Manager Orla McCaffrey reports on yesterday’s U12’s games which kicked off football for not only the New Year but the next decade also.
Our U12A team continued their winning streak in to the New Year when they played Moyne Villa ‘B’ at home yesterday morning. Custodian Joshua McDonnell displayed some fine saves from Moyne Villa attacks. The roll on roll off substitutions meant the defensive line up included Fionn Donohue, Cillian Roche, Nathan Mannion, Ryan Connannon and James Queeney who were solid throughout, putting in plenty of tackles and providing some excellent passes to the midfielders, as well as support and back up when Colemanstown were pressing up front. Midfield players Shane Quirke, Conor Walsh, Joshua Buckley & Daniel Lydon supported the defense, put in plenty of tackles of their own and displayed some lovely footwork and skills throughout. Darren Moran and Cathal Keane alternated up front determined in attack and putting Moyne Villa under pressure.
The first goal came for the Colemanstown a few minutes after the start, with a through ball from Fionn Donohue to Shane Quirke, who made a darting run up the left, past 2 defenders, delivered an inch perfect ball to Joshua Buckley who placed it perfectly into the bottom corner. 1-0 to Colemanstown. Both teams continued their pressing play, with some lovely movement throughout. Goal number 2 came from a long throw by Ryan Concannon to the feet of Shane Quirke who sent it into Darren Moran; he took an excellent shot sending the ball in to the back of the net. 2-0. Colemanstown defense were in top form, taking on the pace and footwork of the Moyne Villa strikers. Goal No.3 came before half-time. Cillian Roche sent a free-kick into the Moyne Villa box, Joshua Buckley got on the end of it and made no mistake to make it 3-0. Cillian had 2 superb shots on goal, but equally superb saves from the Moyne Villa keeper kept the ball out. 3-0 at the break.
Colemanstown’s youngsters were certain they had scored again when Joshua took a free kick over the wall and Shane giving it a helping foot into the goal, but it was disallowed as the ref deemed Quirke to be offside. The second half saw a strong start from both sides. The next goal came for Cillian Roche with a superb long range shot on goal leaving the keeper with no chance 4-0. Moyne Villa continued with their pursuit of a goal, maintaining pressure, and were rewarded after a lovely strike ended up in the Colemanstown net 4-1. Colemanstown players had several shots on goal, but the home team’s fifth came after Joshua won the ball from a Moyne Villa defender, lobbed the oncoming keeper, sending the ball to the feet of Cathal Keane who finished clinically to make it 5-1. Joshua McDonnell in goal had to get a nasty knee injury attended to while Conor Walsh took up his gloves for the remainder of the game, pulled off 2 saves in the closing minutes while up the other end Shane Quirke went on a last minute run towards the Moyne Villa goal but failed to add to his tally as the game petered out on a deserving 5-1 final score.
Squad: Joshua McDonnell, Fionn Donohue, Cillian Roche, Ryan Concannon, Nathan Mannion, Shane Quirke, Conor Walsh, Joshua Buckley, Darren Moran, Daniel Lydon, James Queeney, Cathal Keane
Coaches: Orla McCaffrey, Fidelma Walsh
U12B team draw with Athenry
Our U12B team took on Athenry ‘C’ in a local derby in their first league match of the new year at home yesterday morning. Niamh Kennedy and Dylan King alternated in goals throughout the game, with both producing some excellent saves from an attacking away team. Our defense through the game included Tiernan Malone, Padraig Kelly, Niall Grady and Kyle McDonagh, who worked well as a unit, taking on the striking force of the visitors, with some lovely tackles and clearances in evidence. Oisin O’Raghaillaill, Ella Carroll, Niamh Kennedy, Francis Weldon, Ronan Screene and Matthew Keane made up the midfield positions, again supporting their defense and sending through some lovely passes up front, as well as getting several shots on goal between them. Aaron Lindsay Bane and Francis Weldon played up front, running at the Athenry defence and creating scoring opportunities. The first goal came for the home team, with a clearance from Padraig Kelly finding Ronan Screene who sent the ball through to Francis Weldon who made no mistake to drive it to the visitors net. 1-0. Niamh made a number of saves but the next 2 goals went to the away team, both similar in style, coming from corner kicks into the home team’s box, with one kicked effort and a headed goal. 2-1 to Athenry. Colemanstown continued their calm attacking play, building momentum from the back. Oisin O’Raghallaill intercepted the ball in midfield from an Athenry player as they went forward, went on a run and got in a brilliant shot to send it straight into the back of the net. 2-2 only 20 minutes in. The game was moving at a hectic pace with challenges, shots and opportunities at both ends. The next goal came from some lovely team play on the right wing involving Matthew Keane and Kyle McDonagh and a number of shots in front of goal, well defended by Athenry, until Aaron Lindsay Bane finally slotted the ball in to the back of the net to make it 3-2 before the break.
Both teams came out in the second half determined to score. Colemanstown had a number of chances up front, but didn’t find the net. Dylan King was called on several times during the second half and made some fine saves. The defense continued to remain solid for Colemanstown throughout the second half, but Athenry managed to get one back to make it 3-3. Colemanstown continued their attacking play, and were unlucky not to get a 4th. Ronan Screene forced a save from the keeper near the final whistle. It remained 3-3 at the end, with both teams having given it their all.
Squad: Niamh Kennedy, Dylan King, Padraig Kelly, Ella Carroll, Niall Grady, Alex Kelly, Francis Weldon, Kyle McDonagh, Oisin O’Raghaillaill, Ronan Screene, Aaron Lindsay Bane, Matthew Keane, Tiernan Malone
Coaches: Marcus Malone, Liz Carroll