Our Mens A Team travelled to Westside yesterday and played out a scoreless draw versus Corrib Rangers in their first league game of the season under new manager David Mullins and his background team of Eoin Kenny and Edmund Flannery.
This was always going to be a tough first fixture for the lads and some player absences meant the task was going to be even more difficult. The main priority was to keep it tight and controlled defensively and that’s exactly what they managed to do. The centre back pairing of Jason Finn and Richie Lally were instrumental in a great team defensive display. Damien Wynne and Kevin Moore played a huge part also as full backs and offered great support on the attack when needed.
Gary Lally and Padraig Quirke both controlled the middle of the field very well and put in some great tackles when called upon. The two lads were flanked by Geordan Kenny and Tomás Carr who worked extremely hard and got themselves in some good attacking positions throughout. Most notably when Geordan slalomed his way through defenders from outside the box and worked a good shot which was saved by the Rangers keeper.
Kevin Barrett made his return to the team and started up front with Jack Kennedy playing the number 10 roll. Both held the ball up well linking in our midfield to carve out some good attacking play. Dean Reilly was called upon in the first half due to an injury to Jack Kennedy and put in a great shift.
Overall it was a calm and controlled defensive performance to see out a goalless draw in what was a fair reflection of the game. Thanks also to the supporters who made the journey in across town. Next league game is up against Loughrea next Saturday in Colemanstown.
Match report by Johnny Lally