Seniors finish strongly to reach quarter finals

St Sylvester’s upset the odds to topple a fancied St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER in this Evening Herald Dublin SFC fourth round clash at Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

Plunkett’s lead 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time and six minutes into the second half a pointed free and goal from Gareth Smith had moved the Navan Road side six points clear, 2-5 to 0-5.

However, from there to the finish Sylvester’s held the upperhand and began to make their superiority in terms of possession count, something they failed to do for periods of the opening half.

The introduction of Darren Clarke bolstered their attaching options but primarily they went more direct and no player benefitted more than Dublin senior panellist, Miceál McCarthy, who had a very influential game despite a mediocre opening.

Clarke slotted three frees between the 40th and 48th minute to kickstart Syls fightback and McCarthy continued it with a point before he was in the right place at the right time to finish a rebound to the net following a fine save from Plunkett’s keeper, Philip Brogan.