There were mixed results on Saturday morning for our U12s and U14s. The U14s managed to get all 3 points versus a tough Cregmore/Claregalway side, whereas our U12s went down to Sligo side, Strand Celtic in the first round of the SFAI Cup! Check out the match reports below!
U12A’s unlucky loss in opening round of SFAI Cup
This season Colemanstown united will have 2 squads competing in League and Cup competitions for the first time. The A squad opened their season with an SFAI 1st round home match against Strand Celtic FC (Sligo) in an 8 goal thriller. Colemanstown were straight out of the blocks, pressing for goals from the outset. The midfield trio of Shane Quirke, Conor Walsh and Joshua Buckley, who each must have covered every inch of the pitch during the game, were feeding the attacking duo of Cillian Roche and Darren Moran. Strand Celtic responded with some attacking moves of their own, but the defensive line of Nathan Mannion, Fionn Donohue and Ryan Concannon were well up to the task.
Colemanstown scored first, with Darren Moran’s excellent corner kick curling into the box, coming off the Strand defender and into the back of the net, 1-0 Colemanstown. Strand scored almost immediately after the re-start to make it 1-1. Colemanstown kept up the pressure, but could not convert their chances, with the Strand keeper kept on his toes and shots going wide of the mark.
Joshua McDonnell made some excellent saves in goal for Colemanstown, but could not prevent the second goal from Strand, 2-1. Again Colemanstown kept up the pressure, which Strand returned, the play was end to end. The Colemanstown keeper made a great save but the loose ball was not cleared and Strand got their third. Colemanstown responded well but Strand scored another before the break to make it 4-1. Colemanstown’s persistence paid off with a super corner kick from Joshua Buckley finding the head of Cillian Roche, straight into the back of the net. 4-2 at half time.
James Queeney, Cathal Keane and Daniel Lydon were introduced at the half-time break and performed excellently throughout the second half for the home team. Colemanstown’s third goal came from a lovely run by Shane Quirke through the Strand defence into the back of the net 4-3.
Colemanstown Management jumped in premature celebration as they thought the match had been levelled with a long ball in from Conor Walsh that looked like it landed in the back of the net, but had in fact just gone over the bar and into the back netting. A couple of mistimed tackles from Strand led to free kicks for Colemanstown but they were not converted. Colemanstown continued to heap the pressure on, with much of the possession and play, but near the end another goal was awarded to Strand after the ball was struck and went straight through the posts (and a hole in the net) to make the final score 5-3.
Although the Colemanstown lads were dejected at the end, they have plenty to be positive about going in to a new season, showcasing their determination, excellent teamwork and great performances in a thrilling match which they were unlucky to lose.
Squad: Joshua McDonnell, Nathan Mannion, Fionn Donohue, Ryan Concannon, Shane Quirke, Conor Walsh, Joshua Buckley, Darren Moran, Cillian Roche, Daniel Lydon, James Queeney, Cathal keane
Managers: Fidelma Walsh, Orla McCaffrey, Damien Mannion
Thank you to the U12 parents who helped with the work at the pitch and provided the excellent hospitality to the visiting team and coaches, it was much appreciated.
U14s Get Their League Campaign off to a Winning Start
Our U14’s got their opening game of their league campaign off to a winning start when they defeated a strong Cregmore/Claregalway (C/C) side in Colemanstown yesterday.
Despite missing a number of key personnel from last year’s title winning squad, the lads flew out of the blocks and scored the opening two goals. The first goal came from a pass from Jonah Donnellan that evaded the defence and forced one of the C/C defenders into a rushed clearance that ended up in his own net. The second goal came from a superb pass from Ciaran Keating, who was outstanding all day, over the top to Jason Rabbitte who slotted the ball expertly past the keeper.
C/C got themselves back into the game when the ref adjudged one of Colemanstown’s defenders of handball inside the box and their striker scored past the helpless Cian Ruane. C/C got their equaliser shortly after when a misplaced pass ended up at the striker’s feet who shot a fierce shot outside the box into the bottom corner. HT 2-2
Mentors Jason Finn and Gareth Lally rallied the troops at half time and they came out flying in the 2nd half. Some excellent play down the left from Harry Mitchell and Jason Rabbitte nearly resulted in Killian Hughes getting on a cross which went whiskers wide. C/C started to come into it more and started to dominate possession towards the end of the half. Colemanstown began to look tired and looked like they were more holding onto a draw rather than forcing a winner. With 2 minutes to go, Cian Ruane picked out Jason Rabbitte with an inch perfect pass from the edge of his box. Jason eldued 3 defenders before hammering the ball to the back of the net.
C/C may feel like they deserved a draw and not many could disagree but Colemanstown found another gear when they needed it most! FT 3-2
Squad: Cian Ruane, Harry Mitchell, Luke Williams, Ciaran Keating, Eanna Burke, Ross Lally, Jonah Donnellan, Larry Murajovs, Jonathan Keane, Jason Rabbitte, Gary Gill, Eoin Keague