U-12 – Oldcastle GFC

Terrific display by the Gilson School in winning the Cup

admin — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 18:54:30 +0000

Gilson School 3-08 Kentstown NS 1-10

Cumann na nBunscoil finals are hard won, as every team and coach know. The Gilson NS have only won the competition three times before today: in 1989, 1995 and 2019. To get to today’s finals in Pairc Tailteann (19/11/2023) the lads had beaten Wilkinstown, Slane, Kentstown, and St. Annes in the group stages, and overcame Bohermeen in the Semi-Final. The excitement levels were sky-high and the pressure these young lads were putting on themselves before the throw-in was huge: this was Christmas come-early and do or die!

Oldcastle couldn’t have asked for a better start, with the powerhouse that is Charlie Crawley putting a goal to the back of the net within twelve seconds and before most people even realised the match had started! Tómas Cahill got the next ball onwards to Tadhg Sheridan and in to Ronan Fitzpatrick who took a lovely shot but was unlucky to see it come back off the post. Kentstown won the next ball and scored a nice point, adding another soon after. It was Kentstown again moments later, and this time they put the ball in the back of the net. Lots of good work from Oldcastle but also missed chances that didn’t make it onto the scoreboard, and it was Kentstown who added on the next two points to go four up. Tómas, Tadhg and Ronan worked well together getting the ball upfield before Ronan was fouled, Charlie converted.

Kentstown came back and applied lots of pressure, but Rory Kavanagh, Logan Skelly and Peter Smith worked well in defence and kept them scoreless. A Kentstown ’45 went wide, and it was Charlie Crawley who added the next point. He was unlucky with the next play straight after: a Tómas Cahill intercept moved onwards via Ronan Fitzpatrick, to Charlie, to Tadhg, to Jake Monaghan, to Oliver Monaghan and back to Charlie, but this one came back off the post. Luke Farrelly and Neitanas Majauskas were working well together at midfield and winning great balls. For all the hard work, it was Kentstown who added the next point. Tómas Cahill got the next ball upfield via Max Nulty, back to Tomas and in to Charlie who was fouled and converted. Bradley Kelleghan made a super save in goals, and with that the half-time whistle blew on a score of Oldcastle 1-03, Kentstown 1-05.

The second half started well for Oldcastle, Luke Farrelly (whose dad Ronan captained the 1989 team and uncle Terry captained the 1995 team) kicking a fine point from midfield! Kentstown converted a free to keep the gap at two. Neitanas was doing great work winning balls. Tadhg got a lovely shot on to Tómas who passed to brother Dara, he was at a bad angle but made great work to kick it out to Philip Purcell, who kicked at speed and was gutted to see what looked like a goal come off the post. Oldcastle frees were going wide and Kentstown were awarded another free to go three up: but Oldcastle never gave up! The lads regrouped: Luke Farrelly and Fionn Rahill battling hard and Rowan Smith seemingly everywhere: Ronan Fitzpatrick made great work to win the ball back, onwards to Tadhg who was swung round but won his free, Charlie converted, and added on a point from play straight after! Speedy little Dara Cahill came flying with the next ball, a super pass to the waiting Tadhg Sheridan who fired her to the back of the net! Oldcastle were back in front, and the crowd erupted! But there was plenty of time left, and Kentstown weren’t giving up! A free reduced the Oldcastle point to just one, and they came again, another free, another score! Level match! Kentstown put on serious pressure in the next five minutes, but the Oldcastle defence were rock solid, nothing was getting past these lads!

A Charlie Crawley intercept made it’s way right through the Kentstown defence and to the back of their net for Oldcastle’s next score, another goal, and this one killed off the Kentstown challenge. Jonathan White brought new energy to the team, and Tadhg Sheridan capped off a super performance with a lovely point, while plucky little Dara Cahill sailed one over too! Kentstown added on a final score, but time was up and when the referee blew his whistle it was on a final score of Oldcastle 3-08, Kentstown 1-10!
What a brilliant performance from all the team! Huge congratulations on a super year, and to each and every lad on the panel, who all contributed to todays’ win! Well done to the coaching dream-team of Seanie Geraghty, Tom Harten and our own Niall Fitzpatrick! And huge well done to everyone who came out to support the team today: Oldcastle was well represented in Pairc Tailteann, with siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents all there to cheer the lads on!

