Plunketts' blistering start against Lannléire key to preserving their Division Two status

Division Two/3A promotion/relegation play-off

Lannléire 1-12 Oliver Plunkett's 2-10

A blistering start helped Oliver Plunkett’s come out on top against Lannléire in this play-off final on Saturday night and ensure they will be playing Division Two football next year.

The Drogheda men have been in fine form in the last few weeks as they turned their season around  and that confidence was evident just three minutes in when Niall Murtagh found the net. Conor Early added a second goal three minutes later to put his side in control.

However, with the help of scores from Colin Murphy, the Dunleer men fought their way back into the game and two minutes from the break Killian Gregory hit the net to draw the teams level at 1-5 to 2-2.

Points from Rory Taaffe, Davy Lambe and Seán Callaghan helped Plunkett’s get back on top in the third quarter and they led by six points with eight minutes remaining. Lannléire turned the game on its head in the closing stages when they kicked five unanswered points, but were left frustrated as time ran out before they could draw level.

Lannléire: Liam Callan; Jason Torris, Paul McGeough, Caoimhín Maher; Brendan McEvoy, Briain McGuinness, Gary Monaghan; Ian Mulroy, Pierce Hawkins; Mark Dunne, Niall Lennon, Killian Gregory (1-2); Paul Callan (0-2), Bob Murphy (0-2), Colin Murphy (0-5)

Subs: Alan Murphy (0-1), Laurence McEntee, Paul Doyle, Thomas Doyle

Oliver Plunkett’s: Luke Haggans (0-1); Seán Rice, Frank Daly, Cillian Matthews; Gary Keogh, Cian Matthews, Barry Reynolds; Robbie Brodigan (0-1), Dean Carolan; Davy Lambe (0-2), Conor Early (1-0), Cian Brady; Seán Callaghan (0-2), Brian Fitzpatrick, Niall Murtagh (0-1)

Subs: Rory Taaffe (0-3), Craig O’Connor, Ben McKenna

Referee: Stephen Murphy (Naomh Máirtín)