Great 2nd half display by the U-14’s in local derby to reach final
OLDCASTLE 3 – 13 St OLIVERS 1 – 6
The under 14’s secured a place in the League Final with an outstanding team effort over their near Neighbours, St Olivers, in Div 4 FL semi-final played in the Gilson Park on Thursday evening (4 June 2015).
The first half was a tight affair with both sides taking time to settle. The home side missed a string of chances before St Oliver’s opened the scoring with a goal. The Connell brothers, Darren & Cillian, soon got Oldcastle on the board with a point each. Louis Colleran and Conor Smith were outstanding in the full back line and cut out a number of attacks. A free kick from Cillian Connell dropped short and appear to be fist into the goals . The umpires had different views with one saying the ball had crossed the line and the other saying it hadn’t. The Gilson Park pitch was in great condition, but Hawk Eye is not installed yet which left the decision to ref Seamus O’Connor who decided to disallow the goal for a square ball. Oldcastle were not to be out done and Colin Hawdon grabbed the first goal for the home side as the half came to a close.
H/T: Oldcastle 1-2 St Olivers 1-2
The second half started with a Pearse Sheridan point. Joseph Lynch, who was only on the field as a half time sub, finished to the net with his first touch. This seemed to give the lads a boost of confidence and Colin Hawdon added a brace of points. Jack McDonnell Fox grabbed another goal as the gap was starting to widen. St Olivers found the Oldcastle backs in great form with a number of attacks been stopped and also the backs played the ball out of defence on a numerous times and the moves resulted in scores at the opposite end. As St Olivers pushed hard to get back into the game Ciaran Healy was called into action in the Oldcastle goals. Healy was equal to all that was thrown at him to deny the visitors. Sub DJ Monaghan finished off a good move up the field to score a point. As the game came to a close DJ was unlucky not to finish to the net when his shot went through a number of players but just went wide of the post. The home side were well on top all over the field with every player giving 100% and more when need. The backs were in outstanding form and the midfielders working hard for the entire game. The forwards took a while to find their range, but once they did there was no denying them a place in the final.
A great team effort from all involved but a special mention to Man of the Match Louis Colleran. Having played Full back, Centre back, Midfield, Centre forward and Full forward already in the league, it was the Full Back role it took and put in a near prefect display.
Roll on the final!!
Oldcastle: Ciaran Healy, Louis Colleran, Conor Smith, Darren Connell (0-1), Conor Hetherton, Eamantis Zelephgas, James McCluskey, Pearse Sheridan (0-2), Colin Halpin, Jack McDonnell Fox (1-1), Colin Hawdon (1-6), Cillian Connell (0-1), Oran Mulvanny (0-1),.
Subs: Joseph Lynch (1-0), Charlie Lynch, Ben Grey, DJ Monaghan (0-1), Mark Coyle, Aaron Eager, Cillian Hanlon