Colemanstown U17s 2 – 3 Mervue (AET)
What a game these 2 teams served up in the U17 FAI Cup on Sunday afternoon on Kiltullagh astro; every ounce left on the pitch, play up and down the field, dazzling runs, excellent interceptions, great things offered in terms of attacking football, 5 goals, some masterclass individual performances, super heroic saves by both keepers and just when we on the sideline were preparing ourselves for a penalty shoot-out – a last minute winner for Mervue deep into stoppage time of extra time. It was just such a pity there had to be a loser.
Mervue no doubt started the stronger with Luke Wilbur called into action with 2 early saves & Luke Williams heading off the line as Mervue showed glimpses of an early onslaught. However, Colemanstown soon got to grips with the game which they failed to loosen after that. Luke Williams was fouled and Ciaran Keating’s free kick was put out for a corner which again was whipped in by Keating and up rose Ciaran Mulhern to head home a powerful unstoppable header on 12mins to open the scoring. 8mins later though Mervue restored parity as Wilbur showed serous bravery advancing off his line, injured himself in the process and as play continued Mervue found the net despite the best efforts of Luke Williams on the goal line. Colemanstown went ahead on 30mins when a speculative effort from Jason Rabbitte from 30 yards was too hot to handle and the spin of the ball took it over the line. In that intervening period both sides moved the ball from defence to the final third with some exceptional passages of play with the Colemanstown defence of Ciárán Keating, Luke Williams, Cian Ruane & Dean Connaire in particular looking very composed.
Harry Mitchell had a half chance on 40mins but as the move broke down, the clearance was worked down the wing where Mervue’s pacy No.9 cut in across the box but again Wilbur read the situation well and Luke Williams took no chances as he headed the rebound out for a corner. Just before the break, Harry Mitchell was fouled on the edge of the box and Tommy Mellody whacked the resultant free kick off the corner of the crossbar & the post. Colemanstown 2 – 1 Mervue half time.
The second half restarted with Wilbur again making a quick save and then the opposite custodian was called into action when a cross from Mulhern found Harry in space but the keeper stretched well to keep out his low hard drilled effort which was destined to squeeze inside the post. Colemanstown came close to scoring in a goalmouth scramble which somehow got poked away from danger with the clearance finding its way to their No9 who excelled with pace but luckily drilled his effort wide and it was great to hear the thud of the ball off the advertisement hoarding. Colemanstown weren’t so lucky though 14mins into the half in a similar clearance this time from a corner again finding their No9 who steamed down the wing, cut in across the box and finished into the far corner as Luke Wilbur could do nothing about it. At this stage Eanna Burke was introduced to midfield to add some fresh legs.
Wilbur made a super double save 5mins later with some brave goalkeeping. On 37mins Ciaran Keating whipped in a free earned by Eanna Burke who settled well into the game & Muller again got a head on it but headed wide. With a minute to play another goalmouth shemozzle resulted and between Tommy Mellody, Harry Mitchell & Jason Rabbitte no one could push it over the line while a late corner kick was also whipped off the goal line by a Mervue defender as the keeper was stranded. The game finished with Colemanstown giving as good as they got as the ref blew the full time whistle and so to 20mins of extra time.
Chances fell to both sides in extra time. Wilbur made a good double save with the ball deflecting off his body at one stage. David Walsh was introduced for the 2nd period of extra time for the cramping Dean Connaire. With just 5mins remaining Jonah Donnellan saw the keeper stretch well to keep out his effort while Tommy Mellody couldn’t lift his effort in a crowded box over the bodies of 2 stretched Mervue defenders & the keeper. Deep into additional time of extra time, Mervue won a free on the edge of the box and fired it past Wilbur into the far right top corner to earn a late victory and perhaps a lucky one! as the game finished with Mervue 3-2 last gasp winners.
For Colemanstown, every player on the pitch gave 100% effort which encapsulated the nature of this game which was a pure battle with our defence showing great composure when required and our midfielders & forwards battle for every ball. It was just a pity there had to be a loser and more so that it was Colemanstown! We wish Mervue Utd the best in the next round.
Squad: Luke Wilbur, Ciárán Keating, Luke Williams, Cian Ruane, Dean Connaire, Ciarán Mulhern, Jonah Donnellan, Jason rabbitte, Tommy Mellody, Harry Mitchell, Jack Jordan, Eanna Burke, David Walsh, Fionn Flattery, Jack Dillon, Johnny Keane.
St John’s Athletic FC 3-2 Colemanstown FC U12’s
Our U12 boys headed to Lecarrow to play St John’s under lights in the second round of the Connacht Cup. The game started with great pace from both teams and was a tight contest with some excellent skill shown by both sides. In the first few minutes of the game St John’s took some serious shots on goal but could not put the ball in the back of the Colemanstown net. Our defence line of Liam O’ Connor, Daragh Blake and Dermot Parker were in top form clearing every ball that came their way. However, our keeper Finian Walsh was tested on a few occasions. Adam Kenny and Keeyln Kirby worked tirelessly on the right and left wings sending some great balls into Owen Hillary and Odhran Madden up front. Owen and Odhran worked very hard, constantly trying to break through the strong St John’s defensive line. The first substitute of the game saw Odhran replaced with Daithi Burns who had no trouble joining the fast paced game. Daithi had his first opportunity on goal when the ball rebounded off the keeper; he capitalised on this chance and buried the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 and the half time whistle blew. The boys headed to the dugouts for a chat with manager Alan.
The Colemanstown boys were quick off the mark in the second half with David Barrett doing some skilful foot work and managing to score the second goal of the game. However, within five minutes St John’s scored their first goal. Another substitute was made and Daragh was replaced with Daniel Ruane. Daniel had little time to settle into the game and was put to work straight away. He cleared ball after ball from our back line. This was a very physical game with some strong tackles from both sides. Owen was replaced by Kealan Murray who very quickly slotted into his position. St John’s equaliser came from a free kick and at this stage of the game extra time was looming. A free was given to St John’s and they powered the ball into the top corner. The final whistle blew with a score of St John’s 3-2 Colemanstown. The boys and management wish St John’s good luck in the next round of the Connacht Cup. Match report by Ita Kenny
Panel: Finian Walsh, Darragh Finnerty, David Barrett, Liam O’ Connor, Daniel Ruane, Owen Hillary, Keeyln Kirby, Kealan Murray, Odhran Madden, Daragh Blake, Daithi Burns, Adam Kenny, Tim Burns.