Meath’s U-16s went toe-to-toe with a highly fancied Louth side in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Sunday evening and were a whisker away from lifting the Gerry Reilly Cup, only to be pipped in extra-time after a gripping contest that swung right to the end. On a perfect evening for football, the young Royals led at the break and were two points to the good heading into added time, but Louth’s late rally forced the extra twenty minutes, where a crucial two‑pointer proved the difference.

Louth started brightly and twice threatened the net in the opening quarter, rattling the crossbar before Cormac Fitzsimons pulled off a fine save to keep Meath level. John Killoran’s turnover sparked Meath’s big first-half moment, Tomas Dillon finishing smartly on 27 minutes to push Meath in front, and they took a 1-4 to 0-5 lead into the interval.

The Wee County hit the first four points after the restart to edge ahead by the 43rd minute, but Meath answered. Substitute Killian McGivern settled the Royals with a point before Conn Brennan’s deft two‑pointer on 45 minutes swung momentum back our way. Cormac Walsh, a constant threat, tacked on another as Meath drove on.

Louth struck back with a Cillian Duff goal to level it at 1-9 apiece, and while Harris Moffat and Cormac McKenna nudged Meath two clear heading into added time, late efforts from Conor Marron and Connell Kelly dragged Louth level at the whistle to force extra-time.

That extra period was knife‑edge stuff. Kelly’s two‑pointer late in the first half of extra-time opened a three‑point gap, with Louth 1-17 to 1-15 ahead at the turn. Meath chased it to the finish, Walsh clipping the only Meath score of the second period as Louth added three more to stretch clear. Deep in the dying moments Meath had a lifeline, but Daithi Holmes guessed right to save Dillon’s penalty, and with it went Meath’s last chance of a famous comeback.

There was plenty to admire in the game: Walsh’s scoreboard leadership, Dillon’s first‑half goal, Brennan’s key two‑pointer, energetic cameos from the bench, and a defensive shift that stood up to long spells of pressure.

Credit to Louth, worthy winners after a fine final, and for both teams the performance and experience will stand to them.

Padraig McCormack of @dromoneengineeringltd (Sponsors) presented the Man of the match award to Louths’ Finn McEneaney.

Presentation of the Gerry Reilly Cup by the Reilly family to Louth Captain, Josh Gahaya  

Louth: Daithi Holmes (St Patrick’s); Finn McEneaney 0-1 (St Joseph’s), Ollie Walsh (Naomh Mairtin) Calvin Winters (Naomh Mairtin); Jack Ruane (St Kevin’s), Brian O’Neill 0-2 (St Fechin’s), Mathew Kieran (St Joseph’s); Mark Smith (Oliver Plunkett’s), Pauric Maguire 0-2 (John Mitchell’s); Donnacha Reidy (St Joseph’s), Cillian Downey (St Nicholas), Cillian Duff 1-0 (St Fechin’s); Joe Lynch (Geraldines), Connell Kelly 0-11 (Dreadnots), Conor Marron 0-1 (St Mochta’s).

Subs: Dylan Kirwan 0-2 (Dreadnots), Tadhg Moroney 0-1 (Naomh Mairtin), Josh Gahaya (Wolfe Tones).

Meath: Cormac Fitzsimons 0-1 (O’Mahonys); Tomas Clarke (Dunshaughlin), Niall Rogan (St Michael’s), Liam O’Donoghue (St Colmcille’s); Niall Smyth (Skryne), John Killoran (Na Fianna), Conor McTigue (Dunshaughlin); Cormac McKenna 0-1 (Wolfe Tones), Alex Keane (Dunshaughlin); Conn Brennan 0-2 (St Ultan’s), Darragh Wright (Clann na nGael), Thomas McKeever (Wolfe Tones); Cormac Walsh 0-7 (Trim), Tomas Dillon 1-1 (Syddan), Mark Halpin (Oldcastle).

