U12Boys Championship: Colemanstown 5 Merlin -1 Woods. With City Council pitches closed, Merlin Woods made the journey to Colemanstown for this U12 Boys Championship clash. Colemanstown wasted no time settling into the game & used a strong first half breeze to impose themselves on the game from the start. Colemanstown’s intent was clear from the outset & after just 3mins they struck the opener. Oisín Kelly let fly from long range, his thunderous effort rocketed into the roof of the net. The early breakthrough set the tone for a dominant spell & the pressure soon told again. On 7mins Oisín Kelly this time turned provider when he delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Matthew Kelly at the back post who calmly finished from close range to make it 2–0. While Colemanstown continued to motor, Merlin Woods posed their own threats on the break but keeper James Vignoles was sharp & alert whenever called upon. Colemanstown’s momentum continued & on 21 mins Cathal Burns was taken down as he burst through on goal. Immediately, the ref pointed to the spot & Cathal himself confidently dispatched the penalty to the bottom corner via a touch off the post to put Colemanstown 3–0 up. Colemanstown pushed to extend their lead before the break. Patrick Collins rattled the woodwork while Nathan Cleary forced an outstanding save from the Merlin Woods keeper. Despite several chances, the score remained 3–0 at half time.
The 2nd half began as the breeze eased which favoured Colemanstown, but it was the visitors who struck first. A penalty just after the restart was converted to pull Merlin Woods back to 3–1. Rather than unsettle the Colemanstown lads, the goal only ignited them further. 10mins into the half, Cathal Burns was fouled following a surging run on goal. He took the free kick himself & unleashed a stunning 25 yard strike into the roof of the net, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot & restored a 3 goal cushion. Colemanstown introduced fresh legs, with Igor Ziolek, Riley O’Donoghue who made a welcome return from injury, Charlie Hutchings, Kayden Brett & Martin Flemming all entered the fray. The impact was immediate & with 21 mins played in the 2nd half, Oisín Kelly bagged his second of the day. From right midfield, he struck another powerful long range effort that soared into the top of the net to seal a commanding 5–1 lead. There were further chances to extend the scoreline as Martin Flemming twice broke through one-on-one with the keeper; one effort drifted agonisingly wide & the other well saved. Colemanstown controlled the closing stages comfortably as the game petered out & marked an emphatic first league win to add to their earlier draw. Final Score: Colemanstown 5–1 Merlin Woods. Match Report: Peter Kelly.
Squad: James Vignoles, Eugene Kelly, Captain Conor Finnerty, James Flaherty, Cathal Burns, Oisín Kelly, Matthew Kelly, Nathan Cleary, Patrick Collins, Kayden Brett, Charlie Hutchings, Riley O’Donoghue, Igor Ziolek, Martin Fleming.
U14 Boys Div3: Ballinasloe 4-2 Colemanstown. Colemanstown United travelled to Ballinasloe for their third league outing of the season on Saturday. The game opened at a high tempo with both sides battling fiercely for possession. Colemanstown struck first on 7mins. A clever pass from Sean Forde took a slight deflection on its way through, fell perfectly for Thomas Kennedy. With plenty still to do, Thomas showed terrific footwork to outskill the defence before he calmly slotted past the keeper. It was an excellent early boost for the boys in green. The hosts responded strongly though & gradually took control & scored three unanswered goals to turn the game around. Despite the scoreline, Colemanstown’s defence led superbly by Tim Ruane & Ritchie O’Connor worked tirelessly to keep the team in contention. Just before the break Sean Forde produced a brilliant, determined run nearly the full length of the pitch, only to be denied by a resolute Ballinasloe back line. Colemanstown parted for the break 3–1 behind.
10mins into the 2nd half, Ballinasloe added a fourth to extend their advantage. Colemanstown however, continued to battle bravely. Keeper Iarlaith Griffin put in an outstanding performance as he pulled off a string of athletic saves – diving, stretching & pawing away goal bound efforts. He could do little about the goals conceded. Late in the game, Colemanstown were rewarded for their persistence when centre back Ritchie O’Connor struck a free kick from the edge of the box. His effort took a deflection on its way to the net to reduce the deficit to 4–2. Despite a spirited performance & moments of real quality, Colemanstown were unable to close the gap further & the game ended 4–2 in favour of Ballinasloe Town. Match Report: Ann Forde
Women’s Championship: Ballinasloe 1 – 1 Colemanstown. On a crisp Sunday morning in Ballinasloe, Colemanstown Ladies produced one of their most controlled performances of the season — yet left with the lingering feeling that two points had slipped away. The match saw the welcome return of Ruth Dempsey, back from injury and restored to her place in goal. Ahead of her, Colemanstown set the tone early, imposing their trademark passing style and dictating the tempo. Down the right flank, Sharon Finn was a constant outlet, repeatedly stretching the Ballinasloe back line with incisive runs. In midfield, Emer O’Brien and captain Lucy Roberts took command, recycling possession with maturity and driving the team forward. Catherine Burke operated between the lines, working tirelessly to unlock a stubborn and well-organised Ballinasloe defence. Chances followed. Grace Mitchell and Shauna Ward both tested the keeper, and pressure continued to build — but football has a habit of punishing wastefulness. Against the run of play, Ballinasloe capitalised on a rare set-piece opportunity, scrambling home a corner to take a 1–0 lead into the interval.
