Cavan are deserved Gerry Reilly Cup winners 2023. Meath looked the stronger in the opening 10 minutes of the final played in Millbrook on Saturday afternoon (12/08/2023).

Cavan were playing with a very strong wind in their backs and Senan Macken pointed for the opening score. Meath’s Cormac Nugent converted a free to level matters followed up by a Pat Crawley goal in the 11^th minute. It looked good for Meath leading by 1-2 to 0-1 at this stage, but it was all Cavan from then until Meath pointed from a free just before the break.

Cavan’s Adio Metlovas pointed from a 45 followed up by a Joshua Sheue pointed free. Cavan  grew in confidence as the match progressed and added 5 points from play. They had many wides and had a goal attempt cleared by the Meath defence and they could have been much further ahead at the break.

H/T: Cavan 0-8 Meath 1-3

The wind seemed to have died down on the restart. Ciaran Sheridan reduced the gap with a point for Meath. It was nip and tuck between the sides until Andrew Hill goaled for Cavan to lead 1-9 to 1-5 in the 43 minute. Jake Madden & Cillian Rafferty pointed to leave two between the sides, but Cavan responded with a Ryan Nwaneri point.

Cavan were a bigger and more imposing outfit and much stronger on the ball. They were in control and were full of confidence in the outcome. Meath had a lot of turnovers that did not help their cause. Meath never gave up, but were not able to penetrate the Cavan defence as time was running out.

A huge crowd attended today’s game, and Oldcastle GFC would like to thank you all for attending. Thanks also to John Kavanagh, (Chairperson of the Meath Co Board) for bringing along the Tailteann Cup, and to the Oldcastle and Castlerahan U9 players for putting on a great half-time display.

Cavan’s Joshua Sheue was presented with the ‘Man of the match’ award by Martin & Andre Reilly with Eddie O’Reilly

The Reilly family were in attendance to present the Cup, in memory of Gerry Reilly who tragically died in 1989. We were delighted to have Gerry’s mother Claire at the match, which she really enjoyed. Martin and Andre Reilly presented the Cup to winning Captain Senan Macken, a Castlerahan man, to great applause from all the Cavan supporters.

Scorers for Cavan:  Andrew Hill (1-1),  Joshua Sheue (0-3,1f),  Freddie McGuigan,  Tyler Haynes,  Adio Metlovas(45),  Senan Macken, Ryan Nwaneri, Jamie Clarke & Odhran Madden (0-1) each

Scorers for Meath:  Pat Crawley (1-1,1f),  Cormac Nugent (0-2,2f),  Evan Kelly, Cillian Rafferty,  Ciaran Sheridan,  Mackensie Doyle and  Jake Madden (0-1) each.

Cavan:  Max McKeown (Cootehill Stars); Caolan Madden (Gowna), Aaron Dowd (Ballyhaise), Oisin Maguire (Mullahoran); Tyler Haynes (Ballinagh, Adio Metlovas (Cootehill Stars), Senan Macken (Castlerahan); Thomas Gilsenan (Killygarry), Ryan Nwaneri (Blackwater Gaels); Freddie McGuigan (Killygarry), Joshua Sheue (Cavan Gaels), Tadhg Sheils (Mullahoran); Andrew Hill Shercock), Jamie Clarke (Castlerahan), Lee Brown (Shercock).

