Castlerea boys capture J.P. O’Callaghan Memorial Cup
Ann Creaton presents the J.P. O’Callaghan Cup to Castlerea St. Kevin’s U-16 captain, Ryan Dunleavy. Also pictured are Danny Burke and Vincent Finan, Castlerea St. Kevin’s Minor Board Chairperson.
The Castlerea St. Kevin’s U-16 team defeated St. Michael’s/Ronan’s by 8-15 to 4-10 to capture the J.P. O’Callaghan Memorial Cup at O’Rourke Park recently.
The cup, which was first played for in 2000, was donated by the O’Callaghan family in memory of their late father J.P. who won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with Roscommon in 1943/1944 and six senior championship medals with Tarmon.
It hasn’t been played for since 2008 but was revived by the Castlerea St. Kevin’s U-16 management of Aidan Fleming, Oliver Finneran, Oliver Connaughton and Michael Sweeney.
Both teams put their best foot forward and played constructive football, which resulted in some nice scores.
Castlerea St. Kevin’s were the better balanced team, but fair play to St. Michael’s/Ronan’s, shorn of a few of their best players, who kept on going until the final whistle.
Referee Tommie Finneran, Castlerea, did a fine job. Both teams, officials and supporters were treated to refreshments in the O’Rourke Centre afterwards.
Chairperson of Castlerea St. Kevin’s Minor Board, Vincent Finan, said that he was delighted to see the O’Callaghan Cup revived. Over the years, the O’Callaghan family had done trojan work for the club, both on and off the field.
He added that the club was delighted to have Mrs. Ann Creaton, daughter of the late J.P. O’Callaghan, in attendance to present the cup to the winning captain Ryan Dunleavy and medals to both teams.
Ann Creaton said that the O’Callaghan family were proud to be associated with the competition in memory of their late father and wished the club every success in the years ahead.
Both team managers Aidan Fleming (Castlerea St. Kevin’s) and Michael Cryan (St. Michael’s/Ronan’s) spoke, as did Castlerea St. Kevin’s Chairperson Tommie Finneran. Danny Burke acted as MC.
CASTLEREA ST. KEVIN’S: Cathal Mockler; Aaron Egan, Martin Sharkey, Callum Walsh; Seán Silke, Alan Joyce, Tadhg Donlon (0-1); Oisín Fleming, Ryan Dunleavy; Tom Vaughan, Tyler Waldron (1-1), Alex Doyle (0-1); Evan Kelly (2-3), Eddie Finneran (2-2), Rory Hawkshaw (2-4). Subs used: Tuairi Curran (0-1), Harris Curran (0-1), Daniel Higgins (0-1), Aaron Harte, Diarmuid Fleming, Isaac Lafferty (1-0).
ST. MICHAEL’S/ST. RONAN’S: Ryan Moran; Ryan Gaffrey, Malachy Chilton, Aidan Earley; Zac McCabe (0-1), Conor Regan, Ethan Gaffrey; Dylan McNiff (1-0), Oscar Liddy; Luke Connolly (0-2), Conor Cryan (1-2), Cian Earley (1-0); Tom Bruen (0-2), Seán Gilligan (1-3), Adam Kelly. Subs used: Rian McNiff, Kyron McGann, Danny Duggan.
