It was a bad weekend all round for all Colemanstown teams in action this weekend. Our A team succumbed to their first league defeat of the season as a 3rd goal from Athenry late enough in the game meant there was no way back for our lads. Colemanstown did not play too badly but just could not find a way through a defiant Athenry defence. There was 27mins on the clock before Athenry broke the deadlock with a trademark free kick from distance which Junior in goals almost got a hand to. Jason Finn went near enough to levelling matters on 33mins as he almost connected to a swiftly taken corner from Richie Lally. A nice through ball from midfield then found the inrushing Lee Murphy in space on the edge of the box and as he was grounded the plea for a penalty fell on deaf ears. Athenry had the chance to double matters before the break after a free kick was floated in but as an Athenry player got a boot to it, the ball came off the woodwork and the resultant rebound was blasted over the crossbar. Colemanstown then put together a great passage of play as Jayo Finn won the ball well in defence playing back to his keeper whose long clearance found the inrushing Tom Flan who was partially crowded out but the keeper did well to save from him on the double. 1-0 Half time. 5mins after the restart Athenry scored their 2nd as Colemanstown fell asleep at the back and as a long ball was sent into the danger area the Athenry striker snuck in to slot to the net past a stranded Colemanstown keeper. Colemanstown tried to find a response and were nearly rewarded 2mins later as Richie Lally floated in a long free kick but as Flan got on the end of it the angle was too acute and the Athenry custodian saved well. Jason Finn then had a chance to get one back but somehow the outstretched keeper saved well. At this stage Lee Murphy was substituted when he sustained a nasty head injury after taking a bang to the head but saying that he took the whack like a champ. A period of sustained pressure from Colemanstown was well rewarded when a corner kick from Colemanstown was defended badly and as Jayo Finn sent the ball across the face of the Athenry goal somehow it was sent into Athenry’s own net. Soon afterwards, Colemanstown had another golden opportunity as Flan held the ball up well before firing right to Ray Moran but he blasted over the bar. 18mins into the 2nd half a Richie Lally free kick found Conor Jackson whose attempt at goal was well saved and the rebound fell to Flan who headed over the crossbar. Flan then had one or two half chances in the form of volleys which were squandered. Athenry always looked dangerous on the break but Sean Hardy excelled in the backs. Richie & Gary Lally were creative in midfield but it was Athenry who scored their 3rd half hour into the 2nd half to turn the screw. Alan Finn had a chance with an indirect free kick 13 yards out, not long before full time but he too blasted over. Some good work by Paddy Mullins who won the ball well in midfield and involving Ray Moran & Flan whose final effort was saved at the butt of the post. A free kick from Flan just before the final whistle also went close. All in all, Athenry deserved their win and now creep further up the Premier league table.
Our B team were hammered 6-2 by a strong Cregmore/Claregalway side at home yesterday. They showed some after effects of Ross’s stag the previous weekend as Ronan Skehill scored his first goal for the club & Sean Walsh also found the net.