U-15’s stormed to victory in the final
Oldcastle 2-13 Blackhall Gaels 1-8
Following on from success in both Minor and under 17 in recent weeks, it was the turn of the under 15’s to try and get yet another cup over the Mountain. The lads made no mistake as they overcame a strong Blackhall Gaels side in the U-15 FL Div 7 Final played in Dungany on Sunday morning (19 Nov.2017).
Oldcastle had a dream start when a long range Pearse Sheridan effort dropped short and under the crossbar and into the back of the net with only 2 minutes on the clock. Blackhall replied instantly within a minute. As Blackhall’s forwards started making in roads into the Oldcastle defence, Darren Kavanagh thought he was playing with the oval ball and he was lucky to escape a black card, however the resulting free was converted. Darren Connell picked up a yellow card for a hard tackle on a Blackhall Gaels forward and yet again the free was converted.
Both sides were trying hard to make a break, but the defences were standing solid and it wasn’t until the 13th minute that Pearse Sheridan added to Oldcastle’s score. Conor Smith, who was playing his first coming back after injury, was winning a lot of ball and along with Jack Murphy were creating a lot of space in the forwards which resulted in scores from Sheridan and Mark Coyle.
Blackhall had a great goal opportunity in the 21st minute, but Ross McCann pulled off a great save and the ball flew into the air and over the bar. Colin Halpin was outstanding in the full back line and intercepted a number of attacks as was Darren Connell who was tearing forward at every opportunity. James McCluskey got his first score of the game on the 26th minute and within 2 minutes he had his second as he fired to the net to leave the half time score Oldcastle 2-6 Blackhall Gaels 0-5
Pearse Sheridan opened the second half scoring with a point. James McCluskey nearly added to his tally but his shot ricochet off the crossbar. Colin Halpin won the ball in the backs and after a one, two with Jack Murphy, the ball was laid off the Conor Smith who slotted the ball over the black spot.
Blackhall Gaels were having to work hard for every score as Conor Boylan and Lloyd Colleran were not giving an inch. Dj Monaghan won the ball from a kick out and played in Mark Coyle who made no mistake and put the ball straight over the black spot. Oldcastle lost Darren Connell to a second yellow card which appeared to be a case of mistaken identity as the foul was actually committed by another Oldcastle player. The 14 men of Oldcastle had not time to regroup before Blackhall Gaels had the ball in the net on the 23rd minute.
The pressure was now on as Blackhall tried to grab another goal. Ross McCann was having none of it in the Oldcastle goals and made a great save as well as been very confident under the dropping ball. Pearse Sheridan added another score for Oldcastle and from the resulting goal kick the Oldcastle forwards put the pressure on and they pinned Blackhall back into their own half to stop any more attacks.
As the ref blew the final whistle Oldcastle celebrated a great victory. Man of the Match, Colin “I can’t wear Gloves” Halpin, was outstanding at full back as was Ross McCann in the goals while Conor Smith and Jack Murphy also had great games in the forwards. This was the final game of a very long year for these lads and victory was just reward for their hard work along the way.
Captain, Pearse Sheridan, accepted the trophy on behalf of the team from Minor County Board Chairperson, John Kavanagh & Pat O’Reilly (Sponsor – O’Reilly & Co. Solicitors).
Oldcastle: Ross McCann, Darren Kavanagh, Colin Halpin, Brian Hetherton, Conor Boylan, Darren Connell, Lloyd Colleran, Pearse Sheridan (1-8), James McCluskey (1-1), Dj Monaghan, Conor Smith (0-1), Mark Coyle (0-2), Matthew Cahill, Jack Murphy (0-1), Ryan Kevin.
Subs: James Tuite, Jp Purcell, Kane Cullen, Sean Chatten, Eoin Muldoon
Report later