Oldcastle through to next round of Challenge Cup !!

North East Football League 

Tullys Bookmakers Challenge Cup 1st Round 

Oldcastle United 3 - 1 Slane Wanderers 

The blues (wearing yellow) advanced to the second round of the NEFL Challenge cup when they beat their division two counterparts Slane Wanderers at Gilson park. The home side who were down 50% of their squad but the players who showed up played their part in this fine hard fought win. Oldcastle took the lead in the twelvth minute when Gary Griffins soaring run and pass to Jonathan Boylan saw the stiker control the ball on his chest before unleashing a right foot finish past the advancing Keeper Gavin O Brien. Five minutes later it was two nil as Jason Scully finished off a great move from CJ Healy as O Brien failed to control the ball leaving Scully with a simple tap in. With confidence up the home side pressed for a third goal with Scully firing over from a Healy pass, Boylan then seen his shot palmed away by the Keeper and Brian Griffin played a one two with CJ Healy before vollying his shot wide of the post. Slanes Jamie Coleman tried his luck with a long range effort that went high over Aron Kiernans crossbar. Brian Caffrey then found himself in acres of space before launching a shot that nearly hit a golfer on the pItch & putt course. Healy then went close from a Scully pass. The Blues (wearing yellow) held a slender two nil advantage at the interval but made it three on the hour mark Gary Griffins run into the box and one two with Boylan saw the midfielder unselfishly pass to the unmarked Healy and he made no mistake slotting under the O Briens body. Cj Healy should of collected his second of the game moments later when substitute Mark Fitzsimons played a wonderful through ball for the striker only for Slane defender Tom Fleming to make a last gasp challenge and block his shot for a corner kick. The away side did get a consolation late on when Eamon Boyle got his mallet onto a Slane corner and buried it past Aron Kiernan who was minutes away from the Clubs first clean sheet of the season. Overall a great team performance and Boyle went on to colect the Man of the Match award sponsored by Londis Foodmarket in Oldcastle. 

Oldcastle United Team

Aron Kiernan, Conor Somers, James Smith, Eamon Boyle, Michael Flood, Brian Caffrey, Jason Scully, Gary Griffin, Brian Griffin, Cj Healy, Jonathan Boylan.... Subs Paul Mulvany, Darragh Moore, Mark Fitzsimons, Conor Delaney, Justin Burke

Slane Wanderers Team

Gavin O Brien, Jonathan Daly, Jamie Cassidy, Wes McGrath, Tom Fleming, Jamie Coleman, Craig Smith, Stephen Kells, Darren Walsh, Robbie Cassidy, Raymond Connor.... Subs Jake Shields 

Match Official : Paul Oliphant (Monaghan Cavan Branch)