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MFC Div 2 Semi-Finals
Kilary Emmets 2-12 Oldcastle 2-7 (27 September in Dunganny 1)
Trim 3-12 Gaeil Colmcille 0-13 (25 September in Dunganny)

The Oldcastle minors put on a dazzling display of firepower in the second round of the LM/FM Championship (Div 2) in Millbrook this evening (28/8/2023). Na Fianna were a big, strong looking team, and it was they who started the better, with three points to Oldcastle’s one after five minutes. Ryan Halpin had gotten Oldcastle off the mark with a free, and added another when Rory Crawley was pulled down. Paul Hennessey was in possession of the next ball, on to Tom Lynch, Pat Crawley, to Nathan Gibney, on via Jamie Pakenham, to Ivan Smyth and finally back to Paul who sailed her over to level it. Ryan Halpin added on a fine point from play; Na Fianna came back with one of their own, but that was to be the last time they were in contention.

A Thomas Sheridan ball was moved on to Ryan Halpin at speed, back to Thomas and then to the flying Pat Crawley who fisted it to the back of the net. Nathan Gibney extended the lead, and Pat added another point, Na Fianna then added one of their own. An Oldcastle sideline ball found Pat Crawley, on to Nathan, back to Pat and in to Ivan Smyth who fisted it over the net – unlucky not to get a goal indeed, but taking the point. Oldcastle were really getting into their stride now, and could do no wrong, the next score a superbly kicked point from Ryan Halpin at speed. Good work from Fergal Flynn got the next ball to Pat Crawley for a point, with Ryan adding on another free before the half-time whistle blew, with the teams at Oldcastle 1-10, Na Fianna 0-06.

The second half was totally one-sided, Oldcastle dominating all over the pitch. A beautiful point from Rory Collins got things underway, Ivan Smyth and Paul Hennessey adding points of their own. Na Fianna attacked but the Rory Collins intercept was fed on to Rory Crawley, to Paul Hennessey, on to Pat Crawley, to Ivan, on to Nathan, back to Pat Crawley who was travelling downfield all the while, on to Ryan Halpin and back to the same Pat Crawley who fired her over the bar. A Fergal Flynn intercept on the next attack found Jamie Pakenham, to Thomas Sheridan, to Ivan and finally to Paul Hennessey for yet another score. Cillian Fanning’s kickouts were long and accurate, with James Gibney, Padraig Lynch and Tommy Russell rock solid in defence, while Thomas Sheridan was defence, midfield and forward all in one! Another point from Rory Collins; the resultant kickout was brought down by Ivan Smyth, he caught, turned and fired her straight back over the bar. That was followed by a fantastic point from Paul Hennessey, impossibly high and accurate, sailed over the town-end bar. Na Fianna finally got a scoring chance and went for goal, but Cillian Fanning was ready and saved. The resultant ’45 went over for their first score of the half. They added another soon after, but Oldcastle got back to business, Paul firing over another point, followed by a goal from the speedy Shane Boylan. Good work from Matt Lynch and Conor Russell secured the ball, upfield by way of Tadgh Coyle, to Riain Burke, back to Tadgh, to Fergal Flynn to Paul Hennessey and finally to Rory Collins, a super point, followed by another, to leave the final score Oldcastle 3-21, Na Fianna 0-08. An absolute masterclass in football from the lads tonight, super scoring and play, and a great display from every lad on the pitch.

The third-round match sees the lads play Walterstown on Saturday 16th at Millbrook.

Oldcastle: Cillian Fanning, Padraig Lynch, Thomas Sheridan, Tommy Russell, Rory Collins (0-04), Fergal Flynn, Rory Crawley, Tom Lynch, James Gibney, Ivan Smyth (0-03), Paul Hennessey (1-05), Jamie Pakenham, Nathan Gibney (0-01), Ryan Halpin (0-05), Pat Crawley (1-03). Subs: Shane Boylan (1-00), Tadgh Coyle, Riain Burke, Matt Lynch, Conor Russell.

