U12 boys Championship 2. Colemanstown Utd FC A: 6 – 2 Merlin Woods A. Our U12 boys took on joint table toppers Merlin Woods on Saturday in Colemanstown in super conditions for football. Both teams started bright but the Colemanstown boys settled the best and started to dominate possession with some excellent football and movement. The pressure paid off on 10 minutes as Eoghan O Neill found the net following a deflection from a Chris Burke piledriver that fell nicely to him to slot home. The lead was doubled shortly after as Se Laffey grabbed his first of the day with a cool finish. The visitors enjoyed a period of possession and had a few attempts on goal but Kerrill Walsh stood tall to deny them, while our rotated defence of Chris Burke, Conor Egan, Matt Feeney, Aaron Burke, George Costello and Ethan Monaghan foiled numerour attacks. They eventually got one back as their striker won the footrace from a through ball to poke the ball past Kerrill Walsh. Our boys response was immediate as a neat through ball from George Moore was finished by Se Laffey who grabbed his second goal. Merlin Woods grabbed a 2nd goal just before half time as their midfielder hit a ball through a sea of bodies and it found the bottom corner. 3-2 at half time and all to play for. Our midfielders of Frank Dunne, Oisin Flannery, James Kilkenny and Mark Shaughnessy all started the 2nd half well and it wasn’t long before James Kilkenny picked up a ball on the edge of the box and struck sweetly into the top corner to put a bit of daylight between the teams. Merlin drove on and attacked. Phelim Flynn who replaced Kerrill Walsh at half time in goals made an excellent 1v1 stop to deny a comeback. A lofty ball into the Merlin Woods keeper was spilled and Oisin Flannery ghosted in behind to head the ball home. The best however was kept till last. With 30 seconds left we were awarded a free kick 20 yards out. James Kilkenny stepped up and hit a superb strike into the same top corner he had hit so sweetly earlier leaving the travelling keeper rooted to the spot. Final score 6-2 and a deserved win for the excellent teamwork and workrate by the boys. Match Report: Adrian Burke
Squad: Kerrill Walsh, Chris Burke, Conor Egan, Matt Feeney, Se Laffey, Oisin Flannery, Frank Dunne, James Kilkenny, Eoghan O Neill, Aaron Burke, George Moore, George Costello, Ethan Monaghan, Jack Grealish, Phelim Flynn, Mark Shaughnessy.
U12 Boys Div 2: Oughterard B 1 – 0 Colemanstown B. Colemanstown U12B Boys squad made the long early journey to Oughterard for their latest league fixture, played on Oughterard’s astro turf pitch. The 1st half was a tightly contested affair with both teams creating chances but finding defensive lines difficult to break. Colemanstown’s best opportunity came from a Cathal Burns free kick that rattled the crossbar giving the travelling supporters something to cheer about. At the break the score remained 0-0. Oughterard came out strong in the 2nd half and applied early pressure, eventually breaking the deadlock 10 mins after the restart. Colemanstown responded well & created several good chances with Cathal Burns once again coming close; this time striking the post before the ball rolled wide. Colemanstown dominated the final 10 mins in search of an equaliser but Oughterard defended resolutely, setting up a solid 4 man backline to protect their slender lead. Despite Colemanstown’s late pressure, Oughterard held on to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win. Match Report: Peter Kelly
Squad: Avey Mahon, Senan Proulx, Igor Ziolek, James Flaherty, Ousin Kelly, Cathal Burns, Conor Finnerty, Andrew Davoren, Dara Ryan, James Vignoles, Matthew Hansberry, Daniel Kelly, Eugene Kelly, Eoghan Burke.
U14 Boys Connaught Trophy: Abbey Utd (Sligo) 1 – 3 Colemanstown Utd. Our U14 boys took off early for Sligo yesterday morning to face Abbey Rovers in the Connaught Trophy and after surviving the journey wasted no time in getting off the mark as a ball straight from the kickoff managed to find Daithi Burns with a fresh buzz cut finished to the net to leave the home side in shock. As the game settled down both sides looked for openings. Fresh legs were brought on 20 mins in with Sean Forde and Thomas Kennedy replacing Owen Hillary and Jack Barrett. A corner on 26mins from Finian Walsh created a chance which was headed over from Dermot Parker. His goal did arrive not long after as a nice ball from Daniel Ruane sent Thomas Kennedy away on the wing and he was taken down in the box for a penalty. Dermot Parker dispatched the spot kick to go 2 up. Just before halftime our backs got caught out & the homeside reduced the deficit to 2-1. After a few jaffa cakes at half time the boys went out with renewed vigour and again settled into their task. The 2nd half threw up chances for both sides with Daniel Ruane, Jack Barrett & Daithi Burns creating chances and the home side hit the post with some brave goalkeeping from Aidan Quinn. Some fresh legs were needed and Gearoid Griffin and Mikey Nutley were sprung off the bench. Our 3rd and final goal came after some nice play on the wing when Finian Walsh played a one- two pass with Thomas Kennedy and then lifted his pass into Sean Forde who coolly dispatched his finish under the keeper with a few mins to go with great celebrations on the line. The boys well deserved this win. They worked their socks off and showed no signs of tiredness after CGD! Match Report: Alan Walsh
Squad: Aidan Quinn, Darragh Blake, Daragh Finnerty, Oisin Nugent, Finian Walsh, David Barrett, Daithi Burns, Owen Hillary, Daniel Ruane, Jack Barrett, Dermot Parker, Gearoid Griffin, Mikey Nutley, Sean Forde Thomas Kennedy.