Our U10’s & U11’s travelled to Knocknacarra yesterday morning where both teams defeated Knocknacarra in wet conditions on a damp and mucky day. Both games were played simultaneously.
Our U10’s under the management of Orla McCaffrey had an emphatic 9-4 win in their game. Let that sink in!! Colemanstown’s boys played for the win right from the kick off. The match was played 8-a-side, with our 11 players being rotated throughout. Even after a 4-1 half time lead they didn’t get complacent and allow Knocknacarra a sniff of a comeback. From the off, Colemanstown played some great football despite the soggy ground. Colemanstown opened the score not long after kick-off with a corner whipped in nicely by Shane Quirke and Joshua McDonnell smashed it to the net. Shane Quirke added Colemanstown’s second goal not long afterwards. Knocknacarra came back with a shot on goal saved well by keeper Joshua Buckley who was minding the nets for the first half. Darren Moran made it 3 for Colemanstown with a lovely shot which found the bottom corner. Some lovely teamwork from midfield led to Darren Moran’s second, Colemanstown’s 4th goal. A Knocknacarra corner led to a goalmouth scramble with the ball bouncing off about 3 Colemanstown players before ending up in the back of the net. Score at half-time 4-1 to the visitors.
Conor Walsh added to the rout with 3 after the break and Shane Quirke scored another on a solo run past four defenders to find the net, with an own goal from Knocknacarra adding to Colemanstown’s tally. Aaron McGuire Greaney was net minder for Colemanstown for the second half, making a couple of important saves. Knocknacarra’s second goal came off a Colemanstown leg to find the back of the net. Their third and fourth were well taken with little the keeper could do. There was fantastic play in evidence all over the pitch, with players rotated through different positions. Tiernan Malone, Cathal Keane and Ryan Concannon were solid in defence with superb tackles and finding their midfielders well. There were more great tackles, plenty of running and lovely passing in midfield from Nathan Mannion, Joshua McDonnell, Eoghan Ryan, Joshua Buckley & Aaron McGuire Greaney. Up front, there was a display of great passing, super skills, shots and goals from Darren Moran, Conor Walsh and Shane Quirke and some exuberant goal celebrations to add an extra dimension. The team worked hard for each other, running their hearts out and showing lovely skills. It finished 9-4 for Colemanstown who enjoyed every minute of their singing celebrations in the dressing room afterwards! They could be heard from the moon for sure! Well done to all for a fantastic display of soccer.
Team – Tiernan Malone, Darren Moran, Ryan Concannon, Nathan Mannion, Joshua McDonnell, Shane Quirke, Joshua Buckley, Aaron McGuire Greaney, Cathal Keane, Conor Walsh, Eoghan Ryan.
Our U11’s managed by Barry Forde, also fielded an 8-a-side with 2 roll-on, roll-off subs, was a much tighter affair. There were a few goalmouth scrambles from both sides but both defences were on top standing their ground well. Colemanstown had the ball in the net in the first half, thanks to Fionn Flattery but the keeper was adjudged to be fouled and the goal was disallowed. 0-0 at half time. Colemanstown took off in style in the 2nd half with some great passing movements and some downfield brilliance. Fionn Flattery’s fancy back heel found Cillian Roche who finished superbly 10mins after the restart. Cathal Kennedy pulled off some great saves in goal while our rearguard of Ronan Screene, Ross Lally, Dillon Roche and Diarmuid Ryan performed at the highest level in defending. Knocknacarra drew level from a corner kick after a period of sustained pressure. Colemanstown defence cleared the corner which fell to an unmarked Knocknacarra striker who struck a lovely equaliser from just outside the box. 5mins later Colemanstown edged in front again in a move involving Jonah Donnellan & Fionn Flattery and finished again by our on-fire striker Cillian Roche at the near post. Colemanstown maintained possession for the remainder of the game to see out the win. Jonah Donnellan, James Queeney, Fionn Flattery & Cian Burke were well on top in midfield while up front Cillian Roche is the new striker in town and could give lessons in ‘The school of finishing’. Well done lads on the result and the lovely rendition of Olé, Olé, Olé. Thanks also to Orla & Barry for managing the teams on a day when academy coaches were thin on the ground due to a few in Soccer College for the weekend. They were pictured today with their scrolls and gowns after their successful graduation today.
Team: Cathal Kennedy, Ronan Screene, Ross Lally, Dillon Roche, Diarmuid Ryan, Jonah Donnellan, Fionn Flattery, James Queeney, Cian Burke, Cillian Roche.
Meanwhile, our reserve game was conceded by Corrib Celtic yesterday with Colemanstown getting the points as a result.