Junior Championship: Colemanstown 1 – 1 Craughwell. Building on last weekend’s success in the Connacht Cup, our A team secured a hard fought league point at home against Craughwell yesterday. Despite a strong 2nd half performance which nearly saw us claim all 3points, a draw was a fair outcome and well earned after a gritty display. The opening half was a tight contest with tough breezy conditions making it difficult for either team to find their mojo. We managed a few chances, including a Kerrill Hardiman header and a Geordan Kenny effort but clear cut opportunities were rare. Craughwell also struggled to create much but managed to break the deadlock on 30mins. Following a turnover in midfield, their striker latched onto a through ball and chipped over Junior in goals & although he got his fingertips to it, the ball deflected in off the crossbar. That goal was the defining moment of an otherwise uneventful 1st half. The 2nd half saw a shake-up in both personnel & positions. Player-manager Jason Finn made way for Alan Finn – a welcome recent addition to the squad who slotted in on the left wing. Richie Lally moved to centre-back, Kerrill Hardiman stepped into midfield & Harry Mitchell took on the strikers role. These changes injected energy and width into our play & we came out after the restart with a renewed sense of urgency. Our efforts soon paid off when Aironas Kantauskas delivered a precise long ball into the path of Harry Mitchell, who did well to beat the keeper to it and won a penalty after being brought down. Richie Lally confidently converted, as he sent the spot kick into the far corner to level the score. As the remainder of the game progressed we piled on the pressure, creating several opportunities to take the lead. Chances fell to Harry Mitchell, Aironas, Geordan Kenny & Mossy Carr, but none could find the decisive touch. In the final 10mins, reduced to 10 men, we showed resilience & grit to keep the scoreline at 1-1 until the final whistle. Standout performances included Harry Mitchell who was outstanding in the 2nd half, Richie Lally and Luke Williams who were rock solid at the back & Padraig Quirke who rolled back the years with a commanding display in midfield at 41. It was also great to see Alan Finn and Damo Wynne back in action. Overall it was a well earned point and a performance full of character. Match Report: Jason Finn.
Squad: Alan Junior Finn, Dylan Grady, Luke Williams, Jason Finn, James Collevy, Padraig Quirke, Aironas Kantauskas, Richie Lally, Geordan Kenny, Harry Mitchell, Kerrill Hardiman, Alan Finn, Damien Wynne, Mossy Carr, Shane Duffy, Ross Lally, Jack Kennedy, Fionn Flattery, Ciaran Keating, Keith Mannion.
U16 Boys Div1. Colemanstown 2 – 4 McDara. In an exciting second league match of the season our U16 Boys played McDara in the Under 16 Div1 League yesterday. McDara the league leaders emerged victorious with a 4-2 win in Colemanstown. Despite the final score, Colemanstown put up a commendable performance, and the final score certainly does not reflect the play, the skills, commitment, and passion displayed by our lads. Ultimately, they pushed the league leaders all the way, and a draw would have been a fairer result. The match started with both teams displaying strong defensive strategies. Colemanstown were answering any of McDara’s threats and were displaying great interplay in midfield and on the wings. Oisin Gavin, Paddy Gavin, Tom Holohan, Jamie Lally, Noah McDonnell and Tadgh Harte were giving McDara’s midfield and backs plenty to worry about. McDara quickly realized that they were not going to have it easy and had to have their wits about them with Fionn Proulx, Morgan Keogh, Mike Lally and Sean Keating able to respond to anything that was thrown at them. McDara’s goal came halfway through the half, with a fine move and finish. They really needed to bring their A game to break us down and to put the ball past Tommy Nutley, who was in superb form and pulled off some terrific saves in both halves, well done Tommy great display! Colemanstown responded with vigor, continuing their game plan and applying pressure, coming close to an equalizer through Tadgh Harte on two occasions and again with Jamie Lally. However, towards the end of the half and at the end of a counterattack, McDara were awarded a corner kick that they converted to make it 2-0 at the half. A harsh tally, considering the great effort from Colemanstown, but our lads never bowed their heads. With the second half underway, James Somers, Daniel Booth and Pádraig Fallon were introduced advancing Sean Keating further on the wing. Very soon into the half, James Somers saw an opportunity to push forward on the right and was awarded a foul on the halfway line. Paddy Gavin provided a great delivery to the far post for Sean Keating who applied a great finish to make it 1-2 and game on. At this point, Colemanstown were fired up and pushed hard for an equalizer, threatening McDara’s goal on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, when pushing forward too much, we left some gaps that our defenders dealt with most of the time, but eventually, McDara were awarded a penalty which they dispatched to make it 1-3. It was a very harsh decision at this point, but we continued our great link-up plays, and from a very smooth passage of 1-2s, we moved the ball quickly from defense all the way to Jamie Lally, who completed the move with a pinpoint finish to make it 2-3. What a move and what a goal! Sensing danger, McDara brought back on their starting goalkeeper. We were not finished or giving up. Fresh legs were introduced by Luca and Kerrill (standing in for the injured Seamus), with Joshua Lualdi, Gearoid Geraghty and Stephen Murphy as our starting lads had given their all. Unfortunately, when pushing forward we gave McDara the opportunity for another counter, which led to the award of another penalty, a very unfair decision, since we cleared the ball and any contact with the player was only part of the follow-through; all on the pitch and on the sideline were surprised by the call, but that’s the way. We must take it on the chin, McDara scored to make it 2-4 with the ref blowing the final whistle soon after. All the lads should be very proud of their effort and keep their heads up high, they showed great resilience and some very good football, pushing the league leaders on several occasions. Everyone felt very hard done by the second penalty, ultimately it would not have changed the course of the game, however the lads reaction showed that they care and they believe in themselves and what they can achieve as a team. Match report: Luca Lualdi.
