‘A’ Team Exit in a Thriller

Colemanstown A team exited the FAI junior cup at the hands of last year’s quarter finalist Athenry. It was a spirited display by an under strength Colemanstown side. We took the lead on the 20-minute mark from an excellent long-range effort from Alan Walsh. Athenry responded immediately to level the match. Derek Kolenofski and John O’ Brien caused a lot of problems for the Athenry defence but the sides were all square at half time. On the resumption Athenry were awarded a very dubious penalty which they converted. Colemanstown weathered the Athenry pressure and pushed on for the equaliser on 75 minutes. Athenry again hit back straight away and followed up with two more goals to make it 5-3. Colemanstown heads never dropped and the ever youthful Garry O’Grady popped up in the box with a sweet volley to round off the scoring for Colemanstown. Final score was 6-3.

Under 14s played Corrib Celtic at home in the 2nd round of the SFAI Cup. We got off to the worst start conceding a penalty to put the visitors 1 -nil up after five minutes. We worked hard for the remainder of the half with three great saves from the Celtic goalkeeper to keep out great efforts from Kieran Dowd, Brian Connolly and a superb header from Pierce Townsend.  We started the second half the same as we finished the first with great work on the wings by Conor O’Neill and Stephen Kelly.  Our persistence paid off when Lorcan Molloy slotted the ball home to make it 1-1 with fifteen minutes to go. As extra time loomed Ronan O Neill passed a through ball to Kieran Dowd who slotted the ball into the corner to secure a well earned victory for the boys. Next up is an away trip to Castlebar Celtic. Well done to all the lads on a tough game under bad conditions.