Subs:  Odhran Madden (Gowna) for Sheils, Charlie Fallon (Killygarry) for Brown both half-time, Fiachra Brady (Gowna) for Clarke 45 mins, Eoin O’Reilly (Cuchulainns) for Hill 58m, Aaron Plunkett (Mullahoran for Macken 60m, Darragh Gilsenan Killygarry;  Luke Madden Kingscourt Stars;  Seamus O’Reilly Dernacrieve Gaels;  Charlie Fallon Killygarry; Shane McCabe Cootehill Celtic;

Conor Doyle Cavan Gaels; George Cullivan Cornafean; Paul Sheridan Lavey ; Ultan O’Reilly Mullahoran; Charlie Gillick Ramor United; Ryan Corr Crosserlough

Extended panel: Paul Cooney Laragh; Cian Platt Kingscourt Stars; Finn Crowe Cavan Geals; Ciarán Galligan Cavan Gaels; Seamus O’Reilly   Dernacrieve Gaels; Ryan Owens Killygarry; Luke Reilly; Knockbride; Shane Galligan Knockbride; Jack Cooke Lavey; Tiernan Flood Mullahoran; Cian McCrystal Ramor United; Cormac McEntee Gowna

Meath: Jamie Norris (Seneschalstown); Robert Hayes (Ratoath), Conor Black (St Patrick’s), Cillian Yore (St Ultan’s); Oran Meade (Simonstown), Thomas Sheridan (Oldcastle), Charles McCarthy (Seneschalstown); Cillian Rafferty (Syddan), Daniel Doherty (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Ryan Brady (Walterstown), Cormac Nugent (O’Mahonys), Ciaran Sheridan (Dunderry); Evan Kelly (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Senan Duffy (Slane), Pat Crawley (Oldcastle).

Subs:  Mackensie Doyle (Simonstown) for McCarthy half-time, Conall Diggins (Ballivor) for Brady 37 mins, Jake Madden (Drumbaragh) for Nugent, Jack Doyle (Dunboyne) for Doherty both 40m, Rory McGrath (Ratoath) for Hayes 47m.

James Donnelly (Bective),  Ryan McCaffrey (Ballivor),  Daniel Pierse (Dunderry),  Evan Demange (Drumbarragh Emmets) Cormac Smith (Clann na nGael), Eoin Feldman (Ratoath).

Referee:  Dean Alford (Dublin)

Thanks as always to Leo Halpin and Eddie Reilly for organising the tournament, and the many hours they put in. All our Oldcastle GFC volunteers who come together to make the day a success, well done. And to all the county teams who take part, their management and players and match officials. Fair play to you all.

Finally, a word for our Meath team, who have put in superb performances throughout the tournament; you showed great heart today, and you will go on to greater things. And to our own Oldcastle players, goal-scorer Pat Crawley and tenacious Thomas Sheridan, we are all so proud of you. Thanks to all the players for the effort you put in.

That’s a wrap for the Gerry Reilly Cup 2023, hopefully we will see you all again in Millbrook next year!

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Winners of the Gerry Reilly Cup to date:

Meath         1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2018, 2019

Westmeath 1990, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2010, 2011

Cavan          1997, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2023

Dublin        1993, 1998, 2008 (U-17 Blitz), 2012, 2013

Louth          2022

Mayo           2021

Monaghan  2017

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Three first half goals in the second quarter of the Gerry Reilly U16 Cup Semi-Final played on Sunday evening in Millbrook, Oldcastle put Meath in the driving seat. They went on to lead 3-7 to 0-4 at the break.

A much better performance by Louth in the second half, but their goal chances were thwarted by the Meath defence.

Meath now play Cavan in the Cup final in August

MEATH: Ryan McCafferty; Conor Black, Ciarán Sheridan, Cillian Yore, Órán Meade, Thomas Sheridan 0-1, Charles McCarthy; Cillian Rafferty 0-1, Jack Doyle; Ryan Brady, Ciarán Sheridan, Cormac Nugent 0-2 (1f); Evan Kelly 2-5, Senan Duffy 2-1, Patrick Crawley 0-3 (1f).
Subs: Robert Hayes for Ciarán Sheridan (16), Daniel Doherty for Nugent (HT), Mackensie Doyle for Doyle (HT), Conall Diggins for McCarthy (38), Jake Madden 1-2 for Brady (40), Cian Hosie 0-1 for Sheridan (45), Evan Demange for Rafferty (45).

