JACFC Div 2: Title for Oldcastle
Conor Delaney heads for the Duleek Bellewstown goal during the JACFC Division 2 final at Paddy O'Brien Park
Oldcastle 3-14, Duleek/Bellewstown 1-09
Lee Healy has been a whirlwind all through this campaign, and he had the perfect start this evening, with a goal in the first minute, from a great pass from Keith Connell. It was a super intercept soon after by Cillian Connell that found Lee, on to Garrett O’Reilly, on via Barry Curran to Tom Lynch, back to Garrett and finally Lee for the point. The kickout became Oldcastle’s thanks to great work by Ross Cadden, on to Keith Connell and a lovely pass to Paddy Gilsenan who accelerated for goal, looking as good as he ever did back in the day for Meath, and another goal for Oldcastle! Ciaran Connell caught that kickout, on to Barry, back to Ciaran, to Garrett, and finally to Lee for yet another point. More points from Paddy and Garrett before Duleek Bellewstown finally got on the scoreboard. A Duleek kickout that seemed destined for its’ man was grabbed from the sky by Robbie Smith, accelerating at great speed and making that super catch, on to Lee and to Garrett for a point. Duleek Bellewstown finally woke up, and in the final six or seven minutes of the first half they added on five points, to leave it Oldcastle 2-05, Duleek Bellewstown 0-06 at the break.
The second-half also got underway with a Lee Healy score, a lovely point sailed over. Conor Delaney caught the kickout, on via Garrett and back to Conor, he smashed her to the back of the net for Oldcastle’s third goal! The opposition put a free wide, Rian Mulvanny’s kickout finding Darren Hawdon, having a great match, on via Conor Hetherton, to Tom Lynch and back to Darren, great football on display here, on via Ross Cadden, to Ciaran Connell and finally Lee, another goal seemed to be on the cards but just not to be, but Louis Colleran stepped up to take the ’45 and sent her over. Keith Connell was next on the scoreboard, with Paddy Rahill instrumental in the next score, moving the ball from one end of the pitch to the other before Garrett popped her over. Duleek hadn’t given up yet, and they were just millimetres away from a goal soon after, she shot right in front of goal, but just missed. Another attack soon after however, and this time they didn’t miss! They came yet again, and once more a super shot at goal from way out, only a brilliant save from Rian Mulvanny prevented that goal, but the ball went back out and was sent over for a point. The gap was now seven points, but Oldcastle regrouped and put an end to Duleek’s resurgence, more points from Garrett, Conor, Lee and Keith, and all the while the backs were working tirelessly to prevent opposition scores. When the final whistle went, it was on a scoreline of Oldcastle 3-14, Duleek-Bellewstown 1-09, a super team performance from Oldcastle!
Oldcastle: Rian Mulvanny, Louis Colleran (0-01), Conor Hetherton, Cillian Connell, Lee Healy (1-03), Paddy Rahill, Robbie Smith, Ross Cadden, Tom Lynch, Darren Hawdon, Garrett O’Reilly (0-05) Ciaran Connell, Paddy Gilsenan (1-02), Keith Connell (0-02, Barry Curran. Subs: Conor Delaney (1-01), Mikey Timmons, Kyle Kavanagh, Lloyd Colleran, Brian Hetherton.