The introduction of Gillian Byrnes at half-time injected fresh energy into midfield, and the second half quickly became a siege. Colemanstown’s back line — Alicia Flannery, Chloe Manley, and Annalise Doran — were largely untroubled defensively, instead acting as the launchpad for wave after wave of attacks. Their composure in possession kept Ballinasloe pinned back, and eventually the pressure told as the hosts turned the ball into their own net. From there, it felt like only one team would win it. Colemanstown pushed relentlessly, weaving patterns around the box and forcing Ballinasloe deeper and deeper. Yet for all their dominance, the decisive touch proved elusive. When the final whistle arrived, the 1–1 scoreline felt harsh on a Colemanstown side who had controlled almost every meaningful moment. Still, the performance — full of structure, confidence, and attacking intent — offered encouragement that more complete rewards are just around the corner. Match Report: Neil Ryan
U16 Girls Div1: Salthill Devon 5 – 0 Colemanstown. Our U16 Girls faced a daunting assignment on Sunday as they travelled to Drom to take on joint tabletoppers Salthill. From the outset, it was clear the hosts would provide a tough challenge & so it proved over the course of the game. Salthill displayed their quality early, dominated possession & moved the ball with confidence. Colemanstown worked hard to stay in the game & showed determination & moments of solid defensive play but the pressure eventually told. Salthill were clinical in front of goal, ruthless to a point & converted their chances. Despite Colemanstown’s honest effort & willingness to battle to the end, Salthill’s attack proved too much on the day. In the end, the league leaders ran out deserved winners on a 5–0 scoreline. Match Report: Niall Rohan
U14 Girls: SFAI Trophy: Kilshanvey 0-1 Colemanstown. Colemanstown United’s U14 girls booked their place in the next round of the SFAI Trophy with a composed and confident display against Kilshanvey, sealing a well-deserved 1–0 victory in a game they largely dominated after a sluggish opening spell. Kilshanvey started the brighter of the two sides, pinning Colemanstown back in the early stages and forcing the visitors to defend deep for the first five to ten minutes. Once settled, however, Colemanstown took control of the contest and gradually imposed their rhythm on the game, creating a series of half-chances through Sorcha Nic an Iomaire, Julie Holohan, Siana O’Grady, and Laura Hayes. The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half. Julie Holohan threaded a clever ball into Sorcha Nic an Iomaire inside the box, who was then brought down by the Kilshanvey goalkeeper as she attempted to round her. A penalty was awarded. Despite carrying a dead leg from the collision, Sorcha stepped up with remarkable composure and dispatched the spot-kick into the top right corner — a finish of real quality that left the keeper with no chance. Colemanstown might have added to their lead before the interval, with both Siana O’Grady and Julie Holohan threatening, but the Kilshanvey defence crowded them out at key moments. Colemanstown carried a deserved 1–0 lead at halftime.
Managerial changes at the break saw Ava Forde, Kate Geary, and Kayla Maloney introduced, injecting further energy into the side. Colemanstown continued to dominate possession throughout the second half, though they struggled to convert their superiority into additional goals. At the other end, the Colemanstown defence were rarely troubled thanks to a commanding performance from the back four. Centre-back pairing Laoise Naughton and Chloe Laffey were outstanding, snuffing out danger with maturity and ensuring goalkeeper Niamh Lally enjoyed a quiet afternoon. In the end, Sorcha Nic an Iomaire’s first-half penalty proved enough to secure progression, capping off a display full of composure, work rate, and control. The victory leaves Colemanstown just one game away from the national Last 32, with Corrib Celtic awaiting them in the next round. It was a confident and disciplined performance from a squad that continues to grow in belief and quality. Match Report: Garry O’Grady
Squad: Niamh Lally, Eimear Flynn, Laoise Naughton, Chloe Laffey, Lauryn Murphy, Julie Holohan, Ciara Somers, Siana O’Grady, Sorcha Nic an Iomaire, Laura Hayes, Amy Morrissey, Kayla Maloney, Kate, Geary, Ava Forde, Mia Corcoran, Caoimhe Cleary.