LOUTH: Dan McGuffin; Darragh Flynn, Patrick Hillen, Daniel McArdle; Fionn Coyle, Ben McKeown, Donnacha Skinnader 0-2; Jamie Soraghan, Michael O’Brien 0-1; Adam Dullaghan 0-1, Emmet Duffy 0-1, Liam McGee; Joseph Hanlon 0-1, Cormac Lundon, Kayden Fisher 0-3 (2f). Subs: Ciarán Hickey for Soraghan (HT), Ryan Nugent 0-1 for Lundon (HT), Jacob Morgan 0-1 for McGee (HT), Shane Mullany for McArdle (38), Dylan Rendall for Dullaghan (41), Jack Long for O’Brien (50), Shea Neary for Skinnader (54), Ciarán Devine for Flynn (54), Seán Holland for Coyle (54).

Huge thanks as always to the family of Gerry Reilly. We had Martin and Andre with us tonight to present the Cup, in memory of their brother Gerry. We know that Gerry’s mother Claire is following this, and wish her the best from all at Oldcastle Gfc. It’s always a bittersweet moment: this tournament in his memory has taken on a life of its’ own, but always we would rather that Gerry were still with us, with a long and successful footballing career maybe behind him by now, but he would undoubtedly be coaching his own children and adding to the club. A huge loss, we will never forget him.

Well done to the Meath GAA lads, a good performance, but just not to be tonight. A mention for our own Rory Crawley, it’s always special to have an Oldcastle lad or two on the panel, and you put in a great shift tonight!

Thank you to Dromone Engineering for sponsoring our Man of the match award, and to Padraig for coming along to present it to Louth’s Adam Gillespie. We were also honoured to have Graham Geraghty say a few words:

A highlight of the evening was seeing our own All Ireland Meath Ladies superstars Bridgetta and Ciara, with the Brendan Martin Cup! Micael Garrigan (Paul’s Dad) & Meath LFGA Chairman Colm McManus also attended, fair play to all! So many of our youngsters came along just to see you, especially the girls! Pure magic.

As always, this tournament only takes place due to the work from Eddie and Leo over the past three decades. The past two months have been non-stop work for the duo, and hopefully they will relax tonight knowing that another successful tournament is over!

Big thanks to the Oldcastle and Ballinlough U10s who provided the half-time entertainment!

Well done to our own Elaine and Aisling for the never-ending tea and coffee! Thanks to Dermot for these great photos, and thanks to all our gate people and parking stewards, you all did a super job tonight! And even going further back, to the lads replacing the fence yesterday (John, Sean, Brendan, Ken) and to Larry and Enda and all the folk who come to weeding sessions for having the grounds looking spectacular! A huge thank you to each and every one of you! This tournament is a labour of love from Oldcastle Gfc to the memory of Gerry ever year, and it is testament to his memory that so many do so much.

Finally, thanks be to God for holding off his thunder storms til after the match. Hearing mad reports of the situation at home right now. We dodged that one

Well done all.

Louth’s 3rd goal came after a terrific move by Adam Gillespie and finished to the Meath net by Jack Healy This was quickly followed by their 4th by Dylan Shevlin. There was no way back for Meath, but they never gave up. Louth were still creating more chances and star player, Adam Gillespie, was instrumental in getting their 5th Goal as time was expiring.
A great game of football with some outstanding performances and certainly we’ll see many going on to play at the highest level for their respective counties

Adam Gillespie was presented with the ‘Man of the match’ award by Padraig McCormack (representing sponsors of the Cup Final – Dromone Engineering) and Graham Geraghty.

