We had two U11 teams who played Kiltullagh in the Development league at home yesterday morning. Our first team report thanks to Orla McCaffrey.
Colemanstown U11’s enjoyed an intense game with Kiltullagh on a cold but dry morning. The level of skills on display and excellent passing within both teams was lovely to watch. Colemanstown had several attempts on goal during the course of the match but hit the woodwork and went slightly wide. All players were rotated on and off during the match due to Colemanstown’s numbers being higher than the visitors, with all players having the opportunity to play in different positions throughout. Joshua Buckley took control of the nets for the first half, with stints from Joshua McDonnell and Cillian Roche in goals during the second half. The first goal for Colemanstown came from a lovely pass by Shane Quirke to Cillian Roche who found the back of the net. Despite Colemanstown dominating with a hatful of shots at goal they were unlucky not to find the net. The next goal went to Kiltullagh with a good effort to make it 1-1. Jonah Donnellan, who had several excellent shots throughout the game, lobbed a high ball in towards the Kiltullagh danger area, which was helped by a Kiltullagh player into the back of the net. The visitors claimed one back before half-time, leaving it level 2-2 at the break, during which the Colemanstown team availed of plenty of water due to the intensity of running on the pitch!
Joshua McDonnell scored a lovely goal for Colemanstown not long after the break. Nathan Mannion increased Colemanstown’s lead snatching the ball inside the 6 yard box and straight into the back of the net. Cillian Roche added to his tally when he headed the ball perfectly into the Kiltullagh net to make it 5-2. The visitors then claimed one back to finish 5-3. There was excellent tackles, defending and passing on display from Conor Walsh, Cian Burke, Tiernan Malone, Joshua Buckley and Cathal Kennedy, with lovely footwork, passing and shots from Joshua McDonnell, Cillian Roche, Jonah Donnellan, Shane Quirke and Nathan Mannion. The intensity and commitment of the play from every single player on the Colemanstown team was evident and they played together as a team, supporting each other and demonstrating the skills they are learning at the training ground. It was great to see the players enjoying themselves so much. Well done to all and to the mentors Orla McCaffrey & Robbie Parker.
Team: Conor Walsh, Cian Burke, Cathal Kennedy, Cillian Roche, Joshua Buckley, Tiernan Malone, Shane Quirke, Nathan Mannion, Joshua McDonnell, Jonah Donnellan.
Team 2 managed by Elaine Walsh also put in a superb performance but were beaten by a stronger Kiltullagh outfit. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Kiltullagh even though it took the Colemnastown lads a while before they got into gear. Being two down at half time didn’t deter the boys in green who battled right to the end and whose keeper Arron Lynsey, Dillon Roche & Darren Moran (alternating throughout) had both sets of supporters applauding their efforts. Again, all players were rotated throughout the field so that everyone got the taste of all positions and got the chance to enjoy the game which is what this development league is all about. A goal in each half from the Colemanstown youngsters kept them on the score sheet. Fionn Flattery scored from a corner kick in the first half while David Walsh scored a whopper in the 2nd half.
Team: Arron Lynsey, David Walsh. Killian Hughes, Daniel Lydon, Ryan Concannon, Dillon Roche, Ross Lally, Cathal Keane, Darren Moran, Fionn Flattery, Oisin O’Raghailligh.
Thanks to our dedicated coaches who cater for each age-group and have put in place a proper coaching structure to build towards the future. This has already paid dividends and has worked very well due in no small way to the expertise, dedication and hard work of these coaches with our Academy now well up and running from Under 6’s to Under 11’s.