After a glorious day on Saturday with Colemanstown FC hosting Galway United U15’s it was back to brass tacks yesterday on the field for our U14’s & ‘A’ Team. The day wasn’t as good as Saturday in football terms as all our teams lost but it’s not all about winning; it’s about camaraderie, fun, enjoyment, building friendships & participation no matter what.
First up yesterday were our U14’s who took on Knocknacarra in their patch in their 2nd last game of the league. We were 1 nil up after 18mins courtesy of Conor Moran’s free kick which bounced over the keeper’s head after he was put under pressure by Daragh Diskin. Ryan Noone had a good chance before that after he skipped by 2 defenders but blasted wide while up the other end Jayo Connolly had to make a quick double save. Knocknacarra equalised on 22 mins from a quickly taken corner which was swung in and although Conor Byron headed off the line the ref deemed him to have stepped behind the goal line before he got his head on it. Knocknacarra upped the pressure as Liam Molloy whipped a ball off the goal line and again Jayo Connolly went down well to save. Knocknacarra made it 2-1 two mins later in an exact replica of their first; another corner which was swiftly taken and the ensuing cross just shaved the hands of Jay Connolly in goals. On 27mins Jayo made another top class stop as he saved well from a one-on-one effort. Just before half time, Conor Moran went close with a free kick after Ryan Noone was fouled on the edge of the 18’ box. Half time: Colemanstown 1; Knocknacarra 2.
The 2nd half was one our lads would rather forget although we had a great chance to level matters shortly after the resumption. Conor Moran’s free kick was parried by the keeper only to fall to Ryan Noone whose effort was saved and on the second time of asking Ryan blasted it agonisingly high and wide and not very handsome. 10mins into the 2nd half Knocknacarra made it 3-1 as their striker ran onto a long ball over the top, beat the defence and the offside trap before finding himself one-on-one with the keeper and made no mistake. Their 4th goal was very opportunistic as the ball uncharacteristically dribbled under the hands of Jayo Connolly who was having a top class game. With 3mins to go Knocknacarra scored 2 more turning the screw on our lads but hats off to them they had a giggle about it, didn’t take it to heart and believe it or not looked to have enjoyed the game although they were well beaten.
Squad: Jayo Connolly, Luke Lally, Dara Hansberry, Liam Molloy, Micháel Ryan, Conor Byron, Mark Donnellab, Michael Kelly, Conor Moran, Ryan Noone, Daragh Diskin & Josh McGuire-Greaney.
Our ‘A’ team also had a bad day at the office yesterday with a 0-0 draw against West Coast Utd after their long trek out to Letterfrack. With other results not going their way on the day, they remain in first division action for another year at least with Merlin Woods runaway winners of the First Division.
On Saturday morning our U12’s were unlucky to be beaten by table toppers Corrib Rangers at home. Our young guns started out well against a Corrib Rangers outfit firmly in the driving seat, having not lost a game all season. Colemanstown were a tad better than their opposition in the first half, playing a tight game and not giving the opposition much time on the ball. Both teams went in scoreless at the break although we could have snatched a goal before half time through a Tommy Mellody corner. The visitors upped the ante after the restart dominating the game more profoundly. Colemanstown broke on the counter as Jason Rabbitte set up Harry Mitchell who finished well in the top corner to put us 1-0 up. We almost snatched a second through Harry again with 10mins left on the clock but he uncharacteristically missed. Corrib Rangers equalised in the resultant play and dominated from there until the end. They found the winner with 5mins to play and held out until the end for a famous victory over a gallant and somewhat unlucky Colemanstown side. Luke Williams was outstanding in central defence, the perfect centre back, strong in his tackling and relied readily on his natural intelligence when on the ball. Pity for him, he was on the losing side. Corrib Rangers are now uncatchable and therefore have won this league as Colemanstown still have a few games left to play.
Squad: Conor Laffey, Cian Ruane, Luke Williams, Dara Scarry, Tommy Mellody, Eanna Burke, Adam Cleary, Jason Rabbitte, Harry Mitchell, Jonathan Keane, Ciárán Keating & Larry Murrajovos. Everyone got game time and that’s what’s most important at this age group. Thanks to Johnny Lally for the match notes.