Oldcastle report:

Oldcastle 0-19

Drumconrath 1-10

A brace of Oldcastle points in the second half earned them the win as nothing divided the sides at the break. The sides shared scores in the first half with the first coming from Oldcastle's Paddy Rahill following great work from Rory McHugh tracking back to defend. The next score didn't come until seven minutes later when Stephen Tierney hit over his first of an exhibition of point scoring that evening. A Drumconrath free was then cancelled out as Robert Farrelly converted again following good defence from Oldcastle. Drumconrath hit over two more, one from play and one from a free to bring the game to draw entering the second quarter. There was nothing between the sides coming to the break as Rahill added another, Tierney converted from play and sent over a 45 and James Tuite deservedly added one to his tally. Drumconrath proved on target also as they converted three from play and one free to leave the sides 7 a piece going into the second half.

Peter Monaghan was first to add to the score sheet after the restart but two converted frees from both Oldcastle and Drumconrath left Oldcastle just mildly in front. Paddy Gilsenan proved on target as he added another but Drumconrath didn't give up as they hit over a score of their own. Monaghan sent over his second and Cj Healy got on the Oldcastle score sheet as Oldcastle were beginning to pull away 13 minutes into the second half. Tierney converted another 45 and Alan McCann sent over his first from play as the result of the full back line doing their job over and above. Oldcastle now with a five point advantage, did not give up and in fact put the pressure on even more to gain the win. Drumconrath were attacking well but were struggling to get past Cian McPartland as he intercepted at the most crucial points, he delivered the ball back up the field where Farrelly tapped over his second. Niall Mangan was on hand to edge Oldcastle even closer to home but a Drumconrath goal looked to put them back in the game with less than 10 minutes left on the clock. As Tierney sent over three more in the final stages of the game there no denying Oldcastle the win as they were 6 points clear at the final whistle.

A great team display with best performances from Stephen Tierney and Cian McPartland.

Oldcastle: C.McHugh, J.Caffrey, C.McPartland, J.Tuite(0-1), E.McNamee, S.Maxwell, M.Taggart, P.Monaghan (0-2), R.McHugh, P.Gilsenan(0-1), P.Rahill(0-3), Cj Healy (0-1), R.Farrelly (0-2), N.Mangan (0-1), S.Tierney (0-7).

Subs: A.Mccann (0-1) for J.Caffrey (35minutes) G.Reidy for P.Rahill (47Minutes) R.Cadden, C.Curran, E.Gilsenan, Paddy Monaghan, O.O'Reilly.

Drumconrath report:

In Millbrook

Oldcastle 0-18 Drumconrath 1-10

Drumconrath travelled to Millbrook for this 5th Round of the A League's and gave the home side a right good test with a committed hours football.

Oldcastle had 2 early points before Daniel Byrne knocked over 2 free's to level the game. The sides continued to share points with Terry Skelly and Jamie Myles adding points for the Reds. Byrne edged Drumconrath ahead with another free but soon Oldcastle had the lead back again.

Two late points for Drumconrath from Tomas Conlon and Chris Tighe left the sides level 0-7 each at the break.

Oldcastle started best in the 2nd half but another Byrne free leveled the game again. Oldcastle wind assisted pulled 4 points clear by the end of the 3rd quarter but Drums did not lie down and Byrne pointed from play to keep within touching distance.

The home side scored some fine points to go 7 points up with 10 minutes to go but after a fine catch by Terry Skelly and a good run into the heart of the Oldcastle defence by Conor O'Halloran who found Skelly again on his shoulder the ball was transfered to John Lynch who found the late arriving Alan Byrne and the net danced to narrow the gap to 4 points.

Soon after the Oldcastle keeper pulled off a fine save from Chris Tighe and while Daniel Byrne pointed another free to narrow the gap again.

Daniel Byrne went for goal from another close in free but the shot when agonizingly wide as Oldcastle tagged on a few more points to secure the win.

Drumconrath can be pleased with this effort against this Intermediate side on a high after their great Championship win and will take solace that points can be picked up in this competitive division.

Drumconrath; Sean Kane; Cathal Dunne, Thomas Carolan, Patrick Dunne; Robert McEntaggart, Terry Skelly (0-1), Conor O'Halloran; Tomas Conlon (0-1), Stephan Crosby; Daniel Byrne (0-5), Patrick Carolan, Jamie Myles (0-1); John Lynch, Chris Tighe (0-1), Patrick Farrelly. Subs Alan Byrne (1-0) for Farrelly, Peter Tighe for P Carolan ans Alan Dunne for Lynch.

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