Our Reserve team showed plenty of heart but it was heart breaking in the end with only a scant 11 players and weary legs as they lost to Corrib Celtic in their 2nd league game on home turf yesterday. Huge credit is attributed to John Gormally, Stephen Burke, Jack Kennedy, Sean Walsh & Conor Jackson who played both the ‘A’ team game & Reserve game immediately after each other. Corrib Celtic camped inside Colemanstown’s half as the game wore on and they got their just reward with a convincing 4-2 win. But credit to the lads, they put in a huge shift although may have been outplayed at times. The score could have been more only for the vigilance of John Gormally between the posts with some top drawer saves. Our 2 goals came through Conor Jackson who rose highest to power home a header while Sean Walsh found the net through a brilliant free kick from the edge of the box. Corrib Celtic used their bench to good advantage but the fact that the ‘A’ team game was played immediately before hand certainly didn’t help our cause as the well also ran dry in the end.
Squad: John Gormally, Barry Forde, Martin Walsh, Stephen Burke, Conor Jackson, Peter Holian, Jack Kennedy, Jarlath Healy, Mossy Carr, Sean Walsh, Shane Lally.
Colemanstown Youths (U17/18) 5; Maree/ Oranmore 0.
Our Youth team ran amok in Oranmore this afternoon in tough windy conditions and again with only the bare 11 lads togged. Colemanstown completely bossed this game from start to finish and monopolised possession. The blend of the side was something else, one of power and panache but crucially with fast passing and careful pragmatism. Colemanstown had an early chance to score when Michael Mulligan crossed for Shane Burke who could only direct his effort straight at the keeper. The hard work was rewarded when Geordan Kenny raced through one-on-one with the keeper and although he didn’t strike it cleanly it was placed to perfection. It was no more than Colemanstown deserved for their unrelenting start from the word go. Colemanstown maintained the pressure and were rewarded with a 2nd goal as Conal Docherty in unfamiliar territory on the left wing scored with another low hard shot into the corner. Our 3rd came 5 mins later following great work from the duo Geordan Kenny and Conal Docherty before setting up Michael Mulligan who hit a bullet into the roof of the net which left the hosts sprawling as they paid the price for sleep-walking into trouble. Half time 3-0.
At the start of the 2nd half, the Colemanstown lads could be excused for thinking the game was won but assistant manager Mark Kirby let out such a roar that even stirred a few in Bohermore cemetery! Time & time again, Jason Keane and James Barclay in defence were called upon and stood the challenge well. Colemanstown’s 4th goal originated from some exceptional defending from Robert Cosgrove and as the ball broke to Shane Burke his neat little pass to Geordan Kenny saw him breaking from midfield. Still with much work to do, he rounded 4 defenders and calmly slotted home his second of the day. Colemanstown showed no mercy though and got back into the groove immediately. Some great footwork and workrate from Shane Burke saw him snatch the ball off the left back and as he dribbled into the box, he was taken down and the ref pointed to the spot. Geordan Kenny, with hat-trick on his mind could be forgiven for his willingness to take it. He duly stepped up and buried it in the bottom corner. It was no more than he deserved standing in as captain for the ill Jack Barrett and he really showed true leadership today. 5-0 it ended and a good day out. Every single player worked their socks off to deliver this result and it’s certainly what the lads deserved as they were afire with passion, fight and all the necessary ingredients to win. Star player on the day: Geordan Kenny.
Team: Daniel Glynn, Robert Cosgrove, James Barclay, Jason Keane, Harry Greaney, Shane Burke, Geordan Kenny, Aaron Molloy, Conal Docherty, Michael Mulligan, Conor Hibbitt. Thanks to youth manager Conor Jackson for his tremendous performance on the field over the weekend. There’s not too many that can play 180mins of soccer in one day, manage a team the day after and proceed to provide detailed match notes on his young guns performance.