Oldcastle stun Castletown in IFC opener

Joe Sheridan's side raised four green flags in their win over last year's finalists.

Oldcastle 4-1-10 (24)

Castletown 1-4-11 (22)

The wind at Grangegoden picked up at just the right time for Oldcastle as they scored 3-3 without reply between the 24th minute and half-time in their IFC clash with last year's finalists Castletown.

After 44 minutes, Oldcastle led by eight points and despite Castletown’s revival in the final quarter, a late fisted point from Colin Hawdon and a Pat Crawley free got the men in blue over the line.

Points from Kevin Ross and Darragh Kelly gave Castletown an early two-point lead. Pat Crawley opened Oldcastle’s account before Killian Price and Rian McConnell scored two points in quick succession.

In the 14th minute, Shane Boylan won his own kick-out, turned on the jets and split the posts before Paul Hennessey restored parity with Oldcastle’s only two-pointer.

A super move that had some lovely link-up play between Darragh Weldon, Killian Markey and Price was polished expertly to the net by Weldon before Declan Cribbin and McConnell followed up with points to give Castletown a 1-6 to 0-4 lead after 22 minutes.

The wind at the backs of Oldcastle picked up significantly and they took full advantage for the remainder of the first-half. In the 24th minute, Pat Crawley did very well to evade the pressure from the Castletown defenders before he laid the ball off to the onrushing Jason Scully who found the back of Jonathan Ginnitty’s net.

Two minutes later, Pat Crawley played a crucial pass into Hawdon. This time Ginnitty saved the initial shot but Pat Crawley was alert and fired home the rebound. Scully then set up Pat Crawley and Pearse Sheridan for points before Pat Crawley added another.

On the cusp of half-time, Steven Lawless fired home Oldcastle’s third goal and at the break Joe Sheridan’s side led 3-7 to 1-6.

Soon after the restart, Hawdon increased Oldcastle's advantage to eight before Castletown responded with 1-2 on the spin, a two-pointer courtesy of Price and two scores from the boots of Weldon and Cribbin.

In the 43rd minute, Rory Crawley burst through the Castletown defence and scored a super individual goal. It was Oldcastle’s fourth green flag and it transpired to be a crucial score. Substitute Robbie Farrelly followed up with a point and at the end of the third quarter, Oldcastle led 4-9 to 1-10.

Castletown shifted momentum back in their favour with two well-struck two-pointers courtesy of Weldon and Ross. Scully kept Oldcastle’s tally ticking with a nice point before Castletown brought themselves right back into the contest with 0-4 on the spin.

A quick free from Darren Finney gave Ross the opportunity to raise an orange flag and points from Dan Moran and Ross followed as Castletown reduced the gap back to one with five minutes left.

However, Joe Sheridan’s men closed out the contest well and despite a late point from Moran, scores from Pat Crawley and Hawdon ensured Oldcastle took the spoils in round one over the pre-championship favourites for the IFC.

Oldcastle: Michael Galligan; Thomas Sheridan, Dylan Garrigan, Oran O'Reilly; Rory Crawley (1-0), James Cooke, Steven Lawless (1-0); Oran Mulvanny, Paul Hennessey (0-2 two-pointer); Ryan Halpin, Colin Hawdon (0-2), Pearse Sheridan (0-1); Shane Boylan (0-1), Pat Crawley (1-4 two frees), Jason Scully (1-1). Subs: Robbie Farrelly (0-1) for Halpin 39m, Cian McPartland for T Sheridan 42m.

Castletown: Jonathan Ginnity; Sean McKeon, Evan Hoey, Killian Markey; Darragh Kelly, Eoin Reid, Killian Price (0-4 one two-pointer); Killian Smyth, Rian McConnell (0-1); Darren Finney, Kevin Ross (0-6 one two-point free, one two-pointer), Adam Wogan; Adam Matthews (0-1), Darragh Weldon (1-3 one free, one two-pointer), Declan Cribbin (0-2). Subs: Mark Kelly for Matthews 12m, William Bellew for Wogan 15m, Dan Moran (0-2) for D Kelly 47m, Mark Young for Reid 53m.

Referee: Adrian Corcoran (Drumbaragh).