Oldcastle 4-10 Skryne 3-07

A super team performance from the Oldcastle U15s in Simonstown saw them lift the U15 Division 2 Cup at the expense of old foes Skryne! on Friday evening(19/7/2024). Oldcastle were playing against a stiff breeze, and the opposition had the perfect start, with a goal within a minute, but that was to be the last time they held the lead. A Skryne kickout was secured by Jack Hand, on to Alex Smith, to Eoin Smyth and safely delivered into Mark Halpin’s hands, and dispatched to the back of the net! Game levelled, Oldcastle kicked on with a fine point from Alex Smith. A good intercept from Jack Hand soon after found Eoin Smyth, on to Jack Pakenham, to Callum Keaginge then Alex Smith, back to Eoin then to Alex once more, to Kyle McEnroe, back to Jack, to Alex again, to Eoin O’Connell, on via Zach Smyth who made a great pass to the instigator of the whole movement, Captain Jack Hand, who buried her in the back of the net! A point from Kyle followed, before Skryne finally got another point. They followed that with a couple of wides, but then sent another two over, before Oldcastle got motoring again with an Alex Smith point.

Skyrne looked dangerous near the Oldcastle goals but Hayden Cullen came to the rescue to a super clearance kick which sent the ball back to midfield. Another point and more wides from Skryne, before a great clearance from Eoin Burns made its’ way upfield via numerous players before Eoin Smyth fired her between the posts. It was Charlie Crawley, an U13 player playing a whole age group up, who took the final score of the half, a lovely point to leave it Oldcastle 2-05, Skryne 1-04 at the break.

The second-half got underway with a foul on Callum Keatinge, which Mark Halpin converted, Skryne doing the same minutes later. Skryne took the fight to Oldcastle then, and a great shot on goal was saved by Hayden Cullen, but they got to the rebound and buried her to the net, and straight away were in for another goal, but another super save from Hayden saved Oldcastle’s bacon! They converted the ’45 though, to level the match again, 2-06 apiece. Oldcastle regrouped, held the heads and pushed on: Callum Keatinge was fouled again; Mark Halpin converted. Eoin O’Connell made a great catch straight after and was fouled, Mark converted. An Eoin Smyth intercept was fed on to Jack Pakenham, making great runs, to Jack Hand, playing out of his skin, to Callum Keatinge, to Mark, back to Jack and finally to Charlie Crawley who put her over the bar!

The kickout from that point was brought down by Mark Halpin, on to Eoin O’Connell, he was fouled and Mark converted, four points up now and cruising, before Eoin O’Connell turned over a Skryne attack and got the ball on to Jack Pakenham, he got her in to Charlie Crawley and Charlie planted her in the back of the net! A goal in an U15 Division 2 final for Charlie, good man! Skryne paid the price for their fouling soon after, with a red card, and Oldcastle kept the pressure up, a Jack Hand clearance finding its’ way to the other end of the pitch and on the end of Callum Keatinges’ boot before finding herself in the back of the Skryne net once more, Oldcastle’s fourth goal and the game out of reach now!

Skryne to the credit never gave up, a period of sustained pressure ensued, but the Oldcastle defence were rock solid: TJ Masterson, Paul Lynch and Jack Tynan clearing attack after attack to keep them out. John Smith, Lee Garrigan and Aaron Sheridan came on and kept the Oldcastle ranks fighting in the last quarter, while Enda Fanning came on as goalie and made another few good saves, before the ultimate goalie’s nightmare of a penalty in the dying minutes! Skyrne scored but no matter, the lads were out of sight, and when the final whistle blew it was on a super Oldcastle victory of 4-10 to 3-07, a great result to cap a great run throughout this league.

Well done to all the lads and to coaches Enda Smyth, Ollie Fitzpatrick, Enda Garrigan and Brendan Halpin, and enjoy those pizzas in Ciara’s Candy!

Oldcastle: Hayden Cullen, TJ Masterson, Paul Lynch, Jack Tynan, Charlie Crawley (1-02), Jack Pakenham, Zach Smyth, Eoin Smyth (0-01), Eoin O’Connell, Alex Smith (0-02), Callum Keatinge (1-00), Eoin Burns, Jack Hand (Captain, 1-00), Kyle McEnroe (0-01), Mark Halpin (1-04). Subs: Enda Fanning, Aaron Sheridan, Lee Garrigan, John Smith, Eanna Sheridan, Rian Healy, Charlie Clogher, Donnacha Smith, Rory Tynan, Eimhin Kellett, Dylan Gorman.

Round 1: Oldcastle 5-8 St. Pat’s 2-10 (Stamullen on Wednesday 10th April)

Round 2: Oldcastle v Na Fianna in Millbrook on Wednesday 24th April at 6.45pm

Round 3: Oldcastle v Skryne in Milbrook on Wednesday 8th May at 7pm

Round 4: Wolfe Tones v Oldcastle in Kilberry on Wednesday 22nd May at 7pm

Round 5: Oldcastle v Trim in Millbrook on Monday 27th May at 7pm

Round 6: Summerhill v Oldcastle in Summerhill on Wednesday 5th June at 7pm

Round 7: Oldcastle v Dunshaughlin in Millbrook on Wednesday 19th June at 7pm

Semi-Finals: 3rd July 1st place v 4th place, 2nd place v 3rd place.

