The spirit of our U11 mini league being run at present is about inclusion and giving everyone a chance to play. This was perfectly encapsulated when 2 different Colemanstown teams faced a strong Kiltulla side at home early yesterday morning. In the first half we conceded 2 well taken goals albeit playing with a mixed team. Our first chance of the half fell to Adam Cleary who had a good effort on goal but the Kiltulla keeper who had an outstanding game made a good save at the near post. Minutes later the Kiltulla striker was put clean through on goal with just Cian Ruane to beat but slotted to the left of the post. Seconds later a long clearance from defence put Ciaran Keating through but there was no one on the end of his effort which went right across the face of goal. Cian Ruane then made a great save from a difficult high shot handling and then holding the ball well. Seconds later Jonah Donnellan tried his luck with a shot from distance which curled well wide of the post. At this stage it was Colemanstown who were enjoying the majority of the possession as David Walsh took a corner from the stand side of the field which hit the post but the Kiltulla keeper made a great double save from the rebounded effort from Ciaran Keating. About 20mins into the game Kiltulla opened the scoring with a whopping shot from distance which literally flew into the top corner leaving Cian Ruane with no chance. Adam Cleary did his best to restore parity minutes later when he did well to still get his shot in at goal despite falling to the ground but his effort wasn’t too far over the crossbar. Shortly afterwards some superb defending by Colemanstown wasn’t enough though as Kiltulla still managed to bundle the ball over the line not long before half time. Colemanstown responded well through Adam Cleary who drew a great save from the Kiltulla keeper right on the stroke of half time. First half team: Cian Ruane, Jonah Donnellan, Diarmuid Ryan, David Walsh, Cian Burke, Sean Connolly, Nathan McGuire Greaney, Ciaran Keating, Adam Cleary.
In the 2nd half we fielded a totally different team against the same Kiltulla opposition. Right from the off in the 2nd half saw Thomas Mellody thick in the action as he won a corner straight away which was defended well by Kiltulla. Thomas Mellody then got stuck in the middle of proceedings at the back as he won the ball in defence, skipped by 3 players and played a brilliant ball through to Patrick Flynn who just hesitated momentarily and gave the Kiltulla keeper a chance to spring off his line to avert danger. Then Colemanstown got a great move going, again instigated by Thomas Mellody and involving Eanna Burke who crossed to Killian Hughes but the keeper saved well. Thomas Mellody then rattled the crossbar with a mighty effort while Jason Rabbitte’s rebounded effort was first saved and subsequently cleared by the defence. As these youngsters were doing their best to claw their way back into the game, copious amounts of teas, coffees and bickies were dished out thanks to the hospitality of Grainne Lally which kept the parents and youngsters well pleased. More good work from Thomas Mellody who covered every blade of grass on the pitch, squared the ball across to Jason Rabbitte who again drew a good save from the keeper. Kiltulla then made sure there was no way back for our experimental side when they scored their third from a goalmouth scramble as the ball was somehow scrambled over the line. Jason Rabbitte had a chance with a free kick but the ball curled wide of the post while minutes later his perfectly executed header from a Mellody corner was also wide of the mark. Kiltulla made it 4 just before full time as a lovely ball was fed through the centre and as our keeper Conor Laffey was quick off his line to intervene the strikers effort, the Kiltulla man up front tapped into an empty net. Eanna Burke had a mighty strike right at the death but again Kiltulla’s man of the match stretched well to earn a corner with another brilliant save. That was it, a good day out for all, the result mattered little as the spirit of the game was obvious, everyone got to put on the green jersey and represent the club which is the most important aspect as this age group. Thanks to Grainne for the tea and the academy coaches who again were out bright and early yesterday morning.
2nd half team: Conor Laffey, Ross Lally, Patrick Flynn, Jason Rabbitte, Thomas Mellody, Eoin Keague, Eanna Burke, Killian Hughes, Cathal Kennedy, Jonathan Keane. The club wish Thomas Mellody all the best in the U11 Galway League centre trials ongoing at present. After Mary’s threat yesterday, we hope by this stage, she sorted Harry out when they got home!