A fantastic second game for Colemanstown U15 girls in the Championship saw them secure their first win of the season on Sunday.
From the start the girls packed on the pressure and from the whistle the girls knew what to do. Before the game the girls formed a huddle and knew they meant business on a rainy Sunday. From the off, the backs were like a solid wall not allowing a thing through making it an easy game for captain Edel Egan in goal. Any ball that got to the backs was cleared perfectly which then instantly created fantastic through balls for the girls up front.
Eva Molloy was ferocious on the left wing and she accurately cleared a ball right up the pitch to the feet of Ailish Molloy but Ailish was unlucky with her shot just going wide. The girls expertly read every kickout of Knocknacarra’s and wasn’t giving them any breathing space in the backline. Any kickout that made it to the Colemanstown backs was constantly cleared perfectly and Lucy Roberts in centre back was just outstanding as she was strong behind the ball but was also a true leader on the pitch from her cheering on her teammates to constantly ensuring her backline was out with the play. Aoife Jordan stole the ball in midfield, ran the line and crossed a beautiful ball in only to be cleared for the first of many corners for Colemanstown on the day.
The girls corners have to be mentioned as they seemed to pinpoint their teammates every time- amazing girls. This time the girl’s corner was half cleared only to land at the feet of Niamh Kennedy who took a shot at goal where it deflected off a Knocknacarra defender and rolled into the back of the net. The girls jumped with joy as their early hard work had paid off and they now could continue to build from there. The backline of Saoirse Moran, Ally Nutley, Lucy Roberts and Eva Molloy were outstanding in defence and worked fantastically with their midfield all day to feed the ball to the strikeforce who were busy with shots at goal. Clodagh Jordan was a force to be reckoned with as she ruled the left wing of the pitch all day. Here amazing stamina and strong passes were just outstanding to watch. All day she was giving fantastic through balls to the forwards, well done Clodagh. A special mention must go to Ally Nutley who covered every inch of the field from her centre back position right up the field constantly feeding the ball to her teammates, well done Ally. Knocknacarra wanted a goal back and went on the attack but the defenders were having none of it forcing the ball to the hands of Edel Egan between the posts. Edel then took a brilliant quick kickout which travelled the length of the pitch to the feet of Aoife Jordan who powered the ball to the back of the net- fantastic play between the girls.
The girls didn’t stop there and Libby Kennedy, Niamh Kennedy and Alma Hynes were constantly on the search for another goal. Alma Hynes was fantastic in midfield where her strength and fantastic footwork fed the ball forward all day. Grace Mitchell was brought on and boy does she make an impact when she steps on the pitch. Her first touch of the ball and she ran straight for goal only to be closed down by the Knocknacarra defence, Grace was clearly going for a record quickest goal. On the 30 minute mark Libby Kennedy took a fantastic shot from distance and it powered to the back of the net to make it 3-0 to the girls. But the Knocknacarra girls weren’t giving up and after a fantastic through ball to their outstanding number 11 she slotted the ball perfectly to the back of the net.
Halftime 3-1
The girls refuelled at half time and the smiles on their faces expressed all one needed to know!! They were unbelievably proud of their work up to this point and it was fantastic for us coaches to witness the girls saying where they needed to mark up, place the ball and they were even reading the game plays perfectly. They agreed that they weren’t going to stop applying the pressure in the 2nd half to try grab another goal. The 2nd half kicked off with a few changes with Lily Mannion introduced upfront. Lily was outstanding upfront constantly putting pressure on Knocknacarra’s backline and not giving them a moment to gather the ball for a clean clearance, well done Lily. The girls kept powering on the pressure in that 2nd half and with the addition of Sinead Rohan to midfield the girls got a fresh boost of energy. Sinead was outstanding in what was her first ever game. She was constantly working back helping her defence and her teamwork particularly with Saoirse Moran was fantastic to watch.
Libby Kennedy was in on goal once again and took her shot from distance only to see it blocked by the keeper who fumbled the ball and Libby was quick to react taking the ball dribbling around the keeper and smoothly scoring. The midfield were on fire at this point with Ailish Molloy having a stronghold in centre midfield all day. She gave a fantastic pass to Clodagh Jordan who confidently took her shot from the edge of the box only for it to hit the post and deflect back to Alma Hynes who was on her toes and she slotted to the back of the net to make it 5-1 to finish. It was a fantastic game for all girls from 1-14 and it just shows the amazing team these girls are as they grow together in every game. Next up is the girls Connacht cup outing versus Kilkerrin FC on Wednesday 6th October.
Well done to certificate recipients Ally Nutley who was ferocious in defence and Aoife Jordan whose accurate through balls were outstanding to watch all day.
Goals from Libby Kennedy x2 , Niamh Kennedy x1 , Aoife Jordan x1 and Alma Hynes x1
Match report by Laura Parker