Colemanstown U12’s 5-0 Coolaney Utd
Our under 12s welcomed Coolaney to Colemanstown for the first round of the Connacht Cup. It was perfect conditions for a game, sunny with a very light breeze. Darragh Finnerty, David Barret and Liam O’Connor had to do everything right in defence to avert danger as Coolaney pushed forward in search of the first goal of the game. Our goalkeeper Adam Kenny had to make some quick decisions to keep his goal intact, however one of these decisions earned him a yellow card. A free was given, but nothing was getting through a strong Colemanstown wall. The Colemanstown boys started to look comfortable with midfielders Dermot Parker, FinianWalsh and Owen Hilary working tirelessly and keepingKeelyn Kirby and Kealan Murray busy up front. Keelyn and Kealan had a few chances at goal but at this stage none of them made the net. Adam’s kick-outs had great distance andwith one of them landing comfortably on Dermot’s right foot, he quickly got himself out of trouble passed it onto Keelyn and the ball found its way to the back of the Coolaney net. 1-0, the boys celebrated but quickly got back into the game.
Straight away the attack was on from both sides with the visitors enjoying a period of dominance however, nothing was getting past our solid defensive line. Half-time whistle blew and the boys had a well-earned drink and a few fruit pastilles to keep the energy levels up. The boys talked through some tactics and bounced onto the pitch for the second half. Coolaney made some changes to their team but this did not seem to bother our Colemanstown boys. Straight from kick-off the boys put one of their tactics into practice and with Keelyn’s right foot on form he shook the back of the net again. 2-0 and the Colmanstown boys had really settled into the game by now!
Dermot, Owen and Finian at this stage were doing tremendous work in the hot conditions displaying some of the skills they had learned at training. Keelyn was on a mission to score his hat-trick and he did not fail. 3-0, Colemanstown made some changes to the team, introducing Odhran Madden, Daniel Ruane and Scott O’ Donoghue who slotted in comfortably for Finian, Owen and Kealan who at this stage had earned a rest. With fresh legs on the pitch the game picked up speed and Colemanstown dominated the game. One of Adam’s powerful kick-outs reached Liam’s mighty left foot, he quickly lined himself up and powered the ball from distance into the back of the net. At this stage the Colemanstown boys knew they had earned themselves a place in the second round of the Connacht Cup. Some more changes were made as Conor Kelly, Mikey Nutley and Daragh Blake were introduced replacing Liam, Darragh and Keeyln. Once again with fresh legs on the pitch the game sped up. Mikey had some chances at goal but the Coolaney keeper made some great saves.
Daragh and Conor worked well together to speed up the play. Another powerful kick-out from Adam landed perfectly for David, a quick turn and a run towards goal earned David a well-deserved goal. Tim Ruane replaced Dermot. Tim slotted in comfortably into the game making some vital decisions to keep Colemanstown on their winning streak.
The final whistle blew and the boys lined up and thanked the Coolaney boys for the game. It was then finally time for a welcome cuppa and some of Dympna’s delicious home baking. Match report by Ita Kenny – starting her new writing career.
Panel: Adam Kenny, Darragh Finnerty, David Barrett, Liam O’ Connor, Dermot Parker, Finian Walsh, Owen Hillary, Keeyln Kirby, Kealan Murray, Odhran Madden, Daniel RuaneScott O’ Donoghue, Conor Kelly, Mikey Nutley, Daragh Blake , Tim Ruane.
Colemanstown U16s 2 – 4 St Johns Athletic (AET)
Our U16s lost 4-2 after extra time to St. John’s Athletic in their first round Connacht Cup game played at home yesterday afternoon. The visitors went 1 up about 15 mins when our defence failed to clear and their opportunistic striker slotted home their first. The visitors piled on the pressure, winning a lot of ball around the middle of the pitch and creating a lot of chances. Fionn Flattery pulled off a great double save shortly after the opening goal with the first stop with his body but the stranded Flattery rose quick to steal the ball off the strikers foot. Tiernan Lohan was introduced to midfield in a bid to stop St Johns No. 8 who caused a lot of trouble early in the 1st half.
Colemanstown then got into the game and put the opposition under a lot more pressure. A pin point pass from debutant Conor Noone found Shane Duffy on the right who swung the ball into box where both Kyle Madden and Cathal Kennedy saw their goal attempts cleared only to fall to Duffy again who was positioned at the edge of the box and he buried his volley firmly. Jamie Nutley and Kyle Madden then started to exert their influence on St Johns defence. St John’s broke just before half time but David Walsh and Ross Lally at centre back were rock solid. Half time came and Colemanstown were looking more like the team on top.
10 mins into the second half Conor Noone’s accurate passing picking out Shane Duffy and Cathal Kennedy on numerous occasions but Colemanstown failed to test the keeper. After hard work by Kyle Madden he won ball in the middle of the pitch, laid off to Conor Noone who picked out Duffy to swing to the on running Kyle Madden who put Colemanstown 2.1 up. Fionn Flattery then pulled off a brilliant one handed save that was destined for the top corner. For the next 10 mins our back 4 were under severe pressure but held out well.
With not long to play St Johns drew level after their winger found their striker to head home a brilliant header which Fionn or the back four could do nothing about. With the last kick of game Dylan Murphy beat the defence and with just the keeper to beat he failed to hit the target under pressure from the chasing defence. And so to Extra time.
St Johns were predominantly on top for extra time as Colemanstown’s tiring bodies showed with many players having come straight from minor football. The visitors scored a cracker from long range and a late 4th to end the game as a contest. It has to be said, these Colemanstown lads gave everything they had with some brilliant individual performances on display. With the efforts given it was disappointing not to come away with a win. Match Report by Gary Broderick – another budding match reporter.
Colemanstown 2 – 4 St Johns Athletic (Roscommon) after extra time.
Squad: Fionn Flattery, Josh Buckley, David Walsh, Ross Lally, Sean Connolly, Shane Duffy, Donnacha Walsh, Conor Noone, Cathal Kennedy, Jamie Nutley, Kyle Madden, Tiernan Lohan, Joshua McDonnell, Dylan Murphy, Ronan Screene, Sean Cooke