Girls U13 Championship: Oughterard 2-1 Colemanstown. Our U13 girls made the long spin to Oughterard on a miserable, wet Sunday morning to take on the hosts in their latest league encounter. Despite the dreary conditions, the Colemanstown girls showed tremendous heart & determination from the off. It was a dream start for Colemanstown. Inside the opening 2mins, Lauren O’Grady sparked a brilliant attacking move as she linked up neatly with Faye Ryan before the ball found Ava Forde. Showing great pace & composure, Ava raced down the pitch, outpaced the Oughterard defence & calmly slotted home with her left foot to give Colemanstown an early lead. The game was a tough, physical battle throughout, with both sides fighting tooth & nail for every ball. Oughterard responded strongly and managed to level the score around the 20-minute mark to leave the sides tied 1-1 at half time.
The second half was a fiercely contested affair. Colemanstown created several superb chances as they pressed hard for a winner, but the Oughterard goalkeeper was in outstanding form & pulled off a string of saves to deny the visitors. Despite relentless effort & tireless work from every player in green, it was Oughterard who struck the decisive blow when they struck the back of the net with just 5mins to play to claim the victory. The Colemanstown girls gave absolutely everything, showing grit, teamwork & incredible spirit right up to the final whistle. Though it was their 4th game & 4th defeat, the smiles at the end said it all. This team is growing stronger with every game, building friendships & loving the game. Isn’t that what it’s all about! Match Report: Ann Forde.
Girls U12 Connacht Cup: Colemanstown 0 – 1 Salthill Devon. On a cold but electric bank holiday Monday morning in Colemanstown, the U12 girls produced a performance full of courage, composure and character, narrowly falling 1–0 to Salthill Devon in the second round of the Connacht Cup. Against opponents sitting three divisions higher, Colemanstown knew the challenge ahead. What followed, though, was a display that defied the gulf on paper — one that left the near-capacity home crowd on their feet and the players with every reason to hold their heads high. The opening ten minutes were tentative, both sides probing without overcommitting. Then came the moment that ignited the tie. Ella Kavanagh, spotting space in behind, threaded a perfectly weighted ball through for Lucy Burke Hardiman to chase. Her low strike was met by a sharp save from the Salthill goalkeeper, but it signalled Colemanstown’s intent — they weren’t here to merely contain. That chance turned the match into a breathless, end-to-end contest. Eve Corcoran, Kayla Grealish, and Katelyn Mannion all went close, each forcing the Salthill keeper into action. At the other end, Emily Tuohy stood tall, pulling off a series of outstanding stops to ensure the sides went into the interval level.
The second half picked up right where the first had left off. Colemanstown’s defence — marshalled by Chloe Burke, Réaltín Saunders, Caoimhe Greene, and Ciara Maybin — remained disciplined and composed under pressure. Rotations from the bench, including lively cameos from Méabh Lally, Erin Holmes, Grace Reddington, and Sadie Devaney, brought fresh energy and allowed Colemanstown to continue pressing high. Up front, Elise Rohan and Faye Ryan linked well, carving out openings that kept the visitors on edge. It was the kind of game that felt destined to be decided by the finest of margins — and, heartbreakingly for Colemanstown, it was. With just two minutes remaining, a Salthill counterattack found a rare gap, and a well-placed shot nestled into the corner to make it 1–0. Many teams might have folded in that moment, but not this one. Colemanstown threw everything forward in a furious finale. Two injury-time corners saw every Colemanstown player — including the goalkeeper — crowd the Salthill box, the home support urging them on. The ball twice ricocheted dangerously, but the equaliser never quite came.
When the final whistle sounded, there was disappointment, yes — but also immense pride. This was more than a cup tie; it was a statement of what this Colemanstown side is becoming. Against one of the region’s strongest outfits, they matched their opponents in every department. For a team still growing together, this performance will be remembered less for the scoreline and more for the belief it built. As the players walked off to applause from both sets of supporters, one thing was clear: Colemanstown may be out of the Connacht Cup, but their season is very much coming to life. Match Report: Neil Ryan
U14 Girls Connacht Trophy: Colemanstown 3-3 Castlebar Celtic. Colemanstown won 3-2 on pens. In a thrilling Connacht Trophy encounter on bank holiday Monday, Colemanstown United U14 Girls produced a heroic display to edge out Castlebar Celtic on penalties after an action-packed 3–3 draw. Colemanstown started brightly and took an early lead when Julie Holohan pounced on a loose ball in the box to slot home calmly. Playing with a strong breeze, Castlebar responded swiftly, equalising before taking the lead midway through the first half with a looping long-range effort. Julie Holohan nearly levelled just before the break with a stunning strike that rattled the crossbar, leaving the score 2–1 to Castlebar at halftime.
With the wind now at their backs, Colemanstown dominated the second half. Their pressure paid off when Sorcha Nic an Iomaire fired home a free kick that the Castlebar keeper couldn’t keep out. However, Castlebar responded immediately with a free kick of their own to regain the advantage at 3–2. Colemanstown continued to press, with Sorcha again hitting the woodwork. As time ticked away, Ava Forde was reintroduced for the final five minutes — and once again, the “poacher supreme” delivered. In the dying moments, she showed ice-cool composure to slot the ball past the onrushing keeper and make it 3–3, forcing the tie to penalties.
