Unbeaten U-13’s headed for Final
A cold November rain descended on Millbrook as the Oldcastle U-13s took to the pitch on this freezing afternoon, but while the spectators grumbled the lads got on with the task in hand, which was to book a spot in the final. Rory Crawley, Tom Lynch and James Gibney had already had a busy morning, with a super rugby victory over Armagh. A great start saw Rory nab his first goal within a minute, with the speedy Shane Boylan adding on another soon after. A fine point from Paul Hennessy followed, before Jamie Pakenham, who turns 13 today and captained the team, slotted over another. Shane was being persistently fouled while running on goal, but made the opposition pay by converting his frees. Ryan Halpin’s man was constantly niggling at him, but Ryan didn’t let it phase him and got himself on the scoreboard. Defence were rock solid: Padraig Lynch, James Gibney and Jack Smith denying Ratoath even a chance of a score in the first half, to leave it Oldcastle 3-08, Ratoath 0-00 at the break.
The second-half got underway with another lovely point from Paul Hennessy, equally as good from his left and right boot, before himself and Cormac Guirke exited stage left to go play a hurling match. Rory Crawley then went on a one-man scoring spree, hammering in six goals and a point within 10 minutes, with such force that he nearly landed the poor goalie in the back of the net as he attempted to stop the ball, with Mark Cadden getting great balls in to Rory throughout. A lovely curling point from Pat Crawley was Oldcastle’s next score. A great ball from Oliver Hjert on to Padraig Lynch found Thomas Sheridan who turned and kicked over another fine point from way outfield. Ratoath had eased themselves into the game by now and were clocking up a few scores, but goalie Lee Keatinge was also working hard and made some good saves, with Lucas Skelly now in defence and also denying Ratoath chances. A Tom Lynch free and a super point from way out for Jamie Pakenham were the last scores of the game, a great win for the lads on a scoreline of Oldcastle 9-15, Ratoath 3-03.
That result sees the lads into the U-13 Autumn League Final, which is scheduled for Saturday November 23rd. Hopefully the Gilson NS will qualify for the Cumann na mBunscoil finals which are also scheduled for that day, so fixtures may change.
Oldcastle: Cormac Guirke, Padraig Lynch, James Gibney, Jack Smith, Thomas Sheridan (0-01), Oliver Hjert, Tom Lynch (0-01), Pat Crawley (0-03), Paul Hennessy (0-03), Rory Crawley (7-02), Ryan Halpin (0-01), Shane Boylan (1-03), Jamie Pakenham (1-01), Lucas Skelly, Mark Cadden, Lee Keatinge.