Oldcastle return to senior ranks

The scoreline says it all. As comprehensive a victory as any team could have wished for especially in a final when all too often nerves can stifle a team's natural instincts. Oldcastle's young side showed no inhibitions, no lack of confidence as they went about dismantling Kilmainhamwood's challenge in Monday's IFC final at Pairc Tailteann with all the assurance and self-belief you might expect from a team that haven't lost a competitive game in months. Blessed with plenty of pace Oldcastle led from the start and no-one could have argued that they didn't deserve this victory and their return to the senior ranks after a seven-year absence. What was surprising about this contest was that the outcome was already obvious by half-time. By that stage Oldcastle led 1-8 to 0-2 and were cruising. Kilmainhamwood needed a miracle and it was no-where to be seen. Continuing on from their electrifying display in the semi-final Oldcastle switched on the power early in this contest and lit up the afternoon with an exhibition of quick passing, high tempo football that left their opponents bedazzled and floundering. The Oldcastle display was partly based on the early dominance exerted by Eoin Gilsenan and Vincent Reynolds in midfield. They cleaned up in the central sector, winning a world of ball and setting in motion a series of moves. Gilsenan provided the youth and while Reynolds contributed the experience and combined they drove their team on to produce a performance good enough to claim the title. Oldcaslte started at a high tempo and they picked up from there, racing into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes while Kilmainhamwood's older, more seasoned campaigners sought in vain to get a foothold in the game. At times the 'Wood were literally left chasing shadows under the floodlights. The game took a decisive turn after 22 minutes when a move involving Patrick Rahill and Nicky Galligan ended with Alan McCann breaking through. He was brought down and referee Gerry O'Brien awarded a penalty. Up stepped Patrick Gilsenan to neatly slot home with his left foot into the right corner of the net. That put Oldcastle 1-6 to 0-1 to the good and in the clear. When Oldcastle did move forward they invariably carried a threat that suggested they could pick off scores almost a will. Half-backs Barry Curran and Colm Caffrey raided up the wings at every opportunity while the half-forward line of Gilsenan, Terence Farrelly and Patrick Rahill were always willing to put in the hard graft to carve out openings. Patrick Gilsenan added two points to his converted spot kick while Patrick Rahill also slotted over from play. Once the ball was delivered into the forwards Niall Mangan and Nicky Galligan indicated that they could make hay. Galligan had a memorable afternoon splitting the posts three times. He also added the killer goal on 46 minutes. It was one of the most impressive moves of the game and originated with goalkeeper Sean Fox gaining possession inside his small square. Fox off-loaded to Sean Rahill who in turn passed to Alan McCann. He hit a long pass to Patrick Gilsenan who passed quickly to Nicky Galligan in front of goals. Galligan didn't need a second chance as he blasted to the net. It was game, set and match with the goal a classic example of how to turn defence into attack in an instant. It was just one of the potent weapons Oldcastle had in their formidable armoury. On those rare occasions when Kilmainhamwood threatened in attack the Oldcastle defence quickly closed down the man with the ball leaving him with few options. Thomas Rahill did particularly well in restricting the influence of Ray Magee who managed two points from play, although they came far too late to provide much hope. Kilmainhamwood just never got going with their two main men in attack - Magee and Stephen Kieran - marginalised for long spells. It says a lot about Kilmainhamwood that they could only manage three points from play, one of those scored in the opening half. Few of their players were able to make a lasting impression in the game with Colm Gilcreest coming on to add to zest and drive to a struggling central sector. Snooker ace Gilcreest pocketed his team's only first-half point from play with Magee firing over from a free. Time and again good approach work by Kilmainhamwood was spoiled by shots that fell short or went wide of the posts. Magee was uncharacteristically off the mark with shots when on those rare occasions he did get some time and space. Kilmainhamwood enjoyed a good third quarter when they put together a series of moves that yielded successive points from Kiernan and Magee. Oldcastle appeared to, understandably lose focus. The 'Wood supporters started to find their voice perhaps believing a remarkable comeback was on the cards. Galligan's goal put paid to such ambitions. Instead Oldcastle did what they promised all game and went on to win with as much comfort as they could have hoped for in a final. The figures on the scoreboard at the end neatly summed up their afternoon's work. SCORERS Oldcastle - N Galligan 1-3; P Gilsenan 1-2; N Mangan 0-3, two frees; V Reynolds 0-1, P Rahill 0-1, E Gilsenan 0-1. Kilmainhamwood - R Magee 0-3, one free; S Kiernan 0-2, two frees; C Gilcreest 0-1. TEAMS Oldcastle - Sean Fox; Shane Farrelly, Sean Rahill, Thomas Rahill; Barry Curran, Rory McHugh, Colm Caffrey; Eoin Gilsenan, Vincent Reynolds; Patrick Gilsenan, Terance Farrelly, Patrick Rahill; Niall Mangan, Nicky Galligan, Alan McCann. Subs - Ronan Farrelly for Caffrey 42 mins, Cian McPartland for S Farrelly 47m, Robert Pakenham for McCann 51m, Darren Hawdon for P Rahill 52m, Richard Kellett for Mangan 55m. Kilmainhamwood - Michael Clarke; Padraig Barber, Stephen Smith, Damien Cunningham; Philip Moran, Sean Mulligan, Michael Shankey; Andy Farrelly, Ray Madden; Pauric Owens, Francis Owens, Harry Corbally; David Russell, Ray Magee, Stephen Kiernan. Subs - Colm Gilcreest for Corbally 19 mins, Aidan Crosbie for Russell half-time, Liam Shankey for Pauric Owens 35m. REFEREE Gerry O'Brien (Wolfe Tones).