Oldcastle were unlucky to leave Dunganny with just a point after a hard fought battle with Clann Na nGael. Oldcastle controlled the score board for the majority of the game by the minimal but Clann Na Gael never took the pressure off. It was Clann Na nGael who got off to the better start having converted a free and point from play within the opening minutes. Robert Farrelly hit back for Oldcastle with his first from play and Paddy Rahill was soon to follow with his, leaving the sides level after 5 minutes. Good work from Eoin McNamee proved vital as Rahill hit over his second. The sides traded scores as Clann Na nGael again hit the target, but good work by Matthew Taggart and James Tuite resulted in Alan McCann putting Oldcastle in front. Farrelly tapped over a free but this advantage was short lived as Clann na nGael converted once more. With great work from the Oldcastle forwards, McCann added another to his tally.

Oldcastle were constantly building to gain the advantage over Clann na nGael when a goal by CJ Healy came following a great run by Eoin Gilsenan, giving Oldcastle the lead they wanted. Gilsenan added a point of his own from play but their lead was reduced as Clann na nGael netted a goal of their own. Oldcastle kept the pressure on as Peter Monaghan added another which was Oldcastle’s last score of the half. Clann na nGael managed two more before the break to leave Oldcastle just 2 points clear at half time.

The second half started much the same with the sides sharing scores and leaving the minimal between them. Clann na nGael hit the target first and it was Healy who replied for Oldcastle. A goal by Eoin Gilsenan following great work by the oldcastle defence was needed as Clann na nGael had previously reduced the deficit to a single point. The oldcastle defence were under pressure and did well to hold Clann na nGael to just 2 points. Farrelly aided in Oldcastle keeping their lead as he added two more to the scoresheet. Healy converted one more and that was Oldcastle’s last score of the game with just under ten minutes to go.

It was Clann na nGael who dominated the score board from here adding 4 points from play. The game was eventually brought to a draw with under 5 minutes to go. Both teams fought in the remaining minutes to get the win, but they couldn’t be divided as the final whistle went.

Best for Oldcastle were Rory McHugh, Eoin Gilsenan and Cian McPartland.

Oldcastle: C.Curran, O.O’Reilly, M.Taggart, J.Tuite, E.McNamee, C.McPartland, E.Gilsenan (1-01), R.McHugh, Peter Monaghan (0-1), CJ.Healy (1-2), P.Rahill (0-2) R.Maguire, R.Farrelly (0-4), S.Tierney, A.McCann (0-2).
Subs: G.Reidy for R.Maguire (56minutes) C.Delaney, E.Feeney, J.Maxwell, Paddy Monaghan, P.Higgins.

Oldcastle left Castletown with another point in the bag after a great battle with St.Colmcilles. Oldcastle got off to the better start with a converted free from Conor McHugh in the second minute of the game. That was quickly followed with a point from Paddy Gilsenan after good work from Sean Maxwell, Ronan Farrelly and Colin Curran. Oldcastle were dominating the opening minutes of the game and kept their advantage with Barry Curran on form in the full back line, winning the ball and sending it up the pitch for Stephen Tierney to goal. With a 1-02 advantage after ten minutes, St.Colmcilles replied with a point of their own. Paddy Gilsenan added his second after Eoin Gilsenan made a good turn over in his own half. The next two scores came from St.Colmcilles to bring them into the game leaving just the goal between the sides. With James Tuite winning the St.Colmcilles kick out, Ronan Farrelly made no mistake as he added another for Oldcastle. The Oldcastle defence were controlling things and doing their best to prevent any St.Colmcilles player getting through.
The last two scores of the half came from a St.Colmcilles point and another McHugh free to leave 1-01 between the sides at the break.

Oldcastle opened the second half the better with Peter Monaghan adding to the score sheet. St.Colmcilles were beginning to put the pressure on and reduced Oldcastle’s lead by adding two of their own. Following a foul on Gilsenan, McHugh stepped up to put over his third of the evening. St.Colmcilles converted a free of their own but in the following stages the Oldcastle defence called the shots closing in on any goal chances. Tensions built in the last quarter with a goal by St.Colmcilles giving them the lead for the first time in the game. Oldcastle kept the pressure on and kept building to ensure they did not leave empty handed. Jason Scully was on hand to bring Oldcastle back into the game with two points following good team work.
A St.Colmcilles free was the last score of the game and ensured the teams were all square at the final whistle.

A great entertaining game with a fair result on the night. The Oldcastle side produced an overall impressive performance with best displays from Barry Curran, Peter Monaghan, Terry Farrelly, James Tuite and Jimmy Smith.

Oldcastle: S.Rahill, E.Gilsenan, B.Curran, J.Smith, J.Tuite, C.McPartland, T.Farrelly, P.Monaghan (0-1), C.McHugh(0-3), S.Tierney (1-0) , R.Farrelly (0-1), S.Maxwell, C.Curran, P.Gilsenan (0-2), J.Usher.
Subs: J.Scully (0-2) for C.Curran (HT) CJ.Healy for J.Usher( 46Minutes)M.Cadden, R.Cadden, E.Feeney, J.Maxwell, S.Feeney, J.Caffrey, M.Rudden.

Peter Monaghan’s goal was the deciding factor in the opening round of the IFC between Oldcastle and Drumbaragh in Ballinlough.

Drumbaragh opened the scoring with a point from play to take early advantage in this game. Oldcastle responded quickly with a point from Paddy Rahill after good play up the field involving Conor McHugh winning the ball at midfield and working with Eoin Gilsenan and Sean Maxwell. Rahill sent over his second score, this time from a free after a foul on Cian McPartland as he won the Drumbaragh kick out. Drumbaragh added a converted free of their own and after five minutes the sides were level with two points apiece. The next three scores came from Drumbaragh, two from frees and two from play to retain the lead as the closing stages of the first half approached. Another converted free from Rahill reduced the deficit to 0-5 to 0-3 at half time.

