Our ladies team defended their territory well yesterday against the elements and a strong Corrib Rangers side. On what was a very windy day Colemanstown put in a huge display of grit, fight and pure determination. It was the ladies first league game of the year and a big step up in competition after winning the first division last summer comfortably as the ladies were promoted to the premier league and all eyes were on this game. Favorites to win the league, Corrib Rangers started the game strong creating a couple of chances but this was no task to Colemanstown’s new-formed keeper Trish Kelly who was quick off her line to close down the Corrib striker and make some vital saves for her team. Colemanstown with the wind at their backs won a corner kick very early in the game out on the right side of the field. Tessa Mullins swung in a looping ball that was caught by the wind and floated straight into the top corner of the goal. Goal for Colemanstown! A dream start for the ladies and a nightmare for Corrib as they knew Colemanstown meant business and by no means was this going to be an easy game. Colemanstown hoping to capitalise on having the advantage of the wind by adding a goal or two more before the half time mark but a very experienced Corrib defense played a high defensive line catching Colemanstown offside numerous times. Midway through the game Anna Grant was played through by her partner striker Aisling Kelly. Racing to get to the ball before the Corrib goalie Grant toe poked the ball past the keeper and the crowd watched on the edge of their seats as it crept towards the goal line, but unfortunately was cleared by the scrambling Corrib defense. The first half finished Colemanstown 1, Corrib Rangers 0. After the half time talk Colemanstown knew that the next 45 minutes was not going to be easy. Playing against the wind they had to defend their lead, battle to the end and that they did it in heroic fashion. Colemanstown’s centre midfield of Shauna Ward and Mullins ran their socks off closing down and not allowing Corrib’s threatening midfielders any time on the ball. Wingers Cait Burke and Deirdre Finn hit every blade of grass up and down the sideline, defending and then attacking carrying the ball up the pitch to help take the pressure off their defenders allowing them to get a breather. Colemanstown finished the stronger side creating a couple of chances from the well known solo runs of Burke but having one shot saved and the other just going wide was very unfortunate as this would have finished the game off. Corrib pushed on as much as they could looking for the equalising goal, putting the Colemanstown defense under mass amounts of pressure in the final moments of the game. Colemanstown didn’t crack and a massive mention has to go to Colemanstown’s back line of Carmel Flannery, Emma Roche, Sarah O’ Connell and captain Orla McCaffrey who blocked, tackled and put their bodies on the line closing down any opportunity Corrib had. Substitute Chloe Roche worked hard when added to the game up front and was unlucky not to break through Corribs defense. Ruth Dempsey who came on in the last 10 minutes was unlucky not to score with her first touch when Burke’s cross met Dempsey’s volley but just went wide of the post. Once again this was an incredible team display of determination, pride and that fire in the belly. These girls will be hard bet this year and especially at home! A great start to the league and exciting times lie ahead for this bunch of ladies who have been training hard since the beginning of January. Final Score: Colemanstown 1; Corrib rangers 0. Next game away to Shiven Rovers Sunday the 13th at 7pm.
Report compliments of Kara Mullins, Ladies team manager