Our U-16’s played their final Spring League match against table-toppers Moynalvey/Boardsmill this evening (9 May 2019) in Boardsmill, and a most entertaining match it was. The evening was fine and sunny as the match began, on what must be the most wonky pitch in Ireland, only rivalled by being edged by the most crooked sidelines. The opposition were a big strong panel compared to our 13, but Oldcastle matched them in passion and skill in the first half, with some great play from Brian Hetherton, Conor Boylan and Jack Murphy in particular, but with everyone giving their all. The score at half-time was Oldcastle 2-04, Moynalvey/Boardsmill 2-05, and maybe a few more should have been added to the Oldcastle score but for a wonky-eyed umpire!

A couple of minutes in the second half where the lads were caught napping saw Moynalvey/Boardsmill smash in three goals in five minutes, to give them an insurmountable lead. Despite that Oldcastle goalie Eoin Muldoon had a great match; with the opposition going for goals every time they got close he made multiple superb saves. As the heavens opened the team battled right to the end in what was a good match: they always looked dangerous going forward, but ultimately Moynalvey/Boardsmill had too big a lead to overcome.

That’s the end of the U-16’s now ‘til the Summer League at the end of June, with Minors also back around the same time to keep the lads busy.

Get well soon to James Tuite who was missed this evening, and best of luck to those doing the Junior Cert – time to get the books out now!

Oldcastle: Eoin Muldoon, Conor Boylan, Lloyd Colleran, Ciaran Connell, Tomas Kizelis, Matthew Cahill, Jack Murphy, Kane Cullen, Brian Hetheron (2-05), Ryan Kevin (2-03), J.P. Purcell, Ross McCann, Padraig Brady (0-01).

Round 2
Tuesday, 9 April
Duleek-Bellewstown v Oldcastle (Duleek @ 6.45 pm)

Round 3
Tuesday, 6 April
Oldcastle v St. Vincent’s/Curraha (Millbrook @ 6.45 pm)

Round 4: BYE

Round 5
Tuesday, 13 April
Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Oldcastle (Ashbourne @ 7.00 pm)

Round 6
Friday, 3 May
Oldcastle v Gaeil Colmcilles B (Millbrook @ 7.00 pm)

Round 7
Tuesday, 7 May
Moynalvey/Boardsmill v Oldcastle (Moynalvey @ 7.00 pm)

Rd.2 (Tuesday,3 July 2018)
Oldcastle v St Michael’s/Nobber (Millbrook @ 7.30 pm)

Rd.3 (Tuesday,10 July 2018)
Bective/Dunsany v Oldcastle (Bective @ 7.30 pm)

Rd.4 (Tuesday,17 July 2018)
Oldcastle a bye

Rd.5 (Tuesday,24 July 2018)
Oldcastle v Na Fianna (Millbrook @ 7.30 pm)

The dressing before the match was more like a hospital ward with a number of players carrying injuries and 5 lads having played in a school blitz earlier in the day. Conor Boylan was worse for wear with an ankle injury and the hard decision was made not to start him. This was a huge blow as he was one of the leading players in the group stages.

Pearse Sheridan opened the scoring with a well taken score. Moments later Pearse played a long ball into the full forward line. The ball hopped and with the sun in their eyes everyone misjudged it at the ball went over the bar. Simonstown replied with 2 pointed frees and this was quickly followed by a goal. Little did we know that this would turn out to be that last time Oldcastle had the lead. One goal was hard to take, but Simonstown hit the net for a second time 2 minutes later. Ryan Kevin and James McCluskey added a point each before Pearse Sheridan found the back of the Simonstown net.
Jack Murphy was putting in a serious shift and a run from inside his own half opened up the Simonstown defence. Jack coolly converted to reduce the gap. Simonstown added another couple of scores before Darren Connell, who had covered every inch of the pitch converted for the final score of the first half to leave the score Oldcastle 1-7 Simonstown 2-5.

Simonstown had a dream start to the second half with a goal in the first couple of minutes. This was followed by a point before Pearse Sheridan grabbed a goal. Simonstown converted another chance before grabbing their 4th goal of the game. Dj Monaghan gathered the ball at the edge of the big square and fired it to the top corner of the net to reduce the gap. The game was now on with both sides pushing hard. The sides traded points with Jack Murphy, Pearse Sheridan and Darren Connell scoring for Oldcastle but it wasn’t to be and Simonstown held on on a score line of Oldcastle 3-10 Simonstown 4-9. This was a great team effort from all and the lads will bounce back for the next competition.

