Oldcastle 1-11, Killary Emmets 1-09

Oldcastle claimed the Minor Football League Division 4 title with two points to spare over Killary Emmets in this entertaining Minor Football League Division 4 final played at Pairc Tailteann.

Killary Emmets took the first point of the match with one minute on the clock, but Oldcastle responded immediately; a Simas Abraitis ball in to Mark Halpin who clipped her nicely in to the waiting Callum Keatinge who went for goal, and only a heroic save by the Killary goalie stopped it. Alex Smith put over the ’45 to leave it a point apiece. Another for Killary Emmets, the kickout finding Jack Pakenham, on to Mikey Timmins, to Simas, back to Mikey, to Mark Halpin, back to Mikey, to Matt Lynch, nicely worked in by Kyle McEnroe, back to Matt and final to Mark again who sailed her over the bar. Some five minutes play then with no score from either side: Conor Russell doing great work for Oldcastle, while Killary Emmets had an almost certain goal but for a super save from Hayden Cullen, a fantastic effort to keep them out!

They came again though, getting it to the back of the net on the tenth minute. Oldcastle regrouped though, and a Hayden clearance some minutes later found Jack Pakenham, on to Alex, back to Jack, to Alex again, on via Mikey Timmins, he found Eoin Sheridan who sent her sideways to Callum Keatinge, he found the waiting Mark Halpin who fisted it to the net! All level again! Oldcastle powered on, another score from Mark Halpin, the Killary kick-out intercepted by Conor Russell, on to Eoin Smyth, to Mark and in to Jack Hand, a full back but finding himself up this end of the pitch so he may as well have a go, and he sailed her between the posts for a fine score. More points from Mark and Alex, and more great saves by Hayden Cullen, but the lads went to sleep in the final eight minutes of the half, and between a couple of Oldcastle wides and four points for the opposition, it was all level at 1-06 apiece at the break. 

 The second half got underway with Killary Emmets in possession, but a dodgy pass was intercepted by Mark Halpin, on to Matt Lynch, to Conor Russell, back to Mark and on to Alex Smith who fired over a great score from outside the D, a two-pointer! A frantic pace of play going on: great work from Sean Garrigan to keep possession for Oldcastle, both sides trading the ball time and again, but a free to Oldcastle, Jack Hand to Jack P, back to Jack H, to Mark and on to Callum who was definitely  in for a goal this time, but was brought down, a free awarded, and converted by Mark. Killary Emmets added on a free themselves straight after, a two-point game again. Killarys were putting on the pressure but great work from Paul Lynch and Kyle McEnroe kept them out, while Eoin O’Connell brought renewed energy to the lineout. Good work from Eoin Smyth soon after, play went on and the ball heading to Mark Halpin in a good position, he was fouled, free awarded, Mark converted. The Killary kickout was brought down by Callum Keatinge, a superb catch, on to Mark, back to Callum and he fired her at the goals with the power of a steam train, only to have her hit the crossbar and come back out again! In any normal match Callum would have had at least three goals, but no luck with them tonight! It was 1-10 to 1-07, into the second half of the second half, and we went ten full minutes with no score!

Both sides had chances, both sides missed, and at this stage it was still anyone’s game. A great game of football ongoing despite the lack of scores, but then, in the 28th minute, Killary Emmets fired over a two-pointer, bringing the gap back to a single point, and putting renewed urgency on everyone! They were now chasing the game to win; Oldcastle trying desperately to stay ahead. Hayden Cullen’s kickout found Mikey Timmins, on to Mark Halpin, who was busted while waiting to catch her, awarded a free, tipped on to Callum Keatinge, and this time there was no denying him, forget about goals, a point will do; he sailed her up and over, a superb point, and the last score of the game, though we didn’t know that just yet, a lovely score to put Oldcastle two ahead now. Thirty-one minutes gone, and the ref played on for another two: again, both sides had chances to score, but neither took them, and when the final whistle finally blew, it was on a score of Oldcastle 1-11, Killary Emmets 1-09! 

Captain Simas Abraitis stepped up to receive the Cup, and gave a super and gracious acceptance speech, standing on the steps of Pairc Tailteann, before the obligatory delivery of the Cup to his waiting teammates! Scenes of joy and jubilation, all well-deserved! A huge well done to all the players who have come together and bonded as never before over the course of this League! And congratulations to our minor coaches who have worked so hard with the team over the past year, and indeed for many years really; Brendan Halpin, Enda Smyth, John Caffrey, Lorcan Fox and Robbie Farrelly. 

A well-deserved bit of grub on the way home, and maybe a few toots of horns as the lads land back in town this evening, a great effort from all the team. A special shout-out to Jack Nulty who couldn’t be there tonight but has been full forward all year, and finally, well done to all the parents for their support, and to everyone who came to Pairc Tailteann to cheer on the lads tonight! 

Oldcastle: Hayden Cullen, Jack Hand (0-01), Paul Lynch, Kyle McEnroe, Conor Russell, Simas Abraitis, Sean Garrigan, Jack Pakenham, Eoin Smyth, Matt Lynch, Mark Halpin (1-05), Eoin Sheridan, Mikey Timmins, Alex Smith (0-04 (1 x 2P)), Callum Keatinge (0-01). Subs: Eoin O’Connell, Riain Coyle, Glen Manning, Zach Smyth, Finan Tuite, Jack Tynan, Enda Fanning

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