U16 Boys: Div 2 Cup: Colga 0-6 Colemanstown. Colemanstown U16 boys booked their place in the Div.2 Cup semi-final with an impressive 6-0 victory away to Colga in a midweek fixture last Wednesday night. Despite battling difficult weather conditions, the lads made a strong start & went in at the break with a commanding 3-0 lead. The back four deserve great credit for their performance; they dealt comfortably with everything Colga threw at them while they working tirelessly to help launch attacks & provide a platform for the players further up the pitch.
The introduction of Dermot Parker from the bench proved to be an inspired decision, as he made an immediate impact by helping himself to a superb hat-trick. His first came from the penalty spot after a handball in the Colga box, before he doubled his tally with a well-timed run onto a through ball from David Barrett. However, it was his third goal that stole the show, as he rose brilliantly to meet a wonderful cross from Sean Forde & direct a fine header into the net.
With the hard work done in the 1st half, Colemanstown were able to play the second period at a more comfortable pace while continuing to create chances. David Barrett added two goals of his own, the pick of the pair being a peach of a finish into the top corner. Debutant Max Raftery then rounded off a memorable evening when he grabbed our 6th goal of the night right at the final whistle. It was a thoroughly deserved victory for the lads, with a solid defensive display, clinical finishing & some excellent attacking play ensuring a safe passage into the semi-final.
Attention now turns to the Connacht Cup, with the lads facing an away trip to Ballinrobe on Bank Holiday Monday. Best of luck to the lads as they look to carry this excellent form into the next round! Match Report: Alan Walsh
U13 Boys Div 1 /2 Cup: Colemanstown 2 -3 Kiltullagh. Following an opening round league defeat away to Kiltullagh, where the U13 Boys lost 11-0, the boys put in a fantastic effort in this Divisional Cup tie on Saturday and played some excellent football and with a small bit more luck, the result could have been a positive one. Lining up in a 4-5-1 formation – Avey Mahon started in goal behind a back four of Conor Finnerty & Eugene Kelly (centre backs), right back Martin Flemming and left back James Flaherty. Matthew Kelly and Cathal Burns anchored the centre of midfield, with Oisin Kelly the advanced centre midfielder to support loan striker James Vignoles. Captain for the day was Oisin Kelly. Patrick Collins played on left side of midfield and Lauren O’Grady on the right. The game started positively as Colemanstown dominated possession in the early minutes, but a defensive error in the 6th minute gave Kiltullagh the lead. However this didn’t deter the boys and they started on the front foot from kick off, with a great through ball from Cathal Burns putting James Vignoles through, with an excellent finish giving the goalie no chance. On 10 minutes, a Cathal Burns shot from the edge of the box produced a great save from the keeper and the boys continued to dominate the game, with a 2nd goal coming on 15 minutes, with James Vignoles the provider this time, with a brilliant through ball in the box to Matthew Kelly, who finished expertly into the bottom corner. The boys continued to dominate the 1st half but couldn’t get that 3rd goal, with a Matthew Kelly effort again saved expertly by the Kiltullagh goalkeeper. The boys went in 2-1 up at half time.
Three half time subs were introduced to freshen up the team as they had put a huge effort into the 1st half. Conor Burns came in to play the lone striker role, Nathan Cleary on the right of midfield and Shay Morrissey at left back, with James Flaherty moving up to left side of midfield. Unfortunately the boys got caught cold from the kick off with Kiltullagh equalising one minute into the 2nd half. The boys continued to play good football and have some half chances in the 2nd half, with the best half chance falling to James Flaherty who won the ball on the left side of midfield and drove forward into the box, but his shot / cross just slightly in front of his teammates who just couldn’t get the vital touch. Further introductions 10 minutes into the 2nd half saw Ignor Ziolek come in at right back and Finn O’Grady on the left side of midfield. Kiltullagh got the 3rd goal in the 18th minute of the second half with a wonder strike from the edge of the box, straight into the top corner, which an adult would even be proud of.
The boys continued to try get that equaliser in the closing minutes but to no avail, with Avey Mahon making two superb saves in the last few minutes to keep the boys in the game after Kiltullagh had break away chances. Overall, it was a positive game from the coaching team perspective with the boys giving their all throughout the match, small margins went against us on the day. Onwards and upwards for the season. Match Report: Ray Flaherty
Squad: Igor Ziolek, Martin Flemming, Avey Mahon, Nathan Cleary, Matthew Kelly, Patrick Collins, Finn O’Grady, Shay Morrissey, Lauren O’Grady, James Flaherty, Conor Finnerty, Oisin Kelly, Eugene Kelly, Cathal Burns, James Vignoles, Conor Burns.