 Subs: Harris Moffat 0-2 (Skryne), Killian McGivern 0-1 (Kilbride), Tomas Proudfoot (St Ultan’s), Milo Stafford 0-1 (Kilmainhamwood), Caolan Comey (Summerhill), Leo Kavanagh (Moynalty), Ryan O’Neill (Simonstown), William Gifford (St Patrick’s).

Referee: Christopher Brady (Monaghan)

What an exciting finish to the Gerry Reilly U16 FT Shield Final in Millbrook on Saturday afternoon.  Cavan were in the driving seat leading by six after Calum Lynch’s converted free to lead 1-17 to1-11 with just five minutes of normal time remaining.  Kildare’s Greg Kelly pointed from a free with 4 minutes left. Kildare failed to convert a 45 and a 2point attempt before Eoghan Lyons got Kildare’s third 2 pointer of the game. Cavan saw their attempt on goal go wide and it still seem to be their game to win. Greg Kelly’s goal as normal time ran out had the sides level and overtime looked certain.  But Kildare had time with Jame Wolfe’s point to snatch victory in injury time.

Cavan had started well in the opening half and had three points on the scoreboard before Kildare’s first point. After fifteen minutes Kildare took the lead after Fionn Stewart Byrne’s goal to lead 1-2 to0-4. but from then on it was Cavan that was in control and added 8 points to their tally and led by 0-12 to 1-4 at the break

A terrific game on football and well done to both teams and augurs well for their futures

Niall Fitzpatrick (Oldcastle GFC) presented the Man of the Match award to Greg Kelly of Castledermot.

Dermot Monaghan (Chairperson, Oldcastle GFC) presented the Gerry Reilly Shield to Kildare Captain, Cian Keogh of Castledermot

Scorers for Kildare: Greg Kelly (1-6  (1f, 2pt, 2ptf)), Fionn Stewart Byrne (1-0), Dylan Daniels, Jame Wolfe & Eoghan Lyon(2pt) (0-2 each), Fionn Lawlor, Eoin Markey & Fiachra Martin(f) (0-1 each)

Scorers for Cavan: Senan Smith (0-6, a 2pt), Exceedingly Imade (1-2), Calum Lynch (0-2,1f), CJ Fitzpatrick, Daire  McCrystal, Simon Kolimar,  Adam Smith & Brian McDermott (0-1 each)

Louth 1-20 Meath 1-16 (after extra tine)  (Sunday, 17 August in Millbrook)

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Gerry Reilly U16 FT Shield Final

Kildare 2-15  Cavan 1-17 (Sat. 16 August 2025 at Millbrook)

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2025 Gerry Reilly Cup Semi-Finals
Louth 0-19 Kildare 0-7

Scorers for Louth: Pauric Maguire, Rian McDonnell and Joe Lynch 0-3 each, Connall Kelly and Anthony Trainor 0-2each, Mark Smith, Calum Winters, Dylan Kirwan, Finn McEneany, Donnacha Reidy and Killian Duff 0-1 each

Scorers for Kildare: Cian Keogh 0-3, Aodhan Bergin 0-2, Aidan Tobin and Eoghan Lyons 0-1 each

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Meath 4-19 Cavan 1-11

Scorers for Meath: Cormac Walsh (2-9,3f), Thomas McKeever (1-0), Ryan O’Neill (1-0), Darragh Wright (0-3), Con Brennan (0-3), Tomás Dillon (0-2), Mark Halpin (0-1). Cormac Fitzsimons (0-1,45)

Scorers for Cavan: Jake Brady (0-1), Dara Eccleston (0-1), Oisín Keegan (0-1), Senan Smith (0-2,2pt), Jay Graham (0-5,2f), Daire McCrystal (1-0), Senan Smith (0-2,2pt), Fiachra McManus (0-1), Jake Brady (0-1), Dara Eccleston (0-1), Oisín Keegan (0-1),

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Winners of the Gerry Reilly Cup to date:

Louth started strongly against the defending champions, Kildare in the first of the Cup Semi-Finals of this year’s Gerry Reilly U16 Football Tournament, played in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Saturday morning. They had four points on the scoreboard before Kildare registered their first from a free and followed up with another point. Louth had goal chances on at least two occasions and could have been much further ahead at the break.