The Gerry Reilly Cup was presented to Louth’s joint Captain’s by Martin & Andre Reilly (brother & sister Of Gerry)

Scorers for Louth: Dylan Shevlin (2-2), Jack Healy, Pearse Murphy Grimes & Adam Gillespie (1-2 each), Cormac McKeown, Shane Lennon & Sean Flynn (0-1 each)
Scorers for Meath: John Harkin (1-3, 2f & pen), Billy Smyth (0-4,3f), Cian Commons 0-3
Tom Lenihan & Michael McIvor (0-1 each)

Louth: Cian O’Donoghue; Caoimhin Prout, Ciaran McGinty, Keelan Martin; Cormac McKeown; Michael Reid, Shayne Soraghan; Conor McGinty, Paul Galvin; Dylan Shevlin, Jack Healy, Pearse Grimes Murphy; Adam Gillespie, Sean Flynn, Shane Lennon.

Subs that played: James Corcoran, Conor Browne, Paddy McHugh, Andy Murphy.

Meath: Jamie McCormack; Oliver Maloney, Paddy White, Cormac Liggan; Tom Lenehan, John Gormley, Ciaran O’Hare; Cian Commons, David Donnelly; Billy Smyth, John Harkin, Michael McIvor; Aaron O’Rourke, Liam Jennings, Kyle Ennis.

Subs: Naoise Maguire for O’Hare 27 mins, Hugh Kehoe for Donnelly, Oisin Yore for Jennings both 38m, Rory Crawley for O’Rourke 41m, Andrew Gormley for Harkin 47m, Tiernan Anderson for Maguire 54m.

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)

Scorers for Meath: John Harkin (1-6,4f), Billy Smyth (1-1), Liam Jennings (0-3), Michael McIvor & Kyle Ennis (0-2 each), Cian Commons, Naoise Maguire & Aarion O’Rourke (0-1each)

Scorers for Cavan: Dylan Edwards & Daragh Noonan (1-1each), Shane Donoghue (0-4,4f), Ben Tully & Jake Whyte (0-2each), Ciaran Caldwelll, Luke Allison, Donnacha Maguire, and Jack Tobin (0-1each)

Meath: Jamie McCormack Dunboyne, Jack Lifford O’Mahony’s, Paddy White Ratoath, Cormac Liggan Dunderry, Tom Lenehan Skryne, John Gormley Gaeil Colmcille, Ciaran O’Hare Rathkenny, Cian Commons Sensechalstown, David Donnelly Bective, Billy Smyth Skryne, John Harkin Dunboyne, Michael McIvor St Vincent’s, Aaron O’Rourke Trim, Liam Jennings Blackhall Gaels, Rory Crawley Oldcastle
Subs: Óisin Yore Carnaross for Kyle Ennis Trim for Crawley, Andrew Gormley Gaeil Colmcille for O’Rourke, Óisin Yore Carnaross for Smyth, Óisin Yore Carnaross for Donnelly, Óisin Yore Carnaross for Lifford, Padraig Walsh Trim for White

Cavan: Zach Pepper Ballyhaise, Philip Shannon Butlersbridge, Ciaran Caldwell Castlerahan, Jensen Tynan Ramor, Luke Allison Butlersbridge, Donnacha Maguire Shannon Gaels, Eanna Ward Arva, Dylan Edwards Templeport, Dylan McKeever Gowna, Daragh Noonan Killygarry, Ben Tully Cavan Gaels, Ben O’Hara Ramor, Jake Whyte Cootehill, Shane Donoghue Gowna, Caoimhin Magee Kingscourt
Subs: Finn Buckley Lavey for Pepper, Jack Tobin Maghera for O’Hara, Conor Suarpe Mullahoran for Whyte, Joe Dugdale Butlersbridge for Noonan

Ref: Peter Skelly

Scorers for Louth: Adam Gillespie (1-6), Dylan Shelvin (1-3), Jack Healy (1-2), Sean Flynn (0-4) and Pearse Grimes Murphy (0-2)
Scorers for Kildare: AJ Gordon (0-6), Jack Butler (0-4), Paddy Martin (0-3),Joe Dunne & Pierce O’Dwyer (0-1 each)

