Under-21 Team Management team for 2017

The under-21 team will be managed by John Henson, supported by Shay Turley and Ken Veale.

[2024-08-20]

Garrycastle 1-11, Athlone 3-07

Having defeated Cill Óige in round 1 of the under 20 championship Garrycastle took on local rivals Athlone in their 2nd round match in Pairc Chiarain on Tuesday last. Playing against the wind and missing some regulars Garrycastle started very competitively and were matching their rivals until an Athlone goal midway in the half gave the home team a four point lead. The Garrycastle boys responded well with three unanswered points to reduce the lead to the minimum. However, in the five minutes before half time the home team scored 2-02 to 0-02 for Garrycastle leaving Athlone well ahead at halftime on a score of 3-05 to 0-07. 

In the early stages of the 2nd half Athlone dominated the exchanges and extended their lead by a further two points. However, a red card for an Athlone player midway through the half and the introduction of James McHugh on the Garrycastle team spurred the Garrycastle boys into action. They found the going hard to breach a packed Athlone defence but slowly made progress scoring 1-04 reducing the lead to just 2 points when the final whistle sounded. The goal came from Ben Donegan after a James McHugh shot was blocked. 

Team Jack Dolan, Sean Doyle, Anthony Mannion, John McBride, Killian Keegan (0-01), Jack Mulvihill, David Carter, Killian Redmond, Oisin Mulvihill, Conor McCormack, Diarmaid Murtagh (0-05), Brian Mulvihill, Aaron Keegan (0-01), Ben Donegan (1-02), Niadh Shine. Subs; James McHugh (0-02) for Niadh Shine, Andrew Ruane for Conor McCormack.

County Final 2014

The Garrycastle Under-21 squad played Tubberclair in the Under-21 county final on Friday, September 12th, in Pairc Chiarain, Athlone. Garrycastle were very much the underdogs going into the final against a very strongly fancied Tubberclair side. However they really stepped up to the mark, and pushed Tubberclair all the way, leading the game with 10 minutes to go. Unfortunately, Tubberclair finished the stronger to take a deserved win on the evening.

See the Match Report for full details.

Team Photo: 

 [12 September 2014]

Under-21 County Final (15-a-side)

GARRYCASTLE 0-13, TUBBERCLAIR 2-12

Garrycastle under 21s were narrowly beaten in the county under 21 final on Friday night in Pairc Ciaráin.

Played in front of a huge crowd, it is fair to say both teams served up a really entertaining hour of football that contained plenty of skill, outstanding scores, and above all determination which can only bode well for the future.

Tubberclair raced out of the blocks quickest and took advantage of some early Garrycastle nerves to score a goal and some neatly taking points. However it did not take Garrycastle long to get into their stride and they quickly restored parity courtesy of some well worked points. Both teams were evenly matched with scores quickly following on both sides. Tubberclair held a narrow half time advantage 2 point lead.

On the resumption of the second half Garrycastle as they have done all year really took the game to Tubberclair. Some excellent scores left the side’s level midway through the second half and the way momentum was going it looked like Garrycastle were set to go on and claim victory. However a combination of a couple of unfortunate decisions against us and a well worked Tubberclair goal saw them retake the lead once again. Garrycastle battled back and by having to throw men forward to draw level we were left open to some quick points on the counter attack. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and Tubberclair held out for victory by 5 points.

This was a great effort from our lads and all spectators present on the night felt that Garrycastle had done their club proud and came very close to winning the title. However it wasn’t to be and we congratulate Tubberclair on a fine under 21 side who were very gracious in victory.

Thanks to all our lads and management for the great campaign they have given us, and signs are good that another core of senior footballers is coming from this team. We hope that all the lads will use this as a springboard to continue on adult football in the club.

