Oliver Plunketts claim a first ever minor success

SPECIAL MOMENT FOR PHIL CLARKE WHO DROVE THE YOUNG LADS AROUND PITCHES SINCE THEY WERE EIGHT YEARS OLD

OLIVER PLUNKETS G.F.C. had their first Minor Championship success since their club was formed 32 years ago when they defeated their bogey team, and near rivals Newtown Blues in a pulsating final at Drogheda last Sunday (4-7, 0-7).

This game was played under ideal weather conditions and groundsmen Gerry McEnaney and Jim O’Brien had the pitch in superb condition.

It was obvious from the start that both sides were fully intent on playing football and referee George Hoey had a very easy task with his whistle.

Oliver Plunkets played with the sun in the first half and they were also first to score when Gerry Murtagh kicked over a point after three minutes. .Martin.O’Connell from a free kick, soon added another and then Murtagh goaled.

This was the tonic the Blues needed and for the remainder of this half they continually bombarded the Plunkets goal. First Tony Seery had a point and minutes later, Paddy Dwyer, who by this time had switched to the “40,” added another. Some missed chances and some heroic defending prevented any further scores and on the half-time whistle Joe Kavanagh sailed a flying point from fully fifty yards over the bar.

The Blues attacked strongly again after the restart but again it was Plunkets that opened the scoring. First of all Alan Clarke scored a point, Martin Caulfield then sent over a long range one and then Gerry Murtagh finished off a lovely movement to the net.

Now Plunkets were flying and soon they were awarded a penalty after Murtagh was taken down on his way for the goal. Captain Martin O’Connell made his only mistake of the day when he shot straight at goalie Tony McEntaggart.

Paul Matthews reduced arrears with points from frees. It looked at this stage as if the Blues were going to break even- Bobby McGrory, Tony Seery and Gerry Kirwan causing the Plunkets endless trouble and it was not until Alan Clarke stole a clever goal that the. eventual winners had time to breathe. Joe Kavanagh’s goal three minutes from time set the seal on victory.

Newtown Blues in their moment of defeat gained more in esteem and respect than many another side has done in victory. To a man they lined up for the presentation of the cup by Louth Minor Board Chairman, Oliver Brennan, and it was grand to see 16-year-olds, as well as all the Blues supporters congratulate the club that spent 32 years trying to achieve fame with their young lads.

Yes Newtown Blues ought to be proud of themselves and their young lads and especialy Danny Nugent, Bobby McDonnell and Patsy Matthews, whose training in football and sportsmanship particularly shone out like beacons in their team last Sunday,

Nevertheless it must be a day never to be forgotten by Oliver Plunkets club. For Phil Ciarke in particular—it was his day. Since these young. fellows were eight years old they have been travelling around from pitch to pitch in his car. For three and a half years they went without a win in Drogheda Minor Board football and the fact that they won this championship was a just reward for this man’s effort.

Selector Michael Matthews (pictured), who had earlier guided his West End team to a league title, helped in no small way to shape these eager youngsters into a workmanlike outfit by his gentle persuasive coaching. Terry Kierans and Kevin Walsh by their dedication, and good example have brough a sincerity and unity of purpose into the side and now it remains to be seen how those boys will develop both in the immediate and in the distant future.

Goalie Mai Clarke, Aidan Buttcrly, Eric McLoughlin, Sean Kierans. Kieran Roche, Joe Kavanagh, Alan Clarke and Gerry Murtagh may have outshone some of the other lads but it was essentially a team effort. After all who could say that Paddy Matthews, Hugh Fanning, Declan Tucker, who came regularly from Dublin to train, Martin Caulfield, Gerry Martin. Fergus Finnegan and Martin O’Connell who played a captain’s part, did not do more than their share to win this championship.

On the Blues side, Tony McEntaggart could not be faulted for any of the shots that beat him.

Johnny McCormack and Martin Judge held their men scoreless. Paul Matthews. Bobby McGrory, Mal Mooney and Ray Faulkner did all that could be expected from good defenders.

For long periods Gerry Kirwan and Tom Seery held sway at midfield, and if forwards flying Tony Seery, Paddy Dwyer. Gerry Bird, Martin Byrne, Michael Leonard and Eugene Judge didn’t score goals it was more the cause of first class defending on the Plunkets side rather than any fault on theirs.

Oliver Plunkets: M. Clarke. A. Butterly, P. -Matthews, E. McLoughlin ; S. Kierans, D. Roche, H. Fanning; D. Tucker, J. Kavanagh ; M. Caulfield, M. O’Connell (capt.), A. Clarke; G. Martin. G. Murtagh, F.Finnegan. Newtown Blues: T. McEntaggart

Blues: T McEntaggart, J McCormack, P Matthews, M Judge, R Faulkner. M Mooney, B McGrory, T. Seery, G. Kirwan, Tony Seery, G. Bird, P.Dwyer ; E Judge, M. Leonard. M. Byrne.