Conditions were difficult today with swirling winds and rain at times but there wasn’t one hiccup in the U16’s home league encounter against neighbours Athenry in which Jack Donoghue’s treble in the 2nd half against the breeze helped them on their way. He could have kept the match ball, if only we had a spare one to give him!
Similar to yesterday, a minutes silence was observed before kick off as a mark of respect for the late Pat McCann, Galway FA committee member. Although missing a few players and with impressive competition to live up to from the curtainraiser when our young U12 girls put in a whopping and exciting display against Barna/ Furbo to earn them their way to the Cup Final in EDP, Colemanstown U16’s were off to the races early aided by the strong breeze. Ryan Noone provided the assist for Didac to finish superbly from close range before 60 seconds were on the clock. The perfect start! Colemanstown doubled their advantage on 8mins after a quick throw to Mark Donnellan who floated in a perfect delivery which was met by Ryan Noone and his low hard drill from the edge of the 18’ box found the left corner. Ryan Noone went close on 18 mins while Michael Flattery and Ryan Noone linked up well together before the latter took a pop but hit straight at the keeper while Connor Booth (up front) and Daithi Colleran (right wing) were introduced to add additional pep.
On 29mins Noone’s free kick was well held in the safe hands of the keeper. Athenry’s first real chance arrived on the half hour mark such was the dominance of the Colemanstown brigade with the strong breeze at their backs, but stand-in keeper Micháel Ryan was well alert to the threat. Mark Donnellan, Ryan Noone and Didac combined well in a lovely passage of play but Didac‘s finish wasn’t exactly perfect. Conor Byron got a vital boot in at the right time just as the Athenry striker was about to shoot late in the first half. Colemanstown made it 3-0 before the break as a 3rd consecutive corner from Ryan Noone, this time from the stand side was floated into the box and with some hesitant defending Mark Donnellan capitalised on the goalmouth scramble to slam home No. 3. Applause goes to Connor Booth who displayed lovely touch and played Didac to earn the corner.
Within the first 3mins of the restart, Colemanstown were under pressure from an Athenry team who appeared to be making the most of the breeze as Micháel Ryan was called upon to make three top class stops, the pick of them – a one-handed punch. By the 20th minute of the 2nd half, Colemanstown had weathered the breeze as confidence was soaring from the home side. A long burst down the right flank by Dec O’ Brien after some fine team play and his inch perfect delivery met the head of Jack Donoghue who powered home his header to make it No.4. It was a while coming for Jack but one knew once he got off the mark, the floodgates would open. He had another chance soon after following a long delivery from Ryan Noone and as Donoghue stole yards on his opponent he powered his one-on-one chance wide of the left post. He claimed his brace on 35mins after Fionn O’Connor’s clearance was gathered by Michael Flattery who delivered a beauty for Jack to run on to and as he found himself with only the keeper to beat he sent his firm strike into the visitors net. 2mins later Athenry got one back as Colemanstown’s defence were stretched and although Micháel Ryan dived well, he failed to get his fingertips to it. Jack Donoghue completed his hat trick in the last minute of the game as Didac put him through with impressive vision and with his quick feet, he burst forward in the same style as his second and hit it sweetly to the net to crown off an exceptional second half display against the breeze. 6-1 it finished.
This was the kind of squad display which is nice to see every day as Colemanstown were in rampaging mood and enjoyed every minute of the game. Today’s performance was testament to the mentality that Gary Broderick and Declan Greaney have instilled into this squad as well as the army-like fitness methods of Philip Dee. Even one of the ‘A’ team mentors was noted spotting talent for next year. Well done lads on a superb display in tough conditions.
Squad: Michael Ryan, Conor Byron, Dara Hansberry, Fionn O’Connor, Declan O’Brien, Ryan Noone, Niall McDonagh, Mark Donnellan, Didac, Michael Flattery, Jack Donoghue, Connor Booth, Daithi Colleran.