Battling Performance in the opening round of the Div 6 FL

A battling performance from the lads this evening (20/03/2026) in Millbrook saw them take the points in this opening round of the Div 6 Football League. It may be at the high cost of the loss of Ryan Kevin to injury, and we all send Ryan our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Kyle Kavanagh opened the scoring for Oldcastle, followed by another from Keith Connell, and yet another from Conor McHugh, playing outfield, and loving it! More points from the three lads saw Oldcastle build a seven point lead, but Donaghamore/Ashbourne finally got going, blasting in two points and two goals in a matter of five minutes, to go ahead! Michael’s kickout found Conor Delaney, on to Lee Healy, to Brian Hetheron, Ciaran Connell and Ryan Halpin, over to Lloyd Colleran, back to Tom Lynch, to Eoin Smith, on to Conor McHugh and back to Eoin for the equalising point! Don/Ash added one more before the break, to leave it Oldcastle 0-09, Donaghamore/Ashbourne 2-04 at the break.

A super point from Keith Connell opened the second half. Joe Lynch was back for Oldcastle after a long absence to injury, and bagged himself a lovely point. A few points and a goal from the opposition were enough to keep the pressure on though, and they went three points up. Shane Boylan stepped up and converted a free from a mauling given to Conor Delaney, to narrow the gap. Donaghamore/Ashbourne kept the pressure up, a couple of chances back off the post, and some great defending from Ciaran Connell to save Oldcastle hopes. A nicely worked ball all the way upfield soon after found Shane Boylan, a super little chip into the waiting Eoin Smith, he blasted her for the goal but she rebounded, but he was fast enough to get there again and this time there was no denying the goal! Now the lads were a point ahead, and kept motoring, another point from Keith was followed by another point for Shane, after another mauling on Conor Delaney!

Donaghamore/Ashbourne never gave up, and the next five minutes saw them attack time and again, three great pieces of play and three scoring attempts, but wide every time, a testament to the hard work from the Oldcastle defence. They finally broke through however, nearly a melee of attempts in front of goal, before they finally breached the wall and put her to the back of the net once again! 1-16 to 4-07 now, level again! Shane Boylan took a fine point from play, and with the next piece of play Kyle Kavanagh was looking dangerous for Oldcastle but was swung round and upended for his attempts; Keith Connell converting the free. A goal would win it for Donaghamore/Ashbourne and they swept downfield again in a last ditch attempt, but the Oldcastle defence rallied and a super save from Rian Mulvanny repelled them: the ball came back in the right direction, a great run upfield from Tom Lynch, the ball delivered in to Keith Connell, having a super match, and sent over the bar for the final score of a great match, to give the lads a three point win!

Oldcastle: Michael Galligan, Lloyd Colleran, Conor Hetherton, Cillian Connell, Ciaran Connell, Tom Lynch, Lee Healy, Conor Delaney, Ryan Halpin, Brian Hetherton, Keith Connell (0-09), Eoin Smith (1-01), Kyle Kavanagh (0-02), Conor McHugh (0-03), Ryan Kevin. Subs: Joe Lynch (0-01), Shane Boylan (0-03), Rian Mulvanny, Joe Usher, Mossy Flood.