Colemanstown welcomed Moyne Villa of Headford to Colemanstown this morning for Round 1 of the SFAI Skechers Cup. A cold, wet morning didn’t spoil the game thankfully as both sides served up a good contest. With Moyne Villa playing in the Championship and Colemanstown in Division 3 one could have been forgiven for thinking that Colemanstown might find this game a bridge too far. Credit however, to Colemanstown as they met their challenge head on.
A blistering opening ten minute spell saw Moyne Villa mark their intent on the game but Conor Laffey with an impressive string of super saves; with his feet, his body and with his hands showed world class goalkeeping ability at this young age. At one stage on 6mins it looked like the ball was over the line but Laffey’s long arm did the job as he stretched back to claw the ball off the goal line. Our defenders Adam Cleary, Jonah Donnellan & David Walsh took some time to settle into the game as our midfielders Thomas Mellody, Ciaran Keating, Luke Williams & young Kilian Hughes, who just turned 10years were battling bravely and Harry Mitchell up front played as if his life depended on it. Colemanstown’s first real chance fell on 16mins after Jonah Donnellan sent through a lovely ball for Harry Mitchell who scooped his effort to the right of the post. Immediately from the ensuing play Moyne Villa scored with a well worked goal originated from the back and took their chance well even though Laffey got near enough to it.
Conor Laffey then made 2 point blank saves to keep Colemanstown in the game. Adam Cleary levelled matters on 22mins when he connected well to a cross from Thomas Mellody to great jubiliation from the anxious parents in the stand. It was tit for tat until 2 mins before the break when the visitors scored 2 in quick succession; their first came from a dashing run as they split Colemanstown’s defence and their 2nd one immediately afterwards as Conor Laffey initially saved well but Moyne Villa’s powerful No. 7 made no mistake on the second time of asking. 3-1 half time. In the 2nd half, the intensity continued as Cian Ruane had a great powerful effort from distance but Moyne Villa’s keeper was equal to the task. Harry Mitchell had a half chance when he connected to Tommy Mellody’s free kick, injuring his head in the process as Nathan McGuire-Greaney was introduced. Cian Ruane had another half chance, had he connected fully; it would have been goal of the season. Conor Laffey again got on the end of a piledriver from Moyne Villa as he put in a man of the match display between the posts.
With 4 mins to go Colemanstown’s young guns remained battling as Jonah Donnellan had a great effort from almost the half way line which wasn’t too far off the mark. The final 3 minutes saw Conor Laffey come up trumps again with a string of super saves but he was caught off guard in the last kick of the game as the visitors scored their 4th to finish 4-1 winners. It was a game in which Conor Laffey was heralded a super keeper and although this was real unchartered territory for Colemanstown’s youngsters and their mentors Gareth Lally, Lee Murphy & Ronan Carr, they put in a great shift.
Panel: Conor Laffey, Adam Cleary, Jonah Donnellan, David Walsh, Thomas Mellody, Luke Williams, Ciaran Keating, Kilian Hughes, Harry Mitchell, Nathan McGuire-Greaney, Cian Ruane, Larry Muravjovs.
Our reserves also registered their first win of the league campaign with a 4-2 emphatic win over Corrib Celtic in Annaghdown. Hats off to Gary Lally who went straight from the U12 game and having picked up a trick or two watching the young lads scored himself a hat trick. Colin O’Grady also got on the score sheet.
The club sympathise with the Burke Family, Colemanstown on the death of Mrs. Bridgie Burke. May she rest in peace.