The U15s arrived for their final league game knowing exactly what was on the line: win, and they were champions.The pitch meanwhile resembled something between a bog and a trampoline depending on where you stepped, but despite that the team started brightly. Tristan Magennis opened the scoring before Finn McEntee followed up with another fine point, giving the lads early momentum. Castleknock, however, weren’t interested in playing the role of polite opposition and kept things tight. But then, in the space of five brilliant minutes, came two huge moments: first, Jamie Walsh buried a rocket into the top corner, and moments later Andy McDonnel finished off another attack to rattle in goal number two – part of a superb personal haul of 1–6. Suddenly, the lads were six points clear, and the sideline finally allowed itself a short, cautious exhale.
Castleknock struck back with an excellent two-point free before the break, trimming the lead to four and reminding everyone this wasn’t going to be a simple stroll to the title. The second half became a real battle. Castleknock came out sharp, clipping an early point, and it was game on. Our defence came under sustained pressure, but Darragh Carrick and Ferdia Noonan stood tall, throwing themselves into tackles, interceptions, and clearances, setting the tone just when it was needed most.
Then came the setback: a Castleknock goal to level the game with 15 minutes left and the momentum swinging their way. But despite the pressure, the lads showed incredible maturity, regrouping, and patiently working their way back into control. They rattled off four unanswered points at a crucial moment, with Mícheál MacDonnacha even popping up from wing-back to clip over a beauty.
Castleknock managed just one more point, but the lads held their nerve through a tense finish to seal the victory, the title, and the perfect season. The game ended 1-13 to 2-13, securing all seven wins from seven, promotion to Division 1 next year, and more importantly, a well-deserved place in the A Championship. Huge thanks go to the management team of Paul McDonnel, Eoin Walsh, Finán Chambers, and Jack Long for guiding the lads through an unforgettable campaign.
Panel Members
Aaron Carry, Andy McDonnell, Billy McGrath, Daniel White, Darragh Carrick, Derry McArdle, Donagh Scanlon, Dónal Clair, Ferdia Noonan, Finn McEntee, Harry Deally, Harry O'Toole, Jamie Walsh, Michael Gannon, Michael Harney, Michael Ryan, Míchéal MacDonncha, Shane Bannan, Oisin Mettler, Tristan Magennis, Luke Gavin & David Campbell.
Castleknock struck back with an excellent two-point free before the break, trimming the lead to four and reminding everyone this wasn’t going to be a simple stroll to the title. The second half became a real battle. Castleknock came out sharp, clipping an early point, and it was game on. Our defence came under sustained pressure, but Darragh Carrick and Ferdia Noonan stood tall, throwing themselves into tackles, interceptions, and clearances, setting the tone just when it was needed most.
Then came the setback: a Castleknock goal to level the game with 15 minutes left and the momentum swinging their way. But despite the pressure, the lads showed incredible maturity, regrouping, and patiently working their way back into control. They rattled off four unanswered points at a crucial moment, with Mícheál MacDonnacha even popping up from wing-back to clip over a beauty.
Castleknock managed just one more point, but the lads held their nerve through a tense finish to seal the victory, the title, and the perfect season. The game ended 1-13 to 2-13, securing all seven wins from seven, promotion to Division 1 next year, and more importantly, a well-deserved place in the A Championship. Huge thanks go to the management team of Paul McDonnel, Eoin Walsh, Finán Chambers, and Jack Long for guiding the lads through an unforgettable campaign.
Panel Members
Aaron Carry, Andy McDonnell, Billy McGrath, Daniel White, Darragh Carrick, Derry McArdle, Donagh Scanlon, Dónal Clair, Ferdia Noonan, Finn McEntee, Harry Deally, Harry O'Toole, Jamie Walsh, Michael Gannon, Michael Harney, Michael Ryan, Míchéal MacDonncha, Shane Bannan, Oisin Mettler, Tristan Magennis, Luke Gavin & David Campbell.
