Gary Devaney reports on the ‘A’ Teams thriller at home on Saturday. However, it was not to be as Knocknacarra prevailed after extra time.
Our ‘A’ Team had yet another thriller at home to Knocknacarra in the Connacht Cup. The supporters that come out each week to watch this Colemanstown team are entertained from start to finish. Straight from the off Gary Lally was just off target with a thumping drive and two minutes later Dylan Grady connected with a cross from Mossy Carr only to see his shot hit the post. Jason Finn then saw his header from a corner just miss the far post and Geordan Kenny missed a long range strike after taking on three Knocknacarra defenders. At this stage, Colemanstown were well on top. Against the run of play, Knocknacarra struck first on the 14th minute to go ahead.
Damien Wynne and Tomas Flannery were a constant threat and when Gary Lally skipped past the Knocknacarra defence and sent a perfect pass to Geordan Kenny there was only going to be one outcome. Goal for Colemanstown. Jason Finn and Ronan Carr were rock solid in the centre of defence while Alan Finn and Conal Docherty kept the Knocknacarra wingers quiet. Colemanstown were dealt a blow just after the restart when Knocknacarra went ahead but Damien Wynne capitalized on a rebound from a Tomas Flannery strike to level things up again. On 64 mins Knocknacarra went ahead again but in typical Colemanstown fashion they pulled the goal back immediately, this time Damien Wynne returned the favour sent a ball through to Tomas Flannery who calmly finished past the Knocknacarra keeper to make it 3-3. Extra time beckoned but Colemanstown were nearly celebrating when Shane Lally’s last minute effort looked to be hitting the back of the net only to be denied by the Knocknacarra keeper. Extra time it was to be.
John O’Brien, Alan Finn (junior) and David Mullins were introduced and were straight into action defending against a stubborn Knocknacarra side. They got their fourth of the day after 5 mins of extra time but Colemanstown struck back when Geordan Kenny was taken down in the box and Tomas Flannery stepped up to convert the resulting penalty. 4-4 with 1 minute left and it looked like it was going to penalties until the Colemanstown defence failed to deal with a free kick into the box and a Knocknacarra player scrambled the ball to the net. That was the last attack of the game and Knocknacarra can count themselves lucky to get the win.
Colemanstown’s lads went behind 4 times and immediately fought back again and deserved to go through to the next round but it wasn’t to be. These Colemanstown players have serious heart and determination. They are a pleasure to watch.
Back to league action this Saturday at home to Mervue at 2pm. Support would be greatly appreciated.