U12’s heart breaking knockout of SFAI Cup

Skyvalley Rovers (Taughmaconnell) beat Colemanstown U12’s 1-0 in Round 1 of the SFAI Sketchers Cup through an injury time goal in extra time in Taughmaconnell this afternoon. The match appeared to be heading for penalties until the hosts No.11 scored a screamer on the 80th minute. It was frustrating for Colemanstown’s management trio, Jayo Finn, Edo Flannery & Gary Lally, whose side appeared to have done the hard work in the 2nd half and in extra time until a momentary lapse in concentration in defence cost them. The teams were quite evenly matched in the first half as neither side created anything too clear-cut. Fionn Flattery made a great save with his foot on 8mins to keep Skyvalley at bay while on 26mins David Walsh ran onto a Jonah Donnellan delivery down the flank and as David cut across the box, had his effort been a yard to the left, he would have produced the breakthrough. Dylan Murphy had to go off injured just before half time having received the full force of an opponent’s studs on his ankle. 0-0 at half time.

The 2nd half was a different ball game with chances galore for the boys in green. Ross Lally sent in a lovely cross from the left which Diarmuid Ryan almost got his boot to. David Walsh had a good effort from distance which was not too far off target while Diarmuid Ryan had a snap shot which the keeper got his fingers to, to turn it out for a corner. Cian Burke had a chance but the ball ran slightly too much ahead for him and his effort in the end was snuffed out. Jonah Donnellan had an effort which the keeper saved and moments later he latched onto a long delivery from the back, beat 2 defenders and found himself one-on-one with the keeper and dispatched to the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul on the defender. Harsh one might think! Straight down the other end a combined defensive effort of Diarmuid Ryan, Killian Hughes & Cathal Kennedy cleared any impending danger from Skyvalley Rovers.

At this stage, Colemanstown dominated possession as Fionn Flattery saved well from the host’s incoming strikers while Jonah Donnellan wasn’t too far off with a free kick. As Colemanstown were battling hard Ella Carroll showed true bravery to continue with play, having received the full force of the ball to the side of her face. Cian Burke battled hard to win 2 corners late in the game which were defended stoutly by the hosts. Jonah Donnellan & Diarmuid Ryan also had 2 late chances but both failed to find the net. As both sides failed to break the deadlock the game went to extra time.

Colemanstown’s young guns continued extra time in the same vein, pressing hard, dominating possession and revelling in space. Killian Hughes however, had to come to the rescue to avert danger in the Colemanstown goal area while in the ensuing play, the hosts were just wide with a header. Ross Lally’s through ball found Jonah Donnellan but his piledriver was way too high for the small goal and he scored in the full size goals instead!. Still 0-0 at half time of extra time.

Just after the resumption, Cian Burke’s delivery found Donnellan but his effort again was fired over. Ross Lally & Jonah Donnellan linked up well to find David Walsh but his effort was snuffed out at his feet by a number of defenders. With just a minute to go No. 11 fired a dramatic late winner to hand Skyvalley Rovers a 1-0 victory in a keenly-contested clash as Colemanstown bowed out of the U12 SFAI Sketchers Cup. The result was harsh on a battling Colemanstown side who had looked worthy of at least bringing the game to penalties until a heartbreaking finish.

Squad: Fionn Flattery, Cathal Kennedy, Dylan Murphy, Killian Hughes, Niamk Kennedy, Jonah Donnellan, Cian Burke, Patrick Flynn, Daniel Melia, David Walsh, Ross Lally, Ella Carroll, Diarmuid Ryan, Shane Kenny, Cathal Hynes, Sean Connolly.