“Brady and Plunketts Too Strong for McDermotts in Quarter-Final Rout”
DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Venue: Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre
Final Score: Oliver Plunketts 5-16, Sean McDermotts 0-12
Referee: Gerry Corrigan (Mattock Rangers)
Oliver Plunketts underlined their championship credentials in emphatic fashion on Friday evening as they cruised past Sean McDermotts in the quarter-final of the DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship. The Drogheda side put on a clinical and composed performance, running out convincing 19-point winners and booking their place in the last four.
With five goals, an attacking masterclass from Cian Brady, and contributions all over the pitch, this was a performance that will make the rest of the championship stand up and take notice.
From the throw-in, it was clear that Oliver Plunketts were determined to take control. Inside the opening ten minutes, they had rattled off five unanswered points, moving the ball with purpose and precision. Ben Boyce opened the scoring after three minutes, and his effort was swiftly followed by points from Cian Brady, Kristian Nolan, and Adam Lambe in quick succession.
Brady added another stylish point in the 9th minute, carving through the McDermotts defence with ease. By the time Ian Corbally got McDermotts on the scoreboard in the 10th minute, they were already chasing shadows.
Plunketts continued to press high and force turnovers, and the scores kept coming. A lovely long ball from Nolan was punched over by Dean Carolan, and Stephen Keeley, who was excellent throughout, chipped in with a fine score of his own.
The first major blow came in the 23rd minute, when Ben Boyce found himself in space and finished brilliantly to the back of the net. Plunketts were playing with flair and freedom, while Sean McDermotts struggled to maintain their defensive shape.
Just before half-time, the game was effectively put to bed when Cian Brady rounded off an excellent team move with a low, clinical goal to the bottom corner. Brady’s awareness and movement constantly caused problems, and his first-half haul of 1-4 was just a taste of what was to come.
By the break, Plunketts were 2-11 to 0-3 in front—a gulf that accurately reflected their dominance across all areas of the pitch.
To their credit, Sean McDermotts came out fighting in the second half. Ciaran Ward struck a superb 2-pointer within 30 seconds of the restart, and Peter Tuite followed up with a point from play. But any hopes of a dramatic comeback were quickly extinguished.
Plunketts responded ruthlessly. Brady added two more points—one from play, one from a free—before Kristian Nolan palmed home Plunketts’ third goal after great vision from Adam Smith. Then came the pick of the bunch—Brady latched onto a precision pass from Boyce and volleyed spectacularly to the net. The score drew gasps from the crowd and left McDermotts shell-shocked.
Just minutes later, Stephen Keeley joined the goal-scoring act, firing home from close range after more unselfish build-up play. At this point, the scoreboard read 5-13 to 0-6, and Plunketts began to empty their bench, with fresh legs continuing to add to the pressure.
Late Rally, but Too Little Too Late
Daniel Commins, one of McDermotts’ few bright sparks, added two excellent 2-pointers from frees late in the half and rounded off his tally with a fine score from play. But by then, the result was long beyond doubt.
Jack Taaffe, one of several second-half substitutes, added a late point to round off the scoring for Plunketts, who were able to see out the closing stages in total control.
While the scoreboard will rightly highlight Cian Brady’s outstanding contribution—2-7 in total—this was a complete team performance from Plunketts. Their work rate, discipline, and link-up play were exemplary. From Luke Haggins in goal, who dealt comfortably with everything that came his way, to the defensive solidity of David McTeggart, Barry Reynolds, and Adam Lambe, every line of the team performed their role with confidence.
In midfield, Robert Brodigan and Shaun Smith were tireless, giving a perfect platform for the attacking line of Nolan, Keeley, Brady, Boyce, and others to flourish.
Looking Ahead
This win sends a strong message to the remaining contenders in the Junior Championship. Plunketts have firepower, structure, and confidence in abundance, and they’ll be a difficult team to stop if they maintain this form.
Sean McDermotts, for their part, battled bravely and showed moments of quality, especially through Commins and Ward. But they were simply outmatched on the night by a side that looked a cut above.
Player of the Match:
Cian Brady (Oliver Plunketts) – The standout performer with 2-6, a blend of clinical finishing, vision, and pace. Involved in almost everything good that Plunketts produced going forward.
Scorers
Oliver Plunketts: Cian Brady: 2-7 (2f), Ben Boyce: 1-1, Stephen Keeley: 1-2, Kristian Nolan: 1-2 (1f), Dean Carolan, Adam Smith, Adam Lambe, Jack Taaffe: 0-1 each
Sean McDermotts: Daniel Commins: 0-8 (3×2-pointers, 2 frees), Ciaran Ward: 0-2 (1×2-pointer), Ian Corbally, Peter Tuite: 0-1 each
Oliver Plunketts Team:
Luke Haggins; David McTeggart, Barry Reynolds (Jamie Byrne 41), Adam Lambe (Ricky Bateson 52); Gary Keogh, Cillian Smith, David Lambe (Jack Taaffe 41); Robert Brodigan, Shaun Smith; Adam Smith (Niall Murtagh 39), Kristian Nolan, Cian Brady (Cian Matthews 52); Dean Carolan, Stephen Keeley, Ben Boyce.
Sean McDermotts Team:
Donnacha McCourt; David McArdle, Ian McDonald (Noel Tuite 23), Ian Corbally; Tomas Devlin, Ciaran Ward, Danny Commins (Ronan Kerley 45); Cormac Walsh (Cian Martin 49), Emmet Duffy; Lorcan Myles (Conor Walsh 45), Peter Tuite, Mark Little (Declan Carroll 42); David O’Neill, Daniel Commins, Kevin McMahon.
