Continually written off, Oldcastle proved all doubters wrong and made people sit up and take note of north Meath football When Oldcastle decided to have a 'try' at getting back to the Intermediate grade two years ago, not many eyebrows were raised. After all, 'The Town', as they are referred to in this part of north Meath, were classed amongst the great under-achievers of Royal County football, plenty of talent and good underage teams and so forth. But when it came to producing the goods at senior level, the well usually ran dry. Ironically, 1997 proved to be a grand old year, commencing with a narrow win over near rivals and firm-favourites Ballinlough, culminating in defeat by up and coming Cortown in Kilskyre. That Saturday evening Oldcastle had the championship newcomers on the ropes for long spells, but an inability to guide the ball between the posts proved their ultimate downfall. At the other end, young Glen Loughran showed just how it should be done. But the seeds were sown and maybe the men in blue and white had turned the footballing corner. And why this sudden emergence from the doldrums? Undoubtedly, the arrival of Laoisman and now near Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan based Colum McAvoy had a major impact on matters. McAvoy teaches in Cavan Town and guided Cavan School of Further Studies to All-Ireland glory some two years ago. Amongst his star players was Meath underage and Oldcastle forward Niall Fitzpatrick. Word soon got back and Oldcastle found their new manager. With Colum McAvoy came an added sense of direction, a badly needed touch of professionalism. Of course, the players placed their hat in the ring and as a unit decided to give one big commitment ... an 'all for one and one for all' approach. Stories of near 130, or was it 150, training sessions during '98 and these half-time cups of tea filled with sugar are now legendary. Assisting McAvoy were selectors John Joe McEnroe, a fearless defender from the 70s, and John Galligan, whose family have made a huge contribution to Oldcastle GFC over the years. No stone was left unturned. Former manager Al O'Donoghue was brought on board while Donegal All-Ireland winning boss, Brian McEniff acted in an advisory capacity for the Kilmainhamwood game in Kells and was back in a similar role for the semi-final and final clashes. '98 itself did not get off to the best of starts. Oldcastle's early league form, as it remained right through the season, was nothing to get excited about. The opening championship game against Carnaross in Ballinlough saw the 'Blues' in control throughout, but a late Carnaross rally ate into a commanding lead and Oldcastle hung on by the seat of their pants for a share of the spoils. Lessons were learned though, and all hell broke loose on a Saturday evening in Navan as the men from the North-West Frontier upset the best prepared plans of Dunboyne and Co. and a famous 0-10 to 0-9 win was registered. Two things emerged from this encounter. Oldcastle and Dunboyne were to see quite an amount of each other right through the year. As far as the writer of this piece is concerned - Oldcastle's Feis Cup semi-final meeting with Dunboyne at Kilberry, which went to extra time was the best game on offer during the 1998 calender. Free-flowing football at its best, scores (and it was high scoring) from the top bracket with the ebb of battle flowing one direction and suddenly in the other. Ronan Farrelly had people asking how the heck he was never in Sean Boylan's plans. Peter Fox required a period of extra-time before Dunboyne just squeezed through. How different events were to be in October. That championship win over Naomh Peadar signalled Oldcastle as a team with serious championship aspirations. It also demonstrated the new found passion of the town club, both on and off the field of play. The roaring and yahoos from the Oldcastle support were to be heard at many other venues throughout the summer as the 'Mean Blue Machine' developed from strength to strength. The supporting army also snowballed. Here at last was a team north Meath could be proud off and I am sure the Sean Caislean support on county final day was the largest ever seen at Pairc Tailteann. Blue was the colour around Oldcastle town and environment come September and October. Not only that, but all north Meath (often the bitterest of rivals on the local scene) rowed in behind the 'new kids on the block'. The near 15 mile stretch from Oldcastle to Kells was a mass of good luck banners as each advantage point beamed a message. Moylagh, Ballinacree, Ballinlough, Kilskyre and Drumbaragh were, for those weeks of football insanity, all Oldcastle men. Back to round 3 though, and an Oldcastle bye. Amazingly, they were still very much outsiders come their clash with Summerhill. Originally expert thoughts on this grouping saw the top two emerging from the 'Hill, Dunboyne and the 'Wood trio with the north Meath bunch of Oldcastle, 'Michaels, and Carnaross along with Slane acting as mere cannon fodder. Suffice to say, that Oldcastle were 0-11 to 0-7 victors and fairly convincing ones at that. Slane offered little opposition as Vincent Reynolds hammered over 1-6 from the middle of the park. And it