Round 2
St. Michaels v Oldcastle (Wednesday 16th August at 7pm in Carlanstown)

Round 3
Oldcastle v Killary Emmets (Wednesday 30th August at 6.45pm in Millbrook)

Round 4
Drumbaragh/Kilmainham/Nobber v Oldcastle (Sunday 10th September at 11am in Drumbaragh)

Round 5
Oldcastle v Carnaross (Sunday 24th September in Millbrook)

Round 6
Drumconrath/Meath Hill v Oldcastle (Sunday 1st October at 11am in Drumconrath)

Round 7
Oldcastle v Wolfe Tones (Sunday 15th October at 11am in Millbrook)

Round 2: Oldcastle v Trim (Monday 15th May at 7pm in Millbrook)

Round 3: Simonstown v Oldcastle (Monday 22nd May at 7pm in SImonstown)

Round 4: Oldcastle v Walterstown (Monday 3rd July at 7pm in Millbrook)

Round 5: Killary Emmets v Oldcastle (Monday 10th July at 7pm in Castletown)

Round 6: Oldcastle v Summerhill (Monday 17th July at 7pm in Millbrook)

Round 7: Dunderry v Oldcastle (Monday 24th July at 7pm in Dunderry)

Semi-Final (Monday, 24 April)
St Patrick’s v Oldcastle (Stamullen @ 7.00pm)

On a roll now, a superb high intercept from midfielder Jack Smith got the ball on to Ivan Smyth, who did great work to get her to the waiting Pat Crawley for another point. Walterstown came again, but came up against Thomas Sheridan who sent the ball back in the right direction, to Cormac Guirke then Shane Boylan who put her between the posts. With that, the half-time whistle blew, on a score of Oldcastle 1-08 Walterstown 0-06.
Walterstown started the second half in the worst possible way: with a missed free. It was Oldcastle who took the first score, and what a score: a perfect Thomas Sheridan intercept, passed to Cormac and straight back to Thomas who was now in position to blast her to the back of the net! Walterstown were awarded another free but once again it went wide.

Great work from Jack Smith was awarded a free, Pat Crawley stepped up to take it, for once it went wide, but the resulting kickout was took down by none other than Pat Crawley who sailed her straight back over the bar! Walterstown came at Oldcastle then with attack after attack: Padraig Lynch and Eoin Sheridan doing great work in defence. Another attack: this time the pressure was from Ollie Hjert and Rhys Walsh kept them out. With their next effort they got a free and converted, doing the same again a minute later. But it was too little too late: Oldcastle’s dominance in the first half paid off, and the final whistle blew on a score of Oldcastle 2-09, Walterstown 1-08.

Huge congratulation to this super panel of players who put everything into it this year, and to coaches Paddy Gilsenan, John Caffrey, Mattie Cadden and Aengus Fanning. What a super way to end the season, the final Oldcastle GFC match of the year! Well done lads!

Minor County Secretary Brian Kelly presented the Cup to Joint Captains Ryan Halpin and Jack Smith, to great celebrations from all the team! Well done to you all, and a speedy recovery to Ivan Smyth. You left nothing behind ye on that pitch tonight lads!

Oldcastle: Cillian Fanning, Padraig Lynch, Simas Abraitis, Riain Burke, Eoin Sheridan, Thomas Sheridan (1-00), Sean Garrigan, Ryan Halpin (0-01), Jack Smith, Shane Boylan (0-02), Pat Crawley (1-06), Ivan Smyth, Mikey Timmins, Cormac Guirke, Conor Russell. Subs: Tiernan Murphy, Rhys Walsh, Alex Lynch, Ollie Hjert, Michael O’Dowd.

Hard luck to our younger minor team who lost out in the Division 6 league final this evening (17/11/2022). Delayed since the summer, the final was played in a very cold and foggy Simonstown.

A big, strong physical St. Colmcille’s team provided the opposition. Oldcastle missed some good chances and had some shots go wide, but Paul Hennessy was on target with 1-03 to his name. Unfortunately St. Colmcille’s were the stronger team on the night, but well done to the lads who battled to the end and never gave up.

Thanks to the coaches Rupie Pakenham, Sean Maxwell and Darren Gibney for their work with the team.

Oldcastle: Cillian Fanning, Riain Burke, Jack Smith, Padraig Lynch, Ivan Smyth, Philip Carroll, Tommy Russell, Ryan Halpin, Paul Hennessy, Jamie Pakenham, Cormac Guirke, Rory Collins, Tadgh Coyle, RIan Mulvanny, Nathan Gibney. Subs: Sean Garrigan, Eoin Sheridan.

