Hoganstand.com - GAA Football & Hurling

Castlerahan turn on the style

17 December 2007

Castlerahan turned on a tremendous team performance on Saturday, 15th of December when the completely outplayed a fancied Cavan Gaels side to capture the Cavan U-21 Division One championship title, winning on a scoreline of 2-7 to 0-3.

There was never any real doubt about the outcome of this game as right from the throw-in the Castlerahan side got a grip on the proceedings and played very focussed and control football they dominated play and led at the interval by 1-2 to 0-2, after kicking many scorable chances during that opening half.

The expected Cavan Gaels comeback never really materialised in the second-half as the Cavan town side which included many of their successful minor side were struggling with their game, and when Brian Coleman scored the Castlerahan sides second goal in the 49th minute of the game to give his side an eight points lead there was no way back for the Gaels on this occasion.

In the end, the winners finished the game strongly, and despite the best efforts of the Cavan Gaels side to put a more respectable look on the scoreboard they went on to win the game by a ten points margin, and contained the Gaels to just one point from play in the second-half.

There was no denying Castlerahan were worthy winners on this occasion. They dominated the ’midfield diamond’ with team captain Ronan Flanagan turning in a ’man of the match’ performance and he led from the front all through the game. He was closely followed by the midfield pairing of Pauric Smith and Fiachra Cork, while up front, Fergal Flanagan, Dan Lynch, two goal hero Brian Coleman and to a lesser extent Cian Mackey gave the Gaels defence a torrid time especially in that second-half.

Indeed, the game was won and lost around the midfield diamond, an area where the Cavan Gaels struggled despite the best efforts of Declan Meehan for the whole game.
Cavan Gaels will be first to admit they were beaten on the day by the better side. Too many of the experienced players in the side ’failed to rise to the occasion’, and although they were right in contention at the end of the opening half, thanks to some wayward shooting by the Castlerahan attack.

Their best players on the day were goalkeeper Michael Coyle who couldn’t be faulted for the two goals scored, and his kick-outs against the wind in the second-half were of the highest order. Corner-back Dallen McCormack had a tremendous battle with county senior star, Cian Mackey and came out of it with honours, while Joe Dunne caught the eye with some good defensive play especially in the second-half. Declan Meehan battled hard in the midfield area but lacked real support, while up front the main danger came from Niall Smith who made some great runs at the defence in the second-half, Sean Higgins and Martin Dunne who over the hour lacked the proper supply of ball to show their undoubted skills.

Castlerahan - Jamie Leahy; Shane Boylan, Barry Cusack, Barry Boylan; Paul Cusack, Ronan Flanagan, Caolan McBreen; Pauric Smith, Fiachra Cork; Dan Lynch (0-1), Fergal Flanagan, Enda O’Connell (0-1);Oisin O’Connell, Brian Coleman (2-0), Cian Mackey (0-5, four frees).
Subs - Sean Fitzpatrick for Fergal Flanagan, Fergal Flanagan for Paul Cusack, Ronan Brady for Fiachra Cork, Darren Smith for Oisin O’Connell.

Cavan Gaels - Michael Coyle; Dallan McCormack, John O’Reilly, Mark Leddy; Joe Dunne, Gearoid Collins, Michael Meehan; Declan Meehan, Daniel Graham; Niall Murray, Sean Higgins (0-1), Niall Smith; Alan O’Riordan, Levi Murphy, Martin Dunne (0-2, one free).
Subs - Niall Gurhy for Michael Meehan, Conor McClarey for Levi Murphy, Leigh Jackson for Daniel Graham, Robert Derham-Maloney for Alan O’Riordan, Andrew Nelligan for Niall Murray.

Referee - Jimmy Galligan, Killygarry.