all came down to a Sunday evening meeting in Kells with the 'Wood. Just prior, Stafford and friends had dropped two points to Dunboyne. So, if Kilmainhamwood were, as expected, to triumph, the likely scenario was Summerhill (who failed to live up to expectations) Kilmainhamwood and Dunboyne topping the group with each side having dropped two points. That point lost to Carnaross could prove critical for Oldcastle and anything less than a draw would put them out of contention. The Oldcastle-Kilmainhamwood encounter, at a packed Kells venue, was a knock-out clash in everything but name. And Oldcastle had no intention of ending their interest in the competition. The 'Blues forced the pace from an early stage, only to be pegged back by a Raymond Cunningham break-away effort. However, the town combination enjoyed a very productive period before and after the break to pull well clear. The final quarter was very much a backs-to-the-wall situation as the 'Wood, sensing a championship farewell, upped all gears. But gritty Oldcastle held on against an increasing wave of opposition attacks. Brian McEniff, standing alongside Sean Boylan inside the dressing room side gate, must have been well pleased. Oldcastle were through to the semi-finals of the Meath Senior Football Championship. Well, unless St. Michaels spoiled things, but by this stage the men from the Carlanstown-Kilbeg areas of the county were long out of contention and handed over the points without too much fuss. Anyway, Oldcastle's semi-final opponents were to be Simonstown, who emerged from a tricky division requiring a number of play-offs and then came from behind to oust fancied Dunderry in the quarter-finals. Surely this was the end of the Oldcastle odyssey? The lighter 'Blues had not alone home advantage, Pairc Tailteann was a surprise choice of venue and true to form Oldcastle put up no objection and accepted the County Board's ruling. Also, Simonstown were clear favourites. These past few years there have been rumblings coming from the north side of Navan and beyond of a huge power-base out the Proudstown Road. It was only a matter of time before Simonstown put their name on the coveted Keegan Cup and their record in the underage grades solidly backed up this point. Many experts saw this as Simonstown's year. The appearance of Moylagh in the junior semi-finals added to a huge Oldcastle support at a sun-drenched headquarters. And if the 'Wood encounter was their finest hour, the unthinkable was just around the corner. There was even better to come. From a statician's point of view, this clash of the 'townies' could be divided into three sections. Oldcastle's early period of dominance; Simonstown's period of supremacy, when they threatened to run riot; and Oldcastle's claw back, claw back, never yield an inch performance right through the second half. A spirit personified with a tremendous John McEnroe catch in the dying stages. The Oldcastle rearguard display in those final 30 minutes was nothing short of phenomenal and a defence with numerous forwards and midfielders getting behind the ball limited the opposing attack to just a meagre point in the game's dying moments. A fair improvement from those worrying moments prior to the break when Simonstown cut through at will. The statician's had their facts and so also have the memories. For most this encounter will bring back recollections of three great pointed Vincent Reynolds frees during that second half. All from over 55 metres and on the stand side of Pairc Tailteann, hitting into the hospital-end, and at a time when Oldcastle required every possible score. Reynolds' mighty hat-trick was instrumental in putting his side back on the right track and into their second ever county decider. Some say that their previous senior final, back in 1945 against Skryne, was really a deciding game in a league series. But try and put that view over to any member of Oldcastle GFC and you will suffer a nasty rebuke. This writer's father was a half back, 'cum midfielder on that particular team. A fine side by all accounts who had gained county junior honours the previous year. On final day, they failed to do themselves justice. Maybe, in ways, like the generation some 53 years on. The late 30s and early 40s were exciting times for football in Oldcastle. Jim Kearney, Hughie Lynch, Kevin Devin and Paddy Beggan were to the fore as Meath reached the All-Ireland final of 1939, while Kearney was still there when the historic breakthrough was made ten years later. His midfield partner, for most of that campaign, was clubmate Charlie Smyth, as their near neighbours Cavan were prevented from a noteworthy hat-trick. Despite the inclusion of star players like Brendan Maguire and Connie Kelly, Oldcastle found themselves back junior during the 50s and enjoyed another lean spell in the senior ranks during the late 60s, early 70s. A fine intermediate team emerged around 1974 and one recalls an epic encounter with parish neighbours Moylagh during that year in what was a preliminary quarter-final clash. Kilskyre was packed to capacity on a miserable Sunday afternoon. The men in green were firm favourites. Indeed, Moylagh were to bring the intermediate championship to north