Our U13’s defeated Knocknacarra in the last home game of 2014 on Saturday and the game displayed all that is good about this u13 side, their management team, parents and of course the mighty tea makers. Colemanstown started slowly but steadily progressed into this game as Thady Moran & Kellie Brennan created a few half chances between them. Kellie Brennan then had a penalty plea fall on deaf ears as Colemanstown continued to press forward. Colemanstown made the breakthrough through Adam Wynne who scored his first goal for the club when he struck a sweet strike from 25yards after connecting well to a neat Kellie Brennan cross. Knockanacarra’s few chances were ably dealt with by a well organised Colemanstown defence. 1-0 at the interval but Colemanstown got more on top through Mika Harun whose workrate was phenomenal all through and was a stalwart for the team in midfield. He made a splendid run from midfield only to be taken down 25yards from goal. Up stepped Thady Moran to take the resultant free kick; a sublime effort, over the wall and in off the post to the keeper’s right. Thady scored Colemanstown’s third when the visitor’s keeper threw the ball out to their left back following a good save but Thady’s tenacious tackling won him back the ball which he struck across the box into the far corner. 3-0 it finished but this was a great result and an enjoyable game as Colemanstown now sit second in the U13 Div2 table over the Christmas break. Adam Wynne filled Arron Molloy’s boots on this occasion; he was first to every ball and put in a sterling performance. He wasn’t alone though in his determination to get a win. Thady Moran had a selfless game while the defence line of Jason Keane, Ethan Lally, Josh Brennan & Brian Kelly were superb. The pace & guile of Shane Burke & Luke Mitchell on the flanks caused the city side all sorts of hassle with the latter unlucky not to score. Mika Harun, Thady Moran & Adam Wynne covered every blade of grass while Kellie Brennan used her pace to good effect in attack. Cian Murphy, Harry Greaney, Eoin Laffey, Kyle McGuire-Greaney & Eve Murray all got to sample the atmosphere while also a word of mention to Aoibhinn Screene, Emma Callanan & Daniel Glynn who will surely get game time the next day. The smiles were wide all round on the parents & supporters faces afterwards following the welcome tea supplied again by Grainne Lally & Rose Kelly. Well done ladies. There were even bigger smiles on the faces of the kids who all received a selection box thanks to the generosity & thoughtfulness of manager David Gilligan who has now earned himself a queue of teams to manage. Interviews being held after Christmas and a revised contract for him to sign!
The Secretary’s office is now closed for the Christmas break and will re-open in the New Year! If team managers have any needs in terms of fixtures, I will deal with them upon my return. It just remains for me to thank all managers and fellow committee members for their valued help over the past year and wish you all a happy, peaceful & prosperous Christmas and every good wish and blessing for 2015.