Our B team surrendered the lead twice to draw 2-2 with neighbours Athenry away today. It was a feisty affair with a lot of cards shown, but no red ones thankfully. Colemanstown were 1-0 up after 5mins thanks to Sean Walsh who chased an Athenry back pace to their keeper, duly rounded the custodian to slam home from close range and notch his 4th goal this season. Immediately after the kick off Thomas Broderick, who returned home midweek from Chicago after a 4 month soujourn, made an exceptional one handed save fresh with his Ralph Lauren goalie gloves just taken out of the wrapper for this game. Subsequently he pulled off 3 consecutive great saves that you’d wonder what kind of training he was at around Lake Michigan. As Colemanstown played against the breeze in the first half, Athenry passed the ball around superbly but simply failed to threaten up front. Athenry pulled off the equaliser before the interval when Colemanstown conceded a sloppy goal as their unmarked striker tapped in from the back post. Athenry re-started the 2nd half the brightest but luckily for our lads they missed a few free headers. This re-ignited Colemanstown as they came more into the game aided by the stiff breeze. A slip up by the Athenry custodian allowed Niall Skehill to nip in, round the keeper and tap home his second goal for the club this season. Martin Walsh immediately had a splendid opportunity to turn the screw with a free kick on the right but he booted it over the bar. By now Colemanstown had most of the possession and Athenry were presented with rare opportunities. Then against the run of play, they snatched one of these opportunities as they scored a whopping goal with 10 mins to go, a piledriver from distance, all of 30 yards. Sean Walsh then had a free kick after he himself was fouled but it went agonisingly wide. John O’Brien played immensely as he won a lot of tackles especially when switched to the left wing while Finian Coone did trojan work on the right wing. Joe Finnerty was a stalwart in the middle of the park while Steven Broderick was resolute at centre back. Thomas Broderick got a good settling back in to the goalkeeper’s position which he vacated at the end of last season but the grass and muck stains may not wash out of the new Tommy Hilfiger togs!. All in all it was a good day out and a share of the spoils wasn’t too bad especially when it’s with your near neighbours.
Our ‘A’ team’s game vs West United scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled due to a bereavement.