Heartbreak In the Cup Final for the U13’s

There was heartbreak for the U13s in Navan this afternoon(2/11/2025) in the U13 Football League Premier 3 Cup Final, as they lost out to a big, physical BHG side. The first half was a very low scoring affair, with the opposition getting the best start, helped by a strong breeze. They had 1-02 on the scoreboard before some great defending from Oscar Farrelly sent the ball in the right direction, upfield by way of Jake Pakenham, on to Dara Cahill, to Majus and back to Dara who put her to the back of the net! A point from Daragh Masterson soon after, but BHG were using the wind advantage and clocked up another point plus a two pointer. A BHG ’45 resulted in a melee in front of goals, but a super clearance from Oisin Corrigan got the ball out to safety, to Dara Cahill, on via Maddox Tuite, back to Dara who was fouled, the free on to Oscar Farrelly and in to Jake Pakenham for a great point, leaving it Oldcastle 1-02, Blackhall Gaels 1-05 at the break.

As the second half got underway, the wind totally died away, leaving Oldcastle without that advantage. Oisin Corrigan cleared out to Dara Cahill, on via Maddox, back to Dara, on to Jake Pakenham who was fouled; the free on to Dara once more, and finally in to Oisin who sailed her over for a lovey score. The kickout was taken down superbly by Jack Fitzpatrick and made it’s way upfield to Daragh Masterson who was fouled, and converted. With the gap now down to a point, it was the opposition who got the next break, and added on a two-pointer to extend their lead again, and added on another point soon after to extend it to three. Oldcastle battled back once more: A super clearance from Endjis found Dara, on to Maddox and in to Nathan Reilly who was fouled, and converted. Then, like a scene from a film, Harvey Daly, being introduced back to the field, came on running, caught the kickout and sailed her straight back over, a super point, and the gap now reduced to the bare minimum once more! BHG came flying with the next attack, thundering in on Domhnall Smith and looking for a goal, but a super save from Domhnall saved the day, BHGs having to make do with putting the rebounding ball over the bar for a point. That seems to buoy them up however, and from there on they took control of the game, adding on more scores til the final whistle blew, heartbreak for Oldcastle, but a great performance from a super bunch of young players; the same youngsters who have played this age group all year, they finish the League Final with their dignity upheld and if passion alone could win matches, they would have done!

These will be a team to watch over the years, and when they win their first final, it will be all the sweeter for the experience of days like today.

Oldcastle: Domhnall Smith, Endjis Sprudz, Charlie McGovern, Oisín Corrigan, Jack Fitzpatrick, Sean Mulvaney, Daragh Masterson, Jake Pakenham, Majus Bendaravicius, TJ Corrigan, Dara Cahill, Harvey Daly, Nathan Reilly, Tom Smith, Maddox Tuite, Oscar Farrelly, Majus Domarkas, Jack O’Connell.