TEAM: Mark Keenan, Sean Gunning, Jack Donoghue, Ben Kennedy, Sean Carey, Mark Curley, Terry Rushe, Justin Barrett, Eric Kearney, Michael Monaghan, Eoghan Monaghan, Evan Dalton, Paul Gunning, Alex Gardiner, Kenny Dolan
Subs Used: Cian Hayden , Conor Duignan, Ronán Donoghue.
Subs: Shane McEnery, Lee McNamara, Shaun Moran, Darragh McCormack, Gavin Ward, Liam Leahy, Adam Keena, Darragh Brody, Kevin McCormack, Donal Byrne, Edward Farrell, Michael Fagan, Frank Farrell.

(Match Report: Enda Keena)

[19 August 2014]

Under-21 Championship (15-a-side) Semi-Final 

GARRYCASTLE 3-18, MARYLAND/TANG 1-09

Garrycastle travelled out to Tang on Tuesday last to play Maryland/Tang in the county semi-final and produced an immense display that all in the club can be very proud of.

On a lovely evening for football Garrycastle playing with the aid of a slight breeze set the tempo from the off with Justin and Eric winning the midfield battle and both forwards and defence on top. Garrycastle kicked some early scores after well worked moves that were finished off by Paul Gunning, Eoin Monaghan and Kenny Dolan.

Maryland/Tang who fielded a team full of quality on the night responded in typical fashion with two quick scores before our lads responded with coolly taken scores from Eoin Monaghan and Sean Carey after a great run.

Just as the home side responded with two scores the key score in the first half came when a trademark Eoin Monaghan run saw him carry the ball through the defence and finish excellently. Garrycastle were now playing with confidence and scores followed from Eoin Michael (0-2) and Alex. The home side came back with 3 well worked scores which were followed up by a Garrycastle response from Michael leaving the score 1-09 to 0-07 at half time.

Garrycastle knew that the second half playing into the breeze against a Maryland/Tang team that would come out firing was going to be tough but what followed was Garrycastle team which seemed to up their performance another notch after an impressive first half. Right from the off Garrycastle got excellent scores from Justin and Jack. A Maryland/Tang goal and point putting 4 between the teams had a few Garrycastle supporters worried was quickly responded to with Paul, Eoin, the deadly accurate Michael Monaghan and Alex grabbing scores. The Garrycastle defence was now in control and were excellently marshalled by Jack Donoghue and Mark Curley. Garrycastle pushed on with further scores from Alex, Eoin and goals from Cian Hayden and Paul Gunning after well worked moves. Eoin Monaghan rounded off another great display with a score and Garrycastle were though to a county under 21 final.

It would be unfair to pick out a stand out player from this game as every player that played on the night produced a fantastic display of skill, determination and workrate. It is great for Garrycastle to be back in a major underage final. However the lads will know that the county final will require this performance and more if they are to be victorious. It is certainly an exciting time for the club and we hope everyone gets behind this team as they deserve it.

Garrycastle: Shane McEnery, Sean Gunning, Jack Donoghue (0-1), Ben Kennedy, Conor Duignan, Mark Curley, Sean Carey (0-1) , Justin Barrett (0-1), Eric Kearney (0-2), Terry Rushe, Eoin Monaghan (1-2), Michael Monaghan (0-6, 1f), Paul Gunning (1-2) , Alex Gardiner (0-3), Kenny Dolan (0-1).
Subs used: Cian Hayden (1-0), Mark Duffy, Lee McNamara, Darragh McCormack, Kevin McCormack, Liam Leahy.

(Report by Enda Keena)

[12 August 2014]

Under-21 Championship Quarter-Final 

GARRYCASTLE 2-14, THE DOWNS 4-07

The Garrycastle Under-21 football team qualified for the semi-finals of this years competition with a one-point win over The Downs in a thrilling encounter in Garrycastle on Tuesday night.