Oldcastle: Ross McCann, Lloyd Colleran, Colin Halpin, Brian Hetherton, Jack Murphy (0-2), Conor Smith, Dj Monaghan (1-0), Darren Connell (0-2), Mark Coyle, Ryan Kevin (0-1), Pearse Sheridan (2-4), Matthew Cahill, Darren Kavanagh, James McCluskey (0-1), James Tuite. Subs Conor Boylan, Sean Chatten, Jp Purcell

The rain stopped and the sun came out as the second half started similar to the first with the visitors opening the scoring and controlling the game. They say you need a bit of luck to win a tight game and that came Oldcastle’s way when a long range effort from Pearse Sheridan dropped short and into the net to put Oldcastle ahead for the first time in the game. Moynalvey/Boardsmill were now pushing for scores, but Brian Hetherton, Jack Murphy and Colin Halpin were giving nothing away. Darren Connell added a point for Oldcastle following a break from defence by Dj Monaghan and Mark Coyle. The visitors thought that they were back in the game when they were awarded a penalty with about 5 minutes to go. For the second game in a row Ross McCann saved a penalty much to the relief of this teammates. Some good inter play from James Tuite and Matthew Cahill resulted in a free been awarded along the side line approx. 30 meters out which Pearse Sheridan converted for yet another point. With 3 points in the difference the visitors were pushing for a goal. They finally broke through the last line of defence but Colin Halpin had a “Sean Cavanagh” moment as he took a black card for the team to prevent a goal, but the resulting free went over the bar. Pearse Sheridan added a point before Darren Connell scored the final point of the game to seal victory in what was a very exciting game of football play.

Oldcastle: Ross McCann, Mark Coyle, Colin Halpin, Brian Hetherton, Jack Murphy, Conor Boylan, Dj Monaghan, Darren Connell (0-3), Conor Smith, Matthew Cahill, Lloyd Colleran (0-1), James Tuite, Darren Kavanagh, Pearse Sheridan (1-10), Ryan Kevin
Sub: JP Purcell

Oldcastle: Ross McCann, Colin Halpin, Darren Kavanagh, Conor Boylan, Darren Connell (0-7), Dj Monaghan (0-3), James McCluskey (0-2), James Tuite, Conor Smith (0-3), Jack Murphy, Matthew Cahill, Mark Coyle,

The next round was due to be against Clann na nGael this Thursday, however the Athboy side have withdrawn from the competition. This means that the last round of group games will be need to decide the semi final pairings.

Although St Michael’s now had the wind at their advantage the half time score was always going to be an up hill battle. DJ Monaghan finished to the net with 5 minutes on the clock and then took his place in the Oldcastle goals as Matthew Cahill was deployed at full forward. Conor Smith was now at midfield and James McCluskey had a spell at full back. St Michael’s were forced down to 11 due to injury and Oldcastle withdrew Pearse Sheridan under fairplay guidelines. If the storms over the winter didn’t test the Millbrook goal post James Tuite did as his powerful shot came back off the post as the busy corner forward tried to get on the scoring board. Mark Coyle was now playing in a more advanced role and made numerous runs into the St Michael’s defence setting up a number of chances for others and getting on the scoreboard himself. Matthew Cahill was busy looking for the ball and his work was rewarded with 2 points in the closing stages. Credit must go to St Michael’s who despite the score line tried hard and never gave up and contributed to a great free flowing game where there was not a bad tackle made.

Oldcastle: Matthew Cahill (0-2), Colin Halpin, Darren Kavanagh, Conor Boylan, Conor Smith, Mark Coyle (0-1), James McCluskey(0-5), Jack Murphy(1-1), Dj Monaghan (1-1), Ross McCann(1-1), James Tuite Pearse Sheridan (0-5),

Rd.2 (Tuesday, 3 April 2018)
Gaeil Colmcille v St Michael’s
Clann na nGael v Oldcastle (Athboy)
Simonstown B v Nobber

Rd.3 (Tuesday, 10 April)
St Michael’s v Oldcastle (Carlanstown)
Simonstown B v Clann na nGael
Gaeil Colmcille v Nobber

Rd.4 (Tuesday, 17 April)
Nobber v St Michael’s
Clann na nGael v Gaeil Colmcille
Oldcastle v Simonstown B (Millbrook)

Rd.5 (Tuesday, 24 April)
Gaeil Colmcille v Simonstown B
Oldcastle v Nobber (Millbrook)
St Michael’s v Clann na nGael
(1st named team has home venue)

The old saying “Goals win games” was never as true as in Dunganny on Tuesday evening, 08th August, when Oldcastle missed out on silverware in the U-16 Summer Football League Final against Na Fianna.