Captain Peter Smith climbed the steps to accept the cup, and lead three cheers for Kentstown, who really did put up a great performance today. It was heartbreaking to see the pain and loss for their players today, but no doubt they will win many cups in the future. Thanks to Kentstown for a great match and a super final.

Charlie Crawley was awarded the Man of the Match award, justly deserved for a powerhouse of a player! Huge performance from him today, and from so many other of the lads, well done to you all!
A very loud journey home over the mountain with the Cup, on McNamee’s big bus and in to Caffreys for chicken and chips and tales of victory capped off a perfect win!

Gilson School:: Bradley Kelleghan, Rory Kavanagh, Peter Smith (Captain), Logan Skelly, Rowan Smith, Luke Farrelly (0-01), Max Nulty, Neitanas Majuskas, Ronan Fitzpatrick, Philip Purcell, Tomás Cahill, Tadhg Sheridan (1-01), Jake Monaghan, Charlie Crawley (2-05), Oliver Monaghan. Subs: Dara Cahill (0-01),Fionn Rahill, Jonathan White. Panel: Leighton Cullen, Danielius Simkus, Jayden Akande, Majus Bendaravicius, Felikss Karlsons, Jack Fitzpatrick, Daragh Masterson, Harvey Daly, Charlie McGovern, Domhnall Smith, Maddox Tuite, Nathan Reilly, Rory Martin, Tom Smith, Tarak El Seidy.

Another U-12 Title comes over the mountain!

admin — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 22:10:02 +0000

Oldcastle 21 Curraha 12

Those 28 years without an Oldcastle U-12 victory are certainly being made up for now, with the 2017, 2018 and now 2019 Spring AND Summer League honours coming over the mountain! Oldcastle took on Curraha on the opposition’s home ground this afternoon, and the first-half was a hard-fought and tight affair, with the score at the break Oldcastle 7, Curraha 5.

Oldcastle kicked on in the second half, with every player on the pitch giving their all, and they were soon dominating the match, with the resultant final score of Oldcastle 21, Curraha 12.

Team Captain Thomas Sheridan was presented with the Summer League plaque by Juvenile County Chairman Ciaran Benville, and gave a great acceptance speech.

Thanks to Curraha who provided lovely refreshments after the match. The team later rolled into Oldcastle with a great beeping of horns and waving of flags, and demolished a feast of chicken n’chips in Flicks, a just reward for a job well done!

Oldcastle: Rhys Eager, Simas Abraitis, Cormac Guirke (1), Eoin Sheridan, Thomas Sheridan (4), Jack Smith, Ryan Halpin (1), Pat Crawley (5), Mikey Timmins, Shane Boylan (5), Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy, Mark Cadden (4), Lee Keatinge, Jack Nulty (1), Alex Lynch.

U-12 Summer League Fixtures Roinn C – Group 2

admin — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 18:45:20 +0000

Round 1:
Saturday 6th July at 2pm
Clann na nGael v Oldcastle (Athboy)

Round 2:
Saturday 13th July at noon.
Oldcastle v Round Towers (Millbrook)

Round 3:
Saturday 20th July at 2pm.
Blackhall Gaels v Oldcastle (Kilcloon)

Four groups of three teams in a Division

Top team in each group play another top team in Semi-Finals.

Oldcastle U-12’s lift the Spring League Cup again!

admin — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 18:02:45 +0000

Oldcastle 21 St Mary’s 6

Our talented U-12 team put on a superb team performance this afternoon (29/6/2019) in Paddy O’Brien Park to take the Spring League (Roinn E) for the third year in a row! St. Mary’s Slane provided the opposition, and put up a good fight, particularly in the first half, with the score probably not doing them justice. Mark Cadden was first on the scoreboard for Oldcastle, soon followed by Pat Crawley. Jack Smith was having a great match in defence, mopping up multiple dangerous balls and getting them away, and it was a free for him, swiftly kicked on to Shane Boylan and over the bar, that provided the next score. Ryan Halpin was covering every inch of the pitch, and got a good ball in to super speedy Isabel Delaney who delivered it into the waiting hands of Lee Keatinge who swivelled, kicked and scored!