The Downs had by far the better of the first half and managed to score 4 goals past the Garrycastle defence in this period. Garrycastle managed to just about stay in touch with their opponents with points from Eoin Monaghan (2) Alex Gardiner (2,1f) Michael Monaghan (2,1f) and Conor Duignan. Half time score Garrycastle 0-07 The Downs 4-04.

Garrycastle came out for the 2nd half a changed team and showed great determination in trying to get back into the game. A quick point from Eoin Monaghan was followed by a goal from the impressive Eric Kearney. Further points followed from Alex Gardiner (3) Eoin Monaghan and Michael Monaghan. In the closing stages The Downs extended their lead further and it looked to all in attendance that Garrycastle would exit the competition at this stage. However an opportunistic goal from Eric Kearney brought Garrycastle level and with one of the last plays of the game Eric again found himself in the right place to fire over the winning point.

This was definitely a game of two halves from a Garrycastle view point. If the team is to progress further, another performance as seen in the 1st half will not do. However the great team spirit and never say die attitude shown in the 2nd period shows that this team has the ability to go on in the competition.

Full time score Garrycastle 2-14, The Downs 4-07

Garrycastle team: Shane McEnery, Sean Gunning, Gavin Ward, Ben Kennedy, Sean Carey, Mark Curley, Ronan Donohue, Eric Kearney (2-01) Eoin Monaghan (0-03) Terry Rushe, Michael Monaghan (0-04) Evan Dalton, Conor Duignan (0-01) Alex Gardiner (0-05) Kenny Dolan.

Subs Used Mark Duffy, Lee McNamara.

Subs Darragh McCormack, Donal Byrne, Adam Keena, Kevin McCormack, Jack McGann, Eddie Farrell, Liam Leahy

(Match Report : Padraig Cosgrove)

[31 July 2014]

Under-21 Championship 

ST. MARYS ROCHFORTBRIDGE 2-13, GARRYCASTLE 2-15 (AET)

Garrycastle got their U21 championship campaign off to a winning start on Thursday with an extra time 2 point victory away to St. Mary's Rochfortbridge.

The home side had the better of the opening stages as Garrycastle slowly found their way into game. A Conor Duignan goal and point brought Garrycastle to within 2 points of St Mary's at half time, with Alex Gardiner, Eoin Monaghan and a Paul Gunning free also on the score-sheet.

Half time score St. Mary's led by 2 points, 1-06 to 1-04.

Garrycastle performed much better in the second half and added scores from Eoin Monaghan, Michael Monaghan, Sean Carey and Alex Gardiner (1-02, 1f). However having to play the last 12mins with 14 players, Garrycastle came under a lot of pressure from St. Mary's and managed to hold on until the last minute when the home side forced an equalizer.

Score at end of normal time. 2-09 to 2-09.

Extra time beckoned and Garrycastle managed to get out of the blocks quicker and kicked 6 unanswered points from Eoin Monaghan, Paul Gunning (f) Alex Gardiner (f) Conor Duignan, Michael Monaghan and Mark Curley. St Marys managed to pull a goal and point back to leave 2 points between the teams in the 2nd half of extra time but Garrycastle held on to claim the victory.

This was a patchy performance from Garrycastle who will know improvement all round will be needed if they are to progress further in the competition. Credit must go to our Minors Shane McEnery, Ben Kennedy, Cian Hayden, Evan Dalton, Mark Duffy, Kenny Dolan and Darragh McCormack on their performances.

GARRYCASTLE: Shane McEnery, Sean Gunning, Mark Curley (0-1), Ben Kennedy, Sean Carey (0-1), Terry Rushe, Cian Hayden, Eoin Monaghan (0-3), Alex Gardiner Capt.(1-4, 2f) Evan Dalton, Michael Monaghan (0-2), Mark Duffy, Conor Duignan (1-2), Paul Gunning (0-2, 2f) and Kenny Dolan.

Subs used: Darragh McCormack, Lee McNamara, Sean Moran and Donal Byrne

(Match Report : Padraig Cosgrove)