Yesterday’s B team soccer match was witnessed by the paltriest of paltry attendances (1 supporter, 1 manager and his assistant, and a 12 year old and 3 subs from Colemanstown) but thanks to the wonders of the worldwide web, Colemanstown fans around the globe can access a vivid account of our B team’s amusing game vs Claregalway yesterday. It would take the coldest of hearts to begrudge a Colemanstown B win after their earlier league games of disappointment but in truth this was always going to be a tough task thanks in the main to the new Mr. & Mrs. Donnellan who tied the knot the day before. In fact it was a funny game but hats off to many of these lads that turned up with sick heads and some were as white as a sheet with little few hours under the blankets. Colemanstown had a bit more possession in the first half but in the 2nd half it was probably about 90%-10% possession to the visitors as our backs were under pressure for a lot of the game. The 2 Skehills; Ronan & Niall had good early chances but Ronan was deemed to be offside while Niall’s half chance was bulleted over the crossbar. Sean Walsh was narrowly wide with a free kick and together with Padraic Quirke & Jack Kennedy were the most hard working players on the field. Claregalway broke the deadlock on 25mins when they worked the ball down the right wing and the striker volleyed home between 2 defenders and guess who they were: ? Gary Broderick & Kerrill Lally! Many times throughout the game as these 2 lads attempted to demonstrate how to clear the ball; they either fell over or miskicked it and at one stage as Jack Kennedy made a clearance it knocked poor Gary flat on the turf as it ricocheted straight off his face! Oooouch ! Claregalway’s 2nd goal came within 30 seconds of a Colemanstown corner down the other end as the keeper won the corner and drove a long delivery straight up the field which the speedy striker latched on to, took a touch and struck a half volley which Tom Broderick in goal spilled and the ball wandered into the net and all of this happened as the Colemanstown players were about half way up the field trying to catch up with play! At least one good thing though; Tom made certain not to spill one drop in the same way the night before! 2-0 at the break as Gary Broderick had to take a seat in the stand at half time to take on board some oxygen! 4mins after the restart a Sean Walsh free kick found the unmarked Ronan Skehill but his header almost hit Frank Burke’s sheep behind the goal. Claregalway’s 3rd goal came 11 mins into the 2nd half as the defence were hesitant and failed to clear and the striker chipped the ball into an empty net as Tom Broderick was still on his knees praying for the contest to be over soon! As Claregalway piled on the pressure another effort was taken off the line by Martin Walsh. Tom Broderick then made a great save as he came out to the edge of the 18’ box on the stand side of the field to close down the striker who somehow got his cross in and Tom showed great agility with his meagre body to get across quickly for a diving save from a powerful Claregalway header on the far side of the goal. Tom Broderick then had to go off with an injury and Mark Kirby was introduced in goal but somehow Tom made a miraculous recovery after being substituted; it must have been the thought of his bed! Sean Walsh offered us a sliver of hope with a classic goal 23mins into the second half after great work involving the Skehill brothers on the stand side of the field who found Walsh and as he drove forward he unleashed a classic left footed shot from 30 yards; well worthy of the shift he put in for the 90mins. 3 minutes later though our lads watched in stunned silence as a massive effort from distance left Mark Kirby like a statue in goal as Claregalway widened the gap again to 3 goals. Colemanstown could have pulled one back 13mins before the end, following a speculative, long range shot from Sean Walsh as the keeper made a great diving save. Then substitute Jason Burke wasn’t too far off the mark with his effort after his introduction. Kirby then was called into action with a great save with his body to keep the final score at 4-1. It was a tough day out given the many tired meagre bodies that showed up for this contest. It was like rolling an 80kg tractor tyre up a hill in Ireland’s fittest family only to watch it roll back down again! That said it was a good performance in the circumstances and things can only get better. Next week sees the B team have a recovery weekend to get themselves back on track. And also congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Donnellan, Roisin Burke & Finbarr Donnellan.