Séamus Plunkett

Séamus "Cheddar" Plunkett (born 1961) is an Irish former hurler who played as a full-forward for the Laois senior hurling team.

Plunkett made his first appearance for the team during the 1980-81 National League and was a semi-regular member of the starting fifteen until he left the panel after the 1988 championship. During that time he enjoyed little success.

At club level Plunkett is a sevent-time county club championship medalist with Portlaoise.

In retirement from playing Plunkett became involved in team management. He has served as a selector and manager with Portlaoise and various Laois underage teams, before taking over as manager of the Laois senior hurling team in 2012.^[1]

Playing career

Club

Plunkett played his club hurling with Portlaoise and enjoyed much success during a lengthy career.

Having lost the 1980 championship decider to Camross, both sides met again the following year's final. In a thrilling game Portlaoise denied Camross a remarkable sixth successive county title. It was the first of four successive championships for Plunkett and Portlaoise.

Five-in-a-row proved beyond Portlaoise as Camross defeated Plunkett's side by just a single point in 1985.^[2]

Two years later Portlaoise were back as the kingpins of county hurling. A 2-13 to 1-5 trouncing of Clonad gave Plunkett his fifth championship medal.

After surrendering their title the following year, Portlaoise faced off against Camross again in 1989. A thrilling draw was followed by a 0-12 to 1-4 victory for Portlaoise. It was Plunkett's sixth championship medal.

Camross got the better of Portlaoise again in 1990, however, Plunkett's side reached a fifth successive championship decider in 1991. A defeat of Clonad gave Plunkett his seventh and final championship medal.

Inter-county

Plunkett made his senior debut for Laois in a National Hurling League game against Kilkenny during the 1980-81 campaign. It was a winning debut as Plunkett contributed 1-1 in a five-point defeat of "the Cats". Plunkett was a regular during Laois's various National League campaigns throughout the 1980s, however, he enjoyed little success in the championship.

References