Colemanstown Ladies 1; Dunmore Town 3
It took both teams a while to settle into this game and it was obvious at the outset that both sides lacked match practice. Dunmore were first to take control of proceedings as they worked the ball down the left wing with No. 9 squaring the ball across the box only for the ball to take an unusual spin on a tuft of grass and the bobble allowed it to just about creep over the line. A cruel goal to concede. Colemanstown ladies who fielded a blend of youth & experience regained their composure as they searched for the equaliser. That composure was dented when No. 9 who was a thorn in Colemanstown’s side capitalised on a failed clearance giving Orla McCaffrey no chance in goals. After the 1st half water break, Colemanstown re-shuffled the team with Rachel Mellody redeployed alongside Mary Walsh up front. This opened up the game with some great passing moves as the Colemanstown ladies knocked the ball about to good effect.
Philip Dee changed team tactics in the 2nd half as Clare Keane was moved to centre back; Sarah Keane to midfield & Alicia Flannery to left midfield. Thereafter Colemanstown dominated the game in every area and brought the game to Dunmore. The rearguard was particularly effective with Laura Parker, Kate Kennedy & Ciara Lally in control. Colemanstown finally made the breakthrough as Mary Walsh won the ball on the right flank and ran at the heart of Dunmore’s defence towards the corner flag, whipped in her cross where Teresa Loughnane finished with emphatic style. Colemanstown ladies were right back in the game. Straight from tip off Alicia Flannery won the ball well in midfield & her delivery found Mary Walsh bursting at pace but her effort was deflected out for a corner. At this stage Colemanstown were lording the game and with 3 mins to go, they were caught off guard as Dunmore’s No. 9 again inflicted more damage when she gathered the ball on right wing and struck a whopper into the roof of the net for Dunmore to finish 3-1 winners.
Although the score doesn’t quite reflect the true quality of Colemanstown’s play, they dusted down the cobwebs after the long break and will get back on the road again for next week’s game. Debutant youngsters Issa Harun, Kate Williams & Rachel Mellody got their careers off to a fine start while Ashley Roberts showed great versatility in her outfield position in the first half and took over the custodian position for the 2nd half, giving Orla McCaffrey a well deserved break. The debutants blended in nicely with the experienced Teresa Loughnane, Clare Hannon, Sarah Keane, Alicia Flannery, Clare Keane & Mary Walsh up front.
Squad: Orla McCaffrey, Ashley Roberts, Ciara Lally, Kate Kennedy, Sarah Keane, Laura Parker, Issa Harun, Alicia Flannery, Teresa Loughnane, Kate Williams, Rachel Mellody, Mary Walsh, Clare Hannon, Clare Keane. Match report by Philip Dee.
Colemanstown A 3; Mervue B 1
Colemanstown A Team resumed their league campaign with a dominant display over Mervue B, in Colemanstown, in front of very welcome fans, on a sunny Saturday afternoon! Right from the whistle, Colemanstown dominated every position and created many chances and conceded very few chances to the opposition.
Josh Brennan, continuing to be very impressive in his debut season, created the first real chance, forcing a save from the Mervue keeper. Tom Flannery marked his return with a typical battle and cool finish from an excellent Dylan Grady pass. Was it a clearance or a precision through pass? Only Dylan can answer that!
After half an hour’s play, a through ball from the hard working Gareth Lally to Tom Flan, who then laid it back to Kerrill Hardiman nearly put Colemanstown 2 up. But Kerrill’s shot just shaved the bar. Tom Flan has scored some impressive free kicks in his career, but his second goal has to be his best. Three goalkeepers on the line wouldn’t have stopped his free from outside the box. He then crowned a remarkable first half display with a precision cross to Kerrill Hardiman, after receiving a short corner from Josh Brennan. Kerrill marked his return to the first team, after a few years career break, with a headed goal to the top corner from close range. 3 nil up at half time is exactly what the home team deserved.
It was inevitable that the intensity of the second half would wane. Mervue had one or two chances of their own. Jason Finn cleared off the goal line on the hour mark. Mervue scored from a penalty on 70 minutes. Colemanstown had a few more chances from Josh Brennan and Tom Flan but the game finished out with a comfortable 3-1 win.
Dylan Grady was very impressive in his new role at right back. Sean Hardiman and Jayo Finn were ever dependable at centre back. Damian Wynne provided plenty of experience at left back. Thady Moran and Richie Lally ensured nothing came down the middle. Kegs and Josh caused lots of problems on the wings, as did Gary Lally and Tom Flan up front.. Eoin ‘Savo’ Kenny and Mossy Carr were very effective second half substitutes.
The team was hard to pick this week. It is now even harder next week as the panel is growing very strong. With 4 games left, promotion is within grasp, but we will just look to our next game. Match report by Ollie Crowe.
Colemanstown U12’s 3; Renmore 7
Meanwhile our U12 boys endured a learning lesson when they travelled to Renmore on Saturday morning. Playing any city side is always a tall order & this one was no different. Renmore capitalised on a couple of rare Colemanstown mistakes although in the end the score didn’t particularly reflect the tenacity & doggedness of the game. 7-4 it finished with striker Tadhg Hart scoring twice as well as Jamie Lally & James Somers scored the 4th. It was a great effort by the 13 man squad.
Panel: Stephen Murphy, Tommy Nutley, Harry Tierney, Jamie Muldowney, Eoghan Ryan, Sean Keating, Joe Carroll, Tom Holohan, James Somers, Aidan Ruane, Noah McDonnell, Jamie Lally, Tadhg Hart.