U-12’s lose out to Rathkenny in the Summer FL Final
Rathkenny 0-14 Oldcastle 0-10
What a performance!! The way the lads played tonight (12th August 2015) U-12 Final in Pairc Tailteann was a credit to them and their never say die attitude showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with going forward.
Played in a sunny Pairc Tailteann the game started with Rathkenny registering the first score and they looked well on top in the first few moments. Ross McCann registered Oldcastle’s first score and this was followed by a pointed free by Conor Gibbons. Ben Grey and Nicole Smith were working hard around the midfield as was Jack Murphy in the half back line. JP Purcell was winning a lot of ball in the full back line and cut out a number of chances. Ryan Kevin grabbed Oldcastle final score of the first half to leave the half time score Oldcastle 3 Rathkenny 8.
Naturally the score line was a hard blow at half time but this was not going to stop Oldcastle from giving Rathkenny a run for their money. Leah Delaney grabbed the first score of the second half as Oldcastle upped the tempo. Ben Grey added 2 points and was starting to get on top in midfield and this seemed to give the whole team a lift. Rathkenny must have thought that Oldcastle built a wall at half time as Sean Chatten, Conor Boylan and goalie Darren Kavanagh stopped everything that came their way. Nicole Smith added another point to close the gap in what was turning out to be a very entertaining game. Oldcastle now had Rathkenny under pressure and the difference was down to 2. Rathkenny pushed hard and a number of chances were well blocked by the hard working Oldcastle team. With backs to the wall everyone was digging deep knowing that the clock was ticking down but the game was still in the melting pot. A Rathkenny attempt drop short and started pin balling around the goal mouth. Bodies were jumping in all directions trying to gain possession but somehow the ball ended up in the Oldcastle net. This was a heart breaker for the Oldcastle lads and give Rathkenny the confidence to convert the next chance to extend the lead to 4 points. When Ref Stephen O’Hare blew the final whistle Rathkenny celebrated a well earned victory, but the Oldcastle lads although disappointed could hold their heads knowing that they had given it their all and helping to make this one of the best games played in Pairc Tailteann this year.
This group of players have been unbelievable this year. Despite been under pressure for most of the year and results not going their way they never stopped. Having lost the league game against Rathkenny by 16 points no one could blame them if they had dropped their heads when the going got tough, but that was never going to happen as the whole squad gave 110% and more when needed and did themselves and the club proud and it was great that all 20 players got to experience playing in Pairc Tailteann..
Success at underage is not always about winning it’s about progressing and improving along the way. Keep up the good work lads your day will come.
A special word to Nicole Smith and Leah Delaney, despite only be 12 they will be too old to play with the boys going forward. Best wishes girls in the future with the Ladies section of the club
The Oldcastle Squad: Darren Kavanagh, Sean Chatten, JP Purcell, Connor Boylan, Jake Murphy, Lloyd Colleran, Ben Grey, Nicole Smith, Ryan Kevin, Ross McCann, Brian Hetherton, Conor Gibbons, Eoin Muldoon, Fionn McCabe, James Tuite, Ronan Halpin, Leah Delaney, Rian Mulvany, Ciaran Connell, Ava Eager.
