Seniors lose to Plunkets in league semifinal

MICK GALVIN'S men have certainly got their championship disappointment out of their system at this stage, as Plunkett's impressively cruised into the Evening Herald Dublin AFL Division 1 final at Balgriffin last night.

They did it in style too. Reduced to 14 men after only 15 minutes, the Navan Road outfit were looking shaky. But a terrific second quarter display was crucial as they moved through the gears to secure a berth in this Sunday's decider (O'Toole Park, 11.0) against Ballymun.

Former Laois senior David Sweeney received his marching orders for a high challenge on Cian Cleere. However, it seemed to galvanise his team-mates into action as they went on a scroing blitz of 2-3 between the loss of Sweeney and the half-time whistle.

Syls had started as the better team. The employment of John Coughlan at full-forward was reaping its rewards. 'Joxer' was heavily involved in setting up Darren Clarke's opening two scores. The first was an assist from play. For the second he won the free from which the Louth senior made no mistake.

CLINICAL

Bernard Brogan responded in kind to Clarke's scoring antics. His opening score was trademark Brogan. The diagonal run so hard to track. His finish on the turn was clinical.

The midfield battle was intense to say the least and primary possession was hard to come by. Brian Sexton raced up field to kick a brilliant point and this was followed by the Sweeney dismissal. It looked like momentum was swinging towards the Malahide side.

It was not to be however, and Ross McConnell's repositioning from centre-back to centrefield meant he was able to exert a considerable influence. He grabbed a point of his own and then turned supplier for Jason Sherlock.

Bernard added another free before one of the game's key moments. Diarmuid Kinsella raced toward the Plunkett's goal but he saw his shot rebound off the bar. Clarke reacted first to the loose ball to raise a white flag but it could very well have been green.

Then the sucker punch. A move down field by the Navan Road men came to nothing but a poor kick out by the usually reliable Robbie Wallace fell straight to the feet of Alan Brogan. He demonstrated his soccer skills to flick into his sibling's arms who unselfishly fed Jayo to finish to the net.

It was a brilliant combination between the three county stars. Mickey Whelan in attendance most have been impressed as the Dublin selector carefully watched over proceedings. It was a killer blow just before half-time. But the punishment wasn't finished as Bernard decided there was time to heap more misery on his wounded opponent. Again McConnell was heavily involved but this time Brogan decided to take on his marker Airy Clear. He got a bit lucky with an unusually awkward solo but his finish was lethal.

It meant Plunkett's led 2-6 to 0-4 at the break.

There was a glimmer of hope provided for the Malahide outfit within minutes of the restart. Syls main attacking source was at it again. Coughlan fielded a long delivery Kinsella before shaking off any would-be tackles and presenting Eoin Bennis with the simple task of palming to an empty net.

An unlikely comeback appeared to be on the cards but it never materialised. Plunkett's lost Alan Brogan through injury but it didn't hinder them all that much. Gareth 'Nesty' Smith was beginning to really orchestrate the show from centre-forward.

Smith is now part of Tom Carr's Cavan panel, but his display last night like so many others in recent years begs the question: 'is there a better passer of the ball in Dublin football'?

Jayo and Bernard were continuing there menacing ways in the full forward line. It was those three who combined in a terrific counter-attacking move which resulted in Sherlock finishing expertly with his left foot with two minutes remaining.

The season has been a long one but on this form Plunkett's will take stopping by Ballymun in Sunday morning's final.

SCORERS - St Oliver Plunkett's/ER: J Sherlock 2-1, B Brogan 1-4 (0-3f), G Smith 0-4 (2f), R McConnell, S McGuinness 0-1 each. St Sylvester's: E Bennis 1-0, D Clarke 0-3 (2f), B Sexton, D Galvin, D Kinsella, A Relihan, G Sweeney 0-1 each.

ST OLIVER PLUNKETT'S/ER: P Brogan; P Curtin, P Bergin, S McGuinness; J Brogan, R McConnell, I Franzoni; D Sweeney, D Matthews; M Glynn, G Smith, A Brogan; N Kennedy, A Brogan, J Sherlock. Subs: A Darcy for A Brogan (37), L Fleming for Glynn(42), C Dunleavy for Matthews (55), S Dunne for Darcy (60).

ST SYLVESTER'S: R Wallace; B McGuirk, A Cleere, B Ryan; C Hanratty, B Sexton, D Galvin; C Cleere, R Hazley; E Fanning, D Kinsella, E Bennis; A Relihan, J Coughlan, D Clarke Subs: G Sweeney for Bennis (41), S O Connor for Hanratty (46), S O'Brien for Kinsella (52), N Coughlan for Hazley(57).

REF: S Farrell (St Pat's, Donabate).