Its not that easy to write after a few beverages but will give it a try. Five goals gave the scoreline today a luxury feel and Colemanstown have reinforced their position as league title winners after a 5-0 win at home against Cregmore this afternoon, who were also unbeaten up to this decider. Mid-season fears have after the loss of Tommy Mellody to Galway United proved unfounded as Colemanstown put in a mighty shift in their final league outing of the season. They were emphatic at home today with a super star performance well worthy of the way these boys have been trained by Jayo Finn & Gareth Lally all year. By the way, we wish Gareth the very best in the first round county hurling championship tomorrow in Athenry.
Jayo Rabbitte nabbed himself a brace in the game, with Cilly Fahey, Killy Hughes & David Walsh with that mighty left peg of his making it five in total. Today, the boys were outstanding and showed so much passion which has been instilled into them from months of training under the guidance of Jason Finn & assistant Gareth Lally and certainly showed great unity and one thing for sure and was obvious all year, they showed no signs of panic when on the ball. Our rearguard were rarely troubled as Harry Mitchell & Eanna Burke roamed up both flanks in search of the ball, Luke Williams & Ciarán Keating anchored the centre back position while Dara Scarry did a tremendous job sitting in front of the back four. Colemanstown started with great intent and within a minute a David Walsh corner came off the cross bar and then on 6mins Colemanstown opened the scoring as Jonah Donnellan had Cilly Fahy put through and he made no mistake as he swept aside Cregmore in front of goal to score in his 7th successive match. On 11mins David Walsh whipped in a free kick after Cilly Fahey was fouled and Harry Mitchell’s effort was saved well on the first attempt while the ball fell kindly for Jonah Donnellan but his attempt deflected off the crossbar. At this stage, Fahey and Donnellan were linking up well as Donnellan sprayed plenty of ball over the top for the electric Fahey to run on to, he could have been on wheels such was his speed as he caused a torrid time for Cregmore. 18mins in and great play from Killian Hughes at left back to hold up play and tap back to Eanna Burke who wasn’t too far off the mark with his effort. Great hassling from Jayo Rabbitte on 20mins won the ball back from Cregmore and he found David Walsh on the left flank who sent in a whopper which almost bounced into the net. 6 consecutive corners taken by David Walsh’s left peg were defended by Cregmore giving away a corner each time but Colemanstown failed to find the target. 26mins in and some trojan work from Jayo Rabbitte who seemed to get the ball entangled in his feet, redeemed himself and somehow found Hughes who linked up again with Rabbitte and as he let fire his whopper deflected off the crossbar.
Following continuous surmountable pressure by Colemanstown, Jayo Rabbitte leapt between defenders to head a close-range 26th minute goal after a sumptuous corner from David Walsh and it was surely no more than he deserved for his work rate alone. David Walsh’s massive drive from distance….. he has some left foot this lad.. …. but unfortunately his effort was well held by the keeper. The Cregmore keeper had to be at the top of his game to hold out a great shot from Harry Mitchell after good link up play from Rabbitte. Rabbitte set up Walsh again almost on the stroke of half time and that great left foot of his, whether it came from the mother or father, neither of them claims it……. but again the keeper saved well. Walsh was rewarded right on the stroke of half time when his corner, from the stand side of the field cheekily curled right into the goal; a perfect one for a left footer. 3-0 at half time.
3 mins after the restart, Cregmore went close enough after a poor defensive clearance but failed to keep their effort under the crossbar. The resultant kick out found the Rabi who in turn fed Cilly Fahey but as he went to chip the keeper, his effort went wide 5mins after the restart. A minute later Davy Walsh’s corner was again whipped superbly into the box and as Luke Williams got the first head on it, Killian Hughes made certain as he got the final head to it to make certain it went over the line 6mins into the 2nd half and ensure Colemanstown got their swagger back. Cian Buke & Ross Lally were then introduced at midfield and left back respectively. 14mins into the 2nd half, the Rabi & Cilly Fahey linked up well culminating in Fahey’s shot not too far off target. Johnny Keane was then introduced as Cregmore broke on the counter but Cian Ruane did well in goals. With 10mins to go as Cregmore applied some pressure, they won a corner but Jason Rabbitte defended well landing the ball on the walkway contactors mini digger. Goal No. 5 came 20mins into the 2nd half as Johnny Keane found Fahey whose crossfield pass found the Rabi who found himself one-on-one with the keeper but held his composure to slot past the advancing keeper. Straight from tip-off Cregmore broke on the counter and for once Cian Ruane was beaten but Ross Lally was perfectly positioned, not quite to squeeze the ball off the goal line but near enough. Nathan McGuire- Greaney, Eoin Keague & Larry Murrajvos got a taste of the game in the last 10mins as Cregmore were being put to the sword. Colemanstown held out to the end to win on a scoreline: Colemanstown 5; Cregmore 0.
The large crowd of supporters went on the pitch at the full-time whistle to applaud their team such was the effort put in by this mighty bunch of players who had just tasted their first soccer success and their equally mighty mentors, Jason Finn & Gareth Lally. Ger Treacy, Galway FA secretary, paid tribute to both teams after the game and advised that the GFA door is always open to any club who required assistance regardless of what and spoke of the GFA’s willingness to help out all clubs. Captain Luke Williams accepted the shield on behalf of his team mates while a presentation was made by Luke on behalf of the players to team mentors Jason Finn & Gareth Lally for their astounding effort put in since last August while U13 Supporter of the Year award was presented to a man that had not failed to show up at any match all year nor even to a training session especially during those long Winter nights. It made it all the more special that the Best Supporter trophy was presented by captain Luke Williams to his grandad Tommy Williams. It is fair to say that the greatest supporters in the world are by and large found populating the sidelines, terraces and stands of the clubs their children and grandchildren are registered with. Given rain, hail, sleet, snow or wind, Tommy Williams has never missed a training session and he was head and shoulders a fitting character to win this award. Tribute was also paid to the mentors Jayo & Gareth who brought such a hugely professional approach to training and all the players really bought into it and have now reaped its rewards. Luke Williams presented both lads with a small token after the game in appreciation of their efforts put in all year. Ole Gunnar alone would be content to have them on board.
Finally hats off to Grainne, Ciara & Tara Lally who prepared the hospitality before the game and tidied up afterwards. When you see a 7 year old on wash up duty, that’s says a lot. Start them young… the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Finally kudos to the large number of home baking parents who put on an almighty spread- fit for a king. Ye are simply a mighty bunch.
As the water soaked mentors headed back to the dressing room with a huge smile on their faces and their arms draped around the shoulders of their also drowned players, that alone said it all. The winner takes all, particularly the league title on this occasion. There were plenty of stars of the show, in fact the entire sqaud, for their performance on the day and their commitment alongside their mentors all year. A special word too – to Tommy Mellody who was a member of the squad all year but signed mid season for Galway Utd and happily still gets his winners medal. Well done lads, Div2 champs 2018/19.
U13 Div 2 Champs 2018/19: Cian Ruane, Harry Mitchell, Luke Williams, Ciarán Keating, Eanna Burke, Dara Scarry, David Walsh, Jonah Donnellan, Jayo Rabbitte, Killian Hughes, Cillian Fahey, Ross Lally, Cian Burke, Eoin Keague, Johnny Keane, Nathan McGuire- Greaney, Larry Murrajvos. Some photos to follow in the next day or two!