H/T: Louth 0-8 Kildare 0-4

Louth dominated the second half and led 0-15 to 0-4 before Kildare’s first of the half. Kildare never gave up, but they had no answer for a Louth time that excelled on the day.

Scorers for Louth:Pauric Maguire, Rian McDonnell and Joe Lynch 0-3 each, Connall Kelly and Anthony Trainor 0-2each, Mark Smith, Calum Winters, Dylan Kirwan, Finn McEneany, Donnacha Reidy and Killian Duff 0-1 each

Scorers for Kildare: Cian Keogh 0-3,  Aodhan Bergin 0-2, Aidan Tobin and Eoghan Lyons 0-1 each

Meath started brightly in the second of the Cup Semi-Finals of this year’s Gerry Reilly Under-16 Football Tournament, played in Millbrook, Oldcastle, on Saturday afternoon. They opened the scoring with an early goal and quickly followed up with another point from a free. Cavan responded with their first score — a point — but from there, Meath largely dominated the play and went on to lead comfortably at half-time on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-5.

A poor pass in the Cavan defence led to Meath’s second goal, which opened the scoring in the second half and extended their lead to 2-8 to 0-5. They quickly followed up with three unanswered points before Daire McCrystal struck back for Cavan with a goal, making it 2-12 to 1-5 at that stage.

After that, it was Meath who simply dominated the play, despite Cavan’s best efforts, adding more goals and points to pull well clear. In the end, Meath ran out convincing winners on a scoreline of 4-19 to 2-11.

They will now face Louth in the Cup Final on August 17th.

Meath: Cormac Fitzsimons (0-1,45), Tomas Clarke, Niall Rogan, Tom Howley,  Liam O’Donoghue, John Killoran, Conor McTigue, Cormac McKenna, Alex Keane, Niall Smyth, Darragh Wright (0-3), Thomas McKeever (1-0), Cormac Walsh (2-9,3f), Tomas Dillon (0-2), Mark Halpin (0-1)

Subs: William Gifford, Harry McGuirk, Con Brennan (0-3), Ryan O’Neill (1-0), Harris Moffatt

Cavan:  Kevin Heery, Jonah Curran, James McDevitt, Conor O’Reilly, CJ Fitzpatrick, David Liggan, Conor McCabe, Exceed Imade, Jake Brady (0-1),  Ben Stafford, Dara Eccleston (0-1), Oisín Keegan (0-1), Senan Smith (0-2,2pt), Louis Kerrigan, Jay Graham (0-5,2f)

Subs: Evan Lambe,  Patrick Nolan, Brian McDermot, Finn Keaney, Eoin Burns, Daire McCrystal (1-0), Callum Lynch, Oisín Smith, Fiachra McManus (0-1), Daniel Galligan, Ronan Tierney, John Cahill, Leon Gilmartin, Adam Smith, Jack Fallon

Meath’s Nathan Reilly got the opening score with a fisted point in the Gerry Reilly U16 FT Shield Final sponsored by Dromone Engineering played in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Sunday afternoon. He followed up with another point before Andrew O’Reilly pointed for Louth. Meath had wind advantage and added 2 points to their tally before Michael McGlew pulled one back for Louth. Indeed Louth could have led at this stage as they were off target on 3 successive occasions. Louth’s Ben Ryan’s goal in the 14^th minute had the sides level at 1-2 to 0-5.  Nathan Reilly’s goal stretched Meath’s lead to four points in the 25^th minute. A terrific response from Louth including a Tom Maguire goal had the sides level for the first time. A Jeff Foley point edged Meath ahead just before the break.