Rhys Eager was guarding his goals well, and providing accurate kick-outs. Thomas Sheridan showed his skill with a great intercept of the ball way outfield, which he clinically dispatched straight back over the bar. Mark Cadden was ruthless in front of goal, and took three unanswered scores to end the first half, with Oldcastle well ahead on 12 scores to 5.

With the resumption of the second-half, Oldcastle stamped their dominance on the game, with Pat Crawley and Ryan Halpin owning the midfield, and plenty of great balls heading to the forwards. Slane also had plenty of ball, but super defence from Oldcastle’s Padraig Lynch, Thomas Sheridan, Oliver Hjert and Jack Smith closed down their attacks. Cormac Guirke was marking his man well, with Jack Nulty bringing a blast of speed to the forwards. Alex Lynch and Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy were also covering every inch of the pitch, and the combined teamwork kept St. Mary’s to only one score in this half, while Oldcastle added on another nine, including a lovely point from a Rhys Eager kick-out to Jack Smith who travelled well upfield and tipped it in to the waiting Pat Crawley who sailed it over for the point.

The final score of the game came from the boot of Shane Boylan, as it sailed over the bar the referee blew the final whistle to great celebrations as Oldcastle won yet another U-12 Spring League!

County Juvenile Secretary Ciaran Flynn presented the Cup to Captain Pat Crawley, and it was great to see so many supporters there to cheer on the team, including many of our younger players who will hopefully be there in years to come!

Well done to everyone on the team who have worked so hard all year, and also to team-mates who were part of every win but unfortunately were away today but are still very much part of this victory: Simas Abraitis, Eoin Sheridan and Mikey Timmins.

A great display of horn-tooting and flag waving brought the town to a standstill when the team arrived back, followed by a celebration meal in Flicks Bar and Restaurant, much appreciated.

Oldcastle: Rhys Eager, Padraig Lynch, Thomas Sheridan (2), Oliver Hjert, Jack Smith, Cormac Guirke, Ryan Halpin, Pat Crawley (4), Shane Boylan (4), Isabel Delaney, Lee Keatinge (1), Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy, Jack Nulty, Mark Cadden (10), Alex Lynch.

U-12’s cruise into Final

admin — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 17:42:08 +0000

Oldcastle’s U-12 team made sure of their place in the Spring League final with a comprehensive win over Drumcondrath/Meath Hill in Millbrook this morning (22 June 2019). The prolific Pat Crawley took the first two scores for Oldcastle, before a nice Ollie Hjert pass found the waiting Jack Smith, who moved the ball upfield at speed before passing to Lee Keatinge, who tipped it in to the well positioned Ryan Halpin for a score. From the kick-out Jack Smith again got the ball, moving it on to Eoin Sheridan who won a ’45, which found it’s way to Thomas Sheridan, who blasted right through the D/MH defence and kicked a lovely score. Team Captain Shane Boylan also had his scoring boots on and took six in the first half. Cormac Guirke was in goals this first half while not overly busy thanks to the super defence, made some nice saves. Simas Abraitis was also having a great match, and a lovely catch from him fed on to Thomas Sheridan, then Isabel Delaney, back to Thomas and on to Ollie Hjert who put it between the bars for another. Mark Cadden added two to leave the half time score Oldcastle 15, D/MH 1.

