Our U14A team made the trip to Oughterard on Saturday to take on the Premier Division side in Round 3 of the Connacht shield. The opening 20 minutes were evenly contested with good play from both sides and shots from both teams going wide or both keepers dealing effectively with what was coming their way. However the home team made their presence felt with 3 goals in quick succession in the 15 minutes leading up to half time. Colemanstown however continued to press and play their game, gaining a goal back through a stunning free kick taken by Cillian Roche straight into the top corner of the net just before the halt time whistle blew to leave it 3-1 at the break. The second half started similar to the first, Colemanstown were pressing for goals, determined to score and the pressure resulted in another free kick, taken low and hard this time by Cillian and although the keeper got a hand to it, the ball struck the back of the net to make it 3-2. The visitors meant business. Oughterard made it 4-2 half way through the second half. They then were awarded a penalty (much to the disappointment of the away managers who were full sure the foul was outside the box) but keeper Joshua McDonnell saved the penalty shot. These Colemanstown lads never gave up, nor did the visiting supporters who encouraged the team the whole way through the match, as they continued to press for goals. Final score 4-2
Team: Joshua McDonnell, Cathal Keane, Alex Kelly, Cillian Roche, Nathan Mannion, Joshua Buckley, Daniel Lydon, Matthew Keane, Tomas Rogerson, Ronan Screene, Stephen Raftery, Ryan Concannon
Managers: Orla McCaffrey, Damien Mannion. Match report by Orla McCaffrey
Meanwhile our U14B team boys travelled to Salthill Devon to take on their ‘C’ team in Drom Park in near perfect conditions for the end of January. Colemanstown started well with great possession and matched the might of Salthill in every sector of the pitch. Niamh Kennedy opened Colemanstown’s account with a well finished effort after she won the ball back cleanly from 2 Salthill defenders, dribbled towards goal and unleashed an unmerciful strike from the 6’ box. Salthill levelled matters soon afterwards. Niamh Kennedy claimed a brace after the keeper’s short pass to his defence line was calmly intercepted by Libby Kennedy who fed her sister Niamh who made no mistake in volleying to the net from close range. Tadhg Hart pushed Colemanstown 3-1 ahead after he capitalised on a poor Salthill kick out, controlled well & chipped the keeper to great applause. Salthill pegged 1 back before the end of the 1st half in a ding dong battle.
Salthill got the rub of the green in the 2nd half when they equalised from a free kick to make it 3-3. That goal ignited a spark in Salthill who upped their work rate & intensity in the 2nd half. Colemanstown’s backs were to the wall as they didn’t create much in the 2nd half apart from a few half chances from Francis Weldon, Niamh Kennedy & Tadhg Hart. For a long period it looked like Colemanstown might hold out to earn a share of the spoils but were rattled with a late goal which Dylan King could do nothing about. That was enough to ensure the hosts received all 3 points & inflict misery on the Colemanstown squad who played so well. Thanks to the parents for their great support. It aint too easy travelling across Galway city on a Saturday afternoon. Hard luck lads & lassies ….. so near & yet so far
Squad: Dylan King, Tiernan Malone, Lucy Roberts, Tyler Collins, Niall Grady, Tommie Muldoon, Sean Keating, Francis Weldon, Tadhg Hart, Niamh Kennedy, Libby Kennedy, Aaron Lindsay Bane.
Our Adult B Team were unfortunate to bow out of the Jack Lillis Cup at home on Saturday. Colemnastown were on top for the entire 1st half and were wonderful to watch as they sprayed the ball about confidently and to good effect. The lads created chances galore on a day when the absence of striker Shane Lally was notable. In the first quarter hour alone, Colemnastown had 5 great chances through the ever prolific Kevin Moore, the never say die David Mullins & the hard working Robert Cosgrove who played with his heart on his sleeve. Brian Conolly also saw his effort driven away from the target as the Colemanstown lads were merely lining up to shoot at goal. Further chances fell to steady centre backs Steven Broderick & Stephen Lyons while the ageless Conor Feeney also had a crack at goal , although no joy. Conor Booth was back from injury and wore tracks along the roadside sideline tracking up and down the field assisting the defence of Connolly, Broderick, Lyons & Mark Donnellan. The mounting pressure paid off on 38mins when David Mullins whipped in a corner; both Steven Broderick & Kevin Moore got free to meet it in the box, they somehow got in each other’s way, meaning they jointly met the header with great conviction and headed home to rapturous roaring from the sizeable crowd on the road watching and a joint post goal celebration. 1-0 to Colemanstown at the break.
It was tit for tat early in the 2nd half as the Colemanstown lads held their own. Tom Broderick had to be sharp to dive low and gather a cross while as the game progressed the legs were weary. Although tiring, Conor Feeney continued to man proceedings helped by Kevin Moore who between them totalled over 80 years of age! Colemanstown conceded the equaliser against the run of play with about 20mins gone. Steven Broderick saw his header ricochet off the post after he connected well to Kevin Moore’s delivery. Then Paul Moore saw his diving header saved before Colga eventually got a grasp on the game. They went 2-1 up after a rare defensive slip up and as Colemanstown were doing their best to salvage a point, Ronan Skehill, Kerrill Lally & Jason Curwood were introduced. It was the visitors who finished the strongest though as they scored another late in the game to ensure they advanced in the Jack Lillis Cup. This was a fantastically composed Colemanstown performance from the B team who now appear to be enjoying their soccer.
Squad: Tom Broderick, Brian Connolly, Steven Broderick, Stephen Lyons, Mark Donnellan, Conor Booth, David Mullins, Paul Moore, Robert Cosgrove, Kevin Moore, Conor Feeney, Kerrill Lally, Ronan Skehill, Jason Curwood.