U13s drubbing of Knocknacarra in league opener

Our U13’s got to shake the cobwebs off themselves this morning in their first league game of the season away to Knocknacarra. The hosts were left sprawling as a classier U13 Colemanstown outfit played all the football in their 8-0 drubbing in Millers Lane. It was a Harry show from start to finish as Harry Mitchell finished with 4 goals to his credit and two disallowed. Mitchell had Colemanstown off the mark within a few minutes as he latched onto a through ball from Jonathan Keane and finished to the left of the keeper. Harry had another chance on 8mins which deflected off the woodwork after he got on the end of Tommy Mellody’s cross from the right. Harry had a goal disallowed after Jonah Donnellan’s header in defence found Jayo Rabbitte who played Ciarán keating but his effort was parried by the keeper while Harry was guilty of offside before he hammered to the net. Then Jayo Rabbitte had a snap shot which was marginally wide of the right post while he drew another great save from the Knocknacarra custodian after good combined work at the back from Ross Lally, Donnellan & Eanna Burke. Jayo Rabbitte made it 2-0 on 16mins after his low hard drilled effort took a deflection off the Knocknacarra defence and found the net. Harry had another goal disallowed after Cian Burke found him with a great pass but straight from the resultant free kick Tommy Mellody controlled the ball well and with a great run down the right flank he unleashed an unstoppable effort for his first goal of the season. Mitchell then had a spectacular volley from 18yards after he connected superbly to Jayo Rabbitte’s inch perfect cross but the Knocknacarra custodian was equal to the task. With 6mins left in the first half Mitch ran onto a long delivery from Jonah Donnellan, only to be dragged down in the box. Immediately the ref pointed to the penalty spot; there was no question as to who would take it as Mitch slowly placed the ball for himself. The keeper saved well on the first attempt but the attentive Mitch was on hand to make no mistake with the rebound. Knocknacarra then had a good snapshot but stand in keeper Dara Scarry did well to get a firm hold on the ball to ensure a clean sheet. Half time: 4-0 to Colemanstown.

Colemanstown maintained their momentum from the restart as Jayo Rabbitte hit the side net after good combined work from Nathan Greaney, Mitch and Ciano Burke in the middle of the park. 3 mins into the 2nd half Harry claimed his hat trick and Colemanstown’s fifth when he lobbed the keeper after good work in the midfield berth involving Jonah Donnellan, Eanna Burke & Jayo Rabbitte. Then Mitch saw his powerful header go wide as Ciarán Keating did all the hard work on the right flank. Dara Scarry was called into action again with another great save while Jayo Rabbitte drew another top class save from Knocknacarra’s keeper who had a superb game. At this stage the Colemanstown lads were lining up for a chance at goal. Cian Burke had a good effort but was defended well. Dara Scarry showed great bravery as he came out to the edge of his box to make a great save, injuring himself in the process. Our 6th goal came when Tommy Mellody cracked home a superb effort to the top corner after Johnny Keane and Eoin Keague did the harrying and hassling as the loose ball spilled to Mellody. Eoin Keague scored No. 7 as he ran onto a long ball from Rabbitte and while his first goal attempt was parried away, he was well positioned to make no mistake on his second attempt. Knocknacarra then smashed a free kick off the crossbar before Harry scored the visitors 8th goal of the morning with a deft touch. Jayo Rabbitte’s goal effort deflected off the butt of the post and as the ball dribbled along the endline Mitch kept it in play, rolled it to the edge of the 18’ box and let fly into the top left corner leaving the keeper with no chance. Then Mitch was marginally over the crossbar after great work in midfield from Ciarán Keating and Tommy Mellody with 2mins left to play.  This was a game in which Jason Finn and Edo Flannerys boys were on fire as Knocknacarra spent most of the game on the ropes. 8-0 it finished – not bad for the first outing of the season as the mentors were rushing off for the ‘A’ teams home game against Renmore where their team got back on track with a great 3-0 win while the Skehana & Menlough boys were rushing off to play St. Gabriels in gaelic football.

Squad: Dara Scarry, Eanna Burke, Jonah Donnellan, Ross Lally, Nathan Greaney, Tommy Mellody, Ciarán Keating, Cian Burke, Jayo Rabbitte, Harry Mellody, Jonathan Keane, Eoin Keague.