Kinvara United 2 – 5 Colemanstown United U12 Boys
Arriving in Kinvara, Colemanstown knew that Kinvara had a mathematical chance of winning the league however with only 5 minutes on the clock, that mathematical chance was under threat as Captain Joshua Lualdi was unlucky to not see his double effort find the back of the net as the ball crept wide of the post. 5 minutes later, on form striker Thomas Screene picked up the ball and managed to see his first attacking threat creep over the line for our first goal. The next 10 minutes belonged to Thomas as he constantly attacked the Kinvara defence down the right and was unlucky not to bag a hat-trick in the first quarter.
One of Thomas’s efforts was swung in to the box and found the head of Dermot Parker who headed it wide. At this stage in the game, Darren Quirke in midfield was orchestrating the entire game from the centre circle and was simply outstanding as he brought his midfield partners, Daniel Booth and Dermot Parker into the game on each attacking move.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Dermot Parker bagged his 3rd goal of the season as he stuck the ball from 15 yards beating the keeper.
Just before the break, Kinvara pulled one back as the rearguard of Rian Donohue, Robbie Lydon and Adam Devaney was breached when a hole developed through the centre to see the Kinvara attacker run at John Parker to slot the ball under his body. 2-1 at the break and Kinvara were now feeling they had a chance to get back in to the game.
In the second half, newly introduced Scott Donoghue made an immediate impact on the scoreline as he bagged a brace. His second will be remembered for a while to come as he struck the ball from 25 yards out to find the top left hand corner of the goals. David Barrett was now playing ahead of Rian on the right side of midfield and all attacking threat was coming from the away team. Kinvara however were not for giving up and a hopeful long ball led to a mix-up between Rian and John in goals, leading to the Kinvara attacker taking full advantage.
In the final 5 minutes, just before the introduction of Adam Kenny and Finian Walsh, David Barrett found himself 2 yards from goal with the ball at his feet to score his first goal of the season. David won’t get an easier opportunity but nonetheless it had to be slotted away.
The win in Kinvara has meant the Colemanstown boys have taken points from all the teams in the League during the long campaign. A feat they should be proud of as they travel out to Mac Dara on Saturday morning for the final league game of the season.
Final score in Kinvara;
Kinvara United 2 – 5 Colemanstown United. Match report by Robbie Parker.
Colemanstown U13s 2 – 2 Kilshanvey United.
Our U13s midweek game was played in very tricky conditions due to the strong breeze as both teams battled hard for the points. It was indeed a repeat of last weekends U13 Cup final and believe it or not, this was the first time, the sides met in the league.
Colemanstown played against the wind in the first half, therefore creating few opportunities as the wind took a heavy toll on proceedings. The first real opportunity presented for Colemanstown on 10mins when Tom Holohan & Tadhg Hart linked up well but as the keeper advanced off his line to make life difficult for Tom Holohan; he fumbled the ball and with the poacher on his toes, he won the ball back only to be fouled in the box. Up stepped the man that was fouled, Tom Holohan who dispatched the penalty with ease as he picked his spot with great accuracy. The majority of Colemanstown first half play created only half chances as the front trio Martin Mellody, Tadhg Hart and Tom Holohan worked hard and combined well but goal scoring opportunities remained at a premium.
Kilshanvey, the visitors, assisted by the breeze created more meaningful chances. Tommy Nutley was busy in goals with a steady back line of Tadhg Bardell, Jamie Lally, Sean Keating & Michael Lally. Darren Quirke, James Somers & Noah McDonnell tracked back time & time again helping the defence, while they pulled the strings in midfield, and probed with intent but their task was doubly difficult with the blustery conditions. Kilshanvey’s pressure paid off as they scored following 10mins of constant pressure with a speculative shot from 20 yards which may have taken a deflection on route to finding Tommy Nutley’s net. 1-1 at the break.
Colemanstown pressed immediately on the resumption. Michael Lally moved to centre back with Joe Carroll introduced to left back. Their industrious work was rewarded early in the 2nd half following excellent work from James Somers and Tom Holohan on the right wing, swung in a long angled ball to Tadhg Hart lurking 15 yards out and the tricky striker connected with a half volley to fire inside the post, leaving the keeper with no chance. Colemanstown played with renewed belief after that creating some lovely chances. Tom Holohan latched on to a through ball from Hart but as the keeper snatched from his toe, he worked hard to win the ball back but the defence cleared the imminent danger. Tadhg Hart got on plenty of ball and created many opportunities against a physically strong centre back. James Somers and Tom Holohan put some flowing moves together on the right wing as Somers saw his goal bound effort cleared by a vigilant Kilshanvey defence. Fionn Proulx had a good effort but failed to connect fully with his volley. Much of the second half was played in the middle third and it looked like the home side would hold on to their slender 1 goal lead. With 3mins to play, Kilshanvey won a penalty following what the ref deemed a clumsy challenge. Up came Kilshanvey’s powering centre back to take the kick; hit the post and as both teams reacted quickly to the rebound, somehow Kilshanvey scrambled the ball over the line despite the best efforts of Joe Carroll, Jamie Lally & Tadhg Bardell. The game petered out with creditable 2-2 stalemate.
There’s a further meeting of these resilient sides on Saturday in Kilshanvey at 2pm KO in the final league game for both sides. The result matters little as Kilshanvey are already crowned league winners but I’m sure the Colemanstown lads will be hoping to put them to the test for a third time in a week.