RDFL Masters League: Castlerea 0 – Colemanstown 0.
Having missed out on the Masters league last year due to Covid, our O35s were mad to get motoring with big numbers training over the past couple of weeks and with renewed excitement, gaffer Barry Forde’s men took to the field on Saturday evening away to Castlerea in their first game of the RDFL Masters League. For these lads it was a real privilege to don the green jersey again with a fantastic atmosphere created by a crowd of about 5 supporters!!.
There was so much banter generated with this game, it felt like it was being aired on tv and with broadcasters Mark & Jonah Donnellan delivering the match report, we get a sense of the happenings.
Castlerea, already with a win under their belt over Strokestown from the previous week, showed good attacking intent early on with custodian Kevin Sayers called into action by the 3rd minute. Paul O’Connor squandered a free kick from 20 yards as the weight of the arm brace made the effort more daunting while Gary O’ Grady’s 16th minute header was by far the best opportunity of the half for Colemanstown. Sayers was the busiest of the 2 keepers and made another good save again on 33mins. Mark Kirby was eager to make a name for himself on his masters debut with the goal he craved for but his attempted chip from a long out was way off the radar.
10mins into the 2nd half Philip Dee had a golden opportunity to mark his debut with the best chance of the 2nd half but he hoofed it well off target. Dead ball specialist Kenny Duane had a great strike from a 25’ free kick which whizzed over the bar. It finished in stalemate as Colemanstown withstood the pressure piled on them particularly towards the end with Ross Sullivan & Cian O’Toole in commanding form at the back while Adrian Burke was extremely versatile mopping up as sweeper & Alan Walsh & Liam Flannery working well on both flanks.
Next week, the lads look forward to their first game at home, tv rights and a full house for their Round 2 game against Strokestown on Sat eve 7.30pm KO.
Squad: Kevin Sayers, Alex Lavrinovics, Ross Sullivan, Cian O’Toole, Garry O ‘Grady, Adrian Burke, Alan Walsh, Kenny Duane, Liam Flannery, Mark Kirby, Paul O’Connor, Gary Broderick, Barry Forde, Niall Cunningham, Robbie Parker, Philip Dee.
U15 – Ramblers 0-4 Colemanstown
Colemanstown started brightly as they dominated possession in the opening 10 mins. Harry Mitchell was lively up top as he was making a lot of runs in behind defenders causing the Ramblers defenders a lot of problems. He was unlucky not to get on the end of a couple of crosses from David Walsh and Cathal Kennedy in the opening exchanges. Ramblers settled a bit and Fionn Flattery produced a good save after 15 mins after their striker weaved some space to get a shot off. Harry got his first of the day when Jason Rabbitte fed a lovely ball through the defence and Harry rounded the keeper to prod home. Just before the break, Fionn Flattery pulled off another great save to keep the score line at 1-0 to Colemanstown.
HT: Ramblers 0-1 Colemanstown
Colemanstown began the 2nd half with a lot more energy and intensity. Ross Lally and Jack Jordan were introduced and Colemanstown were getting a lot more joy down the left-hand side. A corner kick by David Walsh was superbly headed to the net by Jason Rabbitte to give Colemanstown a 2-nil lead. David himself got on the scoresheet moments later when his right footed shot evaded the keeper to make it 3 nil halfway through 2nd half. With 10 mins to go, Harry got his 2nd when again he bet the offside trap to skip past a couple of defenders and put the game to bed.
An early Sunday morning performance for the lads with 3 games remaining and a long trip to McDara on Tuesday evening.
Squad: Fionn Flattery, Dean Connaire, Cian Ruane, Ciaran Keating, Eoin Keague, Jason Rabbitte, Luke Williams, Eanna Burke, David Walsh, Harry Mitchell, Cathal Kennedy.
Subs used: Jack Jordan, Ross Lally, Jonathan Keane, Larry Murajovs. Report by Jason Finn