U-14’s great second half sees off Nobber in the FL Semi-Final

Olodcastle 3-9 Nobber 3-7

The under 14’s secured a final spot with a hard earned victory over Nobber in the U-14 FL Div 6 Semi-Final played in Millbrook on Thursday evening (19 May 2016). Oldcastle were forced into a late change as half back Jack Murphy was injured in the warm up. Playing against the wind in the first half, Oldcastle had a number of chances early on but it was Nobber that opened the scoring. Oldcastle missed a couple of frees before Pearse Sheridan grabbed a goal after 5 minutes. Nobber quickly cancelled this out with a goal of their own. Oldcastle continued to fail to take their chances with a number of shots going wide or into the goalies hands. James McCluskey was operating in defence and was doing well cutting out a number of chances and was well supported by Conor Boylan and Colin Halpin.

Oldcastle failed to add to the early goal so the half time score was:  Oldcastle 1-0 Nobber 1-5.

James McCluskey won the ball at the throw in at the start of the second half and ran straight at the Nobber defence and coolly slotted over the bar. This was quickly followed by a Pearse Sheridan score. Nobber were pushing hard but Conor Smith was outstanding in the Oldcastle defence and Ross McCann was doing well in goals with a number of saves and good clearances. Oldcastle were now right back in the game and when the ball fell to Dj Monaghan after series of passes it looked like he would finished to the net but his shot was pushed over the bar by the Nobber keeper. Oldcastle won the ball from the kick out and again the ball ended but with Dj Monaghan who this time made no mistake and fired to the net. Oldcastle’s tails were now up and Pearse Sheridan added another goal. Nobber were now chasing the game and were attacking in droves. Aaron Ward was doing well in defence and the hard working JP Purcell covered every inch of the field. A loose ball in the Oldcastle defence set the defenders into a panic however as the Nobber player was about to strike to the net Colin Halpin appeared from nowhere to grab the ball. Nobber finally grabbed a goal to reduce the gap and the Oldcastle defence started to get nervous. Nobber where then awarded a free in from about 20 metres. The quick free was taken and as Nobber search for another goal a penalty was awarded by ref Seamus O’Connor. Ross McCann who had a great game in goal for Oldcastle was unable to stop the shot to the net. This left 2 points between the sides with minutes left. Nobber had one final chance from a 45’ but the shot went wide.

When ref Seamus O’Connor blew the final whistle, the lads were delighted to have a secured the final spot where they will now face Castletown. Well done to all in what was a very entertaining game of football and also it was great to see such a big crowd out supporting the lads.

The venue and date for the final will be confirmed in the coming days. As the county board are trying to juggle under 12, 14, 16 and minor games in the next two weeks to enable as many games as possible to be played in Pairc Tailteann.

Oldcastle: Ross McCann, Colin Halpin, Conor Smith, Conor Boylan, James McCluskey (0-2), Aaron Ward, Darren Connell (0-2), Mark Coyle, Ben Grey, Dj Monaghan (1-1), Jp Purcell, Pearse Sheridan (2-4), Conor Gibbons.

Subs: Haroldas Berzonskis, James Tuite, Darren Kavanagh, Sean Chatten, Matthew Cahill, Ben Curran, Jack Murphy