Colemanstown United FC women under Spanish management of Javier Martinez & David Casas assisted by Philip Dee & Alicia Flannery produced a superb home performance as they held league newbies Dunmore Town to a 0-0 draw in the first game of the Womens Senior League on Sunday. The league started earlier than normal and with a new manager Javier in place assisted by David Casas & Philip Dee it was always going to be an interesting start to the season especially as there had been absolutely no grass training put in beforehand. But the girls brushed off the cobwebs. Colemanstown had a few chances in the first half but were unlucky as they came up against a top class Dunmore keeper. On the other hand Orla McCaffrey matched her rival on the opposite end, showing the great goalkeeper she is with some point blank saves and continuous communication with the defence line of Fidelma Walsh who made her first comeback in over a decade, Aoife Donoghue, the reliable Kate Kennedy with her trademark sliding tackles & Ciara Lally at right back.
The entire first half was very intense with little between both sides, although Colemanstown may just have edged it in terms of possession. The middle of the field was lorded by Orlaith Hannon, newcomer Claire Keane and Teresa Loughnane who did a splendid job neutralising Dumore’s best player. Mary Walsh never lost her pace from last year with some probing runs, Amy Kenny battled hard on the right flank while up front Laura Parker fought tooth & nail against a really strong Dunmore defence. With both defences doing their job well and both keepers in top form, both sides went in at the break 0-0.
The game maintained its intensity for the first 15mins of the 2nd half until it opened up and both teams found more space. Colemanstown went close to scoring in the last 10mins as they took the game to their opponents with great opportunities presented for Mary Walsh, Laura Parker and Orlaith Hannon which were stopped by an impressive Dunmore keeper. The game petered out with the Colemanstown ladies still trying to score an elusive winner with some last ditch efforts.
Although a hard fought 0-0 draw was probably a fair enough result, the fighting spirit of this Colemanstown ladies side was evident all afternoon with some outstanding individual performances.
Squad: Orla McCaffrey, Ciara Lally, Kate Kennedy, Aoife Donoghue, Fidelma Walsh, Claire Keane, Orlaith Hannon, Teresa Loughnane, Mary Walsh, Laura Parker, Amy Kenny, Mary Raftery, Lisa Kenny, Louise Kelly.
Management team: Javier Martinez, David Casas, Philip Dee, Alicia Flannery