Colemanstown Ladies 0 – 3 Dunmore
The strong wind was without doubt a huge factor in tonight’s Ladies Premier league tie against Dunmore hosted by Dunmore. Colemanstown got off to the worst possible start, conceding 2 goals from distance in the first 3mins aided by the elements while Theresa Loughnane could do absolutely nothing about them. This woke up the Colemanstown ladies as both teams put in a titanic struggle throwing everything they had into the game. The back four of Leanne Devlin who lorded proceedings, Clare Keane, Aoife Donoghue & Katie Delaney were simply outstanding given the pressure they were under yet limited Dunmore to shots from distance. Colemanstown conceded a 3rd goal before half time which made it that bit harder facing into the 2nd half.
Colemanstown ladies showed no nerves in the 2nd half and their flat out determination in battling for every ball that came near them was heroic. They matched Dunmore’s dedication and, on an evening when skill and finesse took a back seat due to the weather, both sides deserve great credit for the age old values like fighting spirit and giving everything for the love of sport. Rachel O’Brien & Issa Harun both hit the upright while Rebecca Clancy skimmed the crossbar twice as Colemanstown made great efforts to claw back the 3 goals conceded. Custodian Theresa Loughnane who stood in for Ashley Roberts who was absent through illness, could not be faulted for any of the goals; in fact she virtually had the ball in her hands for the 3rd goal when the wind brought it in the opposite direction! 3-0 it finished but the score did no justice to the Colemanstown performance.
Both teams have another crack at it again next Wednesday, this time in Colemanstown and hopefully, the weather will be kinder and the players will be able to express their undoubted skills more readily.
Squad: Theresa Loughnane, Leanne Devlin, Clare Keane, Aoife Donoghue, Katie Delaney, Jessica Doherty, Issa Harun, Rachel O’Brien, Serena Hansberry, Rebecca Clancy, Chloe Gill, Katie Williams, Yvonne Keary.
Colemanstown U13 Girls 2 – 3 St. Bernards. Our U13s took on neighbours St. Bernard’s in their latest league encounter on Sunday. Another ding dong battle which saw St Bernards edge a five goal thriller 3-2 right at the death. Bernards opened the scoring on 10mins but Grace Mitchell responded 5mins later when she got on the end of Lily Kirby’s cross to finish from close range. The Abbeyknockmoy side went 2-1 up before the break as both sides gave it their all with two fairly evenly matched teams on show. Lily Kirby, Eva Molly & Grace Mitchell had further attempts to restore parity before the break but they hadn’t the rub of the green. 2-1 half time.
The 2nd half belonged to Colemanstown who had a spring in their step as they dominated possession. Chloe Flynn had several near efforts at goal, some of which hit the post. Grace Mitchell claimed her brace with an equaliser 10mins from time following a patient build involving Eva Molloy, Chloe Flynn & finished by Mitchell. It was no more than Colemanstown deserved for their fighting spirit & tenacity alone. However, the wheels fell off the wagon with 2mins remaining when Bernard’s striker latched onto a long bouncing ball to dispatch past Honor Tuohy in goal. It might have been a different story had the girls got the rub of the green up front.
Squad: Honor Tuohy, Laoise Maybin (captain), Aoife Hynes, Ashling Ruane, Roisin Ruane, Lily Kirby, Eva Molloy, Nicole Brennan, Anna Barrett, Shona Barrett, Grace Mitchell, Della Griffin, Chloe Flynn, Sophie Kelly, Ruby Lynch, Rachel Kennedy.
Meanwhile our U15s found the going tough in their latest league battle with Moyne Villa at home also on Sunday. The opposition were far more clinical in front of goal while it’s never too easy facing up to unbeaten table toppers.