Meath the following year. But on this occasion, it was the men in Royal Blue who prevailed. An outstanding team, blessed with the talents of big full back John Rahill, fearless centre half and present day selector John Joe McEnroe flying half back TP Fox (who gained a number of runs with the county). TP was ahead of his time, overlapping up and down the right wing when the word overlapping was unheard of in GAA terms. Yours truly can tell you all about Fox. Ballinlough's first game back in the intermediate grade in 1974 saw myself in the Reds' no. 12 jersey and TP at no. 5. I often wondered who was marking who that day. Mattie McDonald later moved me into a more central role on the forty, but in truth, it was a relief to get away from Fox. 1-9 to 0-7 was the score and Ballinlough were doing reasonably okay until one Kevin Mallon (yes, he of LMFM fame and a great player in his youth) chipped our 'keeper, Paddy Baugh, and raised the game's only green flag. Ironically, the same Kevin Mallon played all his underage football with Ballinlough. Star of that mid 70s team had to be Paddy Dolan, a pure footballer in every sense of the word. Good catch, lovely balance and a scoring midfielder. He should have been a Meath regular for years, but as Oldcastle people will tell you with regards Meath teams - "what's new". Dolan's centrefield partner was Mick Reynolds, a good strong footballer just up from Leitrim and a father of present-day star Vincent. Tom Nugent, like Mallon, a Meath minor in '73 was another star act on the forty. Around this time also, Oldcastle were getting their underage act together and it seemed only a matter of time before the big breakthrough was made. An under 21 A title came to the club, but year after year a mixture of the old brigade and that up and coming talent continued to frustrate. In 1987, Oldcastle looked well out of the running, but as often happens in life, when least expected results come true. Oldcastle easily outscored another emerging combination, Dunderry, in an exciting intermediate decider at Kells. Such as the McEnroes, Leo and John, along with full back brother Bart, Declan Mullen, John Hetherton, Ollie Burns, Michael Smith, Paddy Kearney and Ownie Gilsenan were outstanding. The following year, Al O'Donoghue's brigade reached the knock-out stages of the senior grade only to go under to Walterstown at Kilberry just after Meath's All-Ireland replay victory over Cork. This game was preceded by the All-Ireland junior decider where Meath, powered by captain and centre half back John McEnroe, easily outscored London. Other Oldcastle representatives included Declan Mullen at left full back, Leo McEnroe at left half and Declan Mullen's cousin, Tom manning the full forward berth. The Meath footballing world appeared at Oldcastle's feet. But just as in the intermediate grade during the early 80s, their potential never materialised ... a wee rot as such set in and each year Oldcastle's fortunes dipped to the scenario that was previously described in early 1997. Back to the lead up for that final showdown with Dunboyne. Perhaps a dose of unreality took over this section of north Meath as people talked about nothing else only those men in blue and went looking for bunting and flags. If they were not flag hunting then they were busy creating 'best wishes' signs. Certainly, by all accounts, Cathy Guirk was doing a roaring trade. We let Oldcastle's efficient and extremely helpful secretary Cyril Pakenham take over the story. "The build up to the final was amazing to say the least. The support of the local businesses and individuals was beyond our wildest expectations. It was an encouraging sight to see - all the signs of good wishes from Oldcastle to Kilmainham on the way to the final. The support we got from the local clubs and organisations in north Meath and Cavan was very much appreciated and will be reciprocated in the future should they reach the same heights." As for the final itself. A very colourful occasion with a 9,000 crowd swelling the coffers of the County Board. Oldcastle made up the vast majority of support and solidly roared on the men in Blue over the entire 60 minutes. Sadly the game failed to live up to expectations. A contrary wind blowing in from the Hospital End meant much of the play was heading towards the O'Mahony's goals. Oldcastle had first advantage of the elements and finished the half 0-5 to 0-2 in front. Perhaps their best goaling opportunity arose straight from the throw-in as Ray Smith found himself with only opposing 'keeper David Gallagher to beat. Unfortunately, the long-striding Ray found himself positioned on the wrong side for a left-footer and his shot dribbled harmlessly wide. Vincent Reynolds was instigating many good moves from the middle of the field, while Ronan Farrelly looked sharp and lively up front. An early injury to Ronan Crawley saw the younger Farrelly, J.P., revert back to defence and his surging run up the pitch under the stand and resulting point was probably the best score of the match. Oldcastle's position at the break still looked comfortable enough. Three points was a slender enough lead, but the fitness levels and never-say-die attitude of the Blues suggested they