The second half saw Oldcastle up the ante, with the opposition taking their frustration out on them. Thomas Sheridan was in the wars, being targeted with heavy hits from all sides, but his two frees both resulted in scores. Padraig Lynch was rock solid in defence, while Rhys Eager now took over goal-keeping duties and provided some great kick-outs. The introduction of Jack Nulty, Alex Lynch and Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy brought a new energy to the forward line, and resulted in yet more scores, while Mikey Timmons wore down his man and covered every inch of the pitch. D/MH added a few scores near the end, but by that stage it was way out of reach for them, with the final score Oldcastle 28, D/MH 4. The Drumcondrath players are taking to the pitch at Croke Park at half-time tomorrow however, so their spirits were still high with the anticipation of that in mind, while the Oldcastle team were delighted with the thoughts of yet another U-12 Spring League Final in store, and the hopes of making it three-in-a-row!

St. Mary’s Slane will be the opposition in the final which will take place at 12.30pm next Saturday 29^th, venue to be confirmed.

Oldcastle: Cormac Guirke, Padraig Lynch, Thomas Sheridan (2), Shane Boylan (Captain, 7), Jack Smith, Simas Abraitis, Ryan Halpin (3), Pat Crawley (9), Rhys Eager, Eoin Sheridan, Mark Cadden (3), Alex Lynch, Jack Nulty, Lee Keatinge, Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy (3), Isabel Delaney, Oliver Hjert (1), Mikey Timmons.

Another fine win for the U-12’s

admin — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 20:29:55 +0000

Oldcastle 18 Drumconrath/Meath Hill 9
Pat Crawley had a cracker of a match this afternoon(25/4/2019) in Meath Hill, taking six of Oldcastle’s nine first-half scores. Ryan Halpin and Oliver Hjert also got on the scoreboard in the opening half, against Drumconrath/Meath Hill. The opposition could only field nine players, with the result that the Oldcastle players were rotated in and out. It did no harm to the game plan however, with the half-time score Oldcastle 9, Drum/Meath Hill 3.
Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy made his mark on the scoreboard at the start of the second half, with Thomas Sheridan, Mikey Timmons and Jack Smith also registering fine scores. Guarding the goals at the far end, Rhys Eager was again impressive, while Simas Abraitis, Padraig Lynch and Eoin Sheridan played a great defensive game. Jack Nulty and Alex Lynch brought great speed along the wings, while Isabel Delaney and Cormac Guirke got some great balls in to the forwards throughout, not easy in the extremely blustery conditions. The full time score was Oldcastle 18, Drum/Meath Hill 9. That makes it four wins out of four plus a Walkover in this Spring League to date, and leaves Oldcastle top of the group!

The next fixture is against Rathkenny – currently in 2nd position in the group – on Saturday 1st June.

Oldcastle: Rhys Eager, Simas Abraitis, Thomas Sheridan (2), Padraig Lynch, Jack Smith (1), Pat Crawley (7), Eoin Sheridan, Ryan Halpin (4), Oliver Hjert (1), Mikey Timmons (2), Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy (1), Jack Nulty, Alex Lynch, Isabel Delaney, Cormac Guirke.

Three wins from three for U-12’s

admin — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 21:31:07 +0000

Oldcastle 19, St. Mary’s 6
Our U-12 team continued their winning ways this Bank Holiday Monday, making it three wins out of three in the Spring League. St. Mary’s provided the opposition today, in a match played in perfect conditions at Millbrook. This Oldcastle team have really gelled together, with every player giving their all, and the combination of skill and teamwork leading to a polished performance. St. Mary’s were determined however, and made multiple attempts to score throughout, but goalie Rhys Eager was in super form and made many excellent saves, with some great defending on display also. At half-time it was Oldcastle 10, St. Mary’s 4, and with no let-up in the second-half, the lads (and lassie!) made sure of the win.

Oldcastle: Rhys Eager, Simas Abraitis, Oliver Hjert, Mikey Timmons, Thomas Sheridan, Jack Smith, Pat Crawley (5), Ryan Halpin (2), Cormac Guirke, Shane Boylan (5), Eoin Sheridan (2), Jack Nulty (1), Isabel Delaney (3), Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy (1).