U14 Girls Div1. Colemanstown 4 – 0 Kiltullagh. A Sunday morning with a hint of spring in the air was the setting for this local derby between our Colemanstown U14 Girls and their Kiltullagh counterparts. Colemanstown, who are flying high in the first division, started like a team with a point to prove. All the early play was in the Kiltullagh half, with control in the middle of the field being exerted by Muireann Roche and Shauna McDonagh. Any pressure from Kiltullagh was quickly snuffed out by our always impressive backline of Niamh Naughton, Grace Connolly, Tia Loughnane & Aoife Walsh, leaving our keeper Lucy Butler with very little to do in the first 25mins. The pressure was continuous on the Kiltullagh backline with both our wingers Emma Collins and Maddie Rohan linking up well with the front line of Grace Jordan and Emily Rohan. That pressure finally paid off with 5 mins to go in the first half when a through ball from Muireann Roche found our number 10, Emily Rohan, free on the edge of the box. Emily made no mistake from just inside the box with a neat finish to the corner. Emma Collins and Grace Jordan then made way for Leah Hansberry and Tara Dillion just before the break. The second half started as the first finished, with Colemanstown continuously on the attack. The first 10 mins of the second half then became the Maddie Rohan show. A high press from the Colemanstown girls led to a turnover, with Maddie pouncing on the loose ball in the box to finish. Not long after, Maddie picked up the ball in midfield and dribbled past four Kiltullagh defenders before calming slotting her second and Colemanstown’s third. The fourth inevitably followed with a neat lob from just outside the box from Emily Rohan leaving the Kiltullagh keeper helpless in the goal. Late subs Ailbhe Burke and Evelyn McDonnell continued the hard running and high pressing of the Kiltullagh backline. Kiltullagh did rally late on with Lucy Butler having to dive the full length of the goal to deny the visitors a late consolation. It wasn’t to be for the visitors and Colemanstown cemented their position in second place in the League, just a point off the leaders with a game in hand. Next up for this great bunch of girls is a home Cup tie against Athenry in 2 weeks’ time. Match Report: Noel Connolly. We’ve discovered another promising match reporter with that precise and well detailed account.
Squad: Lucy Butler, Niamh Naughton, Tia Loughnane, Grace Connolly, Aoife Walsh, Emma Collins, Muireann Roche, Shauna McDonagh, Maddie Rohan, Emily Rohan, Grace Jordan, Leah Hansberry, Tara Dillon, Ailbhe Burke, Evelyn McDonnell.
Photo of our U14 Girls following their latest league win
U14 boys Connacht Trophy. Colemanstown 7 – 4 Merville Utd. Our U14 Boys & Sligo side Merville fought out an 11 goal thriller at home in the Connacht Trophy on Saturday afternoon. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was a different sports code given the feast of goals. It was our boys who took the spoils with a 7-4 victory making this their highest scoring game this season. Dermot Parker claimed many of the plaudits with a well taken hat-trick. The 1st half of this thrilling encounter was a showcase of end-to-end football as both teams played an intense & entertaining style. Colemanstown battled against a stiff breeze & showed incredible determination & confidence to edge ahead 4-3 by the halftime whistle. The scoring opened early when Dermot Parker capitalised on a fantastic combination of play involving Finian Walsh & Daniel Ruane. His low strike from the edge of the 18’ box nestled perfectly in the far corner. Merville responded quickly with an equaliser but Parker struck again on 10mins. After he was brought down in the box, he coolly converted the resultant penalty to restore Colemanstown’s lead at 2-1. Soon after, a well delivered corner from Finian Walsh caused chaos in the Merville box & Owen Hillary was on hand to slot home from close range to make it 3-1. The visitors refused to back down though & pulled one back to narrow the margin to 3-2 but Daniel Ruane restored Colemanstown’s 2 goal advantage with a stunning long range strike from 25’ that flew into the net. Just before halftime, Merville struck again to leave the scoreline delicately poised at 4-3 in favour of Colemanstown as the teams headed for the dressing rooms. With the wind at their backs in the 2nd half, Colemanstown ramped up the pressure on the visitors. Soon after the restart, Dermot Parker robbed an opposition defender, took a couple of touches & slotted the ball under the keeper to complete his hat-trick and extend the lead to 5-3. Shortly afterwards, a free kick from 30 yards by David Barrett floated over the keeper & into the net to push Colemanstown further ahead at 6-3. Merville briefly threatened a comeback when they converted a penalty following a rare venture into the Colemanstown box cutting the deficit to 6-4. However, Owen Hillary ensured there would be no late drama when he latched onto a long kick out from Keelan Murray, outpaced the defenders & calmly finished to seal the game at 7-4. This was an all round excellent performance from the entire squad. The defensive line of Daragh Blake, Oisín Lally, Darragh Finnerty & Liam O’Connor along with Jack Barrett at centre back for portions of the game, stood firm while contributing to the attacking play when opportunities arose. Aidan Quinn also impressed when introduced to left back, adapting well despite stepping outside his familiar goalkeepers role. Mikey Nutley orchestrated the forward movement brilliantly when introduced for the injured Dermot Parker. Sean Forde bossed the midfield with his usual composure & Thomas Kennedy’s work on the left wing was a masterclass in precision. This win secures Colemanstown’s progression to the next round of the Connacht Trophy where these lads will be hoping to further build on this outstanding display with something similar. Match Report: Martina Donnellan
Squad: Kealan Murray, Daragh Blake, Oisin Lally, Darragh Finnerty, Liam O’Connor, David Barrett, Owen Hillary, Daniel Ruane, Daithi Burns, Finian Walsh, Dermot Parker, Jack Barrett, Aidan Quinn, Mikey Nutley, Sean Forde, Thomas Kennedy.