Super team performance brings the cup home

Lee Healy has been a whirlwind all through this campaign, and he had the perfect start this evening (3/9/2026) in the Junior All-County Football Championship, Div. 2 Final played in Paddy O’Brien Park, with a goal in the first minute, from a great pass from Keith Connell. It was a super intercept soon after by Cillian Connell that found Lee, on to Garrett O’Reilly, on via Barry Curran to Tom Lynch, back to Garrett and finally Lee for the point. The kickout became Oldcastle’s thanks to great work by Ross Cadden, on to Keith Connell and a lovely pass to Paddy Gilsenan who accelerated for goal, looking as good as he ever did back in the day for Meath, and another goal for Oldcastle! Ciaran Connell caught that kickout, on to Barry, back to Ciaran, to Garrett, and finally to Lee for yet another point. More points from Paddy and Garrett before Duleek Bellewstown finally got on the scoreboard. A Duleek kickout that seemed destined for its’ man was grabbed from the sky by Robbie Smith, accelerating at great speed and making that super catch, on to Lee and to Garrett for a point. Duleek Bellewstown finally woke up, and in the final six or seven minutes of the first half they added on five points, to leave it Oldcastle 2-05, Duleek Bellewstown 0-06 at the break.

The second-half also got underway with a Lee Healy score, a lovely point sailed over. Conor Delaney caught the kickout, on via Garrett and back to Conor, he smashed her to the back of the net for Oldcastle’s third goal! The opposition put a free wide, Rian Mulvanny’s kickout finding Darren Hawdon, having a great match, on via Conor Hetherton, to Tom Lynch and back to Darren, great football on display here, on via Ross Cadden, to Ciaran Connell and finally Lee, another goal seemed to be on the cards but just not to be, but Louis Colleran stepped up to take the ’45 and sent her over. Keith Connell was next on the scoreboard, with Paddy Rahill instrumental in the next score, moving the ball from one end of the pitch to the other before Garrett popped her over. Duleek hadn’t given up yet, and they were just millimetres away from a goal soon after, she shot right in front of goal, but just missed. Another attack soon after however, and this time they didn’t miss!

They came yet again, and once more a super shot at goal from way out, only a brilliant save from Rian Mulvanny prevented that goal, but the ball went back out and was sent over for a point. The gap was now seven points, but Oldcastle regrouped and put an end to Duleek’s resurgence, more points from Garrett, Conor, Lee and Keith, and all the while the backs were working tirelessly to prevent opposition scores. When the final whistle went, it was on a scoreline of Oldcastle 3-14, Duleek-Bellewstown 1-09, a super team performance from Oldcastle!

A huge well done to all the lads on such a great result, brilliant to have some silverware to end the year, a nice Cup to add to the U14 Div. 1 Shield from earlier in the week! And well done also to all the lads on the panel who didn’t get playing tonight due to injuries: Sean Maxwell played a huge role in the campaign but sickeningly was injured in the warm up; Ryan Kevin who tore his ACL earlier in the year, JP Purcell who came back from his ACL, then tore his hamstring, and to all the lads who took part during the year. Well done to Kyle Kavanagh who flew back from his holidays to be there tonight, and a huge thank you to Physio Clodagh for all her hard work at training and matches all year.

Thank you to Paddy Tuite, John McNamee and Ronan Flanagan for training the lads all year, and of course to Joe Sheridan. A huge thanks to all the Oldcastle folk who gave such great support all year, travelling all over the County, brilliant to have such a big turnout this evening and to have all the children also coming along and cheering on the lads!

Finally, thank you to our Main Sponsor BD Flood Ltd. Also coming on board this year as a jersey sponsor, thanks to Tommy Farrellys, and a huge thank you to Niall for all his help! Enjoy the celebrations lads, and we will go on to bigger and better next year!

Oldcastle: Rian Mulvanny, Louis Colleran (0-01), Conor Hetherton, Cillian Connell, Lee Healy (1-03), Paddy Rahill, Robbie Smith, Ross Cadden, Tom Lynch, Darren Hawdon, Garrett O’Reilly (0-05) Ciaran Connell, Paddy Gilsenan (1-02), Keith Connell (0-02, Barry Curran. Subs: Conor Delaney (1-01), Mikey Timmons, Kyle Kavanagh, Lloyd Colleran, Brian Hetherton.