H/T: Meath 1-9 Louth 2-5

Meath failed to take their goal chances on the restart and it was nip and tuck between the two sides. Louth’s Tom Maguire pointed to have the sides level before Jeff Foley got Meath’s second goal. Meath’s ‘keeper, Kian Campbell was called on and denied two possible Louth goals.

The turning point in Meath’s favour was in the 48^th minute when Stephen Cahill goaled and put Meath up by 5 points. Louth never gave up and Andrew O’Reilly’s goal reduced the gap to three at 3-12 to 3-9. When Max Condon got Meath’s 4^th goal,  it had Meath in the driving seat. Louth never gave up and had a goal shot wide of the post. It was nice to see open football again from both sides!

Meath’s Nathan Reilly was presented with the ‘Man of the match’ award by Brendan Halpin  representing Dromone Engineering (Sponsor of the tournament)

Meath’s captain, Cillian Burns was presented with the Gerry Reilly Shield by Andrea Reilly (Gerry’s sister)

Scorers for Meath: Nathan Reilly 1-6(3f), Stephen Cahill 1-1, Jeff Foley 1-1, Adam McEvoy 0-4, Max Condon 1-0, Declan Byrne 0-1

Scorers for Louth: Andrew O’Reilly 1-3, Tom Maguire 1-3, Ben Ryan 1-0, Conal Mannion 0-2, Michael McGlew 0-1, Tadgh Deveney 0-1 and Sam Elvin 0-1

Meath: Kian Campbell Clonard;  Conal Sheridan Syddan,; 20 Oisin Finnegan Navan O’Mahonys; Dylan Feehan St Colmcilles; Glen Callaghan Duleek/Bellewstown; Luke Casey Navan O’Mahonys; Niall Lawless Donaghamore/Ashbourne; Cillian Burns Kilmainhamwood; Declan Byrne Summerhill; Jeff Foley Dunshaughlin;  Adam McEvoy Navan O’Mahonys; Eoin Gilsenan Moynalty; Stephen Cahill Dunsany; Nathan Reilly Simonstown; Evan Yore Carnaross Subs:  Josh Carolan St Michaels; Gareth Fox Skryne; David Daly Moynalty; Max Condon Simonstown; Oisin Finnegan Navan O’Mahonys; Jake Ryan Summerhill; Leon Harris Trim; Charlie Finnegan Senchelstown;  Eoghan McDonald Dunboyne; Omokorede Otubanjo Nobber; Matteo Brady Cortown/St Ultans; Charlie O’Connor Trim 

Louth: Eoghan McKeown Glen Emmets; Rian Hickey Mattock Rangers; Finn Madine Geraldines; Senan McGinty O Raghallaighs; Luke Woods Ardee St.Marys; Michael McGlew St.Fechins; Ruairi Carpentar St.Brides; Tom Maguire Westerns; Conal Mannion St.Kevins; Louis Ausden Glen Emmets; Tadgh Deveney Glyde Rangers; Ben Ryan Naomh Martin; Andrew O’Reilly N’mh Fionnbarra; Ewan Hoban Newtown Blues; Ryan Healy Newtown Blues; Senan Connolly Roche Emmets; Senan Hoey St.Brides; Oisin Reidy St.Jospehs; Liam Craven St, Mochtas; Seosamh O’Rourke Naomh Martin; Stephen Curtis Glen Emmets; Charlie McBride Stabannon Parnells; Sean McKenna Geraldines; Conor Wogan Glen Emmets; 27 Joseph Holland St. Patricks; Sam Elvin St. Patricks; Ruairi Hollywood Walker Cooley Kickams; Adam Keane Naomh Fionnbarra; Cillian McQuillan Naomh Fionnbarra

Ref: Raymond Farrelly (Westmeath)

Kildare are Gerry Reilly U16 FT Cup winners for 2024 after beating defending champions, Cavan in the Cup Final sponsored by Dromone Engineering played on Sunday evening in Millbrook, Oldcastle. The large crowd present were treated to great game played on a beautiful pitch.

