A selection of 8 players from our U10’s based on older ages participated in the 6-aside Sonny & Paddy McHugh Memorial tournament in Mervue today. Our group games pitted us against Knocknacarra, Salthill Devon, Galway Hibs & Kilshanvey in what started out as a day for the shorts and tee-shirts but ended with an afternoon for the wellies, brollies and raincoats. Our first game against Knocknacarra saw us lose 1-0 but we turned it around in the next 3 games to reach the Cup quarter final.
Game 1 vs Knocknacarra: The sole Knocknacarra goal came towards the end of the first half with a well taken effort as Jonah Donnellan had an effort before that which whizzed over the crossbar. Ross Lally’s body cleared a Knocknacarra effort off the line while Fionn Flattery made a marvellous save from a free kick to keep our youngsters in the game. The last two goal efforts belonged to Colemanstown as Jonah Donnellan’s back heel effort was inches wide while Cathal Kennedy’s long range effort was well held by Knocknacarra’s keeper. Colemanstown 0; Knocknacarra 1
Game 2 vs Salthill Devon: Killian Hughes was just over the crossbar within a minute of play but they took their next chance mid-way through the 1st half when the ball was cleared from Diarmuid Ryan in defence, found Cathal Kennedy who in turn sought out David Walsh for a classic goal and his celebration was equally as classic. David Walsh & Kilian Hughes weren’t too far away in adding to the score but 1-0 it finished and back on winning ways. Colemanstown 1; Salthill Devon 0
Game 3 vs Galway Hibs: Colemanstown went 1-0 up early on as Jonah Donnellan passed to David Walsh who neatly slotted to the left of the keeper to open the scoring while the 2 players combined for a roller coaster of overwhelming after-goal celebrations. Seconds into the 2nd half, Hibs hit the post while the resultant play produced a corner which fortuitously for Colemanstown also hit the woodwork. 2mins into the 2nd half after another good build up down the wing saw Jonah Donnellan find the unmarked David Walsh who made no mistake in claiming his 3rd of the day. Hibs pulled one back from a free kick but almost straight from the kick off Colemanstown made certain with a cracker from Cian Burke as Colemanstown’s Diarmuid Ryan, Ross Lally & Cathal Kennedy defended astutely while Fionn Flattery also made a name for himself between the posts. Colemanstown 3; Galway Hibs 1
Game 4 vs Kilshanvey: Within the first few minutes David Walsh who was in great scoring form all day scored another classic after he ran onto Jonah Donnellan’s pass from the half way line. Kilshsanvey levelled matters before half time but Colemanstown restarted the 2nd half creating a hatful of chances. Killian Hughes worked the ball down the left wing but the keeper saved well while Cathal Kennedy & Cian Buke also had half chances. A 1-all draw was enough to see us runners up in our group and face Mervue, the winners of Group C.
Game 5 vs Mervue A – Cup Quarter Final: The long wait for the quarter-final, the rain and cold certainly didn’t help matters as within 50seconds Mervue had opened the scoring and one feared would a drubbing from underage soccer kingpins Mervue be on the cards. But no….. Colemanstown responded well and a quick line throw from Jonah Donnellan found Killian Hughes who edged out his marker, found himself one-on-one with the keeper and made no mistake to finish neatly. Mervue scored the winner with 2 mins left leaving Fionn Flattery with no chance in goal. Mervue went on to win the Cup outright while Hibs whom these boys beat 3-1 in their group game went on to win the shield competition. So the future certainly looks bright for these boys in green who enjoyed the day immensely despite the cold and wet conditions and nearly went home ‘singing in the rain’. Thanks to Jayo Finn for managing the boys on the day; he had his work cut out for him while his assistant and side kick Elaine Walsh took shelter for much of the day!
Panel: Fionn Flattery, Diarmuid Ryan, Ross Lally, Cathal Kennedy, Jonah Donnellan, Cian Burke, Killian Hughes, David Walsh