Colemanstown U15 squad steamrolled their way to an emphatic win and probably set a new scoring record for themselves on Tuesday evening with a baker’s dozen at home against Maree Oranmore B in their last league outing – plenty to spare in clinching the Div1 title with ease to add to the U14 league success last week. Colemanstown had double figures on the scoresheet by half time with both Tommy Mellody & Harry Mitchell helping themselves to 4 apiece. It seems these two lads were tying for top scorer this season. Cian Ruane & Luke Williams were the other two 1st half scorers. Cian with his first competitive goal for the club while centre back Luke Willams got on the end of Cathal Kennedy’s free kick.
Colemanstown gave Maree/ Oranmore nothing as it was hard to remember them escaping their own half. They had their first chance on 25mins as a rare slip up in defence saw their striker burst through & although Diarmuid Ryan in goals had the situation under control, the effort was marginally wide.
The 2nd half continued in the same vein. Tommy Mellody made light work of getting his 5th of the night after he connected well to Ciarán Keating’s cross from the right wing. David Walsh had a few attempts from the same spot but the ball just wouldn’t go in for him. As the bench was emptied, everyone got in on the action. Diarmuid made a great save as Oranmore came more into it in the closing 10mins. With 5 mins to go Oranmore/ Maree scored to great cheers from both camps when an effort ricocheted off the post and the rebound was smashed past Diarmuid Ryan. The standout moment was one to make everyone smile. A corner from David Walsh was headed home by left back Dean Connaire in the closing stages for his first competitive goal in his first year with the club & how this fella has progressed.
Although a cold & wet Summer’s evening, it was a lovely finale for this fine squad of players. The management team could have configured their team in almost any manner they fancied, such is the strength of these lads although I’m sure they’re under no illusion of the challenges which lie ahead in Championship football next season.
The win sees this squad successfully climb up the ladder. This was their 2nd consecutive season to win back to back league titles much of which is attributed to the players commitment and none more so than that of the management team. It takes special kind of people to manage a team & it takes a special quality manager to win trophies but for Jason Finn & Gareth Lally they have coached the vast majority of these U14 & U15 squads since they were academy kids a number of years ago.
It’s a fair spin from Shannon to Colemanstown 3times per week for Jason Finn & for all -round footballer, hurler & soccer player Gareth Lally, they have been incredible while Joe Finnerty’s demeanour with this squad this past season was very meaningful. Captain Ciarán Keating in his speech thanked the coaches, parents & his fellow team mates before he introduced the squad for their winner’s medals. He lifted the cup to great cheers while the aftermath celebrations were hampered somewhat by Covid. Thanks to Terry Lee of the Galway FA for the presentation on a damp, murky evening.
Squad: Diarmuid Ryan, Eoin Keague, Cian Ruane, Luke Williams, Dean Connaire, Ciarán Keating, Jonah Donnellan, Jason Rabbitte, Cathal Kennedy, Harry Mitchell, Tommy Mellody, Larry Murrajvos, Jonathan Keane, Ross Lally, Jack Jordan, David Walsh, Eanna Burke, Fionn Flattery.