Louth: Cian O Donoghue Geraldines, Cian Farrell Geraldines, Caoimhin Prout St Kevins, Keelan Martin Ardee St Mary’s, Cormac McKeown St Joseph’s, Michael Reid Hunsterstown Rovers, Shayne Soraghan Geraldines, Conor McGinty O Raghallaighs, Paul Galvin Newtown Blues, Dylan Shevlin Stabannon Parnells, Jack Healy Newtown Blues, Pearse Grimes Murphy St Joseph’s, Adam Gillespie Ardee St Mary’s, Sean Flynn Mattock Rangers, Shane Lennon St Mochtas
Subs: Josh Taaffe Ardee St Mary’s for Shevlin, Donnacha Hodgins Dreadnots for Healy, Liam Coleman Dundalk Gaels for Lennon, Paddy O’Connell for Martin, Robbie Mathews St Sevin’s for Flynn

Kildare: Joshua Flood Maynooth, Jamie O’Gorman Castledermot, Paddy Connolly Clane, Conor Breen Naas, Ross Kennedy Sarsfields, Alex Tilly Maynooth, Cian McGrath Sallins, Joe Dunne Milltown, Daniel Colbert Clane, AJ Gordon Kill, Jack Butler Moorefield, Jack Courtney Sarsfields, Evan Dooge Castelmitchell, Paddy Martin Kill, Pierce O’Dwyer St Laurence’s
Subs used: Ronan Collins Moorefield, Cian Behal Leixlip, Paul L’Estrange Naas, Oisin Loughran Naas, Cameron Morton Round Towers

Ref: Peter Skelly

Meath proved too strong for Clare in the Gerry Reilly U16 FT game played in Millbrook, Oldcastle this afternoon in ideal conditions. It was nip and tuck for the first 10 minutes and Clare could have taken an early lead, but were thwarted by a brilliant save by the Meath ‘keeper, Fionn Timmons out for a 45. Soon after Meath took complete control and went on to lead by 2-11 to 0-2 at the break.

Both sides cleared their benches as Meath’s dominance continued in the second half with 2 early goals that left Clare in an unassailable position.

Meath: Fionn Timmons Clann na nGael, AJ Bradshaw St Mary’s, Paddy White Ratoath, Cormac Liggan Dunderry, Tiernan Anderson Gaeil Colmcille, John Gormley Gaeil Colmcille, Shea McManus Round Towers, Cian Commons Sensechalstown, David Donnelly Bective, Billy Smyth Skryne, John Harkin Dunboyne, Ciaran O’Hare Rathkenny, Óisin O’Neill Dunderry, Liam Jennings Blackhall Gaels, Andrew Gormley Gaeil Colmcille

Subs: Jack O’Regan Skryne, Tom Lenehan Skryne, Jack Lifford O’Mahony’s, Naoise Maguire St. Colmcille’s, Ben Sullivan St Patrick’s, Óisin Walsh Gaeil Colmcille,  Jack Doran Donaghamore/Ashbourne (all subs played)

Scorers for Meath: John Harkin (2-2), Liam Jennings (2-1),  Naiise Maguire (1-1), Andrew Gormley (0-3), Cian Commons, David Donnelly, Billy Smith and Ben Sullivan (0-2 each),  Ciaran O’Hare, John Gormley, Shea McManus, Óisin O’Neill  and JackDoran (0-1 each)

Clare: Luke Kennedy St.Joseph’s Doora Barefield, Niall Twomey St.Joseph’s Milltown Malbay, Kevin O’Mara Kilkee, Conor Rynne Ennistymon, Kevin Marrinan Cooraclare, Paddy Nagle St.Joseph’s Doora Barefield, Ronan Kilroy The Banner, Ennis, Evan Cahill Kilmurray Ibrickane, Eoin Kennedy Clondegad, Dara Howley St. Breckan’s, Ben Skerrit Lisseycasey, Conall Casey Kildysart, Jamie Sheehan Kildysart, Conor McCarthy Clooney Quin, Ralph Whelehan St.Joseph’s Milltown Malbay