could well hold on. However, a couple of happenings surfaced that were to have a major bearing on events. Firstly the wind crept up and while the same never wins a match or so the experts tell us, it is rather like money ... use it wisely and your team enjoys a massive advantage. Dunboyne were never going to refuse this gift from the Gods. They settled well early on also. Gone was the previous nervousness from their play and within minutes they, not alone levelled matters, but edged ahead. A landslide win looked possible, but Oldcastle regained their composure and a fighting display and huge work rate made the future champions anything but comfortable. Ownie Gilsenan was brought out to rescue an ailing midfield and while He gained some good possession, his presence inside was badly missed. Also, it was strange to see the town's best forward, Ronan Farrelly, brought out the field to such a deep position. If anything, Oldcastle's previous ploy of getting men behind the ball backfired and it was no coincidence to see two of the Dunboyne backs come forward to raise white flags in that second period - a grand tactic when you are ahead, not chasing the game. Also, huge gaps were left between the Oldcastle midfield sector and the inside forwards as most of the half forwards were, at this time, operating in either half back or centre field areas. These are not meant as criticism, but rather to add a little portion of balance to this article and place an odd discussion in the many pubs around Sean Caislean these dark winter months. Some would say Oldcastle committed a little bit of football suicide in that final half. Certainly playing into the teeth of the gale and with so few bodies up front made it all the easier for Enda McManus and friends to sweep up. Final score amounted to 0-9 over 0-5 and while, far from disgraced Oldcastle players knew only too well their display was well short of their best and hardly reflected what was a tremendous year. These same players can indeed hold their heads as high as Slieve na Calliagh. If a case existed, like in some other counties where a local paper invited readers to choose the top 15 players, per position operating in the local senior championship, Oldcastle would have a trio of certainties on the 1998 selection. Central defenders, full back Brendan Halpin and pivot and captain Declan Mullen were outstanding all summer. Halpin's display of high fielding in the 'Wood and Simonstown matches was nothing short of awesome. Mullen may not possess the speed of yesteryear, but his leadership qualities in what was basically a young team, were vital. Without a doubt, Ronan Farrelly was the outstanding club forward in Meath right through 1999. A county under 21 for the past two years, he has yet to find favour with the senior selectors. Perhaps the Meath management team can offer some reason for this exclusion, but Farrelly is well equipped for the task and should be given a chance. Younger brother JP, only out of the minor ranks, emerged as a real prospect as the summer progressed and not alone was able to mark tight, but had the ability to move upfield when required. The McEnroes, John operating from the left full back position and Leo usually in the no. 12 jersey, epitomised everything that is good about Oldcastle's spirit, drive and passion. It is this writer's opinion that the senior McEnroe should have gained the Man of the Match award in the county final. No doubts that Enda McManus enjoyed a terrific 60 minutes, but Enda had his souvenir and John McEnroe's second half display when Oldcastle backs were really to the wall, was inspirational. Leo, in turn, has a terrific engine and a football brain. He too is mentioned regularly when county possibles are mooted. Kenneth Keoghan may not be a contender for the keeper with the longest kick out around, but for shot stopping ability, the Oldcastle custodian is up there with the best. His stop during the second half of the Dunboyne game will forever linger in the memory. Ronan Crawley was unlucky on final day and probably enjoyed his finest moments against Kilmainhamwood. Vincent Reynolds of the long-frees and the tough tackling, no nonsense Paul Gilsenan formed a solid, workmanlike midfield partnership. Gilsenan's brother Owen often moved into this sector and although not the Gilsenan of old, Ownie's career has been blighted with a series of niggling injuries ... he showed undoubted flashes of class. Frankie Tully played in a variety of position, while Niall Fitzpatrick (outstanding versus Summerhill) covered every blade of grass as his side sought the big breakthrough. Ray Smith, a brother of former star Michael (nursing an injury in '98) notched some vital points over the course of the campaign. Young Sean Rahill, a son of former full back and Chairman John, made a big impression when coming on against Dunboyne. Sean, a regular in '97 would have been in a similar position again last season, only for a wise decision to concentrate on his studies. Others among the substitutes' bench who made big contributions right through 1998 included Conor Lynch and a third member of the Gilsenan family, the versatile Alan. Paul Smith was a fine full back with the Blue's under 21 selection with the speedy Paul Garrigan also impressing in that campaign, which saw Oldcastle going all the way to the semi-finals. Like Sean Rahill, Willie Smith (formerly of Moylagh fame) was a previous regular while listed as numbers 22, 23 and 24 on the big day were Ben Halpin, John Hetherton and Paddy Kearney, a trio who have served the club with distinction for years. Last but by no means least ... left half back Michael Kavanagh, who was in outstanding form throughout the year. Earlier I mentioned how my father, Kit Lynch, was left half back when Oldcastle enjoyed their other big day in the sun some 53 years ago. Michael just happens to be married to my sister Caroline and how ironic the family link was maintained in that same position. 