Colemanstown U17 Girls 4 – 1 Moyne Villa
Our U17 girls lined out away to Moyne Villa on Sunday. We knew we had a tough task ahead of us as the Easter holidays impacted our squad numbers for the outing, but those worries only seemed to affect the coaches as the girls approached the game with their usual determination and professionalism. With just 12 players and a stand-in keeper for the day our girls had a task on their hands but they took on the challenge. Moyne Villa won the coin toss ensuring they played with the breeze and slight hill in the first half so our girls knew they needed to be in top form from the whistle as the breeze could determine a lot of the long balls. From the tip off our girls were on the attack with a long ball struck forward by Leah Moran to Lauren Keary upfront who’s exceptional footwork and strength was a thorn in Moyne Villa’s side all day as she skipped past the opposition feeding the ball forward to striker Sinead Rohan up front whose quick feet ensured she had endless chances on goal. The chances came fast & furious for Colemanstown but we couldn’t quite break their defence while equally the attack from Moyne Villa was ever present with their fantastic long kickouts but our central defensive unit of Keva Hynes and Shauna Hynes weren’t having any of it and put their bodies behind every high ball ensuring they protected stand-in keeper Sina Schwitalla in goal. Sina had little to do in the first half as Saoirse Moran and Ruth Murphy were phenomenal on both wings closing down all incoming runs from the Moyne Villa midfield. Sina’s long kickouts were crucial as they landed to the feet of Ailish Molloy and Molly Fahey in midfield as they ran the midfield ensuring every ball made its way to the strikers. Both ladies must be commended as they covered every inch of the field ensuring their defence was supported as well as running in for rebound balls in the attack.
Half time came and our girls knew with the assistance of the wind and hill in the 2nd half we had the odds on our side. Libby Kennedy was introduced as striker for the 2nd half. Our girls went in strong from the start winning every tackle and making endless breaks in attack. Niamh Kennedy and Leah Moran were phenomenal on the wings as they ensured the game was spread out wide. Niamh’s nutmegs and little dinks past her player on the wing were just sensational as she linked up with Molly Fahey and Lauren Keary all day. Leah Moran dominated the midfield taking her captains roll very seriously as she was heard all day motivating and encouraging her teammates ensuring spirits were high. The first goal of the game came 8 minutes into the 2nd half when we were awarded a free kick near the corner flag , but there’s no task too difficult for Leah Moran as she stepped up to the kick. Words of encouragement were heard from mum Mary encouraging her to go for the top corner. Leah, a girl always up for the challenge took the free curling it into the box where it deflected off a defender and ended up in the back of the net. A fantastic goal that left Moyne Villa speechless. The next goal came on the 10 minute mark when again we were awarded a free kick but this time directly in front of the goal. Leah stepped up to the mark and we knew on the line that she was going for goal and that she did, she powered it to the right corner again leaving the Moyne Villa keeper and defenders frozen on the spot. Leah and the girls were on a high and the encouragement amongst teammates grew as the prospect of a first league win was on the horizon. Leah capped off the hat trick with fantastic link up play from Molly Fahey, Lauren Keary & Niamh Kennedy who landed the ball to the foot of Leah Moran who cool as a breeze slotted it past the keeper. The smile could be seen by everyone after a well-deserved hat trick. The girls weren’t done there as 13 year old Libby Kennedy on her debut for the Under 17s was on the attack from the moment she stepped on the pitch, worked seamlessly with sister Niamh and Lauren creating fantastic chances and her goal finally came 10 minutes from full time as Leah Moran crossed a fantastic ball in which Libby controlled, danced around the keeper and slotted to the back of the net. Sina Schwitalla was a star on the day as she took on the mantle of goalkeeper and was fantastic from start to finish. Considering Sina was learning many tricks of the trade throughout the game she never once let it phase her pulling off fantastic saves all day. The most notable was 5 minutes from the end when she dived across the goal getting her fingertips to the ball ensuring the game remained 4-1.
Cert recipients on the day were Leah Moran for her hat trick and leadership, Sina Schwitalla for fantastic goalkeeping and Molly Fahey for her fantastic defensive efforts and workrate. Match report by Laura Parker
Colemanstown U12 Girls vs Athenry
Our U12s had a stylish performance on Sunday with a free-scoring day bagging 11 goals in total in a one-sided affair, at home to Athenry. The Colemanstown team were purring with confidence and played in a different league to the visitors. The usual suspects were amongst the goal scorers:
Roisin O Dea who has made huge strides as a player since the season began; Rachel Kennedy, Leah O’Connor, Roisin Ruane, Della Griffin who claimed a hatrick & Lily Kirby with 4 goals to her credit. Ruby Lynch had little to do in goals while the back 3 of Catherine Irwin, Leah O’Connor & Aisling Ruane were rock steady as was Liliana King in the 2nd half. Della Griffin, Lily Kirby & Roisin Ruane steamrolled midfield while up front Rachel Kennedy, Roisin O’Dea and Sophie Kelly in the 2nd half were on fire in a cracker of a game for these young Colemanstown girls who enjoyed every minute of the action.