Subs: Stephen Davoran Lisseycasey for Kennedy, Aaron Townsend Cooraclare for Rynne, Seanie MacMahon Ennistymon, Kaden Deegan Herlihy The Banner, Ennis for Skerrit, Eoin Carey Cratloe for Marrinan,  Luke Minogue Clondegad for Sheehan

Scorers for Clare: Seanie McMahon (0-3), Roan Kilroy, Evan Cahill and Kaden Deegan Herlihy (0-1each)

Ref: Andrew Smith

Kildare went on to lead on a score of 2-7 to 0-6 before Aaron O’Rourke’s goal brought Meath back into the game. Meath then added 3 points to their tally to Kildare’s 2 points. A terrific run by Cian Commons ended with a goal to have the sides at 2-9 a piece. A pass from John Harkin to Billy Smyth was finished to the net for Meath’s third goal. Meath’s lead was extended to 5 points, but Kildare never gave up and had 2 goal attempts with one resulting in a point. A Paddy Martin free left just 3 points between the sides as time was expiring. A Cian Commons point for Meath seemed to steady things, but Kildare were not giving up. Another Paddy Martin free well into injury time was finished to the Meath net by Daragh Mullahy to leave the minimum between the sides as time expired.

We were treated with great football from both teams and enjoyed by the large crowd present

Meath Panel: Jamie McCormack Dunboyne, Naoise Maguire St Colmcille’s, Padraig Walsh Trim, Cormac Liggan Dunderry, Billy Smyth Skryne (1-1), John Gormley Gaeil Colmcille, Ciaran O’Hare Rathkenny, Cian Commons Sensechalstown (1-2), Oisin Yore Carnaross, David Donnelly Bective, John Harkin Dunboyne (0-3), Charlie Murphy Carnaross, Aaron O’Rourke Trim (1-1), Michael McIvor St Vincent’s (0-2), Oisin Corcoran St. Colmcille’s, Tiernan Anderson Gaeil Colmcille, Jack Lafford O’Mahony’s, Ollie Maloney Walterstown, Ben Corkery Clann na nGael, Liam Jennings Blackhall Gaels (0-2), Tom Lenehan Skryne (0-1), Rory Crawlwy Oldcastle

Kildare Panel: Charlie White Ballykelly, Liam Kelly Milltown, Liam Byrne Athy, Elias Dlhos Naas, James Donnelly St Laurances, Rob Murray Naas, James O’Donoghue Clane, Eoghan Dunne Athgarvan, Daragh Mullahy Clane (1-1), Liam O’Connor Naas, Jack McCabe Castlemitchell, Jack Butler Moorefield (0-4), Tadhg O’Donoghue Clane (0-1), Evan Dooge Castelmitchell (2-1), Nathan Hannify Doyle Moorefield, Ronan Collins Moorefield, Liam Haughton-Keavney Castlemitchell, Paul O’Dea Maynooth, Callum Murphy Eadestown, Calum O’Reilly Aylmer Geals, Michael Chambers Maynooth (0-3), Paddy Martin Kill (0-1), Ross Kenny Sarsfields

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Earlier Meath’s second team were no match for a strong North Kerry team in the Tedd Webb U16 Cup also played in Millbrook.
Kerry led by 3-8 to 0-5 at the break and went on to win on a scoreline of 5-20 to 1-7.

Mayo’s Captain, Diarmuid Duffy was presented with the Gerry Reilly Cup by Martin Reilly (Gerry’s brother). Diarmuid was also presented with the ‘Man of the match’ award.

The tournament has proved to be a great success in the development of teams, but cofid put a temporary halt on things. Looking forward to having the tournament back up and running in Oldcastle next summer.