Both U13 teams faced their long awaited first games of the new Season at home on Saturday. They were both tough, hard fought encounters. Match Reports by Orla McCaffrey
U13B v Cregmore/Claregalway C
First up at 10.30 were the U13B against Cregmore/Claregalway. This was a very tight encounter, with little to separate the teams. It was end to end action from the first kick. Dylan King had plenty to do in goal and did it excellently through the game! The starting defence of Tiernan Malone, Eoghan Ryan, Alex Kelly and Niall Grady were on form to break down the Cregmore attacks. Midfield starters Ella Carroll, Niamh Kennedy, Tadgh Harte and Sean Keating were busy assisting the defence and getting the ball up the pitch to strikers Aaron Lindsay Bane and Francis Weldon. The first goal went to the visitors with a lovely strike the home goalie could do little about. Colemanstown went on the attack straight away with lovely runs up the wings by Niamh Kennedy all match. Strikers Aaron and Francis came close but the Cregmore keeper was in superb form in the goals, making some lovely saves. The much deserved equaliser came from lovely play out of the defence and Tadgh Harte scored to make it 1-1. Cregmore got a second just before the end of the first half with an opportunistic striker pouncing to make it 2-1 at the break.
Second half both teams started strongly. Noah McDonnell, Tadhg Bardell, Harry Tierney joined the play, getting stuck in to tackles and lovely passing play, helping Colemanstown to push forward on the attack. Following some handballing in the box, the referee awarded Colemanstown a penalty. The keeper made a lovely save from Tadgh Harte’s shot to keep the score at 2-1. Colemanstown determination paid off when Harry Tierney scored for the home team to make it 2-2. The game continued end-to-end, with shots going in from both teams. Ella Carroll lobbed the visitor’s keeper to put it in the back of the net, but the referees whistle had gone so it didn’t count. The game finished 2-2 in the end.
Squad: Dylan King, Tiernan Malone, Alex kelly, Eoghan Ryan, Niall Grady, Niamh Kennedy, Sean Keating, Ella Carroll, Francis Weldon, Aaron Lindsay Bane, Tadgh Bardell, Tadgh Harte, Martin Mellody, Noah McDonnell, Harry Tierney
U13A V Knocknacarra B
Next up were the U13A team, who due to their successes in Division 2 last season were moved up to Division 1 for the 2020/2021 Season, despite the season ending prematurely. The visiting team started strongly and were on the attack from the off. The defensive group of Nathan Mannion, Padraic Kelly, James Queeney and Ryan Concannon were busy from the off but up to the challenge of the visitors attack. Unfortunately 5 minutes in to the game the Knocknacarra striker was clearly brought down in the penalty box leaving the referee no option but to point to the penalty spot. A very well executed penalty ensued, with the keeper diving to no avail. 1-0. Joshua McDonnell in goals made some lovely saves throughout the game. The midfield of Cathal Keane, Daniel Lydon, Joshua Buckley and Conor Walsh were supporting the defence while playing ball through to attackers Ronan Screene and Darren Moran, who were chasing goals of their own. The next two goals went to the visitors to make it 3-0. This home team were not for giving up however and continued their attack. Fionn Donohue joined the defence and got stuck straight in, while the midfield and forwards were covering a lot of ground searching for a goal. A super free kick from Conor Walsh sent the ball over the heads of both teams straight into the top corner of the net. 3-1 at the break.
Colemanstown came out fighting in the second half. They created a lot more opportunities and started to control the play more against a very strong Knocknacarra team, with good passing and through ball. They were dealt a blow when Knocknacarra achieved a fourth goal to make it 4-1. However, again there was no giving up as Colemanstown piled on the pressure, hitting the crossbar then the post twice with some lovely shots on goal. Both keepers were also in fine form. Colemanstown second goal came in a shot not too dissimilar from his free kick, when Conor Walsh took a shot outside the box straight in to the top corner again. Colemanstown pressed for more, but time ran out as it finished 4-2 to the visitors.
Squad: Joshua McDonnell, Ryan Concannon, Padraic Kelly, James Queeney, Nathan Mannion, Cathal Keane, Daniel Lydon, Conor Walsh, Joshua Buckley, Ronan Screene, Darren Moran, Fionn Donohue.