After a tense opening couple of minutes it was Na Fianna that opened the scoring. Oran Mulvanny was doing well for Oldcastle and was winning a lot of ball around the middle of the park and James McCluskey’s direct running was causing havoc for the Na Fianna defence. This set up Oldcastle to take a grip on the game and score 4 unanswered points from Colin Hawdon (45”), James McCluskey (2) and Oran Mulvany. Oldcastle also hit what would turn out to be a number of costly wides and also seen a number of goal chances go a begging. The sides swapped scores before Na Fianna grabbed the first goal of the game. Oldcastle replied with another 45” from Colin Hawdon but Na Fianna hit a purple patch as the half came to a close and hit the net twice to leave the half time score Oldcastle 0-9 Na Fianna 3-5.

Oldcastle knew they had work to do and that everyone was going to have to up the work rate to get back into the game. Colin Halpin was doing very well in defence cutting out a number of Na Fianna attacks. Oran Mulvanny converted the first score of the half for Oldcastle but Na Fianna finished to the net for the 4th time. Just as the game looked to be gone out of Oldcastle’s reach Colin Hawdon slotted home to give hope to the north Meath men.

As the time ticked away Oldcastle pushed hard for an all important goal, however it was not to come and Na Fianna took the honours in what was a very sporting and entertaining game on a score line of Oldcastle 1-13 Na Fianna 4-11

Oldcastle: Jack McDonnell Fox, Ciaran Healy, Louis Colleran, Colin Halpin, Conor Smith, Darren Connell, Joe Lynch, Conor Hetherton, James McCluskey (0-2) Charlie Lynch, Pearse Sheridan, Cillian Hanlon, Colin Hawdon (1-5), Cillian Connell (0-3), Oran Mulvany (0-3), Darragh Reilly, Dj Monaghan, Aaron Getty, Jack Murphy, Mark Coyle.

Ref:  Martin Dawson (St Michaels)

Oldcastle secured a final spot in the U-16 Summer FL (Group D) with a comprehensive victory over St Marys\Slane on Tuesday evening (1 August 2017) in Millbrook.

Pearse Sheridan opened the scoring for the home side and Louis Colleran made his way up from full back to add another point. On the 7th minute Darren Connell made a great run forward and played an excellent ball into Colin Hawdon who finished to the net. James McCluskey was doing well in midfield and Darren Connell and Louis Colleran looked to attack from the back at every opportunity. Oldcastle added further points and could have scored a number of goals only for the crossbar and posts and the visiting keeper making a few saves. The second goal finally arrived from Conor Hetherton and then Cillian Connell (2 frees) and Colin Hawdon finished the first half scoring to leave the scores Oldcastle 2-12 St Marys/Slane 0-3.

Dj Monaghan opened the second half scoring with a well taken point after some great team work. Colin Hawdon added 0-3 and Pearse Sheridan and Oran Mulvanny added 1 each before Conor Hetherton found the net for his 2nd of the night from long range. The second half seen the wood work been tested again with the cross bar and the up rights combining to deny Oldcastle more scores by the thickness of the paintwork. Conor Smith was now in defence and was showing some good form and cut out a number of chances. The visitors grabbed a deserved goal mid way through the half. Oldcastle used the unlimited subs role to the limit in order to give everyone as much game time as possible and this included a number of positional switches. One of those switches seen Colin Halpin play in the full forward line and when his chance did arrive he made no mistake and finished to the net for the 4th goal. Jack Murphy made a great run at the visitor’s defence but was fouled just before he got his shot away. Jack settled himself and converted the resulting free kick. Louis Colleran finished the score with his second point of the night to set up a final date with Na Fianna in Dunganny on Tuesady next, 8 August @ 8.00 pm,  who overcame St Oliver’s in the other semi final.

Oldcastle: Jack McDonnell Fox, Ciaran Healy, Louis Colleran(0-2), Colin Halpin(1-0), Darragh Reilly, Darren Connell (0-1), Joe Lynch, Conor Hetherton (2-1), James McCluskey, Conor Smith, Pearse Sheridan (0-5), Cillain Hanlon, Colin Hawdon (1-4), Cillian Connell (0-4), Oran Mulvanny (0-4)
Subs Dj: Monaghan (0-1), Mark Coyle, Jack Murphy (0-1), Charlie Lynch