U-14’s great team performance victory over Castletown

Oldcastle 3-22 Castletown 4-7
This was a repeat of the Spring League final, but this time Oldcastle came out on top in what was a very exciting and high scoring game of football in Millbrook. (U-14 Summer FL played Thursday, 21 July 2016)
Captain, Colin Halpin won the toss and elected to play with the wind in the first half. Darren Connell and James McCluskey grabbed early scores before Castletown opened their account with a goal on the 6th minute. The sides traded scores before a Castletown attack resulted in another goal. The game was delayed for 5 minutes as a nasty looking clashing between two Castletown players in the centre of the field resulted in one of the players been helped from the field holding his head and shoulder. James McCluskey and Darren Connell were winning the battle around midfield and both added points. Castletown’s forwards were working hard,  but Conor Smith and Colin Halpin were equal to the task.

As the first half progressed Oldcastle forwards were starting to click with some great play between Matthew Cahill and Ben Curran resulting in a point for Darren Connell. Castletown converted a chance to take the lead but the Oldcastle reply was for James McCluskey to power his way to a goal. DJ Monaghan moved from full forward to wing forward and started to win a lot of ball and was rewarded with a point as well as setting up a number of chances for others. As the half came to a close the visitors got their 3rd goal of the game to leave the half time score Oldcastle 1-12 Castletown 3-4.
Playing into the breeze Oldcastle knew that they would have to work extra hard to maintain the lead. The second half started as the first finished with a James McCluskey score. This was followed by a Mark Coyle point. Castletown moved their full forward out the field to try and gain possession but he was followed out by Conor Smith who found himself in a good position and scored a point. Both sides traded goals with James McCluskey yet again tearing the defence apart before blasting to the net for the home side. Then it was a bit of “Roy of the Rovers” stuff as resident water boy and under 12 goalie Rian Mulvanny, making his first appearance for the Under 14’s coolly slotted over for the home side. Sean Chatten was doing his bit to help the cause and pulled over a couple of great saves. One save rebounded out and was dangerously bouncing around the small square, but Conor Boylan put his body on the line and won the free to relieve the pressure. Jack Murphy also cut off a number of attacks and set the ball moving up the field. Oldcastle started to carry the ball up the field rather than kicking into the wind and this resulted in some great team play and support play. Ben Curran won the ball around midfield and after some good work he released James McCluskey who converted the chance.

Oldcastle were now playing high up the field as they piled pressure on the visitors. After some great interchanging of passes corner back Colin Halpin somehow found himself on the edge of Castletown square and finished to the net. DJ Monaghan won a good ball around midfield and was unlucky as his shot was deemed to be just wide by Ref Seamus O’Connor as the umpires called for hawk eye to be used. Oldcastle then lost Mark Coyle to a head injury however James McCluskey added another brace to ensure victory.

This was a great team performance with all players giving 110 % and more when needed and the result just reward for all the efforts.

Oldcastle: Sean Chatten, Conor Smith (0-1), Conor Boylan, Jake Murphy, Aaron Ward, Colin Halpin (1-0), James McCluskey (2-10), Darren Connell (0-8), Ben Curran, Mark Coyle (0-1), Matthew Cahill, James Tuite, Dj Monaghan (0-1).
Sub Rian Mulvanny (0-1)