The second half started well with Oldcastle gaining most of the possession and keeping the ball in the Drumbaragh half, however it was Drumbaragh who again got the first score of the half. Eoin Gilsenan replied with his first of the game after working with Alan McCann and Colin Curran. The teams traded scores in this quarter of the game however and Drumbaragh did not allow Oldcastle gain the advantage. The Oldcastle defence stepped up and did all they could to slow down the Drumbaragh attack and aid their forwards in bringing the sides ever closer. Rahill’s fourth score of the game came from the work of Terry Farrelly and Eoin Gilsenan up the pitch. Drumbaragh put over another of their own from play. The next two scores came from frees, one for Oldcastle and one from Drumbaragh. Paddy Gilsenan converted his free to again try and reduce the deficit but this was short lived as Drumbaragh converted one of their own. Heading into the last quarter of the game there was still three between the sides. After a series of wides, Oldcastle then added another two, Rahill to convert his free and Alan McCann to send over one from play after good work from Barry Curran. With five minutes to go, Oldcastle were dominating but could not gain the advantage. It looked as though the game was over as Oldcastle had their chances but Oldcastle’s never say die attitude prevailed as Paddy Gilsenan sent the ball in and Monaghan caught the ball on the square and made no mistake as his finished. With the minimal left on the clock Drumbaragh worked back up the field and were awarded a free but which their goal attempt was stopped and Oldcastle claimed their opening two points with a two point advantage over Drumbaragh.

Good team effort from Oldcastle with best displays from Peter Monaghan, Paddy Rahill, Barry Curran, Eoin Gilsenan and James Tuite on the day.

Oldcastle: S.Rahill, T.Farrelly, B.Curran, E.Feeney, J.Tuite, C.McPartland, S.Maxwell, C.McHugh, E.Gilsenan (0-1), J.Shortt, S.Tierney, P.Monaghan (1-0), A.McCann(0-1), P.Gilsenan(0-1), P.Rahill(0-5).

Subs: C.Curran for J.Shortt (8Minutes) J.Smith, J.Usher, John.Smith, J.Maxwell, C. Delaney, M.Rudden, R.Cadden, M.Cadden, J.Caffrey, S.Feeney, M.Taggart.

After a good second half performance, Oldcastle overcame rivals Seneschalstown to go top of the table.

There was nothing between the sides at the break as they produced 2-05 apiece. Oldcastle proved the difference in the second half as they came out looking for the win. There was no shortage of scores in this half as Oldcastle outscored seneschalstown 2-08 to 1-05 to finish on top at the final whistle.

Best on the night for Oldcastle were Stephen Lawless, Keith Connell, Ronan Taggart, Jason Scully and Shane Quinn.

Oldcastle: K.Gibney, S.Milmoe, K.Connell, M.Flood, D.Garrigan, S.Lawless, C.McKenna, O.O’Reilly, R.Taggart, J.Disney, S.Quinn (0-4) C.Maguire, CJ.Healy (2-1), C.Delaney (0-2), J.Scully (2-6).

Oldcastle     2-19
St Patrick’s 3-6
Although a battling 60 minutes for both Oldcastle and St.Pats, it was hard to see this one slip past Oldcastle as they put in man of the match performances across the field. (MFL Div 3 Semi-Final played in Millbrook on Friday night, 15 May 2015).

Jason Scully set the bar with 1-01 after three minutes following good work from Stephen Lawless, Cian McKenna, CJ Healy and Shane Quinn. St.Pats responded with a goal and a point of their own to level the scores. Scully kept St.Pats under pressure as he added to his tally following a good run from Oran O’Reilly up the field. Conor Delaney then got his first score of the game with Keith Connell doing well in the full back line and working with Matthew Taggart. Healy was on target adding another two after great defending from Oldcastle. The next four scores also belonged to Oldcastle with Scully, Quinn and Healy again showing their accuracy. St.Pats tried to reduce the deficit adding another 1-01 after 27 Minutes. However, the last two scores before the break belonged to Oldcastle with Healy registering another and Ronan Taggart getting his first of the game and Oldcastle had the lead at half time with 1-12 to 2-03.

The Oldcastle team showed their determination as they again opened the scoring in the second half. This came from a well taken goal by Delaney after work from Scully and Jamie Disney. Dylan Garrigan was quick of the mark as he won a St.Pats free and sent the ball into Scully, which then landed in Healy’s hands to again pop over the bar. St.Pats netted for a third time 12minutes into the second half which was unfortunate for Oldcastle as Karl Gibney pulled off a save just minutes before. The sides traded scores for the next ten minutes as Oldcastle held onto the lead cancelling any St.Pats Score. The final stages of the game belonged to Oldcastle with Mossy Flood and Keith Connell proving strong in defence and the forwards providing accurate scoring as Delaney, Taggart, Scully and Cathal Maguire added to the score sheet.

With CJ Healy epitomising hard work, tenacious defence and accurate scoring and an overall great display from all 15 men, Oldcastle justifiably earn their place in the MFL final.

Oldcastle: K.Gibney, M.Flood, K.Connell, D.Garrigan, C.McKenna, O.O’Reilly, M.Taggart, R.Taggart (0-3), J.Scully(1-06), J.Disney, S.Lawless, CJ Healy (0-5), C.Maguire (0-1), C.Delaney (1-03), S.Quinn(0-1)