Playing in their first league match since the league commenced, Colemanstown’s A team managed a great come-from-behind 3-3 draw with Merlin Woods on Sunday in Merlin Woods City Park. After the hosts jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 15 mins, Timmy Holian’s boys showed a great response and true fighting spirit. The opener came from their right back with a speculative shot from the right wing which beat Niall Gelston at his near post. Their second came soon after following a goal mouth scramble from a free kick. Colemanstown then adapted to the tough pitch conditions and started getting a grip on proceedings. Tom Flannery’s brace brought Colemanstown in at the break on level terms with 2 superb goals. In the second half Colemanstown dominated the stats-sheet, out shooting their opponents and dominating the possession but just couldn’t find that killer chance. Merlin Woods struck again with their only attack of the second half when they took advantage of an injury to Richie Lally to take a shot that deflected off Colemanstown keeper Niall Gelston to leave him stranded in goal. Colemanstown introduced Padraic Quirke and Sean Walsh in a bid to freshen things up and push for the equaliser. Plenty of chances were created but Merlin Woods were well up for the scrap. Timmy’s final substitution was the introduction of Ronan Carr. Colemanstown kept pressurising Merlin Woods as the clock ticked down. A goalmouth scrap ensued with the ball fortuitously bouncing in front of Padraic Quirke who nudged it into the 6 yard box. Ronan Carr brought the sold-out crowd of 43,321 to a roar in the final minutes with the simplest of finishes to level up matters, capping a deadly comeback. Final score: 3-3, two points dropped as opposed to one point gained but the league campaign has commenced and hopefully many 3 points to follow. So, Timmy Holian’s reign as ‘A’ team manager didn’t start too bad.
Team: Niall Gelston, Jack Kennedy, Jason Finn, Lee Murphy, Enda Cunniffe, Ronan Geraghty, Richie Lally, Garry Lally, Alan Finn, Tomas Flannery, Ray Moran. Subs: Sean Walsh, Padraic Quirke, Ronan Carr.
Reserve game
Colemanstown 5 Moyne Villa 2
A good performance by our Reserves at home on Saturday against a weakened Headford side who had lost players to both the North Board Junior B final and Intermediate quarter finals over the weekend. There were some great performances on the day, notably from Padraic Quirke in central midfield and Dylan Grady up front who notched 2 goals on his debut. Eoghan Barrett opened the scoring followed by a cracking Martin Walsh free kick into the top corner before coming off at half time due to injury. Padraig Quirke scored a cracker from outside the box teed up by Rob Lally. Half time 3-1. The visitors pulled it back to 3-2 before Dylan Grady extended the lead with two 2nd half goals, his second converted from the penalty spot after he himself was fouled.
Team: John Gormally, Stephen Burke, Eoghan Barrett, Gerard Grady, Martin Walsh, Robert Lally, Padriac Quirke, Kevin Reilly, Shane Lally, Dylan Grady, Geordan Kenny,
Subs: Adrian Burke, Sean Walsh, Jack Barrett.