U15 Football League Premier 2

Round 1: Oldcastle v Dunboyne in Millbrook on Wednesday 10th April at 6.45pm

Round 2: BYE

Round 3: Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Oldcastle in Ashbourne on Wednesday 8th May at 7pm

Round 4: Oldcastle v Simonstown in Millbrook on Wednesday 22nd May at 7pm

Round 5: Dunderry v Oldcastle in Dunderry on Monday 27th May at 7pm

Round 6: Oldcastle v St. Colmcilles in Millbrook on Wednesday 5th June at 7pm

Round 7: Trim v Oldcastle in Trim on Wednesday 19th June at 7pm

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)

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.

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

The next score was the result of good work from Ivan Smyth, a ball to the forwards was just wide but the resultant 45 was sailed over by Paul again. Trim then added another point of their own, but James Gibney was in great form in midfield, getting most of the balls for Oldcastle. Good defence from Jack Smith got another ball in the right direction, upfield by way of Pat Crawley and Shane Boylan, he got it in to Ivan Smyth who lobbed her into the goalmouth: Nathan Gibney struck her goalward but the goalie got to her, but came back out to Cormac Guirke, who despite being on the ground managed to fire her to the back of the net for a super goal!

The next play saw Rory Crawley once again fouled, Paul Hennessy converting, the following saw Nathan Gibney fouled, Paul converting. Trim attacked again but super defence from Fergal Flynn repelled them. He then ran the length of the pitch with the ball, a great run that saw him get it to the waiting Nathan who gave a lovely pass to Cormac Guirke, he put her between the posts for the next point. Trim came again, and once more Fergal Flynn defended well, deflecting a certain goal, and sending the ball back upfield again. The final score of the first half was from a free to Nathan Gibney, Paul Hennessy once more converting to leave it Oldcastle 1-07, Trim 0-03 at the break.

Trim must have had a super half-time talk, as they came out to shock and awe. Four unanswered points were fired over, one after another, with the ball not evening getting into the other half of the field for the first seven or eight minutes. With only Oldcastle’s goal now separating the teams, Rory Crawley went for goal and was unlucky not to score. However the kickout found Tom Lynch who got the ball on to Fergal Flynn who found Ryan Halpin, he passed to a flying Pat Crawley who dodged and dived his way forward and smashed the ball in the back of the Trim net for Oldcastle’s second goal, extending the lead to six points. That however, was to be the last Oldcastle score,

Trim came back with a point, followed soon after by a goal. They then found their stride, dominating play, and Oldcastle dealt the blow of a black card. With the rain continuing to pelt sideways and the temperatures subzero, Trim saw out the match the better, with the final score Oldcastle 2-07, Trim 1-14.

What a year this team have had however. From starting in Division 3 in the summer league, they dominated it and went on to win. They have now had a super run in the Division 2 Championship, literally only a few kicks of the ball off the winners. A great team performance all year, and testament to all the hard work from this great bunch of players. Well done to all of you, and to coaches Paddy Gilsenan, Lorcan Fox and John Caffrey, and best wishes to all the lads heading up to U17s next year!

Oldcastle: Cillian Fanning, Pauric Lynch, Fergal Flynn, Thomas Sheridan, Ryan Halpin, Tom Lynch, Jack Smith, James Gibney, Pat Crawley (1-01), Shane Boylan, Rory Crawley, Ivan Smyth, Paul Hennessy (0-04), Nathan Gibney (0-01) Cormac Guirke (1-01). Subs: Riain Burke, Simas Abraitis.

Walterstown started the best, with a goal and point on the board in the opening minutes. Cillian Fanning’s kickout then found Rory Crawley, who got it onwards to Nathan Gibney, on via Ivan Smyth then back to Nathan, who buried her in the back of the net. That got the Oldcastle heads screwed on again and was followed soon after by a nice point from Pat Crawley, and a goal from Paul Hennessy. Further points from Pat, Ivan and Rory before the break saw the half-time score of Oldcastle 3-04, Walterstown 1-04.

Walterstown put two points over on the resumption, but any hope of a comeback was dashed when Ryan Halpin got the next ball on to Jamie Pakenham, he passed her on to Rory and in to Paul Hennessy who once again found the back of the net. The Oldcastle goalfest kept going with another from Rory minutes later.

The Oldcastle defence were working hard all the while, some great clearances and tackles all round, denying the opposition chances. Walterstown kept trying but just couldn’t get back in the game, with the Oldcastle lads securing their place in the final against Trim on a scoreline of Oldcastle 5-08, Walterstown 1-08.

Oldcastle: Cillian Fanning, Padraig Lynch, Fergal Flynn, Thomas Sheridan, Ryan Halpin, Tom Lynch, Jack Smith, James Gibney, Pat Crawley (0-03), Shane Boylan (0-01), Rory Crawley (2-03), Ivan Smyth (0-01), Paul Hennessy (2-00), Nathan Gibney (1-00), Jamie Pakenham, Riain Burke