Colemanstown ‘A’ 0; Athenry 2
Athenry didn’t romp to the handsome victory that many would have
thought in this FAI Cup game on Sunday, in fact they were made fight
all the way and indeed their victory was hard earned in the end.
Athenry enjoyed the greater possession in the first half but created
little chances, the pick being a Mark Moran effort from outside the
box which was well handled by Niall Gelston in the Colemanstown goal
who tipped the ball onto the crossbar & Garry O Grady was on hand to
put the ball out for a corner. Matt Moran had a half chance for
Colemanstown but after some neat chestwork the ball scrambled wide.
Soon after the restart Niall Gelston sustained a serious head injury
in a goalmouth challenge and the game was delayed almost an hour
whilst awaiting an ambulance, thankfully Niall’s injury was not as
serious as originally thought. Following the lengthy delay in play
Athenry were quick out of the blocks and scored through a header which
looped over stand-in keeper Joe Finnerty. Neither side had many
chances for most of the 2nd half and with Colemanstown changing their
formation somewhat, an extra man up front made a telling difference.
Conor O Grady threatened with his shot at goal while Damian Wynne’s
strike brought out a good save from the Athenry custodian. Athenry
sealed the win in the 49th minute in what was a dubious off side
decision, when the striker ran onto a breaking ball over the top,
found himself one-on-one with the keeper to slot the ball neatly away
at the near post. It was a good honest display from Colemanstown who
weren’t found wanting.
Our ‘B’ Team can thank keeper Kerrill Dempsey who was heroic in
pulling off a string of super saves to earn a good 2-1 win over
Oranmore in this league encounter. Colemanstown scored in their first
attack when Adrian Burke converted from the penalty spot following a
handball. Oranmore equalised on 25mins in a goalmouth scramble
following a corner. Just before half time Steven Broderick was taken
down following a thwarting run down the wing drawing a foul in the box
and again, Adrian Burke made no mistake from the penalty spot. Late
in the 1st half Kerrill Dempsey made a super one handed save from
outside the box to tip the ball over the cross bar. In the 2nd half,
Niall Skehill’s effort was well saved and with Colemanstown’s backs to
the wall, Dempsey kept us in the game with some super saves, some of
which were worthy of premier league status. With 5 minutes remaining
he saved a penalty and in the dying seconds another point blank save
earned him the Man of the Match and Colemanstown a hard earned win.
Under 12’s beat Knocknacarra 3-1 and now sit proudly on top of the
Division 1 table. It was a close affair in the 1st half with
Colemanstown’s chances falling to Kieran Dowd but the Knocknacarra
keeper was equal to the task with 3 superb saves to keep the game
scoreless at the break. Colemanstown dominated proceedings straight
from the kick off and the resultant pressure lead to a corner taken by
the astute Daniel Masterson who swung the ball into the 6yard box,
Ronan O’Neill rose highest to head past the hapless keeper.
Colemanstown’s rearguard, Pierse Townsend, Brian Connolly, Daniel
Masterson & Jack Kennedy were under undue pressure but they withstood
the pressure as Knocknacarra pressed hard in search of the equaliser.
With 10 mins left a rare lapse of concentration in the Colemanstown
defence saw Knocknacarra breach our rearguard to make it 1-1. Lorcan
Molloy, the O’Neill brothers Conor & Ronan, & Stephen Kelly were
industrious at midfield while Josh Lane & Kieran Dowd worked
tirelessly up front. Daniel Masterson swung in yet another free kick
for Stephen Kelly to connect well to slam home from close range.
Darren Brennan, Shane Lally, & Jamie Carroll made a telling impact
when introduced. Our 3rd goal came from yet another setpiece when
Kieran Dowd volleyed first time from the edge of the box to make it a
well deserved 3-1 win.