Fantastic win for the Minors in the MFC Semi-Final
Oldcastle 2-13 Na Fianna 0-14
A terrific second half performance from Oldcastle allowed them to defeat Na Fianna and earn their place in the MFC Division 2 final.
It was Na Fianna who opened the scoring in Cortown (Friday, 9 Oct.2015) with a converted 45. However with Karl Gibney on top form in goals, pulling off a great save in the opening minutes this was their only score before Robbie Smith hit back for Oldcastle.
The next score came from Kyle Kavanagh following a good ball in from Robbie Smith on the 40. It was all to play for in the next period of the game, with Jason Scully sending over two for Oldcastle and Na Fianna adding another four to their tally to leave just the minimal between the sides twenty minutes into the first half.
The Oldcastle defence were under pressure as the last ten minutes of the half belonged to Na Fianna, converting four more to Oldcastle’s one as Kavanagh was on target again. The break came just in time for Oldcastle as Na Fianna were dominating and four points ahead going into the second half.
H/T: Na Fianna 0-9 Oldcastle 0-5
Oldcastle came out in the second half ready to make their mark and turn this game around. Oldcastle dictated from the throw in with Shane Quinn sending over his first of the game to reduce the deficit. Robbie Smith showed true form when he netted for Oldcastle in the early stages of the second half to bring the game to a draw.
Oldcastle were on target twice more with both Conor Delaney and Jason Scully adding to the score sheet before Na Fianna could retaliate. Oldcastle had the momentum in the third quarter and ensured the win didn’t slip away from them with Stephen Lawless proving strong in defence and aiding in Oldcastle’s four point advantage entering the last quarter of the game with CJ Healy converting three and Jason Scully adding another.
Na Fianna hit another over from play, however a converted CJ Healy penalty gave Oldcaste the lead they wanted going into the closing stages of the game.
Na Fianna sent over one more before the final whistle, but it was Jason Scully who closed the game to give Oldcastle a seven point advantage as the game concluded and earn Oldcastle their place in the final.
An impressive team display in the second half claimed this win for Oldcastle.
Oldcastle: K.Gibney, M.Flood, M.Taggart, D.Garrigan, C.McKenna, K.Connell, S.Lawless, J.Scully (0-5), O.O’Reilly, R.Smith (1-1), C.Delaney (0-1), R.Taggart, K.Kavanagh (0-2), CJ Healy (1-4), S.Quinn (0-1).
Subs: S.Milmoe, L.Healy, J.Disney.
They now play either Jenkistown Gaels or St Oliver’s in the MFC Final on Saturday, 31 October in Pairc Tailteann
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Na Fianna report (hoganstand.com/meath):
Na Fianna: 0-13
Oldcastle: 2-14
Na Fianna and Oldcastle went into battle for the third time this year and in the end it was the North Meath side who claimed their second win of this trilogy in this MFC semi-final played in Cortown on Friday night. With Na Fianna winning in Oldcastle in the league, an excellent Oldcastle side have defeated Na Fianna in the MFL Div 3 final and this MFC semi final game.
Na Fianna were outstanding in the first half, with U15 County players Shane Walsh and Kean Flynn leading the line. Walsh was dominant at full forward, winning almost every ball, feeding the incoming Flynn at every opportunity and kicking three points.
Ethan Devine opened Na Fianna’s account with a converted 45’, which was followed by two Oldcastle points. Walsh then pointed his first score before narrowly missing a goal chance when cutting through the opposition defence. A fine effort from Jack McNally and two more points from Walsh put Na Fianna 0-5 to 0-3 up. Oldcastle went up the field and hit a point before Cian Slattery cut in from the left and pointed from close range with his midfield partner Ethan Devine following up with a point. Mark Slevin closed Na Fianna’s first half tally with two fine points to give his side a 0-9 to 0-5 lead at half time.
Oldcastle took complete control in the second half, making a dream start with a point and a goal within the first two minutes to rock Na Fianna. The North Meath side raised the intensity to levels that a young Na Fianna side could not match and they took over in all areas of the field. Oldcastle had registered 1-03 without reply before Shane Walsh added his fourth point after eight minutes.
Sean Martin followed up with a point to put the sides level but Oldcastle hit back with four points in a row. Daniel Devine surged forward from centre back and kicked a tremendous point to keep Na Fianna in touch but this was undone in the twentieth minute by Oldcastle’s second goal. Ethan Devine kicked another 45’ but again Oldcastle replied with two points to finish comfortably ahead at the end of a frenetic second half.
Na Fianna gave their all on the night and had particularly good performances from Sean Rafferty, Ethan Devine, Cian Slattery, Shane Walsh, Kean Flynn and Mark Slevin. With only two starting players overage for next year’s Minor Championship, Na Fianna have a lot to look forward to with the U17 FL starting next week also.
Na Fianna: Connor Heffernan, Sean Coffey, Ciaran Holton, Sean Rafferty, Ronan Byrne, Daniel Devine (0-1), Owen McDonnell, Cian Slattery (0-1), Ethan Devine (0-3,2 45’), Sean Martin (0-1), Peter Slevin, Jack McNally (0-1), Kean Flynn, Shane Walsh (0-4), Mark Slevin (0-2).
Subs: Will Flynn for Slattery, Noel O Sullivan for McNally.