'Bilco' or 'Kavanagh' as he is generally called, was captain in that Under 21 win back in 1985 and doubles up as Vice-Chairman of the club. His regime to keep the body in shape and dedication to the cause knows no bounds. Michael Kavanagh probably played his best ever football during 1998. Like the McEnroes and Declan Mullen, he was a shining example to the younger members of the panel. Oldcastle may have bit the dust on county final day, but when those particles settle and they look back over the campaign, they will realise what a marvellous year for football it was in the 'Town'. Roll on 1999. It's onward and upward for Oldcastle's underage brigadeas Under 15's collect '97 Division 2 title Even at underage level, it's dog-eat-dog in Meath football circles. No ground is easily conceded. Man's innate competitive instinct ensures that the game of winners and losers is exposed to the full. In County Meath, more so than most other counties, the race for honours can discommode even the most cocky, self-assured and naturally talented bunch of young footballers such is the almost perennially high standard of competition pertaining within the Royal County at every grade. Thus, the clinching of an underage title in Meath is something to celebrate, irrespective of the opposition's pedigree or any other extenuating circumstances which may pertain in every given year. So it was with a great sense of pride and achievement that the Oldcastle under 15 footballers and their mentors celebrated the club's triumph in the 1997 Division Two League decider. Pitted against a determined and no-less ambitious Summerhill team, the north Meath side struck a mighty blow for underage football in that part of the county by sweeping to a hard-earned by thoroughly deserved 1-12 to 2-6 victory at the tail end of a hectic season for all concerned. Quickest out of the blocks, the Blues took the game to their opponents and fairly laid bare their intentions of securing the title. Never lifting their collective feet off the pedal, the would-be champions were tigerish in the tackle, pacy to the breaking ball and efficient in their distribution of hard won possession. Still, their 0-6 to 0-3 half-time advantage accurately reflected Summerhill's refusal to roll over and die. That said, a cloak of inevitability began to drift over the proceedings as the second-half gathered pace. Displaying a stirring passion for the game and a conviction which was a credit to their mentors, Oldcastle's fiery young guns began to exert their influence like never before. In double-quick time, the Blues engineered a virtual stranglehold on the crucial diamond area of the field and with great gusto and skill successfully fashioned a hugely important nine point cushion. Just how significant that self-same cushion would prove nobody could have really realised without the benefit of 20/20 vision. "We felt we were very comfortable with that sort of lead but in fairness to Summerhill, they rallied and scored two goals against the run of play which left us anxiously holding out 'till the final whistle," team-manager Eamonn Moore recalled. The dramatic climax to the game had a two-fold effect though. First off, it made for a rip-roaring finish to an intensively fought encounter and, secondly, it made Oldcastle's triumph all the sweeter. County under 15 champions and deservedly so, Oldcastle's young guns could bask, thereafter, in the reflection of their own glorious campaign and who could begrudge them their celebrations? Fact is, the story behind the north county team's ultimate success had nothing to do with a hard-fought three point win in the county final and everything to do with a year's graft, commitment and steely ambition. Well before the hard ground gave Mother Earth a tough veneer, weeks before the cutting of lawns and the harvesting of the hay, the Olcastle under 15's were limbering up for an almighty assault on the county title. Training a minimum of two evenings per week for the guts of a lengthy campaign, upwards on 27 players competed for their places on Oldcastle's premier fifteen. Team boss Eamonn Moore and his selectors Matt Kevin, Adie Mangan, Kevin Tynan and Larry Smyth gave everything they had to the cause, from day one. "Right from the start of the year, we knew that we had a good panel of players. "Some of the panel were veterans of the club's county under 12 win five years ago while others had appeared in a losing under 12 final a couple of years