North Meath Gaels 1-15
Oldcastle 0-9

North Meath qualified for the Division 5 Final of the Minor League after a very good display with victory over a resolute Oldcastle side that battled right to the end.

Central to the victory was fine displays from Conor Marry, Colm McEvoy, Tomas Conlon, Ryan Owens, Shane McCabe and Daniel Byrne.

Oldcastle opened the scoring with Ronan Maguire showing plenty of skill throughout the game but the play of Ryan Owens at midfield for North Meath kept the home side in touch as Oldcastle looked lively and he along with Tomas Conlon took control around the middle and two points from Owens had the game level after 10 minutes. Padraig Carolan and Shane McCabe edged North Meath ahead as Sean Maxwell pointed for Oldcastle as the 1st quarter end 0-4 to 0-3 for North Meath.

A good 2nd quarter display laid the foundations for victory as McCabe pointed a free and this was added to by points from play from Daniel Byrne, Tomas Conlon and McCabe again. Oldcastle ended the half with a point to leave just 4 points in it 0-8 to 0-4.

Byrne was causing problems and had a good chance saved but Dominic Yorke in the North Meath goals also showed good reflexes with 2 fine stops.

Byrne was fouled early in the 2nd half and McCabe pointed the resultant free and then on 35 minutes some nice inter changes seen Byrne with a one on one with the Oldcastle goalkeeper and he made no mistake from close range.

Both sides gave an exhibition in tackling with Oldcastle proving very strong in the tackle but the North Meath defense also showed that they too could excel in that facet of the game.

Daniel Byrne pointed again from play and Oldcastle proved they would not lie down and pointed 3 times in a row to narrow the gap to 5 points. McCabe showed good skill to point despite being surrounded and when Conor Kiernan drove a 45 high and straight into the far goals this gave the combination side a great lift.

Oldcastle resorted to fouling and McCabe punished them with a well struck free off the ground and when another dropped short Kiernan reacted quickly to pop another point. Conlon displayed some great high fielding as Oldcastle began to look for the goal they needed but with Eddie Cassidy, James Mooney, Martin Meegan and Conor O'Halloran defending well they did force two 45's. The pressure resulted in two further points from play but North Meath ended the scoring when Conlon capped a fine display with a neat point.

Seven different scorers helped North Meath to prove best on the pristine Meath Hill pitch on a bright May Friday evening as Meath Minor Board look to the immortal words of the Late Great Paddy O'Brien to "claim back Friday Nights for Minor Football"

North Meath Gaels; Dominic Yorke; Edward Cassidy, Conor Marry; Colm McEvoy, Conor O'Halloran, James Mooney; Tomas Conlon (0-2), Ryan Owens (0-2); Martin Meegan, Shane McCabe (0-6), Conor Kiernan (0-2); Padraig Carolan (0-1), Daniel Byrne (1-2). Sub; Brendan Crosby for Meegan. Tweet

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