Our U15s put in a great display in a top of the table clash away to Oughterard on Saturday in their penultimate league match. At least a draw in their last game against Maree Oranmore B tomorrow evening will see them play Championship football next season. This was an overall squad performance and made much sweeter given the efforts put in by some players who travelled from early morning trials in Kinvara straight to Oughterard. Well done to these lads for the dedication & commitment shown – namely Luke Williams, Harry Mitchell, Jason Rabbitte & Jack Jordan.
Keeper Fionn Flattery was busy in the early exchanges as the hosts applied all the pressure in the first 10mins. Fionn had to dive well to save a low hard effort and in the ensuing passage of play an Oughterard goal looked imminent but the ball was whipped off the goal line by Cian Ruane. The ref however, awarded a penalty as Fionn was deemed to have taken down the striker. For the spot kick, Fionn squared up to the striker, made himself big and dived full stretch to make a superb save followed by a smile for the Colemanstown sideline!
Buoyed up by the save, Colemanstown began to take charge. Jonah Donnellan saw his effort from distance saved while Tommy Mellody had a great run down the right wing and crossed to Cathal Kennedy who at full stretch couldn’t get a boot on it. If his legs were an inch or 2 longer he would certainly have finished it!. Tommy Mellody then hit the side net as top scorer Harry Mitchell was introduced; it didn’t take this lad long to adjust to the bigger ball from his earlier morning session in Kinvara. The breakthrough was made on 17mins as Tommy Mellody’s delivery over the top was a perfect ball for Harry to latch on to and he lobbed the keeper from a good distance out. His fist up in celebration before the ball even hit the net – he knew it was on its way! Jason Rabbitte, another lad who had an early morning warm up was introduced and had an immediate telling impact. Tommy Mellody went near to adding a 2nd before the break after he connected to a Ciárán Keating corner. Half Time 1-0.
Within 2 mins of the restart Rabbitte had a pop at goal but the keeper was equal to the task. Jonah Donnellan then saw his free kick from the centre circle parried by the keeper as Luke Williams got on the end of it but bulleted over. Jason went close again with a header after he connected well to a Tommy Mellody delivery and his subsequent effort saw a superb diving save from the keeper 9mins after the restart. Fionn Flattery was called into action again but he made the save look easy. Another Kinvara trials warrior, Jack Jordan was introduced for the tiring Cathal Kennedy. Jordan immediately got stuck in after he nicely controlled a Dean Connaire throw ball but his effort at goal was easily saved. Harry Mitchell made it 2-0 on 50mins when he showed great speed and determination to run onto Jonah Donnellan’s through ball and although the keeper got his paw to it, the force of the shot was too powerful. 2mins later after a strong run from Ciárán Keating down the wing, his delivery from near the corner flag was headed home by Tommy Mellody. One got the feeling at this stage and at 3-0 up, that the efforts made by the full squad was going to be worth it!
Oughterad hit the post with a bullet with 15mins to go. Tommy Mellody then found Dean Connaire on the left flank and his cross was met by Jayo Rabbitte who had to bend low to connect with his head; again the keeper was equal to the task. Johnny Keane had a half chance right at the end but got sandwiched between two defenders and his shot was smothered out. The game petered out in what was full hearted stuff for the entire game. The defense were immense all through as Eoin Keague, Cian Ruane, Luke Williams, Ciáran Keating (2nd half) & Dean Connaire were full of confidence and stitched things together well at the back. Jonah Donnellan & Ross Lally were full of running in midfield. Tomorrow night sees a win/ draw or burst game with Maree/ Oranmore to win the league crown. Well done lads & the management team of Jason Finn, Gareth Lally & Joe Finnerty on a super game & a super league run.
Squad: Fionn Flattery, Eoin Keague, Cian Ruane, Luke Williams, Dean Connaire, Ciárán Keating, Jonah Donnellan, Ross Lally, Cathal Kennedy, Jonathan Keane, Tommy Mellody, Harry Mitchell, Jack Jordan, Jayo Rabbitte.
Meanwhile our U13A team lost 2-4 to Loughrea. Daniel Lydon & Darren Moran the goal scorers while our U13B team lost 2-0 to Athenry.