Our B team took to the pitch at home on Saturday against Colga B. This was our 2nd game of the season and the aim was to put memories of Tuesday night’s defeat to Gort to the back of player’s minds. Just as in Tuesdays evening game, Colemanstown again fielded with a depleted team through lads involved in GAA and other varying reasons. The game was played in a good tempo with both defences were to the fore.
Chances in the first half hour were at a minimum with either keeper not really threatened other than a couple of long range efforts from either side. On 35 minutes central midfielder David Mullins drove a rocket of a shot to the right corner of the net from 30 yards to open the scoring for Colemanstown.
At this stage Colga were pushing to get back into the game but the back four were holding steady with Steven Broderick mopping up everything. Shane Lally in midfield was excellent along with Kerrill Lally who were putting through good deliveries to the 2 front men but Colemanstown still were not creating any chances. Colemanstown conceded a corner 6 mins before half time as the backs failed to clear and the ball was fumbled into the goal. It was a poor goal to concede by an excellent defence up to this point. Both teams went in stalemate at half time.
In that first half the back four of Mark Donnellan, Steven Broderick, Stephen Lyons and Brian Connolly had put in a wonderful shift. David Mullins, Kerrill Lally and Shane Lally ran their hearts out in the middle of the field but shots on target were at a premium. The second half was played in much the same vein with both defences to the fore but little in the way of creating anything dangerous up front. With 20 mins left and with only one sub available and a few of the lads falling victim to cramp, Colemanstown began to struggle but the defence was still in control. Colga pressed hard but anything they threw at us was dealt with. With just 2 mins to go Colemanstown got a corner and as quick as a flash, it was cleared down the field and with tired bodies a little slow tracking back the visitors got the ball into our box and scored the all elusive winner. It was a cruel blow and the final action of the game.
This defeat was difficult to take by the lads and with no backup as regards subs this could have been a different result. The lads on display died with their boots on and every player put in a huge effort.
Stand out players were Tom Broderick in goal, the back four of Mark Donnellan, Steven Broderick, Stephen Lyons and Brian Connolly could do no more. In the middle of the park David Mullins, Kerrill Lally and Shane Lally controlled everything . This was such a huge improvement since our mid-week outing and if the full panel of players were available, this may have been a different result but as the Van Morrison song goes ‘there will days like this’.
Squad: Thomas Broderick, Mark Donnellan, Steven Broderick, Stephen Lyons, Brian Connolly, Conor Booth, David Mullins, Kerrill Lally, Shane Lally, Conor Moran, Niall Skehill. Anthony Keane replaced Kerrill Lally with 20 minutes to go. Next up is Loughrea at home on Saturday. KO 2pm.
Match Report by Paraic O’Connor.