U16 Boys Connacht Cup: Colemanstown 0 – 1 Craughwell. In the first round of the U16 Boys Connacht Cup, Colemanstown United faced Craughwell United on the enticing Colemanstown Astro pitch. The allure of the pitch even had Seamus and Luca considering signing up with the O35 team! Our boys, sporting their upgraded kit with black shorts, lined up with stand-in keeper Padraig Fallon. The back four saw some changes with Daniel Booth, Fionn Proulx, Mike Lally, and James Somers. The midfield was packed with Martin Mellody, Paddy Gavin, Oisin Gavin, Jamie Lally, and Sean Keating, while Joshua Lualdi led the attack. The teams studied each other for the first 20 minutes, with great passages of play from both sides. However, in the 20th minute, we failed to pick up the oncoming Craughwell winger, who volleyed past Padraig Fallon to score. Up to this point, there was no difference in performance, and our boys should be proud of their reaction from here on. They applied lots of pressure, created multiple chances, and had numerous shots on goal. Paddy Gavin, Sean Keating, Joshua Lualdi, James Somers and Martin Mellody all tested the Craughwell keeper, who made some great saves. Midway through the first half, Oisin Gavin suffered a nose injury, but a quick substitution with Noah McDonnel allowed us to reset in the middle. The first half ended with continuous pressure and great plays from Colemanstown.
In the second half, fresh legs were brought in with Ryan Shaughnessy for Joshua, Gearoid Walsh for Martin, and Morgan Keogh for Mike. We picked up were we left off and continued to create chances with Sean Keating and Ryan Shaughnessy with shots on target as with James Somers and Paddy Gavin. Our shots at goal allegedly tallied at 10 to 1 or maybe 2 in the second half alone, but were not enough to break down a well organised Craughwell defence. Our back four and custodian Padraig Fallon were seldom tested and dealt with any threats effectively. Despite a very good performance from everyone, we were unable to score, leading to tired legs and disappointment at the final whistle. However, there are great things to look forward to from this bunch of players who gave it their all. Match Report: Luca Lualdi.
Squad: Padraig Fallon, James Somers, Fionn Proulx, Daniel Booth, Mike Lally, Oisin Gavin, Martin Mellody, Sean Keating, Paddy Gavin, Jamie Lally, Joshua Lualdi, Gearoid Walsh, Ryan Shaughnessy, Noah McDonnell, Morgan Keogh, Joe Carroll (injured)
U12 Girls Connacht Cup: Colemanstown 1 – 0 Valley Rovers (Sligo). Colemanstown welcomed Sligo side Valley Rovers who made the 2 hour trek to Colemanstown for Round 1 of the Connacht Cup in sun drenched Colemanstown this afternoon. It was the girls first game of the season & they really gelled well together. Colemanstown started strong with Ava Forde & Lucy Burke Hardiman controlling midfield. Our strike force created chances but found it difficult to finish as Valley Rovers defence stood up to the challenge until Ava Forde put Lucy Burke Hardiman through & the new comers’ close strike saw her finish superbly to put Colemanstown 1-0 up. Ciara Maybin & Erin Holmes put in a few strong challenges to ensure Colemanstown maintained their 1-0 lead at half time. In the 2nd half, the visitors put alot of pressure on the Colemanstown defence who stood up well with Aislinn Murray, Faye Ryan, Helia Costello & Jade Devaney putting in a huge effort at the back to keep Valley out. Colemanstown took control in midfield & fed Lauren O’Grady on the right wing who worked tirelessly all day & put through some lovely deliveries into the box but just couldn’t get the 2nd goal to ease the pressure with the threat of Ruby Lally & Grace Flynn up front going close with chances. The visitors also created a few chances but Emily Tuohy was as calm as a breeze all through & put Colemanstown on the attack many times with the superb distance in her kick outs. Overall 1-0 to the Colemanstown girls was a fair result with a bit of good fortune thrown in there too. Also kudos to the Colemanstown parents for supplying such lovely food & refreshments & to the hospitality team who ensured everything ran smoothly. Match report: Barry Forde
Squad: Emily Tuohy, Jade Devaney, Aislinn Murray, Faye Ryan, Lucy Burke Hardiman, Ava Forde, Ruby Lally, Lauren O’Grady, Grace Flynn, Erin Holmes, Helia Costello, Ciara Maybin.
Meanwhile our U18s were togged & ready for action in their 1st round SFAI Youth cup tie at home this afternoon but Mayo side Fahy Rovers failed to show.