Oldcastle U-12’s lift the Spring League Cup again!
Oldcastle 21 St Mary’s 6
Our talented U-12 team put on a superb team performance this afternoon (29/6/2019) in Paddy O’Brien Park to take the Spring League (Roinn E) for the third year in a row! St. Mary’s Slane provided the opposition, and put up a good fight, particularly in the first half, with the score probably not doing them justice. Mark Cadden was first on the scoreboard for Oldcastle, soon followed by Pat Crawley. Jack Smith was having a great match in defence, mopping up multiple dangerous balls and getting them away, and it was a free for him, swiftly kicked on to Shane Boylan and over the bar, that provided the next score. Ryan Halpin was covering every inch of the pitch, and got a good ball in to super speedy Isabel Delaney who delivered it into the waiting hands of Lee Keatinge who swivelled, kicked and scored!
Rhys Eager was guarding his goals well, and providing accurate kick-outs. Thomas Sheridan showed his skill with a great intercept of the ball way outfield, which he clinically dispatched straight back over the bar. Mark Cadden was ruthless in front of goal, and took three unanswered scores to end the first half, with Oldcastle well ahead on 12 scores to 5.
With the resumption of the second-half, Oldcastle stamped their dominance on the game, with Pat Crawley and Ryan Halpin owning the midfield, and plenty of great balls heading to the forwards. Slane also had plenty of ball, but super defence from Oldcastle’s Padraig Lynch, Thomas Sheridan, Oliver Hjert and Jack Smith closed down their attacks. Cormac Guirke was marking his man well, with Jack Nulty bringing a blast of speed to the forwards. Alex Lynch and Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy were also covering every inch of the pitch, and the combined teamwork kept St. Mary’s to only one score in this half, while Oldcastle added on another nine, including a lovely point from a Rhys Eager kick-out to Jack Smith who travelled well upfield and tipped it in to the waiting Pat Crawley who sailed it over for the point.
The final score of the game came from the boot of Shane Boylan, as it sailed over the bar the referee blew the final whistle to great celebrations as Oldcastle won yet another U-12 Spring League!
County Juvenile Secretary Ciaran Flynn presented the Cup to Captain Pat Crawley, and it was great to see so many supporters there to cheer on the team, including many of our younger players who will hopefully be there in years to come!
Well done to everyone on the team who have worked so hard all year, and also to team-mates who were part of every win but unfortunately were away today but are still very much part of this victory: Simas Abraitis, Eoin Sheridan and Mikey Timmins.
A great display of horn-tooting and flag waving brought the town to a standstill when the team arrived back, followed by a celebration meal in Flicks Bar and Restaurant, much appreciated.
Oldcastle: Rhys Eager, Padraig Lynch, Thomas Sheridan (2), Oliver Hjert, Jack Smith, Cormac Guirke, Ryan Halpin, Pat Crawley (4), Shane Boylan (4), Isabel Delaney, Lee Keatinge (1), Tiarnan Halpin-Murphy, Jack Nulty, Mark Cadden (10), Alex Lynch.