U-12 Spring League off to good start

admin — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 22:00:52 +0000

Oldcastle 17, Curraha 5
The new Oldcastle U-12’s of 2019 underwent a baptism of extreme weather conditions as they got the Spring League underway in Gilson Park yesterday morning (10/03/2019). Blue skies and sunshine gave way to a biting cold wind and sleet as referee Gerry Skelly threw in the ball. Oldcastle thankfully had the wind advantage in the first half and used it well; with accurately-aimed balls in to the full and half-forward lines resulting in plenty of scores. Pat Crawley took the first, with Mark Cadden pouncing on a rebound minutes later for the second. Pat Crawley took control of midfield, and a ball from him upfield by way of Eoin Sheridan made its’ way to Shane Boylan for the third score. Oldcastle were by far the stronger team, and once they eased into the game they scored at will: a good Ryan Halpin intercept of a Curraha kick-out was fired straight back over for a lovely score, while Mikey Timmons was always dangerous on the wing and also got on the scoreboard. Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy’s workrate was super, while Sean Garrigan, Isabel Delaney and Alex Lynch brought a burst of speed when needed. Rhys Eager was vigilant in goals while Thomas Sheridan, Ollie Hjert, Simas Abraitis, Padraig Lynch and Jack Smith were rock-solid in defence: and kept Curraha scoreless throughout the first half, with the score Oldcastle 15, Curraha 0.

The second-half got underway but conditions deteriorated even further and the match had to be stopped for a period while a full-scale blizzard barrelled through Gilson Park. Play resumed however, Curraha now had the wind advantage and notched up a few scores. Pat Crawley and Lee Keatinge managed to score against the wind.

A fantastic result and a great start to the Spring League sets the team up nicely for the next match against St. Vincents on Thursday 28th March in Ardcath.

Rhys Eager, Simas Abraitis, Padraig Lynch, Oliver Hjert, Thomas Sheridan, Jack Smith, Pat Crawley (5), Ryan Halpin (2), Eoin Sheridan, Shane Boylan (4), Mikey Timmons (1), Mark Cadden (4), Tiernan Halpin-Murphy, Sean Garrigan, Alex Lynch, Isobel Delaney, Lee Keatinge (1).

Opening game of the FL for the U-12’s on Sunday, 10 March

admin — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 18:34:28 +0000

U-12 Spring Football League -Division E

Rd.1
Sunday, 10 March
Oldcastle v Curraha (Millbrook @ 10.00 am)

Rd.2
Thursday, 28 March
St. Vincent’s v Oldcastle (Masterson Park, Ardcath @ 7.00 pm)

Rd.3
Saturday, 13 April
Oldcastle v Kilbride (Millbrook @ 2.00 pm)

Rd.4
Saturday 27 April
Oldcastle a BYE

Rd.5
Saturday 18 May
Rathkenny v Oldcastle (Rathkenny @ 2.00 pm)

Rd.6
Saturday 1 June
Oldcastle v Walterstown (Millbrook @ 2pm)

Rd.7
Saturday 15 June
St.Mary’s v Oldcastle (Donore @ 2.00 pm)

Saturday 22nd June at 2pm. Semi-Finals:
2nd Place v 3rd Place, 1st Place v 4th Place.

Saturday 29th June at 2pm. Final:
Winner of Semi-Final v Winner of Semi-Final.

U-12 Summer League success

admin — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 22:09:16 +0000

Oldcastle 25 Dunshaughlin 3

Dunshaughlin made the trip down to Millbrook today (7 July 2018) to take on our U-12’s in the first Summer league fixture (Div C Group 1). It was somewhat of a wasted journey for them however, as Oldcastle dominated the match from start to finish. With some fine football on display, plus a great distribution of scores from the players.

Next game: St. Patrick’s v Oldcastle on Saturday next, 14th July in Stamullen at 2pm

Oldcastle: Adam Smith (1), Thomas Sheridan, James Gibney, Pat Crawley, Paul Hennessy (3), Rory Crawley (3), Jack Smith (3), Ryan Halpin (3), Lucas Skelly (3), Tom Lynch (2), Mark Cadden (4), Padraig Lynch, Ben Sorohan (1), Rhys Walsh (3).