U-14’s go down fighting with their heads held high in the Cup Final

Moynalvey/Boardsmill 7-03 Oldcastle 3-07

The result did not go Oldcastle’s way in the U-14 Div 6 Cup Final, played on a wet and miserable evening (28 August 2017) in Dunganny, but this team of lads have much to be proud of. Moynalvey/Boardsmill took the opening point, but Oldcastle played it cool and a period of great play involving half the team resulted in a cracker of a goal from Jack Murphy.

A nice point from J.P. Purcell was the next score. The resulting kick-out from the M/B keeper travelled about 30 yards into the waiting arms of Lloyd Colleran who dummied his marker beautifully, turned and kicked the ball straight back over for a lovely point, and a four point lead. M/B upped the ante and a couple of points followed by a goal saw them one ahead again. Oldcastle responded with scores from the accurate Eoin Smith, Ross McCann and Lloyd to pull ahead, but two quick goals just before the whistle blew saw the opposition lead at the break, Oldcastle 1-05, Moynalvey/Boardsmill 3-03.
Oldcastle came out fighting in the second half, with some great defensive work from Brian Hetherton, Rory Crawley and Fionn McCabe holding the opposition. Lloyd added another point for Oldcastle. Ryan Kevin then made a great interception, moved quickly upfield by the speedy Conor Boylan to Rian Mulvanny who was unlucky to rattle the crossbar, but the ball came back to Paul Hennessy who powered it into the back of the net. Darren Kavanagh, James Tuite and Ben Curran were working hard all the while.

It was all level once more at 2-06 to 3-03, but M/B then got a penalty which put them ahead again. Ross responded with a well taken point, but two more quick goals from the opposition saw them stretch their lead. A nice J.P. cross in to Ryan Kevin led to a lovely goal, but M/B were awarded another penalty as the clock ticked down, to leave it Oldcastle 3-07, Moynalvey/Boardsmill 7-03 when the final whistle sounded, on what was a much tighter match than the score-line indicates.

Fair play to this great bunch of lads, who fought to the bitter end and never gave up the fight against a big and strong team, including our younger lads such as Fionn, Cormac and Kane who more than held their own. Best wishes to Rory Crawley for a speedy recovery from an injury in the match.

That’s the end of the U-14 journey for many of them, and best of luck to you at U-15 level.

Oldcastle: Matthew Cahill, Darren Kavanagh, Brian Hetherton, Cormac O’Connell, Fionn McCabe, Kane Cullen, Lloyd Colleran (0-03), Conor Boylan, Ben Curran, J.P. Purcell (0-01), Ross McCann (0-02), Jack Murphy (1-00), Ryan Kevin (1-00), Eoin Smith (0-01), Rian Mulvanny, Paul Hennessy (1-00), Rory Crawley, James Tuite, Eoin Muldoon.

Coaches: Brendan Halpin, Packie Purcell, Darren Cullen.