Flying start to the U-16 FL campaign in Millbrook

Oldcastle 3-16 St Michael’s 0-4
The under 16’s got off to a flying start in the first round of the U-16 FL Div 5 game played in Millbrook on Tuesday 27th March.
Due to holidays and injuries both sides only had 12 players available, so the game was played at 12 a side. Captain Colin Halpin won the toss and selected to play with the wind in the first half and Oldcastle hit the ground running with Pearse Sheridan opening the scoring with a point. Ross McCann fired to the net early on for the first goal of the game. St Michaels were trying hard to attack but found Conor Boylan and Mark Coyle in excellent form in the half back line. No matter where the ball landed either Conor or Mark were there. When St Michael’s did get by them Darren Kavanagh was like a wall in the full back line with nothing or no one going to get by him. Jack Murphy scored Oldcastle’s second goal of the game to leave the half time score Oldcastle 2-11 St Michaels 0-1.

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),