ago, so there was a fair bit of experience in the squad," Eamonn averred. Experience, sure, but self-belief too apparently. The players, seemingly, were confident of doing well but just as significantly, they were hungry and ambitious to boot. It was clear from early on in Oldcastle's campaign that, as is so important at underage level, most of the panel were conviently of a similar age. Over the course of an eleven game campaign, Oldcastle lost just three games; against St. Cuthberts, Donaghmore-Ashbourne and, curiously, Summerhill. Playing consistently well and performing with a sense of purpose and conviction which labelled them, from early on, as the team to beat in the competition, Oldcastle predictably advanced to the semi-finals where they met a tigerish and disciplined Trim team. In a nip and tuck affair which proved to be a fine advertisement for underage football in Meath, the outcome of the clash at Kells was in the boiling pot up until the final ten minutes or thereabouts. "It was end to end stuff for most of the match and it wasn't until the final quarter that we began to get on top. "The lads were totally focused though and their superior level of fitness carried them through in the end," team-boss Moore opined. Oldcastle's eventual five point victory in the semi-final catapulted them into a meeting in the decider with old adversaries Summerhill, conquerors of Donaghmore-Ashbourne in the other semi-final tussle. But what were the feelings of the think-tank in the run-up to the final? "We knew that Summerhill would be hard to beat. They had the psychological advantage of having beaten us earlier in the competition. "We were confident of reversing the result against them but we knew that there was a possibility that the final could go either way because the two teams were well matched," Eamonn explained. As luck (and ability) would have it, the final turned out to be Oldcastle's day and just for good measure, the club's under 16 team (a virtual copy of last year's county under 15 winning team) followed up last year's final win with victory over Summerhill in the second round of the league this year. Bolstered by an underage pedigree which has produced a succession of quality teams down the years, the latest crack underage crew to emerge off the Oldcastle assembly line is bound to significantly add to the club's burgeoning reputation as a vibrant, progressive and resilient unit. A collection of under 12 titles have been amassed by the club over the last ten years or so while under 14 and under 16 honours have also winged their way to the club. With quality players like Niall Fitzpatrick, Ronan Crawley, Ronan Farrelly and Raymond Smith bursting onto the county scene, the fruits of the efforts of men like Moore, Kevin, Mangan, Tynan, Smyth and, most especially, Leo Halpin, are beginning to show like never before. Under the current chairmanship of Sean Boylan, the Oldcastle underage crew are fairly producing the goods. The success achieved with their under 15 panel is just symptomatic of the quality players being churned out by the stoical souls of Oldcastle GFC. For the record, the 1997 Under 15 Division Two League winning side, and scorers, was as follows; Camillus Smith; Jerome Hussey, John Smith, Philip Tuite; Eugene Smith, Billy McGrath, Peter Moore; Raymond Heery (0-1), Donal Fanning; Brian Gibson (1-2), Donal Reynolds, Mark Clinton (0-2); Patrick Kevin (0-7), Conor Maguire, Paddy Short. Sub; Cathal Usher OLDCASTLE TAKE MORRIS CUP FROM CASTLERAHAN - TO BRING A HAPPY CONCLUSION TO 1997 A remarkable total of thirty-seven scores were registered when Oldcastle and Castlerahan met in the Morris Cup final at Gilson Park at the end of the 1997 season. Even more remarkable was the fact that Castlerahan scored on no fewer than nineteen occasions and still finished on the wrong end of a 3-15 to 2-17 scoreline. The game had just about everything and was a splendid advertisement for football. Castlerahan had won the tournament in 1996 and were determined to hold on to the Cup which commemorates the late Damien Morris but Oldcastle had the more incisive attack which also had a collective eye for goal. They found the net on three occasions and, in the end, this was the difference between the teams. Paul Colwell and Paul Kevin were in superb form at centre-field and contributed seven points between them with Kevin's boot accounting for five. Mark Clinton was in top form on the '40 and his tally of 1-2 was a major factor in Oldcastle's success. Brian Griffin and Cyril Smith also netted for the winners whose wing forward Michael Caffrey also made a significant impact. The standard of forward play from both teams was well above average and the crowd certainly got their money's worth with a real cracker of a game. Captain of the winning Oldcastle team Paul Colwell was presented with the Cup by Johnny Morris. The Oldcastle team was; M Carroll, G Husband, P Murphy, N Cunningham, M Egan, T Farrelly, A Pakenham, P Kevin (0-5), P Colwell (0-2), N Mangan (0-1), M Clinton (1-2), M Caffrey (0-2), B Griffin (1-1), C Smith (1-1), W Walsh (0-1). Subs; S Caffrey, S Coakley, N Lynch, M Farrelly, K Coyle. Tweet

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