Colemanstown United U12 Boys 1 – 2 Merlin Woods
This was a mid-table battle in Division 1 on Saturday morning where Colemanstown welcomed Galway football royalty, Don O’Riordan back to Colemanstown. This time, Don wasn’t Galway United coach, but rather assistant coach of the Merlin Woods Boys.
The first half was a tightly contested affair where neither defending lines were giving an inch. John Parker had a few routine saves to make, but in general open play, David Barrett, Robbie Lydon and Adam Devaney weren’t giving anything away to the Merlin Woods attack. At the other end of the pitch, Scott Donoghue was picking up half chances as he worked hard to stop Merlin Woods bringing the ball out of defence.
With 7 minutes to go in the first half, Keelyn Kirby who came on for Joshua Lualdi saw the opportunity for a quick line throw to a midfield of Dermot Parker and Thomas Screene who in turn engineered a ball out to Darren Quirke who blasted the ball to the net from 20 yards out.
1-0 at the break and it could be easily seen which of the boys had got up early for the good cause of Colemanstown Darkness Into Light. With sluggish legs and a heavy heat some half time substitutions were necessary and Caolan O’Neill came on to freshen up the boys. The second half was again a tight affair and with 10 minutes to go, Colemanstown made some changes to keep the momentum going to the end in the humid heat. Daniel Booth slotted in at right back, Liam O’Connor on the left with Adam Kenny ahead of him. Finian Walsh came on to create a 4 man midfield. In the last 5 minutes despite Darren Quirke hitting the crossbar, Merlin weren’t done and fired home 2 shots past John Parker in goal as they broke from the Colemanstown off-side line. Questions were asked on the sideline if the 2nd goal was off-side, but nonetheless the ref didn’t blow his whistle for it. In the dying stages stalwart Robbie Lydon picked up an ankle injury with Cathal Maybin coming in to take defensive responsibilities at the back.
It was a tough hour for the Colemanstown boys in what was a game that looked like a tight win was coming to keep them ahead of Merlin Woods in the table trying to get 3rd place. Final score in Colemanstown, Colemanstown United U12 Boys 1 – 2 Merlin Woods. Match report by Robbie Parker
Colemanstown U16s 0 – 1 Barna / Furbo
Our U16s produced a dominant display but failed to find a goal against Barna / Furbo in a 1-0 loss on Furbos home patch on Sunday morning. This was their 2nd league loss this season and now sets up Colemanstown for 4 exciting remaining must-win games in order to bid to deliver some silverware at the end of the season. Within the first 20mins, chances fell to Harry Mitchell, Jason Rabbitte, Jonah Donnellan & Luke Williams both from play and set pieces but were unable to capitalise or pass a top class keeper. In this spell Colemanstown dominated possession and looked likely to break Barna / Furbos hold on the match. As the game wore on, the hosts settled more into the game towards the 2nd period of the first half as it took awhile for them to acclimatise to the pace of the game. Stalemate at the break.
The 2nd half saw the introduction of Eanna Burke & Jack Jordan as Barna / Furbo were settling more into the game, creating chances as Fionn Flattery was required to be vigilant. Colemanstown pushed on in search of a winner with a changed formation. It was beginning to look like nightmare stuff when Ciaran Mulhern hit the post and a few headers went close with chances galore to Colemanstown who left their shooting boots at home. With 2mins to go, Barna /Furbo earned a penalty which was a dubious enough decision by the ref.
With the stakes so high and so late in the game, the penalty was going to prove crucial and the striker was brutal in his execution past Fionn Flattery. It was a sucker blow but Colemanstown will relish the return clash later in the month in Colemanstown as 4 must-win games are now on the cards to finish out a 9 month league.
Colemanstown U15s 3 – 0 Salthill Devon B
Now at the business end of the league campaign our U15s were at home to Salthill Devon yesterday eve in their latest league encounter. Salthill started the better side and put the game to Colemanstown early on with the assistance of a stiff breeze. An early long range Salthill effort saw Fionn Flattery pull off a good save and was called into action minutes later when he was alert to deal with the danger of a Salthill corner but he held the shot comfortably. Colemanstown slowly settled into the game. Tiarnan Lohan spotted the keeper off his line and whipped the paint off the post with a long range effort. Ross Lally went close when he fashioned another chance, found himself one on one with the keeper but his rushed effort was not so clinical.
Salthill again upped the tempo as Colemanstown left gaping holes through the middle. With 15 mins to go in the 1st half saw the introduction of Jonah Donnellan and Mike Fallon. Immediately Jonah Donnellan got Colemanstown on the attack with a perfectly timed pass for Cathal Kennedy to run on to where the keeper advanced off his line to dispossess Kennedy but his usual footwork saw him get out of trouble as he kept the ball close to his feet before slotting to an empty net. 2mins later Donnellan sent Tiarnan Lohan on a run and with hard work, he won a corner which David Walsh whipped into the danger area, it bounced lovely for Diarmuid Ryan and he tapped home for a lively end to the 1st half. 2-0 Half time.
The 2nd half saw a change of formation from the Colemanstown management with a 3-4-3 set up with the intention of making some attacking changes. Colemanstown’s 3rd goal arrived through a long range free from just inside half way after a foul on the industrious Ross Lally. Cillian Roche stood over the free as he weighed up his options; struck low and hard and beat the keeper with a whopper of a strike. Colemanstown emptied the bench to see out the game. Jamie Nutley went close after rounding a defender, appeared to be fouled in the process but the ref waved play on. He had to be substituted for a blood sub and to undergo some running repairs but was quickly reintroduced to the fray. Young Matthew Keane also worked hard when introduced as he received two tough tackles, one which was definitely worth considering a coloured card. Sean Connolly, Ronan Screene and Joshua McDonnell also played their part when required. 3-0 final score with another vital 3 points in the bag.
Squad: Fionn Flattery, Josh Buckley, Diarmuid Ryan, Cillian Roche, David Walsh, Cathal Kennedy, Donnacha Walsh, Ross Lally, Tiarnan Lohan, Shane Duffy, Kyle Madden, Michael Fallon, Jonah Donnellan, Jamie Nutley, Matthew Keane, Sean Connolly, Ronan Screene, Joshua McDonnell.