Declan Greaney reports on one of our greatest sporting stories of the weekend: Our U15’s victory over West Coast made all the sweeter given that many of these lads played U16 hurling matches earlier in the morning. Thanks Declan, your articulate use of the pen will certainly be required again!
The mountains were alive to the sound of Colemanstown U’15’s putting 6 goals past West Coast United in Letterfrack late yesterday evening. Hatricks from Jack Donoghue and Ryan Noone sealed an emphatic win for Gilly’s young guns. Straight from the kick off Colemanstown were up for this game; efforts from Conor Moran and Jack Donoghue on the 1st and 3rd min set the tempo of the game. The breakthrough came on 4mins. A floated ball from a Conor Moran corner kick saw WCU fail to clear their lines and the ball fell at the feet of Jack Donoghue who slotted home to the back of the net. On 12 mins Ryan Noone had a ‘bicycle kick effort go harmlessly wide. Jack Donoghue continued to be a thorn in the side of the WCU defence and he was rewarded with his 2nd goal on 15 mins with an assist from Michael Kelly a rocket of a shot which caught the WCU goalkeeper off guard. 2-0 up at half time but it could have been more only for the WCU goalkeeper who pulled off a string of great saves.
Gilly and Philip made some changes at half time as some tired bodies had togged out earlier in the day to play for their respective hurling clubs.
The second half started in the same way as the first half ended; relentless pressure from Colemanstown’s attack on the WCU defence. Colemanstown struck the crossbar twice in the opening minutes of the second half with efforts from Niall McDonagh and Micheál Ryan. Then the pick of the goals came on the 33rd min when a ‘Rabona Style Pass’ from Ryan Noone to the feet of Jack Donoghue who raced forward and calmly slotted to the back of the net for his 3rd goal of the afternoon and claim his hatrick. On 40mins Ryan Noone was upended in the box, penalty! The sound of Jason Jason echoed around the pitch to take it as he had a quiet day in the office between the posts but unfortunately not alone did his powerful effort sail over the bar but it also sailed over the crossbar of the gaelic posts located on the same pitch. On 42mins Ryan Noone had thought he had scored the first of his hatrick goals but was harshly ruled offside, where is VAR when you need it?
The only real chance that fell to West Coast United was on the 47th min when one on one with Jason who stood tall and made a great save, which made up for his penalty miss earlier[less said about that]
It was over as a contest when Ryan Noone scored his hat trick [second hat trick of the day] in a 4 min spell on the 48th min, 50th min and 51st min assisted by Sean Hansberry, Fionn O’Connor and Michael Concannon. WCU pulled 1 back late in the game an OG from Conor Byron.
This was a fantastic display from 1-17 Jason in goal, to the back 4 of Michael Ryan, Conor Byron, Fionn O’Connor, Dara Hansbury they were like a hard border (Brexit style) nothing was getting past them; the midfield of Conor Moran, Niall McDonagh, Micheal Kelly and Jack Donoghue worked their socks off and up front Ryan Noone and Mark Donnellan terrorised the defence.
Subs used on the day were: Joshua McGuire-Greaney, Luke Lally, Daithi Colleran, Dara Diskin, Micheal Concannon, and Sean Hansberry who knew what they had to do when introduced; they all played their role in this win. It was well worth the 4 hr and 140 mile round trip and thanks to everyone who made the journey.
Final score 6-1 to Colemanstown who now await Oughterard in their final league game; a win will guarantee league glory.