Colemanstown U15A’s 2 – 2 St. Bernards.
Our U15As almost handed their latest league game to neighbours St. Bernard’s at home today; in the end they settled for a share of the spoils having come from behind twice to draw 2-2 in a pulsating second half which saw the 4 goals arrive in quick succession.
Colemanstown dominated first half possession but failed to turn their dominance into scores, having established a strong foothold on the game from early on. Colemanstown went on the attack from the off creating a few half chances through Matthew Keane but it was Tomas Rogerson who had the first real attempt which he popped wide after a super probing run down the line from Cillian Roche. Roche then, was well on target with his dipping free kick from the edge of the box but the Bernard’s keeper was equal to the task. Josh Buckley, Darren Moran & Cillian Roche combined beautifully in a lovely passing move which culminated in Roche’s final effort taking a deflection on route, out for a corner. The resultant corner was whipped in by Roggie and the towering Roche rose highest in the box but nodded over – all within the first 12mins as Bernard’s failed to get a sniff on the Colemanstown goal in the first quarter. Roche continued to push forward and another effort of his hit on the half volley destined for the target made the busy Bernard’s keeper stretch well.
Bernard’s first real effort of the half arrived on 20mins as they broke on the counter but Sean Cooke did well with a one-on-one effort. Colemanstown responded though and great work from Roggie down the line found Roche again and you could have put your house on him to burst the net but he walloped his powerful drive over the crossbar. Colemanstown finished strong earning a couple of corners swung in by Roggie but they failed to produce anything of note.
The 2nd half saw the introduction of Tommie Muldoon in midfield and quickly he got stuck in. Cathal Keane worked hard to win the ball in the corner, whipped down the line to Muldoon who found Roggie in the corner and his floated delivery from near the endline found target man Cillian Roche but as the ball got stuck under his feet, he still managed to get the strike in although falling to the ground which made an easy save in the end for St Bernard’s custodian. Colemanstown continued to pressurise and an over hit corner from Roggie was well controlled by Muldoon who linked up with Josh Buckley but he fired well up and over. The resultant kick out saw Bernard’s break down the field but luckily the striker fired straight across the face of goal within 5mins of the restart. At this stage, Colemanstown were consistent in their pressurising but just couldn’t find the net. Another corner from Roggie was swung in and thundered straight off the woodwork as it curled in beautifully.
Josh Buckley made a vital interception from the resultant kick out to keep St. Bernard’s at bay while up the other end, the keeper had to go down on his knees to gather Darren Moran’s effort. Then totally against the run of play Bernard’s scored with a speculative shot from 25 yards which dipped over Sean Cooke’s head. Colemanstown had now found themselves on the back foot and needed a response. The visitors might have nipped in for a 2nd soon after the kick-off only for some super defending from Nathan Mannion & Tyler Collins to concede a corner.
Colemanstown responded in style though within minutes as Josh Buckley got a flicked header on a Roggie corner and watching the ball all the way with his fist clinched, he had begun his celebration until Padraig Kelly made doubly sure as he finished with his boot from close range 16mins into the half. Suddenly the game ignited as Sean Cooke showed great composure and confidence to grab an inswinging corner from the visitors. A stoppage in play for an injured Bernard’s player gave both teams a brief reprieve but on the resumption of play Bernards went ahead for the 2nd time. A long ball over the top saw their striker latch on to it and his strike hit the butt of the post and just spilled over the line despite the combined best efforts of Tyler Collins & Cathal Keane who had spread themselves on the line as a last ditch bid to keep the ball out. 2-1 down and a big test for these Colemanstown youngsters. They stirred up yet another great response immediately though through a setpiece. A trademark corner delivered from Roggie saw the ball bobble around in the box, deflected off the post, fell to centre back Padraig Kelly who lashed home the equaliser to a great celebration after claiming his brace and the equaliser with 9mins to go.
Again Bernards looked dangerous on the break but Cooke advanced well off his line to make a quick double save. Right at the death, Cathal Keane built another attack as he found Roggie who had the last hooray but a tame enough shot was hit straight at the keeper. Final score: Colemanstown 2 – 2 St. Bernards.
It was a game in which Colemanstown dominated the entire first half, of that there is no doubt, but Bernards were competitive in the second half and in the end it was Colemanstown who had to dig deep as they came from behind twice and refused to throw in the towel at any stage. Centre back Padraig Kelly will be the hero for his brace but it was the dig deep performance that encapsulates the nature and performance of the lads in this league derby.
Squad: Sean Cooke, Cathal Keane, Tyler Collins, Padraig Kelly, Nathan Mannion, Joshua McDonnell, Josh Buckley, Cillian Roche, Tomas Rogerson, Darren Moran, Matthew Keane, Tommie Muldoon, Ronan Screene, Ryan Concannon.
Colemanstown U15Bs 1 – 4 Barna / Furbo
With 5 of our squad missing, some due to illness we were always going to struggle today but we put up a great performance early on to go 1 up after 10 mins on Barna’s home turf. A well defended ball played out from Sean Keating to Tadhg Hart who in turn played Niamh Kennedy through on goal. She showed great composure and made no mistake as she finished an excellent bit of play with a cracking goal. With their tails up Colemanstown had most of the chances in the first half with Libby Kennedy, Michael Lally, Tadhg Hart, Noah McDonnell & Niall Grady all missing out on scores. Barna broke through with about 5 mins to go to the break with a well finished goal to leave it all square at the break.
The second half was all Barna as they adjusted their defence and pushed up on us at every opportunity. Colemanstown had a lot of missed opportunities and the score line did not do the performance justice. Overall, it was a fantastic team display. Final score Colemanstown 1 – 4 Barna / Furbo. Match report by Seamie Somers
Squad: Tommy Nutley, Dylan King(c), Sean Keating , Joe Carroll, Lucy Roberts, Niall Grady, Tadhg Hart, Noah McDonnell, Michael Lally, Libby Kennedy, Niamh Kennedy, Eoghan Ryan.