U14 Div 1 FC shield final: Oldcastle are crowned champions

Delight for Oldcastle Under 14's in Dunboyne

Oldcastle 1-13, Dunboyne 3-06

No-one in their right mind would have set foot outside on this wet and windy night, with the storm whipping through, but Oldcastle don’t get to Division 1 finals that often, so a good lock of us did just that, after a spin up to Dunboyne! The match got underway with Dunboyne playing with the wind, or more accurately, with the tornado! A shock-and-awe start for Dunboyne who shot down the field, went for goal, glanced her off the inside of the post and into the back of the net! A goal up within thirty seconds! Luke Farrelly pointed a free for Oldcastle soon after, but Dunboyne added one of their own within a minute, one that could easily have been a goal either! Their next shot was wide, but their next attempt after that was on target, a fisted in goal. A@ point from play from Luke Farrelly next; Dunboyne then adding another themselves. Oldcastle had a ’45, but with the gusting wind it went AWOL. Dunboyne were in for another chance soon after but Oliver Monaghan saved it, and with his kickout he found Jack Fitzpatrick, to Jonathan White, on to Neitanas Majuskas, to Oscar Farrelly, to Max Nulty, back to Oliver, to Tadhg Sheridan, back to Jonathan with a good run, back to Tadhg, to Jamie Pakenham and finally to Philip Purcell who sailed her over the bar. But the wind was whirling and swirling and making life hard for everyone, but especially Oldcastle, it was like trying to kick against a stone wall, and Dunboyne added the next point, followed soon after by yet another goal. A free for a foul on Philip Purcell was converted by Oscar Farrelly just as the whistle went on the first half, on a score of Oldcastle 0-04, Dunboyne 3-03.

At least the storm would be with us in the second half, but a big deficit to make up! But if ever a man was made to give inspirational half-times talks it is Ronan Farrelly, and that is just what he did. As the second half got underway the windstorm added some rain to the mix also, to go with the gale-force winds, but at least it was blowing our way now! A great catch by Endis Spruds found Fionn Rahill and in to Luke Farrelly who shot from the D and put her over, a fine two-pointer! Oliver Monaghan was now in his element, the wind adding to his powerful kick-outs, and his next one nearly travelled the length of the pitch, finding Dara Cahill way down, Dara to Luke Farrelly and into the back of the net! A goal for Oldcastle, and the deficit was being reeled in! But nothing was certain yet, Dunboyne were awarded a free right in front of goals; converted, still four points between the teams!

Another two-pointer from Luke Farrelly halved that! A Jonathan White intercept soon after was fed on to Luke again, and over the bar for a point, just one behind now! 24 minutes gone, Rowan Smith fighting for every ball, Tadhg Sheridan was fouled, the free awarded and Luke sent her over for another two-pointer, finally Oldcastle were ahead! Not for long though, with time ticking away Dunboyne were awarded another free, right in front of goals, and despite the wind over she went, level match! Oliver Monaghan’s ball went way downfield, but somehow Dunboyne got possession, but not for long as Nathan Reilly comes out of the scrum with the ball, on to Oscar Farrelly and over to Luke, and he sailed her over for yet another two-pointer, and the lead again! Blow the flipping whistle ref, we were well over time by now, but another play was in progress, and Jesus Christ it’s Dunboyne with the ball, and closing in on goal, they shot, they scored, but only a point! We are still one up! But Mother of Jesus, what’s going on now, Dunboyne are still attacking and they are awarded a FREE! Hearts in mouth time, but the free goes wide, Oliver Monaghan takes the kickout, the ball goes up into the air and the Referee blows the final whistle, and THAT IS IT, OLDCASTLE ARE DIVISION 1 SHIELD CHAMPIONS!

What a season, but it’s the culmination of years of hard work from this gang of lads, and a huge well done to each and every one of you! Congratulations also to your hard working coaches, Ronan Farrelly, Packie Purcell, Darren Reilly and Niall Fitzpatrick! Division 1 is a big ask, but this gang took on the challenge and have been rewarded! Indeed they were literally up there for the Cup; Walterstown won that last night, our lads only lost to them by a single point on a night when Luke was injured early on, so we are up there with the best!

A happy drive down the M3, and into Park Ri for pizzas, and a huge thank you to Donna at McQuaid's Pharmacy, who insisted on getting the food for the lads! Pizza and chips definitely tastes better with the trophy sitting on the table, so enjoy that feeling lads, and hopefully it’s one you will savour many more times over the years ahead!

Oldcastle: Oliver Monaghan, Jonathan White, Fionn Rahill, Jack Fitzpatrick, Endis Sprugs, Max Nulty, Luke Farrelly (1-11), Neitanas Majuskus, Rowan Smith, Tadhg Sheridan, Jamie Pakenhan, Philip Purcell (0-01), Oscar Farrelly (0-01). Subs: Dara Cahill, Nathan Reilly, Dara Masterson, Tariq El Seidy, Charlie McGovern