Our U15s met St. Colmcille’s in the Division 2 Semi-Final in the Gilson Park this afternoon (13/11/2022), and put on a great display of football in front of a big home crowd to take the win. Oldcastle were first on the scoreboard, a nice Ryan Halpin pass finding Mikey Timmins who fired her over the bar. Good work from Padraig Lynch secured the next ball, onwards to Thomas Sheridan, on to Pat Crawley, moved upfield by Ivan Smyth and back to Thomas who sent her over for the second point. A Cormac Guirke free soon after was converted by Pat, before the opposition got their first score. St. Colmcille’s won the kickout, but Shane Boylan won the ball back for Oldcastle, getting it on to Thomas, he sent her to Pat Crawley who was looking dangerous, and who finished the move with the ball in the back of the net! Oldcastle were dominating the game, Eoin Sheridan mopping up numerous balls, Simas Abraitis super in defence, and Ryan Halpin and Jack Smith running the midfield. St, Colmcille’s kept battling but the Oldcastle defence kept them out, and when they missed a ’45, Cillian Fanning sent it back out to Jack Smith, to Thomas Sheridan, on via the speedy Shane Boylan, to Ryan Halpin, Sean Garrigan, to Cormac Guirke, back to Ryan and to Shane who was upended. Pat Crawley stepped up to take the free, and lobbed her nicely to the waiting Ryan Halpin who fisted it to the back of the net again, and to leave the half-time score at Oldcastle 2-04, St. Colmcille’s 0-03.

The opposition would have been hoping for assistance in the second half from the stiff breeze, but Oldcastle kept the pressure up with the impressive Pat Crawley converting a Cormac Guirke free for the first score. Colmcilles put on a spurt, taking three points without reply. Good work from Riain Burke got the ball upfield, eventually coming to Pat Crawley, he was fouled, and once again sent the free into the Colmcilles’ net! A couple more frees were added on to the Oldcastle score by the time the final whistle went, on a scoreline of Oldcastle 3-07, St. Colmcilles 0-08.

That sees the lads into the final against Walterstown, fixture to be confirmed.

Oldcastle: Cillian Fanning, Padraig Lynch, Simas Abraitis, Riain Burke, Eoin Sheridan, Thomas Sheridan (0-01), Sean Garrigan, Ryan Halpin (1-00), Jack Smith, Shane Boylan, Pat Crawley (2-05), Ivan Smyth, Mikey Timmins (0-01), Cormac Guirke, Conor Russell. Subs: Tiarnan Murphy, Rhys Walsh, Alex Lynch, Ollie Hjert, Michael O’Dowd.

Our U15s recorded another good win in their Football Championship in Millbrook this morning (04/09/2022). The first half was a tight affair, with Oldcastle leading by just two points at the break. Ten minutes into the second half and the opposition had drawn ahead. However, the lads rallied and fired in a few goals to go ahead, never looking back from there.

Oldcastle: Riain Burke, Eoin Sheridan, Simas Abraitis, Padraig Lynch, Cillian Fanning, Thomas Sheridan, Ollie Hjert, Jack Smith, Ryan Halpin (1-01), Shane Boylan (2-02), Cormac Guirke, Ivan Smyth (1-00), Rhys Walsh, Pat Crawley (1-05), Conor Russell. Subs: Mikey Timmons, Sean Garrigan (0-01), Tiarnan Murphy, Alex Lynch.

Oldcastle: Eoin Sheridan, Riain Burke, Cillian Fanning, Padraig Lynch, Ivan Smyth (0-01), Ryan Halpin (0-02), Sean Garrigan, Thomas Sheridan, Jack Smith, Shane Boylan (0-03), Cormac Guirke, Rhys Walsh, Mikey Timmons, Pat Crawley (2-05), Tiarnan Murphy, Ollie Hjert, Michael Dowd, Conor Russell.

O’Reilly & Co. Solicitors U-15 Football Championship Division 2

• St. Colmcille’s 0-4 v 2-11 Dunshaughlin GAA
• Gaeil Colmcille 3-7 v 2-12 Oldcastle
• Bective 1-10 v 1-9 Walterstown
• Bhulf Tón Clg 2-4 v 8-7 Skryne
• Skryne3-4 v 3-6 St. Colmcille’s
• Oldcastle2-22 v 3-9 Bective
• Dunshaughlin GAA 5-20 v 1-8 Gaeil Colmcille
• Walterstown 6-6 v 3-8 Bhulf Tón Clg