54)

WESTERNS: Dermot McArdle; Andrew Murray, Matthew Kane, Liam Murray; Mick Martin, Adam Duffy, Conor Smyth; James Maguire (1-7, 0-2 frees), Ryan Duffy; Patrick Kerley, Anthony Durnin, Emmet Smyth (0-1); Dylan Ogle; Finn Duffy (1-0), Killian Crosbie (1-0). SUBS: Conor McElin for L Murray (HT), Justin Cunningham for F Duffy (55).

Referee: Stephen Fitzpatrick (Clan Na Gael)