Oldcastle gain promotion to Division 2 of the AFL
Oldcastle 4-12 Kilmainham 2-9
Oldcastle finished their A-League campaign by securing promotion to next years Division 2 with an impressive win away to Kilmainham on Monday evening last (7/8/2017).
It was the home side who started the strongest who hit two points early before Oldcastle’s corner forward Jason Scully brought the sides back level with two well taken points of his own, one from coming from a set piece. Kilmainham struck back however by raising the green flag after catching the Oldcastle defence off guard. The opposing side’s response was just what was required – after having a goal harshly ruled out a minute previous, Oldcastle’s full forward Peter Monaghan made no mistake and palmed the ball in the net from long range pass to bring the sides level once again. Both sides kept the scoreboard moving with two further points, Oldcastle’s scores coming from Scully and a close range free kick off the left boot of CJ Healy.
On the twenty minute mark it was déja vu once again as Oldcastle’s Monaghan had the ball in the back of the net after catching the keeper off-his line, this one a delicate flick to put the vistors in front by two points.
Kilmainham raised the white flag on two more occasions from pointed frees but it was Oldcastle who finished strongest in the opening half and sent over a further 3 points to give them a four point lead at half time – midfielder Conor McHugh with 2 (1, 45′) and half back Steven Lawless with the third.
HT score line of 2-7 to 1-6 in favour of Oldcastle.
Once again it was the home side who began the second half the strongest of the two teams by hitting 1-1 within the opening ten minutes. However Oldcastle had their answer and to shell shock the home side they paved two training ground moves, one a mirror image of the other, that were both palmed home in style by centre forward Stephen Tierney. Oldcastle had the edge instantly and controlled the game and forced over a further five points to seal the win and ensure promotion for the North Meath men. Scully, McHugh (1 45), Tierney and Paddy Gilsenan each claiming a point to close out the final round of this years league.
Oldcastle will now contest the Division 3 final against Trim in a fight for some silverware this season.
Oldcastle: Packie Kevin, Oran O’Reilly, Cian McPartland, Keith Connell, Steven Lawless (0-1), Gerard Reidy, Conor Delaney, Ross Cadden, Conor McHugh (0-3,2-45′), Darren Hawdon, Stephen Tierney (2-1), Robbie Smith, CJ Healy (0-1,f), Peter Monaghan (2-0), Jason Scully (0-5)
Subs: Robbie Farrelly, Paddy Gilsenan (0-1)., Robert Packenham, Rory McHugh, Kyle Kavanagh, Johnny Shortt