Goals win matches and Hugh Martin’s goal in the 20^th minute turned out to be the difference in the end. The result could have been different but for fantastic saves by Kildare’s ‘keeper, Jamie Wall. Kildare led by that goal at the break.

H/T: Kildare 1-5 Cavan 0-5

On the restart Cavan pulled to within a point with points from Nathan Quigley(f) and Cian McConnell Robbie Milham put up Kildare by 2 points again. Both goalkeepers made great saves again, first Cavan’s, Brady Roche and almost immediately by Jamie Wall yet again. 2 more Cavan points had the sides level in the 56^th minute. Kildare with less scoring chances got the last 3 points of the game, while Cavan were off target on 3 occasions that could have forced at least a draw.

Kildare’s Daniel Sargent was presented with the ‘Man of the match’ award by Pauric McCormick of Dromone Engineering (Sponsor of the tournament)

Kildare’s captain, Ollie Deller was presented with the Gerry Reilly Cup by members of the Reilly Family

Scorers for Kildare: Hugh Martin 1-1, Cillian Long 0-2, Peter Murphy, Pauric Carty(f), Jamie Wall(f), Ollie Deller, Barry Fitzpatrick, Robbie Milham & Luke Kelly 0-1 each

Scorers for Cavan: Nathan Quigley 0-5 (2f), Cian McConnell 0-2, Cathal Smith(f) Faolan Graham & John Donohoe 0-1 each

Kildare: Jamie Wall -Round Towers; Max Rainbow – Sarsfields;  Johnny Martin – Kill; Daniel Sargent – Eadestown; TJ Donohue – Sarsfields; Tom Martin – Kill; Aran Martin – Naas; Ollie Deller (Captain)Towers; Stephen Murphy – Raheens; Conor Byrne – Rheban; Cillian O’Donovan – Sars; Peter Murphy – Ballymore; Cillian Long – Naas; Pauraic Carty – Rathangan; Hugh Martin – Suncroft

Subs: Josh Finn – Kilcullen; Eoghan Conroy – Kilcock;Arthur Bailey – Suncroft; Barry Fitzpatrick – Clane; Aidan Maddock – Clane; Robbie Milham – Naas; Callum Keavney – Athy;  Robbie Milham – Naas; Rory Thompson – Raheens; Luke Kelly -Kill; Tadhg Murphy – Sarsfields; Cameron Pederschi – Athy; Giles Healy – Naas; Conor Malone – Kill; Hugh Kennedy – Athy; Conor McBrien – Ellistown; Turlough Donnelly-Kilcullen; George Lawler-Rheban; Robbie Milham – Naas

Cavan: Brady Roche-Cootehill Celtic; Christopher Baugh-Blackwater Gaels; Lee Glennon- Blackwater Gaels; Finian Smith-Denn; Michael Smith-Crosserlough; Harry McMullan-Cootehill Celtic; Dylan Bruder-Castlerahan; Cian McConnell-Butlersbridge; Fintan Devin-Blackwater Gaels; Cathal Smith-Lavey; Faolan Graham-Butlersbridge; Donagh Lynch-CuChullains; John Donohoe-Mullahoran; Nathan Quigley-Denn; Mark Mulvey-Knockbride

Subs: Eoin Lynch-Castlerahan; Divine Imade-Butlersbridge; Matthew Duffy-Mountnugent; Colin Hill-Shercock; Kian Lynch-Mullahoran; James Cassidy-Drumlane; Niall Martin-Kingscourt; Fiachra Mooney-Killenkere; Shane Brady-Cornafean; Callum O’Connor-Cootehill Celtic; Shay Galligan-Ramor; Cormac Murray-Drumlane; Mark Reilly-Denn; Gary McCabe-Killygarry; Ciaran Clerkin-Drumgoon Additional/ Injured Panel Members: Danny Brady-Laragh; Damien Hughes-Drumgoon; Conor Patterson-Kingscourt; Joseph Crowe-Lacken

Ref: Peter Skelly (Meath)

Oldcastle GFC host the Gerry Reilly Tournament annually  which is kindly sponsored by Dromone Engineering at their Millbrook pitch, in memory of the late Gerry Reilly, a promising footballer who tragically died all too young.

