Quinn and Dolan inspire impressive Moate boys
St Oliver Plunkett BNS 7-17 Clonmellon NS 3-7
The strength and class of Thomas 0nd the silken skills of Nathan Dolan were key features of this impressive victory for a formidable St Oliver Plunkett Boys NS side over Clonmellon NS, in the Division 3 final, at TEG Cusack Park on Thursday.
Thomas Quinn posted 4-6 in what was a tour de force, the opposing defence unable to cope. At half-time the gap was 14 points, 4-9 to 1-4, and the floodgates seemed to open when Nathan Dolan’s classy finish put the Moate boys seven points clear in the 18th minute, following Quinn’s pass. The latter fired home two late goals to open up an unassailable lead at the break.
Clonmellon NS had fleeting moments and Kai Flynn was their big star with 2-3 on the day, his well-taken goal coming in the 18th minute. Páidí Melligan finished their second major low to the net with 13 minutes remaining, while Kai Flynn took a pass from Ross Henry to race clear and score their third. However, there was simply too much ground to make up.
The Moate side were superb on the day, superior in all facets of play, well drilled by coaches Enda Keena and Ronan Daly. Joe Ward, Ben Claffey and Thomas Quinn led the charge impressively, while Nathan Dolan, whose dad Dessie was outstanding for club and county, is an exciting talent also.
They led by just a point early on but an unanswered 1-3 gave the eventual winners the platform, the goal impressively finished by Joe Ward after Thomas Quinn’s pass. Quinn was provider for Nathan Dolan soon after and the latter’s neat finish preceded a brace from Quinn himself in the closing moments of the first half.
The scores just flowed - Nathan Dolan fisting home a goal and Tom Adamson setting up Quinn for another major as the Moate side disappeared out of sight. Quinn added the seventh goal for good measure, ensuring he would pick up the player of the match award. They notched 2-3 without reply after the break, before adding an unanswered 1-4 to complete victory in fine style.
Following the final whistle, Cumann na mBunscol chairman Derek Butler presented the cup to the victorious captain Cian Browne and the celebrations began.
Player of the match: Thomas Quinn (St Oliver Plunkett BNS). With 4-6 of his side's tally, it was easy to appreciate Thomas Quinn's strength and skill. Kai Flynn was excellent for Clonmellon NS.
Scorers - St Oliver Plunkett BNS: T Quinn 4-6; N Dolan 2-3 (0-1f); J Ward 1-1; B Claffey 0-4; C Browne 0-2 (2f); T Adamson 0-1. Clonmellon NS: K Flynn 2-3 (1-1f); P Melligan 1-0; N Muldoon (1f) and M O’Keefe (1f) 0-2 each.
St Oliver Plunkett BNS, Moate: Oliver Browne, Kacper Wziatek, Jayden Manuel, Evan Costello, Ethan McArdle, Cian Browne, Oisín McMahon, Joe Ward, Ben Claffey, Thomas Quinn, Nathan Dolan, Tom Adamson, Daniel Dwyer, Calum Lynch, Hassan Saqib, Marcellino Cloete, David Dolan, Eoin Pietka, Sam Mellett, Luke McCrossan, Oran Johnston, Zach Quinlisk, Cillian Fox, Ryan Mahon, Cillian McLaughlin, William Heduvan, Davi Santos, Darragh Flood, Hugo Moro, Christy Joyce.
Clonmellon NS: Aaron Dolan, Dara Boyce, Eoin Waters, Bríon Mulligan, Cillian Brady, Logan Skey, Ruaidhrí O'Neill, Ross Henry, Niall Muldoon, Faustas Katkus, Kai Flynn, Páidí Melligan, Mícheál O'Keefe, Billy Bray, Killian Smith, Jason O'Reilly, Ben O'Hanlon, Kaiden McQuillan, Evan Spaight, Kimi Lin.
*See more photos and Cumann na mBunscol reports in this week's print edition.