‘A’ Team’s battle against Corrib Rangers

An understrength Colemanstown United systematically dismantled Corrib Rangers yesterday in their latest league encounter in Westside. All eyes were on the young lads, Ronan Carr & Dylan Grady, who started in place of the ever reliable Gareth Lally & Richie Lally who were concentrating on the 2nd round hurling tie against Athenry as well as Tom Flan & Enda Cunniffe. Credit to the hurlers though who came in support of their team mates. Although Colemanstown played with the wind in the 1st half, they struggled to get a foothold and manage the stiff wind as a lot of passes went askew.  It was a poor start to the game as Colemanstown conceded on 30mins putting them on the back foot for the remainder of the 1st half and played in pedestrian mode. Squelchy had a chance coming in from the left but scuffed his effort. Jayo Finn then had to receive attention for a bloody nose as he seemed to get struck by an elbow. Credit to Dr. Gareth Lally who treated him with some cotton wool!! The doc just did enough to keep Jayo in action. Then came a massive blow as Corrib Rangers took the lead from a free kick as their centre half out-jumped one of our lads to beat custodian John Gormally with a header to put the hosts 1-0 up at the break.

Timmy rallied his troops at half time and by golly, did they put in a massive 2nd half display with fire and brimstone in their bellies as they began to dominate possession. They rallied from the hammer-blow of that 1st half  goal and played with a different mental mindset and physically adequate performance right through the 2nd half. The absence of the hurlers even seemed irrelevant as the rest imperiously took charge of the game. Colemanstown got a deserved equaliser when Ronan Geraghty picked out Ray Moran from the right and he rounded the keeper and scored into an empty net. Corrib Rangers began to look nervous and Colemanstown took the lead through an own goal from Squelchy’s cross from the right. John Gormally pulled off a huge save with his feet with 20 mins to go to keep Colemanstown in front. Corrib Rangers sent more players forward in search of an equaliser but Colemnastown put the game past their reach with a 3rd goal which came on the break as Squelchy crossed to Dylan Grady who hit his volley into the ground and it lobbed the keeper to make it 3-1 and game over. King Dylan showed his true credentials and Corrib Rangers were emotionally broke as the back four, Ronan Carr, Jason Finn, Gary O’Grady & Ronnie Geraghty remained resolute until the end.

Colemanstown’s 2nd half display was up there with our best performances this year and credit must go to each player with their never say die attitude. With 2 games remaining, 2 wins against West United away on Thursday and West Coast United away on Sunday will secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Team: John Gormally, Ronan Carr, Jason Finn, Gary O’Grady, Ronan Geragthy, Alan Finn, Padraig Quirke, Stephen Walsh, Ray Moran, Sean Walsh, Dylan Grady.

Sub Used: Geordan Kenny; Mark Kirby, Stephen Burke, Tommy McDonagh.