U-17’s see off St Michael’s/Nobber to book their place in the final

Oldcastle 2-12 St Michael’s/Nobber 2-10

Oldcastle secured a final spot with a victory over St Michael’s/Nobber in very close game. Oldcastle won the ball at the throw in and a long ball into full forward Colin Hawdon set panic into the St Michael’s/Nobber defence, but his left foot shot was saved by the visiting goalie. St Michael’s/Nobber broke up the field and opened the scoring which was cancelled out on the 3rd minute by a Colin Hawdon point.

St Michael’s/Nobber hit a purple patch and on the 6th minute grabbed the first goal of the game. This was followed by another point before they netted yet again on the 10th minute to leave the score Oldcastle 0-1 St Michael’s/Nobber 2-3. Amazingly this would turn out to be the last score from play for the visitors. Oldcastle were now under pressure, but Pearse Sheridan settled the nerves with a well taken point. St Michael’s/Nobber had a chance of a score, but the ball in dropped short and was taken by goalie Jack McDonnell Fox who calmly fed the ball forward to Oran Mulvanny and then to Colin Hawdon who converted. James McCluskey won the ball on the left wing and after some good play the ball found it’s way to Pearse Sheridan who’s shoot dipped at the last minute and dropped under the bar and into the back of the net on the 17th minute.

Oldcastle could really have taken control however a number a chances including 2 goal opportunities went a begging. St Michael’s/Nobber replied with 3 pointed frees compared to a single Oldcastle effort from Cillian Connell.

The final 5 minutes of the half seen the game turned on its head with James McCluskey grabbing Oldcastle’s 2nd goal. Cillian Connell, Colin Hawdon and Oran Mulvanny added a point each as the home side hit the front for the first time. Cillian Connell struck again in the final minute to leave the half time scores Oldcastle 2-08 St Michael’s/Nobber 2-06.

The second half was a nervous affair with both sides looking for the lucky break but afraid of giving away a crucial score. Josh Halpin got on the score board with a well worked point on the 3rd minute but the visitors replied with yet another pointed free. Some great tackling from Colin Halpin and Darren Connell stopped an attack and the ball broke to Dylan Garrigan who raced forward and converted the chance. James McCluskey won the ball in the full forward line but his left foot shot was saved by the St M\N goalie but the ball ricocheted over the bar. St Michael’s/Nobber added two more pointed frees before Colin Hawdon added a point after cutting in from the right wing. As the time ticked away St Michael’s/Nobber were awarded a free about 25 metres from goal. Having already pointed 7 frees in a row you would have expected this one to be also converted, but the ball was struck wide to leave the final score Oldcastle 2-12 St Michael’s/Nobber 2-10.

Oldcastle will now face Duleek/Bellewstown in the final next Thursday (9 November 2017) in Dunganny @ 7.30 pm.

Oldcastle: Jack McDonnell Fox, Ciaran Smith, Louis Colleran, Darren Connell, Colin Halpin, Conor Hetherton, Ciaran Healy, Dylan Garrigan (0-1), Oran Mulvanny (0-1), Cillian Connell (0-3), Pearse Sheridan (1-1), James McCluskey (1-1), Charlie Lynch, Colin Hawdon (0-4), Josh Halpin(0-1)
Subs: Darragh Reilly for Ciaran Smith, Cillian Hanlon for Charlie Lynch, DJ Monaghan for Colin Halpin