Colemanstown U13 girls put in a super mid-week shift to beat Loughrea in their latest league encounter. The game started at a frenetic pace. Great link play from Grace Mitchell to Louise Kelly, the captain for the evening, started the evening off with a bang when she slotted home a quick fire goal 1.30min into the game, leaving Loughrea shell shocked at her amazing footwork 1-0. Great strength from Edel Egan when advancing from her box ensured the goals were in safe hands. Edel’s leadership and confidence in goals has grown from strength to strength every week, she’s a true star!
Brilliant presence from Lucy Roberts and Ally Nutley in defence gave Edel all the space she needed to save any dangerous through balls. A throw ball from Libby Kennedy to Grace Mitchell 4mins in gave Grace great space to run the line but she was just tackled before taking her shot on goal. Loughrea’s defence weren’t going down without a fight.
After some splendid passing from Eva Molloy, sisters Aoife and Clodagh Jordan in midfield, Louise Kelly delivered a great through ball to Grace Mitchell who went on a brilliant run but was just wide of the post! Grace’s motto in every game is ‘Just keep shooting’ and she most definitely plays by that motto.
Minutes later, Grace had another goal bound effort saved but as the keeper fumbled, Louise Kelly nipped in and had the calmness to dribble around the keeper and slot home the 2nd of the evening. A great flick on by Libby Kennedy saw Clodagh Jordan gallop up the field. Clodagh’s speed and strength was really on show all evening, fantastic game! The girl’s footwork was just a delight to watch and a flick by Annalise Doran on the left wing to Louise Kelly led her to a fantastic run up the left wing. Their teamwork all evening was just amazing to watch and Annalise’s strength on the wing was fantastic.
Eva Molloy worked tirelessly in midfield as it all came easy to her given her quick feet and smart one touch passes to her strikers, amazing work Eva! Mollie O’Connor on the right wing of defence was letting nothing past her and her clearances created amazing through balls all evening. 16 mins saw another great passage of play between Louise Kelly and Eva Molloy but the final effort was denied by Loughrea’s keeper.
Blaithin Keane then was introduced to the game and she was there to make an impact. No more than 30 seconds in and Blaithin immediately got into the game and put pressure on their defence from the start. Libby Kennedy gave a great through ball to Aoife Jordan but her shot was saved. All the girls were determined to get their name on the score sheet.
Edel Egan with an impressive long range kickout to Louise Kelly fell perfectly for her to link up with Blaithin Keane but it was just wide of the left post – amazing play from all.
Loughrea pulled 1 back on 24mins to make it 2-1! The rearguard of Ally Nutley, Lucy Roberts and Annalise Doran quiet literally put their bodies on the line to defend the goals as Loughrea dribbled the ball through and after 3 consecutive amazing saves by Edel Egan in goal, Loughrea managed to get the goal. Colemanstown’s young girls showed a fantastic work ethic with a never give up attitude and patted each other on the back after the goal and cheered each other on to bounce back from conceding!
The pressure from Loughrea was rising! Half time was welcomed by all and thanks to fantastic defending from Mollie O’Connor, Annalise Doran, Lucy Roberts and Ally Nutley in the final 6mins of the first half the girls held it to 2-1
After the restart, the girls settled into their positions immediately after a nerve-racking end to the first half! 4min into the 2nd half and a brilliant passage of play originated by Blaithin Keane in midfield, gave a perfect pass to Libby Kennedy & her quick through ball to Clodagh Jordan who didn’t hesitate before she struck to the top corner with her left foot to make it 3-1
Honor Tuohy was introduced at corner back and worked tirelessly on her strong marker all evening, well done Honor! Blaithin Keane continued her showcase of talent while dribbling through multiple players effortlessly and as cool as a breeze ! As she made it through their backline Blaithin tried to slot the ball in at the near post but drew a top drawer save from the keeper 8mins after the restart.
The subsequent kick out was intercepted by Colemanstown’s midfield immediately & a pass to Blaithin Keane who still had done work to do, hammered home No.4. The work from Clodagh Jordan, Aoife Jordan, Eva Molloy and Grace Mitchell was outstanding all day and Aoife Jordan gave a brilliant through ball to Libby Kennedy who hit the top corner 11min in to make it 5-1. We might have to repair the net after that one!
There was great link work between dynamic duo Clodagh and Aoife Jordan on the wings all evening, so much so that the Loughrea girls just could not control them !
The defence worked tirelessly all evening and the duo of Lucy Roberts and Ally Nutley in the centre of the back line was fantastic to watch constantly controlling play at the back, controlling the corners and supporting Edel Egan in goal! They were true leaders on the pitch!
The beaming smiles after the game said it all about this nice result.
Colemanstown United 5-1 Loughrea. Nice one !
Match Report by Laura Parker.