In the shootout, Colemanstown held their nerve. Sorcha Nic an Iomaire, Julie Holohan, and Chloe Laffey all converted from the spot, while keeper Niamh Lally produced two magnificent saves to seal a 3–2 shootout victory and send Colemanstown through — knocking out one of Connacht’s biggest clubs in the process. A superb battling performance from every Colemanstown player, full of determination, spirit, and quality football. A night to remember for this talented young team! Match Report: Garry O’Grady
Squad: Niamh Lally, Kayla Maloney, Laoise Naughton, Caoimhe Cleary, Eimear Flynn, Sorcha Nic an Iomaire, Siana O’Grady, Ciara Somers, Julie Holohan, Laura Hayes, Ava Forde, Aoibhinn Doyne, Aoibhinn Maloney, Chloe Laffey, Lauren O’Grady, Mia Corcoran.
Boys U12 Connacht Cup Colemanstown 4 – 0 Westport. After the Over 35s fun match & its lively aftermath on Sunday evening, an early Monday morning trip to Westport wasn’t exactly on the mentors’ wish list! But, true to form, they rose bright & early, climbing aboard Gerry Fahy’s bus with 13 eager young players ready to do the club proud & that they certainly did. Colemanstown couldn’t have scripted a better start when they took the lead straight from the kick-off. A superb cross from Oisín Kelly found James Vignoles in behind the Westport defence & he showed great composure to slot the ball neatly into the bottom corner for 1–0. Buoyed by that dream start, the lads continued to press & were soon rewarded again when Cathal Burns found the net with a well taken finish. Not long after, James Vignoles grabbed his second of the morning to make it 3–0 before half time. Despite the scoreline, Westport still fashioned a few good chances, but our defensive trio of Matthew Kelly, Conor Finnerty & James Flaherty were in top form; strong in the tackle and calm under pressure with Avey Mahon superb between the posts.
Facing a stiff breeze in the 2nd half, Colemanstown reshuffled their formation, with Eugene Kelly introduced to make it a solid back four. Igor Ziolek, Kayden Brett, & Martin Fleming were also brought into the action & added fresh legs & energy to the team. With the wind at their backs, Westport came out determined & piled on the pressure & forced several goalmouth scrambles, but Colemanstown’s defence held firm. Midway through the half, Cathal Burns broke through again & coolly finished to make it 4–0 & help ease any nerves. From there, the lads showed great discipline & teamwork to see out the game to secure a brilliant clean sheet & a place in Round 3 of the Connacht Cup. A well earned stop at Supermac’s in Ballindine on the way home rounded off a perfect day where the burgers & chips did their bit to replace those hard-earned lost calories! Match Report: Peter Kelly.
Squad: Avey Mahon, Matthew Kelly, Conor Finnerty, James Flaherty, Oisín Kelly, Cathal Burns, Patrick Collins, James Vignoles, Nathan Cleary, Igor Ziolek, Eugene Kelly, Martin Fleming, Kayden Brett.
Girls U15 Div1: Colemanstown 6 – 1 Colga B. Our U15 girls side made it two league wins on the bounce with a commanding 6–1 victory over Colga B on a drizzly, damp Sunday morning in Colemanstown. A lively crowd gathered to cheer on the girls who put in a superb all round team performance filled with skill, determination & teamwork. Colemanstown took the lead after just 10mins when Maddie Rohan produced a moment of magic. She picked up the ball at the edge of the box, weaved her way past several defenders before curling a beautiful strike into the far corner for 1–0. Colemanstown continued to dominate & their pressure paid off when Leah Hansberry doubled the lead. Leah was a constant threat throughout & showed great anticipation to latch onto a loose ball just inside the box & finished with confidence to make it 2–0. Muireann Roche then got in on the act when she drove powerfully through the middle before unleashing a fine shot from the edge of the box that nestled into the corner for 3–0. New signing Kara Higgins impressed on her debut & provided the assist for Maddie Rohan to notch her 2nd of the day; a composed finish that put Colemanstown 4-0 up. Not to be outdone, Sorcha Nic an Iomaire produced one of the goals of the season with a stunning left footed strike from 30yards that sailed into the top corner to make it 5–0. The scoring spree continued when Evelyn McDonnell reacted quickest in a crowded box & following a goalmouth scramble poked home No. 6 for Colemanstown to make it five different scorers on the day which is a testament to the team’s depth & creativity. Colga pulled one back late on for a consolation goal as Colemanstown comfortably saw out the match. There were excellent performances all over the pitch. Shauna McDonagh, Ruth Burke & Aoife Morris stood out for their defensive play & work rate. Newcomer Kara Higgins also showed her versatility, alternating between striker & keeper seamlessly in her first outing for the club. It was a fantastic all round display from this talented & hard working bunch of players who passed the ball superbly & fully deserved their victory. The result sees these young Colemanstown girls make it two league wins in a row & one thing for sure, they’ll be eager to keep that momentum going in the weeks ahead. Match Report by Niall Rohan
Squad: Grace Connolly, Emma Collins, Ruth Burke, Shauna McDonagh, Ella Ryan, Aoife Morris, Muireann Roche, Grace Jordan, Maddie Rohan, Evelyn McDonnell, Leah Hansberry, Sorcha Nic an Iomaire, Kara Higgins.