U18 Championship: Athenry 1-1 Colemanstown. Our U18 team travelled to Athenry for the final league game of the season, knowing that only a win would keep title hopes alive. With Kinvara waiting to pounce on any slip-up, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Both sides produced a tense, hard fought battle with both teams teams unwilling to give an inch. Colemanstown got off to a dream start when a long ball from midfield caused hesitation in the Athenry defence. Tiarnan Lohan reacted quickest as he pounced on a loose ball to fire home the opener within minutes of kick off. It was the perfect start to a crucial game. Athenry however, found a way back into the game midway through the 1st half. A dangerous free kick from Corey Walker was delivered into the box & an Athenry striker arrived unmarked at the back post to nod the ball past Fionn Flattery & although Fionn got his paw to it, the power of the header was enough to force the ball over the line. Colemanstown responded well. Kyle Madden went close with a free kick shortly after the equaliser but fired just over the bar. Shane Quirke then produced a brilliant moment as he intercepted the ball in Athenry possession, skipped past two defenders, only to see his effort also sail over. The teams parted for the break level at 1-1. After halftime, Tiarnan Proulx was introduced to add firepower in attack. However, it was Fionn Flattery who was called into action early in the 2nd half as he reacted smartly to another dangerous Corey Walker free kick. Moments later, he produced a brilliant diving save to keep out a low, hard strike destined for the bottom corner. With 10mins to play, Colemanstown felt they had a golden chance to take all 3 points. A well placed ball over the top found Aironas Kantauskas, who battled hard to deliver a cross. As it came in, a clear handball was spotted in the Athenry box, but appeals for a penalty were waved away by the ref. Athenry had a couple of late chances, but Colemanstown defended well boosted by the fresh legs of Tyler Collins & with Matthew Keane on the wing, we pushed for a winner but it was not to be. In the end, the game fizzled out into a 1-1 draw – an outcome that all but hands the league title to Kinvara. It was a tough result to take, but the lads left everything on the pitch in a fiercely contested battle. Match Report: Martina Donnellan
Squad: Fionn Flattery, Donnacha Walsh, Shane Duffy, Diarmuid Ryan, David Walsh, Connor van Oosterhout, Aironas Kantauskas, Josh Buckley, Shane Quirke, Kyle Madden, Tiarnan Lohan, Tiarnan Proulx, Tyler Collins, Sean Cooke, Matthew Keane, Cathal Kennedy.
U14 Girls Div 1: Colemanstown 2 – 3 Moyne Villa. Our U14 girls rounded off a great season with a home game versus Moyne Villa where a win for either side would put them in with a great chance of promotion to the championship next season. Villa meant business and were off the blocks from the start playing deep into the Colemanstown half. Lucy Butler was called into early action with some calm and composed saves. Their pressure paid dividends after 10 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box found the net. This was the kick Colemanstown needed as they settled into the game shortly after and were much more comfortable on the ball. The season’s long central midfield pairing of Shauna McDonagh and Muireann Roche once again dictated play in the middle third as they led by example. Then stepped up the ever improving Leah Hansberry with 2 fabulous finish’s in the space of 10 minutes to put us 2-1 up at the break. Moyne Villa to their credit came out with all guns blazing in the second half with a goal flurry of their own. Two goals in succession after 15 minutes left the home side reeling and under pressure for the remainder of the game. Maddie and Emily Rohan along with Aoife Morris and Evelyn McDonnell linked up well on occasions but just couldn’t penetrate the Villa defence. Laoise Naughton, Grace Connolly, Kate Mitchell and Aoife Walsh played a high line for the final 10 minutes in the hope of an equaliser but the Villa defence stood firm and weren’t giving away their lead. Ailbhe Burke, Tara Dillon, Ella Ryan, Niamh Naughton and Grace Jordan were all introduced to give fresh legs in the second half but 3-2 it finished leaving us with a small chance of finishing run runners up in Div 1. Match Report: Niall Rohan
U12 Girls Championship: Colemanstown 0 – 1 St Bernards. Our U12 girls had an early kick-off at home on Sunday morning to neighbouring side St Bernard’s. The game was settled by a solitary goal which was taken by St Bernard’s. The Colemanstown girls battled hard but were unable to force an equaliser.