TheU9s played a mini-match at half-time against our  neighbours,  Castlerahan.

A few weeks ago, Annie Galligan was singing the National Anthem in Croke Park at the Ladies All Ireland Senior Football Final. Today she did the honours at her home pitch Millbrook for the Gerry Reilly Cup Finals.

Results
Sunday, 18th August
Gerry Reilly Shield Final (Beaten semi-finalists)
Meath 4-13 Louth 3-11 (Millbrook, Oldcastle @ 4.00 pm)

Sunday, 18th August
Gerry Reilly Cup Final
Kildare 1-10 Cavan 0-10 (Millbrook, Oldcastle @ 6.45 pm)

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2024 Gerry Reilly Cup Semi-Finals

Kildare 0-13 Louth 0-4

Scorers for Kildare: Ollie Deller 0-3, Robbie Millham 0-3 (1f), Josh Finn 0-2 (2f), Mark Travers 0-2 Peter Murphy 0-1; Hugh Martin 0-1 (1m), Callum Keavney 0-1.

Cavan 2-10 Meath 2-4

Scorers for Cavan: Faolan Graham 1-2, Cathal Smith 0-3, John Donohoe 1-0, Nathan Quigley 0-2, Michael Smith, Cian McConnell & James Cassidy 0-1 each

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

Kildare        2024

Cavan had the strong wind advantage in the first half of the 2nd Gerry Reilly Cup Semi-Final played on Saturday afternoon (3/8/2024) in Millbrook, Oldcastle. Cavan raced into an early lead with 3 unanswered points. Meath responded with a point and a goal to take the lead in the 10th minute. It looked like that we were in for a close game, but that was not to be as Cavan dominated the play and especially in the middle of the field. Cavan led at the break by 2-6 to 1-2.

Scores in the second half were at a premium, but the result was never in doubt with Cavan’s dominance and Meath’s second goal coming well into injury time.

Cavan now play Kildare in the final, who earlier defeated Louth in the other Semi-Final.

Scorers for Cavan: Faolan Graham 1-2, Cathal Smith 0-3, John Donohoe 1-0, Nathan Quigley 0-2, Michael Smith, Cian McConnell & James Cassidy 0-1 each

Scorers for Meath: Robbie Johnson & Kian Campbell 1-0 each, Stephen Cahill 0-2, Jeff Foley & Nathan Reilly 0-1 each

Cavan: Brady Roche, Finian Smith, Lee Glennon, Matthew Duffy, Michael Smith, Harry McMullan, Dylan Brouder, Cian McConnell, Fintan Devin, Cathal Smith, Faolan Graham, Donagh Lynch, Mark Mulvey, Nathan Quigley, John Donohoe. Subs: Shane Brady for Donagh Lynch, Colin Hill for Devin, James Cassidy for Mulvey, Shay Galligan, Conor McGovern, Eoin Lynch, Callum O’Connor,Fiachra Mooney, Devihe Imade, Mark Reilly, Niall Martin

Meath: Kian Campbell, Conall O’Sullivan, Shane Bennett, Charlie O’Connor, Tadgh Foley, Eoghan McBrearty, Jake Ryan, Luke Kenny, Declan Byrne, Robbie Johnson, Cillian Murphy, Jeff Foley, Nathan Reilly, Stephen Cahill, Sean Delaney. Subs: Jack Kane, David Daly, Charlie Finnegan, Eoghan McDonald, Lewis Ryan, Cillian Burns, Charlie Gallagher, CJ Lynch

Report in the hoganstand.com

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