U-16’s lose out in the FL Semi-Final

Ratoath 3 – 18 Oldcastle 1 – 16
The under 16’s campaign came to an end at the FL Div 4 semi-final stage this evening (17 May 2016) away to Ratoath.  Oldcastle started with the wind at their backs, however it was Ratoath that opened the scoring.  Cillian Connell replied with a point on the third minute mark.
Colin Hawdon was making good runs in the full forward line and he was rewarded with a goal after 6 minutes.  Hawdon followed up with another point after good work from James McCluskey.  Charlie Lynch was unlucky as his fist just missed a high ball into the small area with the goalkeeper out of position.  Oldcastle were now taking control with Dylan Garrigan adding a brace including a free from 40 metres.
On the 13 minute Ratoath grabbed another point to leave the score Oldcastle 1-6 Ratoath 0-3. In the next 10 minutes Ratoath started in get the upper hand with the speed of both their wing forwards causing havoc for Oldcastle as well as their midfield starting to dominate.

Oldcastle’s cause wasn’t helped when Darren Connell received a black card when a free in his favour looked more likely following a clash with a Ratoath forward who appeared to be charging. Two goals which the Oldcastle defence will be disappointed that they didn’t deal with better and a number of points resulted in the home side ending the half ahead on a score of Ratoath 2-10 Oldcastle 1-10.

The rain was now falling and this resulted in the pitch becoming very slippery.  Colin Hawdon grabbed a free on the 4th minute but just as Oldcastle were hoping to get back in the game, Ratoath finished to the net for the 3rd time with 6 minutes gone.  Ratoath continued to put pressure on the Oldcastle defence and Jack McDonnell was forced into making a number of good saves.   James McCluskey was now at full forward and found himself on the end of a loose ball inside the box.  James elected to pick up the ball, when the first time shot may have been the best option and this allowed the defence to get back and deny the chance.

Oldcastle were now chasing the game and this resulted in some panic decisions and loss of possession.  Oran Mulvany then won the ball in front of goal and with the goal at his mercy his shot went over instead of under the bar.
Ratoath added another couple of points and ran out deserved winners on a score line of Ratoath 3-18 Oldcastle 1-16.

Oldcastle: Jack McDonnell Fox, Ciaran Healy, Ciaran Smith, Darren Connell, James McCluskey, Louis Colleran, Joseph Lynch, Conor Hetherton, Dylan Garrigan (0-4), Aaron Getty, Cillian Connell (0-2), Pearse Sheridan (0-2), Colin Hawdon (1-5), Charlie Lynch, Josh Halpin.
Subs: Oran Mulvany (0-2), Japhet De Souza, Cillian Hanlon (0-1). Darragh Reilly,